Could winning this series extend our window?

[Roy Hobbs]

Right now, Shaq, Big Z, Parker, and Jamison are all 33 years old or older.  If the Cavs flame out in the playoffs despite being the heavy favorite for the second year in a row, does Lebron look at this roster and decide that it's not going to be championship caliber in two years? 

I think he might.  If Lebron is going to be on a team full of role players, wouldn't he be better off in a city like New York, where there are some nice young pieces, and where his exposure would be even greater than it is now?  What would the incentive be to remain in Cleveland, if he was convinced that this year was his best shot?

I think this would help extend the Celts window, because whatever outside team Lebron signs with will probably take some time to gel before it's an immediate title favorite.  That being the case, our key rivals in the East might be Miami and Atlanta, with Cleveland falling into the lottery.

Also, of course, a win over Cleveland shows free agents that we're still very much in the title picture, making the Celtics situation more attractive.

I want to see the Celts beat the Cavs simply because I want a title this year, but I also think a series victory could play dividends next season and beyond.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I think LeBron moving would be worse for us. I think the team he would choose to go to will be better than Cleveland and probably have another superstar in it already or in position to acquire one.

[MMacOH]

Right now, Shaq, Big Z, Parker, and Jamison are all 33 years old or older.  If the Cavs flame out in the playoffs despite being the heavy favorite for the second year in a row, does Lebron look at this roster and decide that it's not going to be championship caliber in two years? 

I think he might.  If Lebron is going to be on a team full of role players, wouldn't he be better off in a city like New York, where there are some nice young pieces, and where his exposure would be even greater than it is now?  What would the incentive be to remain in Cleveland, if he was convinced that this year was his best shot?

I think this would help extend the Celts window, because whatever outside team Lebron signs with will probably take some time to gel before it's an immediate title favorite.  That being the case, our key rivals in the East might be Miami and Atlanta, with Cleveland falling into the lottery.

Also, of course, a win over Cleveland shows free agents that we're still very much in the title picture, making the Celtics situation more attractive.

I want to see the Celts beat the Cavs simply because I want a title this year, but I also think a series victory could play dividends next season and beyond.

Haven't you seen already Roy?  The NBA is already picking the refs that will 'job' the Celtics out of one of these games and give the series to Cleveland.  The Celtics will never be allowed to win this round.  

[BudweiserCeltic]

Right now, Shaq, Big Z, Parker, and Jamison are all 33 years old or older.  If the Cavs flame out in the playoffs despite being the heavy favorite for the second year in a row, does Lebron look at this roster and decide that it's not going to be championship caliber in two years? 

I think he might.  If Lebron is going to be on a team full of role players, wouldn't he be better off in a city like New York, where there are some nice young pieces, and where his exposure would be even greater than it is now?  What would the incentive be to remain in Cleveland, if he was convinced that this year was his best shot?

I think this would help extend the Celts window, because whatever outside team Lebron signs with will probably take some time to gel before it's an immediate title favorite.  That being the case, our key rivals in the East might be Miami and Atlanta, with Cleveland falling into the lottery.

Also, of course, a win over Cleveland shows free agents that we're still very much in the title picture, making the Celtics situation more attractive.

I want to see the Celts beat the Cavs simply because I want a title this year, but I also think a series victory could play dividends next season and beyond.

Haven't you seen already Roy?  The NBA is already picking the refs that will 'job' the Celtics out of one of these games and give the series to Cleveland.  The Celtics will never be allowed to win this round.   

We already did it in 2008. The refs can't handle us.

[angryguy77]

I think LeBron moving would be worse for us. I think the team he would choose to go to will be better than Cleveland and probably have another superstar in it already or in position to acquire one.

I don't see him going to a team with another superstar. I don't think he would want to share "his" team with anyone. If he' leaves I see him going to a team like Roy said and having to wait a few years. Leaving would cleveland would be the best thing for us and the Magic.

[indeedproceed]

I think LeBron moving would be worse for us. I think the team he would choose to go to will be better than Cleveland and probably have another superstar in it already or in position to acquire one.

I don't see him going to a team with another superstar. I don't think he would want to share "his" team with anyone. If he' leaves I see him going to a team like Roy said and having to wait a few years. Leaving would cleveland would be the best thing for us and the Magic.

I think the only way he leaves Cleveland is for a team with another borderline superstar, or a supporting cast with at least 2 boderline all-stars.

[BudweiserCeltic]

I think LeBron moving would be worse for us. I think the team he would choose to go to will be better than Cleveland and probably have another superstar in it already or in position to acquire one.

I don't see him going to a team with another superstar. I don't think he would want to share "his" team with anyone. If he' leaves I see him going to a team like Roy said and having to wait a few years. Leaving would cleveland would be the best thing for us and the Magic.

Why wouldn't he want to share? He knows he'll be the man regardless of who is there.

Every team in the NBA is going to throw max contracts at him, and he'll be the first choice in every single one of them. Makes little sense to me for him to pick a team that is not poised to be a good team next year and be part of a "rebuilding effort" of sorts.

[Drucci]

I think winning this series would definitely extend our window. I also think LeBron will leave no matter what happens for him during these playoffs but that's a different subject.

If the C's win this series and/or eventually win the championship, they will definitely look more attractive to the FA of this summer's market (not the big names but the other ones), and I think we would appear kind of like the Spurs, the old vets who still have another run in them and who coast through the season to unleash all their talent in the playoffs.

[rondohondo]

Right now, Shaq, Big Z, Parker, and Jamison are all 33 years old or older.  If the Cavs flame out in the playoffs despite being the heavy favorite for the second year in a row, does Lebron look at this roster and decide that it's not going to be championship caliber in two years?  

I think he might.  If Lebron is going to be on a team full of role players, wouldn't he be better off in a city like New York, where there are some nice young pieces, and where his exposure would be even greater than it is now?  What would the incentive be to remain in Cleveland, if he was convinced that this year was his best shot?

I think this would help extend the Celts window, because whatever outside team Lebron signs with will probably take some time to gel before it's an immediate title favorite.  That being the case, our key rivals in the East might be Miami and Atlanta, with Cleveland falling into the lottery.

Also, of course, a win over Cleveland shows free agents that we're still very much in the title picture, making the Celtics situation more attractive.

I want to see the Celts beat the Cavs simply because I want a title this year, but I also think a series victory could play dividends next season and beyond.

yea this is my prediction if the C's win this series

Lebron goes to NYK and brings Joe Johnson with him as a better 2nd option(Jamison, Williams and Shaq arent legit # 2 options)

the eat contenders next year would be

Bos
Orl
Chi ( i think they will get bosh or amare)
Mia ( they will also get either bosh or amare)
NYK

The C's could have one more title run after this year. Add a 1st round pick #19 and maybe Mike Miller off the bench.

[angryguy77]

I think LeBron moving would be worse for us. I think the team he would choose to go to will be better than Cleveland and probably have another superstar in it already or in position to acquire one.

I don't see him going to a team with another superstar. I don't think he would want to share "his" team with anyone. If he' leaves I see him going to a team like Roy said and having to wait a few years. Leaving would cleveland would be the best thing for us and the Magic.

I think the only way he leaves Cleveland is for a team with another borderline superstar, or a supporting cast with at least 2 boderline all-stars.

That I agree with that. I could see him on a team with some good role players. But what teams are out there that have the max $ and a decent team to go with it?

[MMacOH]

I don't think he leaves Cleveland just for the reason that he wouldn't want his image ruined in the way it would be if he left.

The area he was born and raised in worships him now.  He would be turning his back on everyone if he left.  I don't think he wants that reputation.

[angryguy77]

I think LeBron moving would be worse for us. I think the team he would choose to go to will be better than Cleveland and probably have another superstar in it already or in position to acquire one.

I don't see him going to a team with another superstar. I don't think he would want to share "his" team with anyone. If he' leaves I see him going to a team like Roy said and having to wait a few years. Leaving would cleveland would be the best thing for us and the Magic.

Why wouldn't he want to share? He knows he'll be the man regardless of who is there.

Every team in the NBA is going to throw max contracts at him, and he'll be the first choice in every single one of them. Makes little sense to me for him to pick a team that is not poised to be a good team next year and be part of a "rebuilding effort" of sorts.

I guess I need to know what superstars are you talking about? If it's a top tier star then I don't think so, but a guy on the bottom of the spectrum I could see.

[nickagneta]

First off, our window ends this year. This will be the best chance we have at another championship with this group, IMO. Yes, Rondo's game still has growth and the Celtics could snare a Kevin Martin or David Lee or Rajon Rondo or Tony Parker or George Hill or Anderson Varejao type talent at 19 but I don't see Perk's or Baby's game getting any better than it is and I don't see them adding anyone via free agency that is going to make up for the decline in game and body of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace and Paul Pierce.

The drop off in consistency and game of these four from the 2009 season to the 2010 season has been noticeable. I expect it to be worse next year. Players age 33 and over with 33000, 38000 and 44000 career minutes of play start to decline pretty fast at some point. It was gradual this year. I am not going to like what it looks like when it become precipitous.

As for Lebron, he would be an idiot to stay in Cleveland when he could be playing on South Beach with Wade or in Chicago with Rose, Noah, Deng, Gibson and Hinrich or in Jersey with Brook Lopez, Devin Harris, Courtney Lee, Yi Jianlian, Chris Douglas Roberts and maybe John Wall(a personal friend of Lebron's) or Evan Turner or Derrick Favors.

[Eja117]

I was starting to think about this and I think the window could maybe be extended a year, but only if they manage to make a trade.

They would need to ship out something negative like Sheed and get back something positive.

Also do ok in the draft, and Rondo and other young guys have to keep improving and older guys have to stay in good shape or maybe even get in better shape.

I think it can be done, but it's a long shot.

[Vermont Green]

Interesting OP point but I can't say that I agree with the theory.  I think LeBron only goes to another team if he is sure that team has the ponies.  I foresee the most likely scenario of LeBron in NY with Amare coming along to.  NY will probably need to S&T Lee to Phoenix but LeBron and Amare won't need all that much more around them to be instant trouble for the aging C's.