basketball092

Celtics view: What is the RIGHT thing to do? E-mail
Written by brumbygg   
Tuesday, 14 July 2009 16:45
A long time buddy of mine who is a sometime writer here is - gasp! - a Celtics fan.  Rob writes...

Let me start with the caveat that the Celtics can do no wrong.
Even if the Sheed sets a new record for Ts this season I will still support the decision to bring him in as a free agent. If Danny Ainge wants to suit up again and run the point I can probably get behind that too.
But there is a situation right now where I start to waiver...

Imagine signing a contract with a big company, going in to work every day for minimum wage, busting a gut, outperforming your contract on a regular basis, taking on the highly paid corporate giants from other companies, even filling in for the office superstar when he called in sick for a couple of months. Then in the last few weeks of your contract, you go down with, let's call it a flesh eating virus and you can't go into work anymore.
PoweWhat is the obligation of the company at that point? They pay you until your contract expires and then decide not to offer you a new contract. Has the company fulfilled its legal obligations?
Sure it has, but does the company have a moral obligation to the loyal employee?

Given that this is an NBA blog the analogy above obviously has to come back to basketball.
Leon Powe has played the past 3 years for the Celtics, helped then win a championship and had career highs in minutes, rebounds, assists and steals this season and averages 7.7 points per game.
He's a pretty handy back up who allowed KG to sit out plenty of minutes late in the championship season and was doing a fine job this past season. On March 13, 2009, Powe started in place of the injured Kevin Garnett, scoring a career-high 30 points, grabbing 11 rebounds and blocking a career-high 5 shots, in a 102-92 Celtics victory over the Memphis Grizzlies.
Injured at the end of the season attempting to recover from a right knee strain. He returned in time for the playoffs, only to tear the ACL and meniscus in his left knee in Game 2 of the first round against the Chicago Bulls.
What then do the Boston Celtics owe Leon Powe?
Do they really want to commit around $1 million per season for a guy who will miss at least the first half of the season? Does any of that make good business sense?
Nothing, probably not and not at all.

But something in the back of my mind is still uncomfortable.
This is a guy who earned his place, worked hard each and every day, gave all that he had for the team and then got hurt doing it.
This is the very cloudy moral and ethical area. It's easy for me to say sign the guy, it's not my money and I don't have to balance the books.
Honestly, I'm not sure what I really think, although my gut says the moral imperative applies here and the Celtic organization owes Leon Powe.
What do you think?



Add this page to your favorite Social Bookmarking websites
Digg! Google! Facebook! Technorati! StumbleUpon! BallHype: hype it up!
Comments (7)Add Comment
0
...
written by with-malice, July 14, 2009
Man... I think the Celtics owe it to him, but I also think it's likely that they'll cut him.
The times of *loyalty* from either direction: team to player, or vice versa - are long gone. You still see it every now and then... but it's rare.

I just hope Leon Powe ends up somewhere where he's appreciated.
Like... LA.
0
...
written by College Wolf, July 14, 2009
I really like Leon Powe. He's a gamer. I really hope he catches on and has a great injury-free rest of his career.
0
...
written by TheGreenThumb, July 14, 2009
Celtics management has offered support & assistance to Leon in his rehabilitation but has said that they will look into re-signing him only when his rehab is complete.

That, for me, is the right move by the Celtics. The Celtics are trying to win a championship plus they are luxury tax payers. I love Leon to death but why would any organization tie up 1 position/slot to an employee/player who is not in any way in a position to contribute to the team's goal and with a possibility that they never will be in a position to do so again?

If you own a business, have been contracted to complete a critical project by a certain timeframe, have budget & resource restrictions_ would you hire someone on your current project team who is on sick leave and who may or may not be able to come back to work to contribute to this project at all?

The Celtics did the right thing in offering logistical support to Leon to help him rehab. But to offer more than this support at this point in time is to the detriment of the team.
0
...
written by Don't Doubt Powe, July 14, 2009
Why would anyone fill a position for a player who won't contribute (in any way) to the teams goal?

The teams goal is to win a championship, period. Last time I checked that happens after December when he will be on the floor again. If you think Leon wont be there then you are really kidding yourself and haven't watched him play close enough. It was a SHORT SIGHTED move and it will come back to haunt the celtics. Leon Powe could be a starter, maybe you'll believe me when you see him suit up elsewhere. It would take 800k which is nothing for someone who can score double digits. Wasted bench space? Gabe Pruitt, Mikki Moore, Brian Scalabrine & T. Allen.

Ubuntu is a joke.

I will be courtside opening game in a Powe jersey.
0
...
written by brumbygg, July 15, 2009
Don't Doubt Powe - You know, if I lived anywhere near Boston I would be suiting up myself in a Powe jersey and sitting right by you.

I'm predicting that even if Leon isn't back in green until December he'll still have better stats than Mikki Moore in October and November.......
0
...
written by brumbygg, July 15, 2009
I don't disagree with anything you wrote..... but didn't it make you want to puke just a little as you wrote it?
0
...
written by Poker, July 15, 2009
Well written article, and I agree entirely. Thank you for your fresh point of view. Keep up the good work.

Pachinko

Write comment

busy
 

la-logo

47-18
Next game:
Mar 12th, US Airways Center
.
LA Lakers @ Phoenix Suns
GS Warriors...

Search WM

WM on Twitter

Follow With Malice on Twitter...

About Bloguin

Bloguin is the revolutionary blog network specifically focused on helping bloggers get the most out of their websites. We're currently working on building a large network of online communities and hope to expand our blogging coverage to include a wide range of topics.

Advertisers

The Bloguin Network allows advertisers to promote their products and services to our ever-growing number of visitors. We offer both site-specific ad placements as well as the ability to run a network-wide campaign. If you're interested in working with Bloguin to meet your advertising needs, please contact us.

Bloggers Wanted

The Bloguin Network is always looking to expand. We're specifically looking for blogs in the sports, entertainment, and video games field, but are open to adding any type of quality site. If you're a blogger and interested in joining our network, please fill out our application form.

The Bloguin Login

The Bloguin Login gives you full access to everything our network has to offer. Your name and password will work for each and every one of our sites. Signing up is simple, and will allow you to post in all our forums, create member blogs, and access other cool features! What are you waiting for? Create an Account!