We're not far off....

[Evantime34]

Plus it's not who starts , its who finishes and I can guarantee you that even if PP became 6th man he would be finishing games with the starters, but would be much more well rested making him even for deadly in crunch time .

This was going to be my response to Bahku. Pierce will still be in the game to end the game just not to start it. His clutchness will still be used in the fourth and in OT.

[mostofusrsad]

the big 3 are NOT the big 3 anymore...they are not athletic enough to win a title anymore...we gotta get real here, we need to revamp the team in order to compete, make some major changes.

The Big 3 had their best collective season this year since we won a championship. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce had career seasons, and KG was, statistically, our team's most efficient player (and high on the list of the most efficient players in the league). They all made the All-Star Team, and PP was named All-NBA Defensive 1st.

Do we need to make changes? Yes. Our shortcomings have been thoroughly documented. We need a starting big and an explosive sixth man.

don't think we were THAT close this year to begin with.  It was a lot more than a couple bad bounces away.  Add another year to everybody and we will be even farther off next year...it is time to have a rebuild or at least a very significant trade or two.

We were 1st in the East, and 2nd in the NBA, for the majority of the season. We peaked too early, and slumped after the All-Star Break. Even so, we were still 3rd in the East, and the series against the Heat was really [dang]ed close. Only one of the 5 games was lopsided. The rest of the losses all came down to 4th quarter execution. And, let's face it, Miami's 3 played better than anyone could have reasonably expected them too (Bosh went off, Lebron had unusually good 3 point shooting for him, etc.).

Hey I wish you were correct, but I don't think we were very close, at the end of the games we looked terrible...this team is too old now...the big 3 are no longer big enough...time to break it up before fathertime does it for us. get a little ahead of the curve...

[bfrombleacher]

the big 3 are NOT the big 3 anymore...they are not athletic enough to win a title anymore...we gotta get real here, we need to revamp the team in order to compete, make some major changes.

The Big 3 had their best collective season this year since we won a championship. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce had career seasons, and KG was, statistically, our team's most efficient player (and high on the list of the most efficient players in the league). They all made the All-Star Team, and PP was named All-NBA Defensive 1st.

Do we need to make changes? Yes. Our shortcomings have been thoroughly documented. We need a starting big and an explosive sixth man.

don't think we were THAT close this year to begin with.  It was a lot more than a couple bad bounces away.  Add another year to everybody and we will be even farther off next year...it is time to have a rebuild or at least a very significant trade or two.

We were 1st in the East, and 2nd in the NBA, for the majority of the season. We peaked too early, and slumped after the All-Star Break. Even so, we were still 3rd in the East, and the series against the Heat was really [dang]ed close. Only one of the 5 games was lopsided. The rest of the losses all came down to 4th quarter execution. And, let's face it, Miami's 3 played better than anyone could have reasonably expected them too (Bosh went off, Lebron had unusually good 3 point shooting for him, etc.).

We do have explosive sixth man material. Von Wafer and Avery Bradley are both explosive guards. Jeff Green (if he plays to his potential) will also be one. What I think we need is just a solid PF and C without changing much else.

As for the people saying that Paul Pierce should go to the bench...What!? Maybe minimize his minutes but he has been the heart of the Celtics for the past decade and more. He should start. Maybe play a couple of minutes and then rest a huge lot. I don't mind if Rayray or KG come off the bench but the Truth cannot.

I would say not changing the team is a very very good idea because it does work if Doc changes his mindset. This Summer's training camp will be crucial. I would say all moves should be made next trade deadline.

[Evantime34]

the big 3 are NOT the big 3 anymore...they are not athletic enough to win a title anymore...we gotta get real here, we need to revamp the team in order to compete, make some major changes.

The Big 3 had their best collective season this year since we won a championship. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce had career seasons, and KG was, statistically, our team's most efficient player (and high on the list of the most efficient players in the league). They all made the All-Star Team, and PP was named All-NBA Defensive 1st.

Do we need to make changes? Yes. Our shortcomings have been thoroughly documented. We need a starting big and an explosive sixth man.

don't think we were THAT close this year to begin with.  It was a lot more than a couple bad bounces away.  Add another year to everybody and we will be even farther off next year...it is time to have a rebuild or at least a very significant trade or two.

We were 1st in the East, and 2nd in the NBA, for the majority of the season. We peaked too early, and slumped after the All-Star Break. Even so, we were still 3rd in the East, and the series against the Heat was really [dang]ed close. Only one of the 5 games was lopsided. The rest of the losses all came down to 4th quarter execution. And, let's face it, Miami's 3 played better than anyone could have reasonably expected them too (Bosh went off, Lebron had unusually good 3 point shooting for him, etc.).

Hey I wish you were correct, but I don't think we were very close, at the end of the games we looked terrible...this team is too old now...the big 3 are no longer big enough...time to break it up before fathertime does it for us. get a little ahead of the curve...

We looked bad at the end of games in the playoffs. I think this is because a lack of legs. If we can lessen there minutes the big 3 will have their legs under them at the end of games, which should provide better results.

Early in the season our end of game execution was great.

[mostofusrsad]

the big 3 are NOT the big 3 anymore...they are not athletic enough to win a title anymore...we gotta get real here, we need to revamp the team in order to compete, make some major changes.

The Big 3 had their best collective season this year since we won a championship. Ray Allen and Paul Pierce had career seasons, and KG was, statistically, our team's most efficient player (and high on the list of the most efficient players in the league). They all made the All-Star Team, and PP was named All-NBA Defensive 1st.

Do we need to make changes? Yes. Our shortcomings have been thoroughly documented. We need a starting big and an explosive sixth man.

don't think we were THAT close this year to begin with.  It was a lot more than a couple bad bounces away.  Add another year to everybody and we will be even farther off next year...it is time to have a rebuild or at least a very significant trade or two.

We were 1st in the East, and 2nd in the NBA, for the majority of the season. We peaked too early, and slumped after the All-Star Break. Even so, we were still 3rd in the East, and the series against the Heat was really [dang]ed close. Only one of the 5 games was lopsided. The rest of the losses all came down to 4th quarter execution. And, let's face it, Miami's 3 played better than anyone could have reasonably expected them too (Bosh went off, Lebron had unusually good 3 point shooting for him, etc.).

Hey I wish you were correct, but I don't think we were very close, at the end of the games we looked terrible...this team is too old now...the big 3 are no longer big enough...time to break it up before fathertime does it for us. get a little ahead of the curve...

We looked bad at the end of games in the playoffs. I think this is because a lack of legs. If we can lessen there minutes the big 3 will have their legs under them at the end of games, which should provide better results.

Early in the season our end of game execution was great.

i know minutes can be a big factor with the lack of legs at the end of games...my feeling with this team is that even when they are fresh the legs are not going to be there against the elite teams...Yes they can be a very good team with the big 3 as the core, but not a championship team, not at this stage of their careers...sad but true.

[barefacedmonk]

Being eliminated in the second round is far off, imo...plus, its not going to be easy to sign all the players we need to upgrade our bench. We have limited resources and assets.

[mostofusrsad]

Being eliminated in the second round is far off, imo...plus, its not going to be easy to sign all the players we need to upgrade our bench. We have limited resources and assets.

i concur 100%...it won't be easy but the rebuilding has got to begin now.

[Chris]

Being eliminated in the second round is far off, imo...plus, its not going to be easy to sign all the players we need to upgrade our bench. We have limited resources and assets.

We were eliminated in the second round in 2009, and made it to game 7 of the finals last year.  Dallas was knocked out in the first round last year, and are in the WCF this year. 

This team is not that far off.

[pearljammer10]

I would like to see garnett play the super 6th man role for us at this point in his career. However, I dont like Green playing the four slot. Its too bad we traded Perk for a player that plays a similar game to the captain we already have.

[barefacedmonk]

Being eliminated in the second round is far off, imo...plus, its not going to be easy to sign all the players we need to upgrade our bench. We have limited resources and assets.

We were eliminated in the second round in 2009, and made it to game 7 of the finals last year.  Dallas was knocked out in the first round last year, and are in the WCF this year. 

This team is not that far off.

Cleveland made it to the finals and was knocked out in the 2nd round. Lakers were the champions and were swept this year. Hornets had one of their worst seasons after playing very well in the playoffs the year before. It goes both ways.

Our core will be a year older next season and our bench needs to be upgraded. Unless we add athleticism and scoring off the bench and a defensive minded center, we are looking at another first or second round exit. Our resources and assets are limited. It's going to be hard to upgrade all our weak links given what resources we have to make all that happen. Until all that happens, we are far off.

[mostofusrsad]

Being eliminated in the second round is far off, imo...plus, its not going to be easy to sign all the players we need to upgrade our bench. We have limited resources and assets.

We were eliminated in the second round in 2009, and made it to game 7 of the finals last year.  Dallas was knocked out in the first round last year, and are in the WCF this year. 

This team is not that far off.

i don't think comparing us to dallas is a good idea...our core is older and dallas made a lot of changes to their roster which is what I'm proposing we do. our skill players are on the decline, especially KG.  I don't think we win the championship with this group...

[Chris]

Being eliminated in the second round is far off, imo...plus, its not going to be easy to sign all the players we need to upgrade our bench. We have limited resources and assets.

We were eliminated in the second round in 2009, and made it to game 7 of the finals last year.  Dallas was knocked out in the first round last year, and are in the WCF this year. 

This team is not that far off.

i don't think comparing us to dallas is a good idea...our core is older and dallas made a lot of changes to their roster which is what I'm proposing we do. our skill players are on the decline, especially KG.  I don't think we win the championship with this group...

Dirk is less than 1 year younger than Paul Pierce, and has actually played more minutes in his career than Paul has.  Kidd is two years older than Ray and 3 years older than Garnett.  Shawn Marion is a year younger than Pierce, but plays like he is 5 years older than him. 

Dallas made one significant change, upgrading from Dampier to Chandler. 

Their biggest difference though is that they built some chemistry that they didn't have last year.  Last year, much like the C's, they made a big midseason deal that changed their chemistry, and they had not yet fully integrated the new players by the time of the playoffs.  This year, they had essentially the same team all season long, and it shows with the way they are playing.

I am not saying the C's don't have work to do.  They need to tweak their roster, and they need to find a way to get some fresh legs in their, and to get more out of the young guys that they do have. 

But the idea that they can't contend again with the same core (meaning the Big 4) is just not the case IMO.

[mostofusrsad]

Being eliminated in the second round is far off, imo...plus, its not going to be easy to sign all the players we need to upgrade our bench. We have limited resources and assets.

We were eliminated in the second round in 2009, and made it to game 7 of the finals last year.  Dallas was knocked out in the first round last year, and are in the WCF this year. 

This team is not that far off.

i don't think comparing us to dallas is a good idea...our core is older and dallas made a lot of changes to their roster which is what I'm proposing we do. our skill players are on the decline, especially KG.  I don't think we win the championship with this group...

Dirk is less than 1 year younger than Paul Pierce, and has actually played more minutes in his career than Paul has.  Kidd is two years older than Ray and 3 years older than Garnett.  Shawn Marion is a year younger than Pierce, but plays like he is 5 years older than him. 

Dallas made one significant change, upgrading from Dampier to Chandler. 

Their biggest difference though is that they built some chemistry that they didn't have last year.  Last year, much like the C's, they made a big midseason deal that changed their chemistry, and they had not yet fully integrated the new players by the time of the playoffs.  This year, they had essentially the same team all season long, and it shows with the way they are playing.

I am not saying the C's don't have work to do.  They need to tweak their roster, and they need to find a way to get some fresh legs in their, and to get more out of the young guys that they do have. 

But the idea that they can't contend again with the same core (meaning the Big 4) is just not the case IMO.

ok i get your point...but you do need to add one year to all the celtics ages because the playoffs start again this time NEXT year. 

Now I don't think that the mavericks are as reliant on the 3 guys you mentioned as we have been on the big 3. i'm not comfortable being so reliant on our big 3 anymore...they are bound to be nicked up during the playoffs and i just think we are better off to get some more young athletes.

dallas also added that big backup center who has been a nice addition too and helped knock the lakers out...

[BballTim]

Being eliminated in the second round is far off, imo...plus, its not going to be easy to sign all the players we need to upgrade our bench. We have limited resources and assets.

We were eliminated in the second round in 2009, and made it to game 7 of the finals last year.  Dallas was knocked out in the first round last year, and are in the WCF this year. 

This team is not that far off.

Cleveland made it to the finals and was knocked out in the 2nd round. Lakers were the champions and were swept this year. Hornets had one of their worst seasons after playing very well in the playoffs the year before. It goes both ways.

Our core will be a year older next season and our bench needs to be upgraded. Unless we add athleticism and scoring off the bench and a defensive minded center, we are looking at another first or second round exit. Our resources and assets are limited. It's going to be hard to upgrade all our weak links given what resources we have to make all that happen. Until all that happens, we are far off.

  I've been hearing all this every summer since KG's knee injury.

[barefacedmonk]

Being eliminated in the second round is far off, imo...plus, its not going to be easy to sign all the players we need to upgrade our bench. We have limited resources and assets.

We were eliminated in the second round in 2009, and made it to game 7 of the finals last year.  Dallas was knocked out in the first round last year, and are in the WCF this year. 

This team is not that far off.

Cleveland made it to the finals and was knocked out in the 2nd round. Lakers were the champions and were swept this year. Hornets had one of their worst seasons after playing very well in the playoffs the year before. It goes both ways.

Our core will be a year older next season and our bench needs to be upgraded. Unless we add athleticism and scoring off the bench and a defensive minded center, we are looking at another first or second round exit. Our resources and assets are limited. It's going to be hard to upgrade all our weak links given what resources we have to make all that happen. Until all that happens, we are far off.

  I've been hearing all this every summer since KG's knee injury.

And we haven't won a championship since then.