Were the original Big 3 kept too long?

[JSD]

The Celtics lost a highly rated prospect and a perennial all-star in the late eighties and early nineties. If their tragic deaths weren’t enough to set the franchise back for years to come, the league enforcing a cap hit on Reggie Lewis was:

“At the time of his death July 27, Lewis was making $3.3 million and entering the third year of a five-year contract worth nearly $15 million. All of the money is guaranteed and will be paid to Lewis' estate. The money also counts against the Celtics' salary cap, a league-mandated payroll limit. And it will just sit there, as a reminder of Lewis' vast worth -- and the huge void he left.”

These events combined with the Pitino era (Possibly the worst GM in NBA history), is what caused the drought many blame on holding onto the original big 3 for too long.

http://articles.courant.com/1993-11-14/features/0000001963_1_reggie-lewis-lewis-case-salary-cap

The Celtics face a much different situation now.

[green7]

yea i think so

[birdbrady]

Celts could have traded McHale to Seattle in early 89 in a package that would have wound up getting the #2 pick in the 1990 draft (GP.)  They also could have traded him to Dallas in that same time frame for Detlef Schermpf, Sam Perkins, and a pick.

Had they done either of those trades, and then picked Tim Hardaway (who wanted to be a Celtic, was playing a position of dire need, was the slam dunk pick by everyone who watched, followed, or covered that draft) - they would have been competitive throughout the 90s with or without Len Bias and Reggie Lewis.

[Bent]

Good point, that definitely curtailed a rebuild-on-the-fly similar to what they'll be trying to achieve next year.

I'd like to add that although they didn't win any titles after 1986, they still provided many fantastic moments that I wouldn't change for anything.  Maybe I wouldn't be as big of a fan if the Celtics had been Chuck Person, Detlef Schrempf, Michael Cage and whoever else they'd have rebuilt around.

There have been plenty of great moments since 2008 and hopefully more to come.

[Moranis]

I would have moved McHale and Bird in the 89-90 seasons.  By then it was apparent the team wasn't a realistic title contender and Bird had recovered from his back injury and had solid value still.  McHale had solid value as well.  Either one of them could have put a team over the top and the Celtics could have gotten three or four solid prospects and/or draft picks for them.