The '02 C's with today's KG, Rondo, & Tony Allen equals title

[TitleMaster]

I think if there was a way back machine, these key players would have made that '02 squad, into the NBA champs of that year. I would guess then, we'd dump Anderson, Delk, & Blount, in exchange for the headcount.

The way I see it, Tony Battie b/b Vitaly would play hard and take a slew of fouls against the likes of Shaq. And of course, w/ or w/o the Rogers trade, the Celts would try to draw Shaq away from the basket whenever we'd parlay the Jim O'Brien style of offense. The key here is that we have variation because of KG's ability to roam the post but also to take to ball outside to open up the lanes for Pierce's drives.

Likewise, against the Nets, we don't have a washed up Anderson but a fresh Rondo, all ready to challenge Kidd w/ periodic breaks given by Strickland and Tony Allen. The Nets would never have been able to generate those quick 20 pt explosions, just have letting Kidd blow past Anderson whenever he felt like it.

And given 'Sheed's poor outing this season, I have no problems letting 'Toine be KG's backup during '02. Yes, he'd get his lunch sometimes eaten by Martin but c'mon, it's only a portion of the time, since he won't necessarily be having to drive into Martin's reach, with a distributor like Rondo by his side. Thus, he'd be a far more effective player in general. And like KG, 'Toine was good at finding Pierce in transition.

And finally, in 2002, there was no single player who could stop Pierce, period! He would have gone off on the Lakers for 40 ppg. I don't see Devean George nor Fox challenging Pierce very much but I guarantee that Tony Allen and Pierce will be harassing Kobe.

[Jeff]

hey, I think most of those guys are still available as free agents this offseason!

[Roy Hobbs]

I think that team would cruise through the East.  The Lakers series would have probably been epic, but I think the Celts would have taken them.

[wdleehi]

I think just adding KG would have put them in that position. 


Add Rondo, definitely.



No need for TA. 

[xmuscularghandix]

I think if there was a way back machine, these key players would have made that '02 squad, into the NBA champs of that year. I would guess then, we'd dump Anderson, Delk, & Blount, in exchange for the headcount.

The way I see it, Tony Battie b/b Vitaly would play hard and take a slew of fouls against the likes of Shaq. And of course, w/ or w/o the Rogers trade, the Celts would try to draw Shaq away from the basket whenever we'd parlay the Jim O'Brien style of offense. The key here is that we have variation because of KG's ability to roam the post but also to take to ball outside to open up the lanes for Pierce's drives.

Likewise, against the Nets, we don't have a washed up Anderson but a fresh Rondo, all ready to challenge Kidd w/ periodic breaks given by Strickland and Tony Allen. The Nets would never have been able to generate those quick 20 pt explosions, just have letting Kidd blow past Anderson whenever he felt like it.

And given 'Sheed's poor outing this season, I have no problems letting 'Toine be KG's backup during '02. Yes, he'd get his lunch sometimes eaten by Martin but c'mon, it's only a portion of the time, since he won't necessarily be having to drive into Martin's reach, with a distributor like Rondo by his side. Thus, he'd be a far more effective player in general. And like KG, 'Toine was good at finding Pierce in transition.

And finally, in 2002, there was no single player who could stop Pierce, period! He would have gone off on the Lakers for 40 ppg. I don't see Devean George nor Fox challenging Pierce very much but I guarantee that Tony Allen and Pierce will be harassing Kobe.

TP I really like this post. 

[Brendan]

I think just adding KG would have put them in that position. 


Add Rondo, definitely.



No need for TA. 

Nice TA diss - agree they had backup guards in the range of Tony Allen's ability.

[wdleehi]

I think just adding KG would have put them in that position. 


Add Rondo, definitely.



No need for TA. 

Nice TA diss - agree they had backup guards in the range of Tony Allen's ability.

Not a dis.  He just isn't a team changer like the other two.

[pearljammer10]

I think adding KG to any team in 2002 would have made them instant contenders.

[xmuscularghandix]

I think adding KG to any team in 2002 would have made them instant contenders.

except the TWolves 

[Jon]

I think adding KG to any team in 2002 would have made them instant contenders.

And adding, KG, Rondo, and TA would probably have made every playoff team in the history of the NBA instant title contenders. 

[footey]

Tony seems to match up well against the Lakers. Certainly did in '08.

[j804]

I think just adding KG would have put them in that position.  


Add Rondo, definitely.



No need for TA.  

Nice TA diss - agree they had backup guards in the range of Tony Allen's ability.

Not a dis.  He just isn't a team changer like the other two.

Cant deny he's been a game changer. Without Tony I couldnt even see us being this far.  I mean hes huge off the bench for us both ends with Sheed barely coming to his own.

[Jon]

Tony seems to match up well against the Lakers. Certainly did in '08.

This whole team seems to matchup well with the Lakers.  Assuming we get there, Rondo is going to absolutely torch Derek Fisher (it's going to make his work in Miami and Cleveland look bad), Ray is going to make Kobe's life miserable fighting through screens (and Artest is nowhere near quick enough to keep up), Pierce will have to work on Artest, KG is going to abuse the soft Gasol, and Perk will shut down Bynum.