I feel like we all agree that something is wrong on the C's, but we don't seem to agree on the exact problem. The result is that I'm seeing a lot of mix and matched metaphors which are misleading.

Example: The Robinson/House deal is re-arranging deck chairs on the Titanic.

Analysis: Really? The Celtics are a big sinking ship that is going down no matter what? Maybe I'll agree that Boston isn't cruising along like we all hoped, but there's no doubt that they float. The players are solid, we've got a young buoyant engine in Rondo, and role players Perk and Davis and even TA give us a solid finish. Our big 3 is like the structure of the ship. Yes, it is old, but it's seaworthy. They are well built, complementary pieces, and though KG is weakened from what he was, he is battle tested and still plenty serviceable. I don't see the Celtics with a gaping hole, really, or taking on water from any one direction - we aren't the Titanic - and if we are a ship then we're functionally sound, we are not beyond saving, our engine isn't shot.

Stronger metaphor: If the Celtics have to be a ship, then what's lacking is fire in the engines. Our coal room is running  low on coal and we have difficulty firing up the engine quickly when we need to. Not that Sheed, KG, Pierce, and RA can't play with fire anymore, but the ability to self ignite seems to be limited at this point in their careers. As a team, the collective fire seems dampened. So how do you fix that? How about a 5'9 firecracker like Nate Robinson on the bench? If there's anything he brings to the team it is energy, a constant spark if you will. When Rondo is lagging (which does happen from time to time) we have a guy like Robinson on the bench who is always looking to start a fire. This is a good thing, especially because fire is contagious. Start a big enough fire on the bench and it might just catch the starting unit.

So my question is: can we agree on a more accurate metaphor to describe these C's? One that actually construes the problems as they are? (BTW - I don't mean to pick on the Titanic people here... I realize that perhaps you mean it as an analogy to the size of the problems vs. the size of the solution. Still, it misrepresents the type of problem...)

I usually roll my eyes at the various crackpot trade scenarios people come up with on this and other blogs, but I've been driven by an obsession this trade season to make something happen for Hinrich, without having to lose Ray in the exchange. Without going into why, I think Hinrich just fits this team perfectly - much better than Eddie House - and would give us a real boost in a backup PG and occasional backup SG role. And he's very available, if Chicago can get something worth his weight in expiring contracts.

With that in mind I tried for a long time to make a 2 team trade work on the Trade Machine and it just wasn't happening. Then I added Charlotte to the mix, knowing that they really want an athletic young big, and that Chicago is done with TT and afraid he will exercise his player option this summer, restricting their cap space in the free agent melee.

So here's what I came up with: http://games.espn.go.com/nba/tradeMachine?tradeId=ylfhfjd

The part that makes me sad is losing TA, because we drafted him and he's actually reliable this year and I love his aggressive defense, but from what I hear Graham is a quite strong defensive guy himself and has got some potential... especially in our system.

In short, Boston gets: much more complete backup PG and better defined roles in the second unit (Daniels is the default 2, Graham the default 3) without losing anyone critical to the team... also get younger. Ajinca is a throw-in to make it work financially.

Chicago gets: all the expiring deals they want, plus Chicago native TA and backup PG Felton who can actually help the team this year. Also eliminate the somewhat disgruntled TT and avoid the threat of him exercising his player option this summer. Chicago will have money for 2 max free agents in the summer.

Charlotte gets: the athletic young big they've been rumored to be chasing, plus House who can give them some scoring boost off the bench. Charlotte also comes away with less guaranteed contract expenditures next year.

What y'all think?