Reminiscing the '07-'08 season...

[Celticai]

I don't know why, but for some reason I felt compelled to watch the Finals game 4 comeback. It was one of the best games I've seen in my entire life, so I've decided to revisit the second half. It reminded me of how good this team was, without Rajon Rondo or Kendrick Perkins playing (It also reminded me of how I absolutely HATE Sasha Vujacic).

I don't see how we'll be able to repeat what we've accomplished in that season with the contracts we have. Unless we get lucky with signing up players which will fit the puzzle exactly as those guys did.

I mean, it was an unusual game, when you think about who the key role players were. The entire comeback was led by essentially the Big 3, James Posey and Eddie House. PJ Brown and Leon Powe had some important baskets. And Ray didn't even hit one three pointer. I don't think he even tried. His points came from lay-ups.

So, what we need to do, IMO, is to find those veteran role players again. I know, I'm not discovering anything new here, but think of what we had on the bench: House, Posey, Brown, Baby, Powe, Cassel, Allen. That's one extraordinary bench. And they all made key contributions during the regular season AND the playoffs, even though Brown and Cassel joined up pretty late (Unlike Murphy, Pavlovic, Arroyo...).

Danny needs to try and find these type of guys again. And they need to be younger, because the Big 3 are now older... Easier said than done. Thoughts?

[gar]

PJ Brown was the difference maker. Green is a different player and Posey could definitely get inside peoples heads, but like what Green brings to the offense. JO can be the PJ Brown figure if healthy. The real difference is Perk. JaJuan is a much better athlete and a more complete player than Powe. Combined with Green he will be fun to watch.

[paulcowens]

Better players would help, but we have some good players.  I think what we need is better coaching for the bench.  We need more motivating and teaching than we are getting.

[Mr October]

The 3 ball game and intensity of Posey and House was an absolute joy. They helped shoot the C's back into so many games, or often helped balloon a lead from 10 to 20. Those Posey 3's in the corners at the end of quarters were killer.

If the Celtics are going to have a perimeter style attack again, I agree with management in that they need more shooters. West was the closest thing the team had to a consistent 3 point threat last year. If he can stay healthy, I imagine that his confidence will return to form. Then the C's just need to find one more rotation quality shooter.

Of course a center or 2 would be nice as well.

[manl_lui]

PJ Brown was the difference maker. Green is a different player and Posey could definitely get inside peoples heads, but like what Green brings to the offense. JO can be the PJ Brown figure if healthy. The real difference is Perk. JaJuan is a much better athlete and a more complete player than Powe. Combined with Green he will be fun to watch.

I agree, and Jajaun actually has the height...similar build to KG...If KG takes him under his wing, I want to see the results

[17wasEZ]

I don't know why, but for some reason I felt compelled to watch the Finals game 4 comeback. It was one of the best games I've seen in my entire life, so I've decided to revisit the second half. It reminded me of how good this team was, without Rajon Rondo or Kendrick Perkins playing (It also reminded me of how I absolutely HATE Sasha Vujacic).

I don't see how we'll be able to repeat what we've accomplished in that season with the contracts we have. Unless we get lucky with signing up players which will fit the puzzle exactly as those guys did.

I mean, it was an unusual game, when you think about who the key role players were. The entire comeback was led by essentially the Big 3, James Posey and Eddie House. PJ Brown and Leon Powe had some important baskets. And Ray didn't even hit one three pointer. I don't think he even tried. His points came from lay-ups.

So, what we need to do, IMO, is to find those veteran role players again. I know, I'm not discovering anything new here, but think of what we had on the bench: House, Posey, Brown, Baby, Powe, Cassel, Allen. That's one extraordinary bench. And they all made key contributions during the regular season AND the playoffs, even though Brown and Cassel joined up pretty late (Unlike Murphy, Pavlovic, Arroyo...).

Danny needs to try and find these type of guys again. And they need to be younger, because the Big 3 are now older... Easier said than done. Thoughts?

That is the only game I have saved on my DVR from any sport.  I needed to make space for additional recordings a few months back and I begrudgingly erased Games 1, 2 and 6 from that series.  In retrospect, Game 4 locked up the title and Game 6 was fluff.

I agree with your thoughts on that game and that team. 

[BASS_THUMPER]

we will never get playas like posey and house...

really tho?

they are not even the same playas like they were back then...

[BASS_THUMPER]

PJ Brown was the difference maker. Green is a different player and Posey could definitely get inside peoples heads, but like what Green brings to the offense. JO can be the PJ Brown figure if healthy. The real difference is Perk. JaJuan is a much better athlete and a more complete player than Powe. Combined with Green he will be fun to watch.

pj was that dude..defense..rebounding..free throws..


pj did show up every nite..

[Edgar]

PJ Brown was the difference maker. Green is a different player and Posey could definitely get inside peoples heads, but like what Green brings to the offense. JO can be the PJ Brown figure if healthy. The real difference is Perk. JaJuan is a much better athlete and a more complete player than Powe. Combined with Green he will be fun to watch.

pj was that dude..defense..rebounding..free throws..


pj did show up every nite..

add lucky shots he was indeed a difference maker

[LB3533]

A lot of things went right for us. Our stars played great when they needed to and we got key contributions from our bench.

Those things combined really helped push us over the top that season.

We could have easily lost in the earlier rounds and it would have felt like losing to the Magic in Game 7 in 2009.

[Jon]

PJ Brown was the difference maker. Green is a different player and Posey could definitely get inside peoples heads, but like what Green brings to the offense. JO can be the PJ Brown figure if healthy. The real difference is Perk. JaJuan is a much better athlete and a more complete player than Powe. Combined with Green he will be fun to watch.

Let's not over-romanticize what Perk did in '07-08.  While people can certainly be upset for Danny trading the player Perk became after the '07-08 season, Perk averaged 6 points and 6 boards in 25 mpg during the '07-08 playoffs. 

He also was rarely (if ever) in the games when it mattered, as Doc went with either a small ball lineup with Posey or with P.J. Brown. 

But I agree with the rest of your post.  The Big Three have taken a step back, but we have ways to improve.  Green can be better than anyone off that bench and Rondo is leaps and bounds better than he was back then. 

JO also has the potential to be better than Perk ever was for us, since he brings comparable defense and superior offense. 

[Celticai]

I'll never forget the PJ Brown clincher against Cleveland. And the dunk at the end of the 3rd quarter in the Game 4 Comeback. That guy was a true veteran - Fearless, and supplied the buckets when truly needed. I don't think those were lucky shots.

And yeah, we need those guys who could pry open the defense with their 3s. Another guy-to-guys from that perimeter besides Ray.

If Green could develop into a Posey-like player (Defense and outside shooting), that will be a good start.