Perkins, Rondo and Upcoming Free agents as big 3 fade...

[ScoobyDoo]

To me, one of the best things Ainge has done as a GM is position us to be able to re-load this team in two different ways as the big 3 fade:

1. By identifying and choosing Perk and Rondo he has secured what could be the cornerstone book ends of two diffferent championship teams over the course of a 10 year+ period. Center and point guard are the two toughest spots to fill in this league, we've got a couple of players at those positions that are talented, hard working and hard nosed. All you need to do is fill in the middle.

For example, if the big three were all gone in 2012 you could argue that you could:

1. Sign a Kevin Durant for max at small forward
2. Draft a good off guard
3. Sign a good power forward

and you would be very competitive right away again. 

2. Whether by design or not, Ray, Paul and KG come off the books in consecutive years. This allows us to have at least some ability to hopefully say, sign a younger off guard when Ray's done and perhpas bring Ray back in a Michael Finley type role. So on and so forth with Peirce and KG, though the two latter might be the types to either be king of the hill or just quit. But if not what a great way to extend your career by letting some young kids do the heavy lifting while you're still contributing to championships...

All along, Perk and Rondo are the bookends...filling the two toughest spots you need for a truly championship caliber team in mu opinion.
 

[Evantime34]

Hopefully it can be like the Celtics of old, drafting young players having the older players groom them to take over. The dream is obviously that Giddens/Walker/Hudson/other future wing picks will be able to fill in for Pierce/Allen when they start to decline or retire and then maybe Baby or Powe can be starter quality players (if we resign them).

[PosImpos]

Hopefully it can be like the Celtics of old, drafting young players having the older players groom them to take over. The dream is obviously that Giddens/Walker/Hudson/other future wing picks will be able to fill in for Pierce/Allen when they start to decline or retire and then maybe Baby or Powe can be starter quality players (if we resign them).

Good luck with that dream.

[Mr October]

Rondo and Perkins are the future of the team, and it is a nice advantage to have such quality at the 2 hardest positions to fill: PG & C.

Beyond that we need an MVP caliber stud. KG is a huge reason why the team became so good again. If you want to make the playoffs, you can get any old all star type to play with Rondo and Perks.

If you want to get a title you need that superstar (either via free agency , firesale trade (like KG, Shaq), or bottom out and hit the lottery).

I think everyone else is expendable in 2 years.

[Drucci]

Agreed with PosImpos, I just can't see the Big Three passing the torch to Bill Walker & cie.. but ScoobyDoo's post is really interesting. It will be fun to watch the Celtics evolution when (and if) Rondo and Perk become their cornerstones!