Basically, KG is collecting his pension right now. He's getting paid on reputation and prayer that he'll be able to call it back when it's needed most.
But really, paying big cash to a guy that can only play 5 min spurts? It means we'll have our backup C playing against the opposing starter in every game. So we need a starting-quality center to back up KG (and don't, and won't) just to be able to compete. I'm sorry, but we're at a disadvantage in the paint in every game because of KG.
Pierce...a big shot taker and maker, but not so much a creator any more. His footwork is still so awesome that he'll get some points, but he's not exactly a guaranteed bucket-or-free throw guy any more that can stop an opponent's run at will. Otherwise, we wouldn't have had these scoring droughts for the past couple of years.
So those are two pretty big declines from the title form, and we have nothing to really compensate except for Rondo and a stable of quicker, more athletic (but not necessarily better) journeymen than we've had in the past.
We're loaded with talent, but the top of the rotation is only 1/3 of what it used to be, that is: we have one sure allstar.
This is a group that I could see coming together in a crazy magical way to run to the title, but more than likely Danny will be working the phones to death between Jan 15th and the trade deadline to arrange the blockbuster that adds to the top of the roster.
I don't think there is a contending team in the NBA that wouldn't pay KG more than 10 million to be their defensive anchor. He's great in the regular season but guys are paid to show up in the playoffs. He can still guard multiple positions and without him we'd be lucky to give the Cavs a challenge for the 8th seed.
KG has never failed us, I can't see why he would now, he's not physically impaired. He doesn't carry weight around to hurt his knees. He's got plenty of tread on those tyres and he's worth every penny of the 10 million. He's given us a home court discount at 10 million too.
To say we're at a disadvantage with KG in the paint is 100% garbage. His playoffs last year were incredible and he was getting dirty, defending the paint and manipulating the paint on offense and defense every single game. Unless you're implying that he needs help in there- because he does. Bass just isn't cutting it and Danny knows this. KG doesn't finish top 5 in defensive player of the year voting because he's a liability in the paint.
Put Josh Smith next to him and we are a title contender.
I can't believe I read that and people are agreeing with it lol.
This team is nothing without KG in the paint on offense and defense.