Eastern Conference Scout says this will be the last year for the Big 3 together

[rondohondo]

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-100129-30/checking-nba-scouts

Eastern Conference scout choosing his top team in the East

"I'd still stick with Boston when they're healthy. They have the two best interior defenders [Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace]. They have enough size and physicality that LeBron [James] won't dominate them like he does to so many others. The problem is that nobody thinks they can stay healthy.

"Their biggest weakness is backup point guard, but teams don't necessarily take advantage of that as much as they should. Ray [Allen] is wearing down ... he doesn't have the same automatic-ness to his jumper that he used to. And Rasheed's presence takes away from [Kendrick Perkins'] touches and confidence.

"But they've been there, done that. This will be the last year for this group, but I'd still have to take Boston over Cleveland and Orlando."

If KG is still not close to being healthy enough to help us contend by the trade deadline , you have to see what you can get for Ray. I have to agree this is the last year that we have a legit shot at a title with this group, they are only going to get older and be more injury prone in the next few years. So if we continue to struggle for the next 3 weeks I wouldn't be surprised to see Ray go.

[Evantime34]

I feel like next year ideally Ray will take on the Eddie House role as a great shooter off the bench.

[rondohondo]

I feel like next year ideally Ray will take on the Eddie House role as a great shooter off the bench.

then why not trade him this year and get a good package in return and then just sign Ray for the MLE next year?  Again I say wait til the deadline and see how this team does, but if we continue to struggle against the better teams in the league it would be smart to get what you can for Ray now.

[PLamb]

I can't see Danny resigning ray to more than a one year with a team option contract if he doesn't trade him before the deadline

I say 50-50 they are still all on this team next year

[KCattheStripe]

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-100129-30/checking-nba-scouts

Eastern Conference scout choosing his top team in the East

"I'd still stick with Boston when they're healthy. They have the two best interior defenders [Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace]. They have enough size and physicality that LeBron [James] won't dominate them like he does to so many others. The problem is that nobody thinks they can stay healthy.

"Their biggest weakness is backup point guard, but teams don't necessarily take advantage of that as much as they should. Ray [Allen] is wearing down ... he doesn't have the same automatic-ness to his jumper that he used to. And Rasheed's presence takes away from [Kendrick Perkins'] touches and confidence.

"But they've been there, done that. This will be the last year for this group, but I'd still have to take Boston over Cleveland and Orlando."

If KG is still not close to being healthy enough to help us contend by the trade deadline , you have to see what you can get for Ray. I have to agree this is the last year that we have a legit shot at a title with this group, they are only going to get older and be more injury prone in the next few years. So if we continue to struggle for the next 3 weeks I wouldn't be surprised to see Ray go.

I think the scout was saying its their last year to win a title, not that its their last year playing together.

[Roy Hobbs]

Before we all bash Ray, or assume that he won't be back, keep in mind that in a down season, he still has a higher eFG% than D. Wade, Joe Johnson, or Vince Carter.  He's not as complete of a player as those guys (at least the first two) but he's still very good at what he does.

[Fafnir]

Before we all bash Ray, or assume that he won't be back, keep in mind that in a down season, he still has a higher eFG% than D. Wade, Joe Johnson, or Vince Carter.  He's not as complete of a player as those guys (at least the first two) but he's still very good at what he does.

Which makes me think he can still play for a few more years, but he's going to become a roleplayer/bench shooter.

[rondohondo]

Before we all bash Ray, or assume that he won't be back, keep in mind that in a down season, he still has a higher eFG% than D. Wade, Joe Johnson, or Vince Carter.  He's not as complete of a player as those guys (at least the first two) but he's still very good at what he does.

  I think Ray can still contribute to a contending team, but I am wondering if this will even be a contending team come playoffs?  It all is on KG's knee and it hasn't been right for about a year now . I think he is going to struggle with it the rest of the year . Trading Ray would at least let us start the rebuilding process faster than just letting the big 3 get old and not have a chance at winning anything.

[Roy Hobbs]

Before we all bash Ray, or assume that he won't be back, keep in mind that in a down season, he still has a higher eFG% than D. Wade, Joe Johnson, or Vince Carter.  He's not as complete of a player as those guys (at least the first two) but he's still very good at what he does.

it's not that I don't think Ray can't still contribute to a contending team, but I am wondering if this will even be a contending team come playoffs?  It all is on KG's knee and it hasn't been right for about a year now . I think he is going to struggle with it the rest of the year . Trading Ray would at least let us start the rebuilding process faster than just letting the big 3 get old and not have a chance at winning anything.

I'm not all that eager to start the building process.  Who's available out there that would be a large piece of our future?  Who is a player worth building around?

I don't see a lot of options.  That being the case, I'd prefer to ride out the rest of the big three era, and then totally build a new team around Rondo.  I don't think that rebuilding on the fly works; at best, it will result in mediocrity.

[PLamb]

Before we all bash Ray, or assume that he won't be back, keep in mind that in a down season, he still has a higher eFG% than D. Wade, Joe Johnson, or Vince Carter.  He's not as complete of a player as those guys (at least the first two) but he's still very good at what he does.

I would want Ray in a wheelchair before I want Vince Carter at full health

Ray, even hurt and old is still more of a plus to a team than Vince Carter fully healthy

That said, Ray's future with this team complete hinges upon how this teams long term prognosis looks between now and Feb.18th

Best case if KG gets healthier and Ray starts shooting more like Ray from 3, Ray will be here a while

Worst case if KG's knee looks to be a long term chronic problem and Ray's outside shooting woes become a season long looking thing, Ray will probably not be here next year

Everything in between, probably he's here but who really knows

[BballTim]

http://espn.go.com/nba/dailydime/_/page/dime-100129-30/checking-nba-scouts

Eastern Conference scout choosing his top team in the East

"I'd still stick with Boston when they're healthy. They have the two best interior defenders [Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace]. They have enough size and physicality that LeBron [James] won't dominate them like he does to so many others. The problem is that nobody thinks they can stay healthy.

"Their biggest weakness is backup point guard, but teams don't necessarily take advantage of that as much as they should. Ray [Allen] is wearing down ... he doesn't have the same automatic-ness to his jumper that he used to. And Rasheed's presence takes away from [Kendrick Perkins'] touches and confidence.

"But they've been there, done that. This will be the last year for this group, but I'd still have to take Boston over Cleveland and Orlando."

If KG is still not close to being healthy enough to help us contend by the trade deadline , you have to see what you can get for Ray. I have to agree this is the last year that we have a legit shot at a title with this group, they are only going to get older and be more injury prone in the next few years. So if we continue to struggle for the next 3 weeks I wouldn't be surprised to see Ray go.

I think the scout was saying its their last year to win a title, not that its their last year playing together.

  It all comes down to KG's knee. Perk/KG/Pierce/Rondo is a title contending nucleus for another 1-2 years if KG's at all healthy.

[Drucci]

I think the scout's point was that next year the Big Three will be the Big Two since Ray will have a lesser role in team (or not re-sign with the Celtics in his opinion but I disagree).

I think people are writting off Ray too soon, and he will prove them wrong in the playoffs.

[Who]

I can't see Danny resigning ray to more than a one year with a team option contract if he doesn't trade him before the deadline

I think Danny will give Ray a two year contract to have his deal coincide with Garnett's + Sheed's. Have them all expire at the same time.

[rondohondo]

I think the scout's point was that next year the Big Three will be the Big Two since Ray will have a lesser role in team (or not re-sign with the Celtics in his opinion but I disagree).

I think people are writting off Ray too soon, and he will prove them wrong in the playoffs.

it's not Ray I'm writing off , its KG's knee. Without KG we aren't winning anything anyways. I love Ray and would prefer to keep him if , but if KG is going to be struggling with this all year then I have little faith we will do much in the playoffs. So if you could get some good young players on the rise or high draft picks you have to strongly consider it.

[Who]

  I don't think that rebuilding on the fly works; at best, it will result in mediocrity.

Agreed -- high failure rate -- something to be highly wary of.

There has to be a plan in place that maps out a way for the team to make sustainable progress while rebuilding. Too many of these teams only have one or two moves thought out and then get stuck in no-mans land when they realize they don't have the flexibility personnel wise to make further improvements.