Do we blow it all up next year?

[slamtheking]

Just a quick explanation where this is coming from. 

With this team playing half-hearted basketball the past couple of years down the stretch and the nonstop excuses promoted by some followers that this team is old and should just rest during the season until the playoffs, I'm wondering if there's any desire out there to start moving out older players for younger players that do not need to coast during the season.

This obviously isn't a cut-and-dry situation for most people with a simple answer.  Personally, I'd consider just one more run with this core assuming there's still harmony after this year and they at least get to the finals.  Anything short of the finals should motivate Danny to do some real wheeling and dealing to address this team's biggest flaw (the one from my viewpoint anyway) and that's health/stamina.    Relying on older players isn't resulting in their wisdom or experience leading the team to wins in close games or holding onto leads down the stretch.  Right now, there's no advantage to having players this age if they cannot close out games.  Time to move on if they falter badly this postseason.

So, assuming there's no lockout this offseason, what would have to happen during the playoffs for you to consider blowing the team up (if at all)?

[birdwatcher]

Danny has certainly surprised us before, but I doubt Pierce goes anywhere. If there's a lockout, it certainly sounds like KG will hang it up. Baby will probably leave on his own accord, someone will surely overpay him elsewhere. Hey gave the keys to the team to Rondo, and given his bargain contract, I doubt he goes anywhere either. Ray, I'm not so sure about. I'd be happy with him here, but there will be plenty of contending teams that would be interested in having him come off the bench. But I'd say, no don't blow it up for the sake of doing so--some of it will happen on it's own.

[slamtheking]

Danny has certainly surprised us before, but I doubt Pierce goes anywhere. If there's a lockout, it certainly sounds like KG will hang it up. Baby will probably leave on his own accord, someone will surely overpay him elsewhere. Hey gave the keys to the team to Rondo, and given his bargain contract, I doubt he goes anywhere either. Ray, I'm not so sure about. I'd be happy with him here, but there will be plenty of contending teams that would be interested in having him come off the bench. But I'd say, no don't blow it up for the sake of doing so--some of it will happen on it's own.

Your points are pretty much in line with what I think will happen this offseason regardless of how they do in the playoffs.  If there's no lockout and barring a 1st round exit, I think Danny takes another shot at it with the core 4, Green and Krstic.  I think everyone else will be treated as an exhangeable piece.

If it's me instead of Danny though, anything short of the finals and I'm looking to retool with younger players and draft picks in exchange for the expiring deals I have at my disposal.  Ray, KG, BBD, Shaq and JO make for nice pieces for contenders next year for teams looking to get over the top (provided they have nice assets in exchange).   I'd look to restock the team with players that fit Rondo's strengths as an uptempo playmaker.  Hopefully PP would stay on as mentor if he sees the team is still a good one that just needs that leader.  (I'm not sure he'd feel that way though)

[More Banners]

I hope Ray seriously considers retirement.

[homericepisode]

I hope Ray seriously considers retirement.

Why?

[PosImpos]

There will be a lockout next season, so no.  But the season after that, yes.  At that point, it will be time to rebuild.

[BballTim]

Just a quick explanation where this is coming from. 

With this team playing half-hearted basketball the past couple of years down the stretch and the nonstop excuses promoted by some followers that this team is old and should just rest during the season until the playoffs, I'm wondering if there's any desire out there to start moving out older players for younger players that do not need to coast during the season.

  So the fact that some people don't hit the panic button as soon as you means Danny should blow the team up?

[wdleehi]

No.  If there is a season next year, expect it to be a short year.  That favors the older players on the Celtics.


2012, the search for the new star begins. 

[gpap]

There will be a lockout next season, so no.  But the season after that, yes.  At that point, it will be time to rebuild.

How can you be so sure there will be a lockout?

[wdleehi]

There will be a lockout next season, so no.  But the season after that, yes.  At that point, it will be time to rebuild.

How can you be so sure there will be a lockout?

No one knows, but the experts all seem to think it is going to happen.   


Unlike the NFL, there are teams losing money.

[aporel#18]

TP for the thread, it's kind of a deja vu question, but it's always interesting.

First of all, there's the Doc situation. He's talked about having a break, and his kid is going to Duke as the top recruitment in college basketball. Even if they win #18, I think Doc is gone. Depending on his replacement, Danny will be showing where he wants to go.

In my opinion, blowing it up would mean trading anyone from the Big 4. If they win it all this year, I think Shaq is back for another try with the Big 4 and his brother Jermaine. In a shortened season this veteran group could have a better chance of winning the championship. Then the answer is no, they don't blow up the team.

Green, Krstic and Davis are the next question. Green could play for the qualifying offer and become unrestricted in the summer of KG. That could be a way to evaluate Jeff before signing him for multiple years in 2012. Krstic could leave the league for Europe, or they could try to resign him. Baby said early in the season he didn't know his role, and that shows on court, and possibly off court, as he may ask for a multi-year, over the MLE contract. If I were Danny, would offer both of them a one-year contract worth around 5 milion, or a two/three-year contract worth 3 mil/year for BBD and 4 mil/year for Krstic. If they don't want to play for that money, try to sign-and-trade in case there's a good opportunity.

I think Delonte and Wafer will resign for little money, one/two-year deals. Arroyo and Murphy could also be back if they want to take one year for the minimum.

So, basically, if they win #18  the big difference is not having Doc as a coach. If they don't get out of the East, it might be different, but I don't see them trading Rondo or the Big 3

[LB3533]

RS don't matter much....blow it up if this team continues to fail in the playoffs.

[Mike-Dub]

If we win it.  No, since the season will be shortened next year, unfortunately. But if god forbid we somehow don't get Banner 18 this year, blow it all up.

[LarBrd33]

you mean we didn't blow it up already by trading Perk?  lol

[LarBrd33]

no but really if KG and Ray decided to retire after a title... will we suddenly have money to overpay Greg Oden in the offseason?