It's time to call it for what it is - The Big 3

[coco]

Not sure we have touched this topic...

But the way Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown and Jason Tatum are playing together....we have a BIG 3. Period.

Thoughts?

[Vermont Green]

No. I love Marcus smart. But he is not a big three player. He is a good player like Dennis Johnson was a good player but Dennis Johnson wasn’t a big three and neither is Marcus smart.

[Phantom255x]

I personally think if Timelord is healthy, it could be Tatum-Brown-Timelord. Nothing against Smart, but sometimes I think it's unfair when you have a healthy Tatum-Brown-Timelord trio on the court against teams lol

[Roy H.]

Is there a big separation between Marcus and Timelord or Al?

[Moranis]

Not a big 3 under any definition and that is perfectly fine.  Most championship teams are a big 2 and there are more big 1 winners than big 3 winners.

[Jiri Welsch]

What if this team’s paradigm is closer to the 2004 Pistons than the 2008 Celtics?

We don’t have to fit every successful team into the Big 3 model!

[Celtics2021]

Is there a big separation between Marcus and Timelord or Al?

In my mind, yes.  When he’s on the court, Marcus is the one calling the defense.  I think it’s under discussed how taking away the responsibility of being the primary defensive communicator freed up Rob to play more instinctually rather than also having to make sure everyone else on the floor knew what was going on.

[footey]

No. I love Marcus smart. But he is not a big three player. He is a good player like Dennis Johnson was a good player but Dennis Johnson wasn’t a big three and neither is Marcus smart.

Big 3 back then had more to do with their size than that they were their best 3. Good argument that DJ was one of the best 3 on those teams. Bird thought so I think.

[Goldstar88]

What if this team’s paradigm is closer to the 2004 Pistons than the 2008 Celtics?

We don’t have to fit every successful team into the Big 3 model!

It is closer to the 2004 pistons, except with more elite talent. The 2008 team had 3 HOF players. This years team is not that.

[seancally]

It’s not a Big 3, it’s a Fab 5

[SHAQATTACK]

I personally think if Timelord is healthy, it could be Tatum-Brown-Timelord. Nothing against Smart, but sometimes I think it's unfair when you have a healthy Tatum-Brown-Timelord trio on the court against teams lol

Agree here ……Rob is piece that’s been missing for soooo long.

[Csfan1984]

"The Collective"

[hpantazo]

It’s not a Big 3, it’s a Fab 5

Yes. Smart as the DPOY and heart of this team makes it a big 4, and Horford is a multi-time all-star and a major part of our success, he makes it a Fab 5.

[coco]

No. I love Marcus smart. But he is not a big three player. He is a good player like Dennis Johnson was a good player but Dennis Johnson wasn’t a big three and neither is Marcus smart.

Big 3 back then had more to do with their size than that they were their best 3. Good argument that DJ was one of the best 3 on those teams. Bird thought so I think.

This is true!  That's what I tell the new generation all the time.....

As for the Big 3 argument;  I was listening on the radio about the Bucks "big 3"....and I was thinking,  heck if Giainis/Middleon/Holiday are a big 3, then I am thinking Smart/Brown/Tatum is a comparable argument -- without the title.   

Another comparable argument is Curry/Klay/Green

Today's "big 3" argument carries a different "weight"  I guess.   I am thinking it has to do with good talent with good chemestry and proven track record.....or something along those lines 

[colincb]

Average NBA rankings within the top 100 players in advanced stats EPM, RAPTOR, REAL+/- and for the players' effect on wins for the same three stats

04 JT
29 AH
33 JB
40 RW
41 MS

For example, JT's ranked 6th on the average of these three metrics. According to these same three metrics, JT's also 2nd in the NBA in his effect on wins because of how many minutes he plays per game. Unfortunately, these stats don't go back that far into the past to compare with other elite teams. In any case, JT's a top 5 player, and you have four different starters in the top 41, which doesn't fit the Pistons or a Big 3 model.

FWIW, DW would be ranked 46th, but it's for his combined stats with SAS and BOS, which I cannot pull apart.