[Sarge]

The Celtics have decided to part ways with forward/center Leon Powe after not offering him a qualifying offer, making him an unrestricted free agent. General manager Danny Ainge does not necessarily want to sign Powe since he will most likely not be ready to play until mid-December. They have not completely ruled out re-signing him if no one else picks up Powe, but most likely he will not suit up in the Green this fall.
Powe became a fan favorite after the 07-08 season, when he exploded off the bench and showed what talent he truly had. It is one thing for fans to be upset about losing Powe, but some fans. The petition makes claims to how much Powe can do for the Celtics, mentions the hardships he has gone through in life, and that he does not deserve this kind of treatment. I love Leon Powe as much as the next Celtics fan, but I have to say this “Powe-tition” is completely ridiculous.
Do these fans honestly think they are going to be taken seriously? Professional sports have become a business now with the salaries that players make today. There is no way that Danny Ainge and the rest of the Celtics front office are going to be swayed to keep Leon Powe just because some fans signed an online petition. Sure, it is terrible to see such a good and developing player leave, but I completely understand where Ainge is headed with this move and I think the general manager of a championship team knows what he is doing. I trust Danny Ainge after he put together the 2008 champs, and I continue to trust him in this decision.
The Celtics are very interested in Rasheed Wallace and he would be a huge step up from Powe, who really can just basically stand under the basket and dunk. Wallace has championship experience, has a good mid range shot for his size, and can really be a force to be reckoned with off the bench, which is where his role will be. He is a better fit to come in for Kevin Garnett in a game and is really just better that Powe. I understand that he is older, but for the time being I feel the Celtics will be better off with Wallace than Powe.
So to the fans who sign that petition, I think you are fools. It is great that you can support a player who you do not even know so much, but you can still support him even if he is not on your team. Hey, I still root for James Posey as well any other ex-Celtic who left the team in good standing. It is not the end of the world, especially if the move improves a team and gives them a chance to raise another banner to the rafters. So, farewell Leon, if it comes to that. We love you and best of luck wherever you end up.

Save Leon Powe Petition is a Little Ridiculous | Sports of Boston

In my opinion it's not ridiculous he helped the C's win a championship as a rookie. He is the heart of the team I think if fans don't like this decision they have every right to be mad.

YouTube - Boston Celtics: Leon Powe

YouTube - Boston Celtics: Leon Powe

That's the story about him being homeless which really touched me, but I don't think that should be the only reason to re-sign him. If he can come back for short money then why not?

Re-Sign Leon Powe-tition Petition : [ powered by iPetitions.com ]

There's the link to sign it I did because I want to see him back in green.

Something else I found which makes me cringe.

"First he said it was money issues ... then he said I'm going to take up a roster spot and that he's not and the owner's not willing to wait," Powe said. "He said they've got a two-year window to win the championship and they wanted someone who could play right away."

"They gave me a lot of reasons why. It's not like I'm asking for $30 million a year. That would be hard," Powe said. "Just give me something for one year, just to show y'all that I'm going to work hard and when I come back I'm going to be right."

"I thought, 'I've been with the team, they know me, they know I'm a hard worker. I've done everything I've been asked. I was playing hurt when I did it,'"‰" he said, referring to the anterior cruciate ligament injury.

"They told me I need to go find another team. I didn't think they'd do anything like that."
"You always want to be somewhere you're appreciated. At that time I didn't feel appreciated," he said.

"I got a lot of motivation right now," he said. "I love the work, it's just a challenge for me. I've been down this road. It's nothing new.

"I ain't got no doubts. I know as soon as I get back on the court I'm going to be ready to play and play good."

http://celticsgreen.blogspot.com/200...eating-up.html