Synopsis of symbiosis:

http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=6931

Thesis:

At first glance it is easy to attribute the Boston Celtics success to offseason trades with the Minnesota Timberwolves and Seattle SuperSonics. However, it was the Celtics dealings with the Portland Trail Blazers more than a year-and-a-half ago that set the stage for both blockbuster moves and allowed the Trail Blazers to build the foundation for success. Boston and Portland may be more than 3,000 miles away from each other, but these teams are closer than it seems.