I have some major questions with the idea that the Cs are going to use Rondo and cap space to bring in FAs in 2015 and make this a 2 year rebuild.
questions are good -- shouldn't be expected to take it on blind faith
1. Who comes in 2015? The top members of that group will be Leonard, Love, Aldridge, Rondo, M Gasol, Thompson, A Jefferson,Gay, Hibbard, D Jordan, and a few im prob missing. Who out of this list is likely to stay with their current team? Out of the players left who are the Cs targets.
valid point -- it's one thing to say "we'll get a top FA". it's another to actually figure out WHO we could get. I'm of the opinion that Rondo can be kept. Depending on the draft next year, I'd probably target Gasol because he fills a need more than the others and might be willing to move on from Memphis.
2. Can the players assembled in the above list beat the Heat if they reconstruct the team the way it looks this offseason. James, Bosh, Wade and a fourth piece Lowery?
yes, very much so. Miami's been to the finals the past 4 straight years but without a Spurs collapse and Ray's miracle shot last year, they'd have just one ring to show for their collusion. Teams will lesser star talent but with better cohesion have shown that Lebron can indeed be beaten with his 'super friends'.
3. With Rondo currently 28 and James 29 with DA ever be able to put enough talent around Rondo for the Cs to over take James in the ECF?
same answer as above. any doubts -- look back on how the C's fared against Miami in the playoffs with an aging Ray, PP and KG as well as the multitude of injuries the C's had to endure. Put some really good players with Rondo that are healthy and I think Bron can be sent packing before he gets to the Finals
4. Are the Cs better off rebuilding around under 24 yr olds and developing a team for when Lebron is out of his prime (currently 29 so figure 3 years he will start falling out of his prime).
it's certainly an option to throw in the towel without trying but I'm not sold on that being the best option. Bron had to carry the major workload for that team this year and Wade is fading quickly. Bosh is a good player but disappeared in the finals. that team can be taken down now as the Spurs showed.
5. If 2015 FA is the team plan then why where they not more active in some one sided deals this month? Afflalo was traded for a bargain price, Asik for a protected first. Why no get in on both those deals and retain their bird rights for next off-season?
good question. I think it's because that retaining their rights impacts the cap and the ability to sign other FAs. Afflalo and Asik are nice complimentary pieces to have if they're in support roles. I think the idea is to get the big-time player on the team first and then fill in around that player.
I hate to be negative and I have total faith in Danny Ainge as a GM but I don't think a Rondo lead team is getting the Cs back to championship contention. I think its going to take some educated draft day luck and stevens ability to develop players. I think DA is off to a great start with Smart and Young. If AB can resign and get healthy that is a very promising 3 guard rotation. Add to that the offensive talents that Sully and KO have displayed and I think the Cs are moving in the right direction.
agree the team is moving in the right direction. I think Rondo can lead a team to a title in the sense that he can bring the fire (in the playoffs only -- have to see him get fired up in the regular season this time around) but he definitely needs to be paired with at least one player who's better than him -- certainly one that can be a clutch scorer.
My #1 goal of this off-season would be to add a young SF with an all-star ceiling. Even at the expense of trading Rondo, Green, Bass and some other long term assets (future 1st). Parsons, Hayward or Barnes would be on top list as options. MKG and Porter would be on my second tier of options.
disagree on this. any kind of all-star would be helpful but I question where that would get us. in the lottery most likely and with a mid-lottery pick at best. I'm not advocating tanking by any means but I question why add a player at this time that will have a questionable impact on the direction of the team. As for who you're suggesting would fit your all-star potential criteria -- those 3 guys aren't it. They may end up being average SFs in this league. they're not even at Jeff Green's level yet and I truly doubt any of them would surpass him. I'm no fan of Green but I recognize he's pretty much an average SF in this league
My #2 goal would be to add a center so as to not hinder the development of Sully and KO. I think the 2015 draft will have a strong crop and I would hold out on trying to find a long term answer with hopes of getting a stud in the draft. I personally like the idea of defensive center by committee with a combo of Biyombo ( who is likely 100% out of bobcats rotation) and one of the following Steimsma, Aldrich, Thabeet. Add to that some minutes for Fav. After giving KO and Sully 30min each the center by committee would split 36min depending who stevens is having better luck with.
agree - need a center. The options you proposed would be end of the bench guys on a decent roster. would hopefully be able to do a little better -- someone who's at least the quality of a solid back up center on a good roster. I wouldn't mind kicking the tires on Emeka Okafor for a year or maybe Greg Oden if he checks out healthy and can last the year. main goal is to keep Sully and KO from having to play major minutes at Center.
Topic: The 2-year rebuild and Rondo (Read 5307 times)