Danny Ainge recently attempted to explain his controversial decision to trade Kendrick Perkins.

"I think we're stronger," said Ainge. "I think our offense and our defense will be every bit as good, if not better as long as we get some bodies healthy."

Ainge was then asked why he would make such a drastic trade so close to the playoffs while leading the conference.

"First of all, we were leading the conference because of (Shaquille O'Neal). We had a better record with Shaq than we did with Perk. Our offense was better and our defense was at least the same. I don't think Perk is Perk yet. I hope that he becomes that for Oklahoma City's sake. We thought it was going to take some time for Perk. He wasn't the shot-blocker or the rebounder that he's been in the past. We think that by adding Jeff Green, Nenad Krstic, and Troy Murphy we think we're a better team than we were. Shaq was starting for us when we had the great run this year. Baby (Glen Davis) was finishing for us. So we basically lost middle minutes."