"I'd [make the Delonte trade] again, of course, but we really liked Delonte when he was here. Even though we knew the issues and the challenges he needed to take care of, we also think Delonte is in a better place today than he was the day he left. He wasn't perfect, but we still liked the player."
[...]"There's a familiarity with the roster and a familiarity with the players," said Ainge. "Paul [Pierce] and Rajon [Rondo], especially, were big fans having played with him. I'm a fan of Delonte."
ESPN Boston: Celtics to re-sign Delonte West
I liked Delonte back in the day as well. And I'm glad, in many ways, that he's back.
Take a look at this roster. These are all guys that will deserve minutes (I'm leaving rookies off). Look at all the players on here with significant experience (number of playoff games in parentheses):
PG: Rajon Rondo (64), Nate Robinson (17)
SG: Ray Allen (101), Von Wafer (13), Delonte West (34)
SF: Paul Pierce (101), Marquis Daniels (47)
PF: Kevin Garnett (96), Glen Davis (55), Jermaine O'Neal (81)
C: Kendrick Perkins (68), Shaquille O'Neal (214)
That's a combined 891 games of playoff experience for this team. That's almost 11 full NBA seasons worth of combined playoff games for these guys.
So the addition of Delonte West gives the Celtics 12 players on the roster that legitimately deserve floor time. Twelve. Of course Perk is hurt so that knocks it down until playoff time. But it's not like he's not playing in the playoffs. Doc has been adamant about the "our starting 5 has not lost" thing.
This means the rotations are going to be interesting. There's no doubt, though... this team is DEEP. A series against Miami is going to be like a boxing match between a big, knockout puncher and a guy with a cement chin that won't go down. The C's will just send waves of players at teams. Hell, they're almost going to be a hockey team... subbing in lines of guys on the fly. It's going to be nuts.
Danny also announced today that the Celtics would be travelling all the way to nowhere for training camp... having decided to just stay in Waltham. Sorry, Paul Pierce... your wish will not come true.