NBA Trade Deadline: Breaking Down the Boston-Oklahoma City Trade

The 2011 NBA Trade Deadline may go down as one of the most memorable in NBA history.

Teams were frantically making last second trades, and many involved some big name players. The trade that captured the most attention was, of course, Carmelo Anthony heading to the Knicks.

For the most part, every trade made sense. However, one stood out as a complete shocker.

The Boston Celtics trade center Kendrick Perkins and guard Nate Robinson to the Oklahoma City Thunder for forward Jeff Green, center Nenad Krstic and a 2012 first round pick from the Clippers.

What does this trade mean for both teams? Here is a breakdown of the effects and overall winner of the trade.

1. Boston's Emotions

The Celtics players did not hesitate to show their emotion regarding the trade yesterday. It was obvious that many were upset with deal.

"It's not even about a teammate. It felt like you lost a family member today," Kevin Garnett said.

Perkins cried, his teammates cried. I almost even cried, and I'm not a fan of either team.

Hopefully, the emotions will pass and Boston can refocus on their run to the playoffs.

2. Kendrick Perkins' Injury

It's the only reason that anybody can come up with that makes any sense.

Maybe Boston had knowledge that Perkins was not fully recovered from his injury. This is obviously pure speculation at this point, but it seems as though it's the only thing that makes sense.

Perkins seemed to finally be back and recovered fully from his ACL injury.

Maybe he isn't?

3. Injured O'Neals

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 19: Shaquille O'Neal of the Boston Celtics with girlfriend Nicole 'Hoopz' Alexander sit courtside as they attend NBA All-Star Saturday night presented by State Farm at Staples Center on February 19, 2011 in Los Angeles, Califor

Both Shaquille and Jermaine O'Neal are currently sidelined with injuries.

At this time, it's still unknown exactly how long the O'Neals will be sitting on the bench.

This means that Nenad Krstic is the only true active center that will be available immediately for the Celtics.

It seems like Krstic will be sharing time with forward Glen Davis for the time being. This will be interesting to see how it unfolds, since Krstic is averaging only 21 minutes per game so far this season.

4. Oklahoma State's Young Players

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 18: James Harden #13 of the Oklahoma City Thunder and the Sophomore Team lays the ball up in the first half during the T-Mobile Rookie Challenge and Youth Jam at Staples Center on February 18, 2011 in Los Angeles, California.

The departure of Jeff Green is going to open things up for the Thunder.

They already have two dynamic players in Russell Westbrook and Kevin Durant.

The trade will give players like James Harden and Serge Ibaka a chance to step up and take the place of Green.

Chances are, the production will be only a slight decrease if any at all.

5. Celtic's Show Immediate Problems

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 24: Chris Andersen #11 of the Denver Nuggets dunks the ball against Glen Davis #11 and Chris Johnson #86 of the Boston Celtics during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on February 24, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the

It may have just been a fluke, but the Carmelo-less Nuggets took it to the Celtics last night.

It was a crazy day for the Celtics, and players may not have been completely focused on the game.

This could just be a single day occurrence, but it still had an impact.

6. Best in the West?

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LOS ANGELES, CA - FEBRUARY 22: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers drives around Josh Smith #5 of the Atlanta Hawks in the first half at Staples Center on February 22, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and a

Is it possible that this trade is what the Oklahoma City Thunder needed to compete with the best in west?

Last season, it was obvious that the one thing the Thunder lacked in the playoffs was a tough, physical force to compete with the Lakers.

Despite this, the series was still close.

Perkins brings that to the team. On top of that, maybe he will feel like he is playing with a chip on his shoulder now.

I'm not saying they are the best, but the Thunder need to start being mentioned after this trade.

7. Jeff Green a Restricted Free Agent

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 17: Pau Gasol #16 of the Los Angeles Lakers has his shot blocked by Jeff Green #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Staples Center on January 17, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by Harry How/Getty Images) NOTE TO U

The number one reason that Celtics fans should be upset with this trade is because Jeff Green is set to be a restricted free agent this summer.

Green is a solid player. He will be productive for the Celtics.

However, that may only last until the end of this season. There is no guarantee that he will be back with the team next year.

More than anything else, this shows the Celtics were in this mainly for the draft pick in 2012.

8. Don't Forget Nate Robinson

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 28: Nate Robinson #4 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on January 28, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Celtics 88-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly

Nate Robinson played a pretty minor role while with the Celtics. His role will probably be about the same on the Thunder.

However, it's a huge upgrade for the Thunder.

Nate Robinson instead of back-up point-guard Eric Maynor. That is a fantastic upgrade for the Thunder.

9. Direct Winner: Oklahoma City Thunder

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JANUARY 17: Kobe Bryant #24 of the Los Angeles Lakers makes a pass around Serge Ibaka #9,Thabo Sefolosha #2 and Jeff Green #22 of the Oklahoma City Thunder at the Staples Center on January 17, 2011 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by

I don't think that there is any question on this one. The Oklahoma City Thunder got the better end of the deal.

They lost a player who they can easily replace. They gained a player who fills one of the biggest problems on the team in Kendrick Perkins. They upgraded their bench with Robinson.

Simply put, the Thunder are now legit contenders in the west this season.

10. Indirect Winner: Miami Heat

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OKLAHOMA CITY, OK - JANUARY 30: Forward LeBron James #6 and Dwyane Wade #3 of the Miami Heat during play against the Oklahoma City Thunder at Ford Center on January 30, 2011 in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agree

The second-best team in the East may have just closed the gap on the Celtics.

Head-to-head Boston has taken out Miami three times so far this season. The one main reason that this has been able to unfold is because of the size matchups.

Sure, the Celtics beat the Heat earlier in the year without Perkins.

However, you are putting a lot of pressure on Shaquille O'Neal, who isn't the same player he was 10 years ago.

The Celtics are in a position to win now, and they just took a step in the wrong direction.