Are the big 3 playing better this year than any of the 3 previous seasons?

[JBcat]

We are far enough into the season where we can compare how our big 3 are playing as a whole verses the previous seasons.   I'm not comparing the team as a whole just KG, Paul, and Ray.  It really is though only a comparison with the first season and year 4 this season.   Year 2 and 3 KG missed too much time or was not himself.  Pierce dealt with nagging injuries last year and Ray seemed to play much better the second half of the season when the weight of the trade deadline passed.

I think you could make the argument the big 3 this year are playing better than year 1.   I never would have guessed that in year 1 figuring age would catch up.   

Let's start with Paul.   In year 1 he came off of season ending injury from the previous season.   From what I remember he spent most of the summer rehabbing than training but still had a fantastic season.   He seems more explosive this year and to my eyes came into the season in better shape than all of the 4 seasons.  I don't remember as many rim rattling dunks from Paul in year 1.  Of course in year 1 Paul took on much larger role in facilitating the offense with Rondo so young as you can see with his assist numbers up 4.5 to 3.2 this year.   Although he is much more efficient this year with his FG% above 50%.  I'd give the edge for Paul this year.

With Ray in year 1 I remember at times he was just trying to find his way being the third option.  Don't forget he was coming off double ankle surgery.   Still had a fantastic year.  This year PPG, assists, and boards are basically the same.  However his efficiency is through the roof.  Over 50% from the field and .467% from 3 point land! Edge to Ray this year.

With KG he just rampaged through the league in year 1 and was never hurt.  Over 3 PPG better in year 1.  However if KG didn't have that little injury this year where his rebounding numbers dipped for a little while coming back you could make the case he is rebounding better this year.  8 out of the last 10 games posting double doubles.  I'd give the for KG in year 1.

Tough call overall for me but if I had to pick I'd say our big 3 are slightly better this year than year 1 because Paul and Ray are having such an unbelievable season (I think Paul just got player of the month for the eastern conference in February) with roughly 20 games left this season.   

[letsgoblue86]

Not definatively better, maybe more efficent though.  And with the emergence of rondo of course their numbers are gonna drop.  But out of the three, i think KG has obviously gone down hill the fastest, with age and injuries to blame.

[KobeShesNotConsenting!]

Well to me, Ray and Paul are clearly having their best years as part of the big 3. There's just no decline from 2 years ago, they're actually better, which is crazy. but KG's declined, like you said, but just in point production and blocks. He's still a DPOY candidate and rebounding better than 08 so far. But with all of that said, OF COURSE they're better this year! Do you really think this big 3 would let the hawks take them 7 games? No way in hell.

[KobeShesNotConsenting!]

I guess i'm saying experience is the huge difference maker there, besides stats and age