I hate to admit it but getting Howard means trading Rondo for Chris Paul

[BballTim]

The putting "the team around Rondo" thing is the deal I don't like. His inability to score means you need quality scorers, who are efficient. You would also need leaders because that is not something you can count on Rondo for all the time. This team complements rondo incredibly. To think we can duplicate that again in the next 3-4 years is asking a lot of Ainge. It would mean high draft choices that you don't miss on and hit at least one homerun on.

  The good thing about Rondo is that he makes the players he's on the court with more efficient. And if Doc and the big three refer to him being a leader on offense he should do fine in that category. Sure, you'd need to surround him with good players, but the same is true of Chris Paul.

[Jon]

2012 salary situation

Pierce $16.79 million
Rondo $11 million
Bradley $1.69 million
Johnson $1.1 million
Top 17 First round pick(Clippers) - $1.3 million
Top 26 First round pick(Celtics) - $1.1 million

Total assuming we do not resign green and Baby to more than one year contracts: $32.88 million

Now if we trade at the deadline next year Rondo, the Clippers pick and the Celtics 2013 1st round pick to New Orleans for Paul and resign him to an extension that starts at $12 million a year for 3 years because under the new CBA that is where max salaries start we have:

Pierce $16.79 million
Paul $12 million
Bradley $1.69 million
Johnson $1.1 million
Top 26 First round pick(Celtics) - $1.1 million

Total assuming we do not resign green and Baby to more than one year contracts: $32.58 million.

Let's now assume the cap under the new CBA is a soft hard cap with $50 million being the soft number and $60 million being the hard number. I don't think that's entirely out of the question.

Renounce all of our free agents and sign Dwight Howard for a max contract with the first year starting at $12 million per. Under those conditions the Celtics have:


Pierce $16.79 million
Paul $12 million
Bradley $1.69 million
Johnson $1.1 million
Top 26 First round pick(Celtics) - $1.1 million
Howard: $12 million

Total: $44.58 million

That would leave $5.44 million under the soft cap to split between Ray and KG who we could now sign with any money still available under the soft cap. If they are willing to play another year at $2.72 million each(something I am not sure is likely) then the roster is:


Pierce $16.79 million
Paul $12 million
Bradley $1.69 million
Johnson $1.1 million
Top 26 First round pick(Celtics) - $1.1 million
Howard: $12 million
Allen $2.72 million
Garnett $2.72 million

Total: $50 million

We then can fill out the rest of the roster with veteran minimum players until we reach the $60 million hard cap. So the final roster would look like:

Pierce $16.79 million
Paul $12 million
Bradley $1.69 million
Johnson $1.1 million
Top 26 First round pick(Celtics) - $1.1 million
Howard: $12 million
Allen $2.72 million
Garnett $2.72 million
6 vet minimum guys or 5 vet min guys and Moore and another 2nd round pick $10 million

Total: $60 million

Paul/Bradley/vet min
Allen/Moore/vet min
Pierce/vet min
Garnett/Johnson/vet min
Howard/vet min/1st round pick

I have trouble believing that Howard and Paul agree to 12 million per year as a base salary, even for the first year, unless the NBA gets an individual player salary cap that mandates that they have to start there.  Even Miami's gang of 3 took a "discount" that started at 15 million per year. 

And even if they did that, I have trouble believing that KG and Ray agree to come back for 2.7 million per year.  And I don't think it's even a money thing, I see it as more of a pride thing.  I mean if Ray and KG are still elite players, why should they make only 2-3 million?  Why shouldn't Howard and Paul give more to get them more?

But again, I'd love to be wrong. 

[nickagneta]

2012 salary situation

Pierce $16.79 million
Rondo $11 million
Bradley $1.69 million
Johnson $1.1 million
Top 17 First round pick(Clippers) - $1.3 million
Top 26 First round pick(Celtics) - $1.1 million

Total assuming we do not resign green and Baby to more than one year contracts: $32.88 million

Now if we trade at the deadline next year Rondo, the Clippers pick and the Celtics 2013 1st round pick to New Orleans for Paul and resign him to an extension that starts at $12 million a year for 3 years because under the new CBA that is where max salaries start we have:

Pierce $16.79 million
Paul $12 million
Bradley $1.69 million
Johnson $1.1 million
Top 26 First round pick(Celtics) - $1.1 million

Total assuming we do not resign green and Baby to more than one year contracts: $32.58 million.

Let's now assume the cap under the new CBA is a soft hard cap with $50 million being the soft number and $60 million being the hard number. I don't think that's entirely out of the question.

Renounce all of our free agents and sign Dwight Howard for a max contract with the first year starting at $12 million per. Under those conditions the Celtics have:


Pierce $16.79 million
Paul $12 million
Bradley $1.69 million
Johnson $1.1 million
Top 26 First round pick(Celtics) - $1.1 million
Howard: $12 million

Total: $44.58 million

That would leave $5.44 million under the soft cap to split between Ray and KG who we could now sign with any money still available under the soft cap. If they are willing to play another year at $2.72 million each(something I am not sure is likely) then the roster is:


Pierce $16.79 million
Paul $12 million
Bradley $1.69 million
Johnson $1.1 million
Top 26 First round pick(Celtics) - $1.1 million
Howard: $12 million
Allen $2.72 million
Garnett $2.72 million

Total: $50 million

We then can fill out the rest of the roster with veteran minimum players until we reach the $60 million hard cap. So the final roster would look like:

Pierce $16.79 million
Paul $12 million
Bradley $1.69 million
Johnson $1.1 million
Top 26 First round pick(Celtics) - $1.1 million
Howard: $12 million
Allen $2.72 million
Garnett $2.72 million
6 vet minimum guys or 5 vet min guys and Moore and another 2nd round pick $10 million

Total: $60 million

Paul/Bradley/vet min
Allen/Moore/vet min
Pierce/vet min
Garnett/Johnson/vet min
Howard/vet min/1st round pick

I have trouble believing that Howard and Paul agree to 12 million per year as a base salary, even for the first year, unless the NBA gets an individual player salary cap that mandates that they have to start there.  Even Miami's gang of 3 took a "discount" that started at 15 million per year. 

And even if they did that, I have trouble believing that KG and Ray agree to come back for 2.7 million per year.  And I don't think it's even a money thing, I see it as more of a pride thing.  I mean if Ray and KG are still elite players, why should they make only 2-3 million?  Why shouldn't Howard and Paul give more to get them more?

But again, I'd love to be wrong. 

Please see the above highlighted sections. They address what you said.

I have a very hard time believing that under the next CBA new maximum salary contracts will be much higher than $12 million first year salary for a 6 year or higher vet. Right now a 7 year vet max salary in the first year is $16.3 million for a 7-9 year vet. I think a 25% reduction in that is probably where this thing is headed, especially if the owners can't get current salaries to be reduced by a percentage, which I think they won't.

I also think you are right about KG and Ray. I know a bunch of fans say they would take vet min contract just to stay in Boston but I don't buy that nor do I buy them takings $2.7-3.0 per year either. But it is possible if they decide they want another ring and a last go round with each other before retiring.

[Roy H.]

I also think you are right about KG and Ray. I know a bunch of fans say they would take vet min contract just to stay in Boston but I don't buy that nor do I buy them takings $2.7-3.0 per year either. But it is possible if they decide they want another ring and a last go round with each other before retiring.

I can see this going either way.  *If* CP3 and Dwight were coming here, I can envision Ray and KG coming back for a near-minimum salary, just to add to their legacies.  I think they both like playing in Boston, and I wouldn't be shocked if  they'd sacrifice in order to beat Lebron one last time.

At the same time, I could also see them retiring or taking more money from another contender.  (I can't see either signing just for more money on an also-ran, though.)

[nickagneta]

I also think you are right about KG and Ray. I know a bunch of fans say they would take vet min contract just to stay in Boston but I don't buy that nor do I buy them takings $2.7-3.0 per year either. But it is possible if they decide they want another ring and a last go round with each other before retiring.

I can see this going either way.  *If* CP3 and Dwight were coming here, I can envision Ray and KG coming back for a near-minimum salary, just to add to their legacies.  I think they both like playing in Boston, and I wouldn't be shocked if  they'd sacrifice in order to beat Lebron one last time.

At the same time, I could also see them retiring or taking more money from another contender.  (I can't see either signing just for more money on an also-ran, though.)

I agree. The pieces would have to fall perfectly in place AND they would have to want to do the one last go round for their ring. Ray I could see definitely doing it. I wonder if KG might have had enough of basketball by then.

[CoachBo]

I also think you are right about KG and Ray. I know a bunch of fans say they would take vet min contract just to stay in Boston but I don't buy that nor do I buy them takings $2.7-3.0 per year either. But it is possible if they decide they want another ring and a last go round with each other before retiring.

I can see this going either way.  *If* CP3 and Dwight were coming here, I can envision Ray and KG coming back for a near-minimum salary, just to add to their legacies.  I think they both like playing in Boston, and I wouldn't be shocked if  they'd sacrifice in order to beat Lebron one last time.

At the same time, I could also see them retiring or taking more money from another contender.  (I can't see either signing just for more money on an also-ran, though.)

I agree. The pieces would have to fall perfectly in place AND they would have to want to do the one last go round for their ring. Ray I could see definitely doing it. I wonder if KG might have had enough of basketball by then.

Allen I can see resigning. I don't expect Garnett to return if the season is lost to the lockout, let alone resign.

Doesn't mean I'd hesitate for a second to swap Rondo and parts to New Orleans for Chris Paul.
 

[Celtics18]

Agreed Miami didn't lose because the pieces didn't "fit"... They lost because the team and more so LBJ choked. The team choked in game 2. LBJ coked in games 4-5 for the most part.

The whole not fitting thing was true at the beginning of the season, but not at the end. This team destroyed the eastern conference like it was a joke. They simply couldn't take the spotlight the Finals shines on players.

Honestly this was the same thing for Dallas but more so Dirk in 2006. I think if they are healthy Miami wins it all next year. Sadly I think LBJ puts on a show in next year's finals.

  If Wade were a great outside shooter it might open up the lane more, so LeBron would have less defenders between him and the rim, so he'd be less likely to "choke". When I was watching the games LeBron wasn't missing a ton of shots he normally likes, he was forced into taking shots that he wasn't comfortable taking. Part choke, but definitely part not fitting.

Logically, your point makes sense.  However, Lebron wasn't forced into bad shots.  Lebron *had* good shots.  However, he'd just pass them up, in order to pass to Joel Anthony or something.  It was a very bizarre performance, and can only be called a choke.

But, back on topic, Chris Paul doesn't have a history of choking, and there's no reason to feel like he couldn't be a good fit.  I agree that he'd be more likely to attract Howard, as well.  The thought of a "big three + CP3 + Howard" combo, if for only one year, is too good to pass up.

That would arguably be the best starting 5 ever assembled in the 60+ years of the NBA. Garnett and Howard on defense would be like Ray Lewis playing with Lawrence Taylor. It would almost be a flawless starting 5 with maybe the only thing you could dislike being the lack of elite athleticism at the wings.

Of course, a starting lineup of Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, and Howard would be equally impressive.

The argument isn't really whether or not Chris Paul is better than Rondo or by how much, but rather whether Paul represents a better chance to sign Dwight Howard.  Everyone seems to think it's a given that he does.  I don't.  I don't think Dwight Howard in Boston is either a necessity or a certainty regardless of who our starting point guard is.

If we trade Rondo for Paul and don't end up with Howard, our prospects for the future look about the same as they do with Rondo leading us.

Personally, I'd rather find a way to get a different very good young big to go along with Rondo for the future.  Nene, M. Gasol, McGee, Jordan, and Bogut are among the young centers I wouldn't mind finding a way to snag. I'm also still intrigued by the prospect of the gamble on Oden.

Hey, I happen to think a lineup of Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, and Nene would be a pretty fierce contender as well no matter what Dwight Howard ends up doing with his life.    

  

[ms.ball]

Agreed Miami didn't lose because the pieces didn't "fit"... They lost because the team and more so LBJ choked. The team choked in game 2. LBJ coked in games 4-5 for the most part.

The whole not fitting thing was true at the beginning of the season, but not at the end. This team destroyed the eastern conference like it was a joke. They simply couldn't take the spotlight the Finals shines on players.

Honestly this was the same thing for Dallas but more so Dirk in 2006. I think if they are healthy Miami wins it all next year. Sadly I think LBJ puts on a show in next year's finals.

  If Wade were a great outside shooter it might open up the lane more, so LeBron would have less defenders between him and the rim, so he'd be less likely to "choke". When I was watching the games LeBron wasn't missing a ton of shots he normally likes, he was forced into taking shots that he wasn't comfortable taking. Part choke, but definitely part not fitting.

Logically, your point makes sense.  However, Lebron wasn't forced into bad shots.  Lebron *had* good shots.  However, he'd just pass them up, in order to pass to Joel Anthony or something.  It was a very bizarre performance, and can only be called a choke.

But, back on topic, Chris Paul doesn't have a history of choking, and there's no reason to feel like he couldn't be a good fit.  I agree that he'd be more likely to attract Howard, as well.  The thought of a "big three + CP3 + Howard" combo, if for only one year, is too good to pass up.

That would arguably be the best starting 5 ever assembled in the 60+ years of the NBA. Garnett and Howard on defense would be like Ray Lewis playing with Lawrence Taylor. It would almost be a flawless starting 5 with maybe the only thing you could dislike being the lack of elite athleticism at the wings.

Of course, a starting lineup of Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, and Howard would be equally impressive.

The argument isn't really whether or not Chris Paul is better than Rondo or by how much, but rather whether Paul represents a better chance to sign Dwight Howard.  Everyone seems to think it's a given that he does.  I don't.  I don't think Dwight Howard in Boston is either a necessity or a certainty regardless of who our starting point guard is.

If we trade Rondo for Paul and don't end up with Howard, our prospects for the future look about the same as they do with Rondo leading us.

Personally, I'd rather find a way to get a different very good young big to go along with Rondo for the future.  Nene, M. Gasol, McGee, Jordan, and Bogut are among the young centers I wouldn't mind finding a way to snag. I'm also still intrigued by the prospect of the gamble on Oden.

Hey, I happen to think a lineup of Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, and Nene would be a pretty fierce contender as well no matter what Dwight Howard ends up doing with his life.    

  

I like that line up, I think Nene would be the perfect piece to that line up. I also like Dalembert. He's also a center I would like to see in green!

[Yogi]

What happened to the days when chemistry, heart and loyalty were the cornerstone of the Celtics franchise?  What happened to the days when a team built with the right pieces was more important than a bunch of superstars?  Do you remember when we made fun of the Heat and the Knicks for collecting stars with no thought to the team as a whole?  Having 4 all-star reserves is not enough?  We need 2 all-star starters in addition to the Big 3?  What would that be called, the Big 3 and the Bigger 2?  What about being 12 deep and having a balanced bench?  now just a bunch of rookies and vet mins with 5 stars are what the Celtics are all about?  The moment we become one of "those teams" is the moment I stop being a Celtic fan.  I'd rather watch Rondo and the right pieces play Celtics basketball than watch Chris Paul, Dwight Howard and Josh Smith play an all-star game. 

We became one of those teams in the summer of 2007. Perhaps you missed the ESPN commercials of The Big Three, all those wins and the parade in Boston during June of 2008?

  The average age of Lebron, Wade, Bosh, Stoudemire, and Anthony is a little over 27.  The average age of the Big 3 in 2008 is a little less than 32.  Ray, Paul and KG were well past their primes.  How can you compare a 33 year old Ray Allen coming off knee surgery to a Wade?  Or a 32 year old KG three four years past his career year to a Stoudemire or Bosh in their prime?  Their longevity is merely a testament to their hard work and professionalism.  While I'll take Pierce over Melo or Lebron because of his heart and clutch-ness,  he can't really be compared talent-wise to a younger James or Melo.  Oh yeah, we also complemented our big 3 with a play making point guard and a true center.  Also a coach that demanded the respect of these players and was able to put them to ideal use.    Comparing the Miami big 3 to Boston big 3 is like comparing a restored classic car to a souped up Ferrari. 

[nickagneta]

What happened to the days when chemistry, heart and loyalty were the cornerstone of the Celtics franchise?  What happened to the days when a team built with the right pieces was more important than a bunch of superstars?  Do you remember when we made fun of the Heat and the Knicks for collecting stars with no thought to the team as a whole?  Having 4 all-star reserves is not enough?  We need 2 all-star starters in addition to the Big 3?  What would that be called, the Big 3 and the Bigger 2?  What about being 12 deep and having a balanced bench?  now just a bunch of rookies and vet mins with 5 stars are what the Celtics are all about?  The moment we become one of "those teams" is the moment I stop being a Celtic fan.  I'd rather watch Rondo and the right pieces play Celtics basketball than watch Chris Paul, Dwight Howard and Josh Smith play an all-star game. 

We became one of those teams in the summer of 2007. Perhaps you missed the ESPN commercials of The Big Three, all those wins and the parade in Boston during June of 2008?

  The average age of Lebron, Wade, Bosh, Stoudemire, and Anthony is a little over 27.  The average age of the Big 3 in 2008 is a little less than 32.  Ray, Paul and KG were well past their primes.  How can you compare a 33 year old Ray Allen coming off knee surgery to a Wade?  Or a 32 year old KG three four years past his career year to a Stoudemire or Bosh in their prime?  Their longevity is merely a testament to their hard work and professionalism.  While I'll take Pierce over Melo or Lebron because of his heart and clutch-ness,  he can't really be compared talent-wise to a younger James or Melo.  Oh yeah, we also complemented our big 3 with a play making point guard and a true center.  Also a coach that demanded the respect of these players and was able to put them to ideal use.    Comparing the Miami big 3 to Boston big 3 is like comparing a restored classic car to a souped up Ferrari. 

An NBA players prime is considered, by a very large contingent of GMs, owners, pundits, fans, and players as being between the ages of 28 years of age to 31 or 32. So yes the Boston Big Three were still in their prime. It could be argued that the reason the Miami big three didn't win the championship is because they hadn't hit their prime yet.

Don't believe me? Take a look at where the best of the best had their best years, their MVP years and won their most championships. It was later in their careers, when they were older than 28 years old. That is a players prime because they have learned the game, learned their limitations, learned how best to play with others and learned best how to win.

Regarding the play making PG and defensive center, that's Monday morning argumentation. At the time Rondo was a second year player that few beyond Danny Ainge thought could do the job and Perk was a major project with major limitations and serious doubts about his ability to not foul out after 5 minutes of play. They were ENORMOUS question marks.

By the way, that coach that demanded respect, lost 18 straight games the year before, was almost fired, and was wildly called for being fired from everyone from the press and players on the team to people all over this blog that was calling for his head all the way into Game 4 of the 4th quarter and then suddenly those calls disappeared thereafter.

I love Rondo and Doc and believe me, many can attest to the fact that there were no bigger supporters of those guys before the championship went down. But they were both wildly considered major setbacks to a championship for that year during that year and not major assets.

So, no, Miami isn't a Ferrari and the Celtics weren't a classic car.

Next year Miami might be the Ferrari and the Celtics a classic car but the 2007-08 Celtics with the Big Three were three players that were a miraculously well oiled machine for their first together that got lucky with some young players and vets coming through and no major injuries. Miami was a machine that needed more oil and time to reach its potential and didn't have the luck of no injuries, young players coming through and every vet signing being a good one.

Boston in 2007-08 was a collection of stars where all the stars aligned and they melded into a juggernaut in one year. That is the exception to the rule not the rule itself. Miami in 2010-11, is a collection of stars which is more the rule than the exception. It will take more time and then they will reach their potential and win. You'll see.

[bfrombleacher]

The putting "the team around Rondo" thing is the deal I don't like. His inability to score means you need quality scorers, who are efficient. You would also need leaders because that is not something you can count on Rondo for all the time. This team complements rondo incredibly. To think we can duplicate that again in the next 3-4 years is asking a lot of Ainge. It would mean high draft choices that you don't miss on and hit at least one homerun on.

  The good thing about Rondo is that he makes the players he's on the court with more efficient. And if Doc and the big three refer to him being a leader on offense he should do fine in that category. Sure, you'd need to surround him with good players, but the same is true of Chris Paul.

So true. But getting Chris Paul means losing continuity and probably a down year. Paul also has no knees and that will hamper his ability to score in the future while Rondo can get a jump shot. Rondo also demands less money.

[Yogi]

An NBA players prime is considered, by a very large contingent of GMs, owners, pundits, fans, and players as being between the ages of 28 years of age to 31 or 32. So yes the Boston Big Three were still in their prime. It could be argued that the reason the Miami big three didn't win the championship is because they hadn't hit their prime yet.

Don't believe me? Take a look at where the best of the best had their best years, their MVP years and won their most championships. It was later in their careers, when they were older than 28 years old. That is a players prime because they have learned the game, learned their limitations, learned how best to play with others and learned best how to win.

Regarding the play making PG and defensive center, that's Monday morning argumentation. At the time Rondo was a second year player that few beyond Danny Ainge thought could do the job and Perk was a major project with major limitations and serious doubts about his ability to not foul out after 5 minutes of play. They were ENORMOUS question marks.

By the way, that coach that demanded respect, lost 18 straight games the year before, was almost fired, and was wildly called for being fired from everyone from the press and players on the team to people all over this blog that was calling for his head all the way into Game 4 of the 4th quarter and then suddenly those calls disappeared thereafter.

I love Rondo and Doc and believe me, many can attest to the fact that there were no bigger supporters of those guys before the championship went down. But they were both wildly considered major setbacks to a championship for that year during that year and not major assets.

So, no, Miami isn't a Ferrari and the Celtics weren't a classic car.

Next year Miami might be the Ferrari and the Celtics a classic car but the 2007-08 Celtics with the Big Three were three players that were a miraculously well oiled machine for their first together that got lucky with some young players and vets coming through and no major injuries. Miami was a machine that needed more oil and time to reach its potential and didn't have the luck of no injuries, young players coming through and every vet signing being a good one.

Boston in 2007-08 was a collection of stars where all the stars aligned and they melded into a juggernaut in one year. That is the exception to the rule not the rule itself. Miami in 2010-11, is a collection of stars which is more the rule than the exception. It will take mo re time and then they will reach their potential and win. You'll see.

   Ok I looked up Jordan, Bryant, Bird and Johnson.  Their best years are between 23 and 29 and there is a sharp decline after 30.  Paul Pierce's best years were from when he was 23 to 28.  Ray Allen and KG's best years were between 25-30.  It seems that the best years for basketball players tend to be between 23 and 29.  Miami's big 3's numbers were only slightly lower than they were from the year before when Lebron was a 2 time MVP and Wade and Bosh were all-stars.  They are all still in the prime of their careers.  The Celtics Big 3's production took a significant drop in 2008.  
   Also I never claimed that Rondo in 2008 was a great point guard, I stated that he was a play-making point guard as opposed to a scoring point guard like Bibby, Chalmers, Billups and Douglas.  And a young Perkins, while not a finished product, did the type of dirty work that allowed the Big 3 to thrive.  Yeah I remember when we had one of the worst records in 2007, but Paul Pierce, KG and Ray Allen respected Doc Rivers despite that.  Rondo and Perkins developed great under Rivers also.  Can you say the same for Spoelstra when Lebron is complaining about his minutes and bumping shoulders with his coach, Bosh is complaining about not getting the ball in the post, when Stoudemire and Wade both had to call player meetings before their teams started winning?
   So once again we are left with the fact that Miami has 2 superstars and 1 star in the prime of their careers.  While in 2008, the big 3 were all past the prime of their careers and were in decline.  Furthermore the balance of shooting, post play, driving, assisting, and defense all made the Celtics starting 5 special in 2008.  This kind of chemistry is nowhere to be found in Miami or New York where the stars are often redundant.    

[wdleehi]

The putting "the team around Rondo" thing is the deal I don't like. His inability to score means you need quality scorers, who are efficient. You would also need leaders because that is not something you can count on Rondo for all the time. This team complements rondo incredibly. To think we can duplicate that again in the next 3-4 years is asking a lot of Ainge. It would mean high draft choices that you don't miss on and hit at least one homerun on.

  The good thing about Rondo is that he makes the players he's on the court with more efficient. And if Doc and the big three refer to him being a leader on offense he should do fine in that category. Sure, you'd need to surround him with good players, but the same is true of Chris Paul.

So true. But getting Chris Paul means losing continuity and probably a down year. Paul also has no knees and that will hamper his ability to score in the future while Rondo can get a jump shot. Rondo also demands less money.

You mean like the last time the Celtics brought in better talent. 


The down year when KG and Ray were added?




We are reaching now. 

[wdleehi]

Agreed Miami didn't lose because the pieces didn't "fit"... They lost because the team and more so LBJ choked. The team choked in game 2. LBJ coked in games 4-5 for the most part.

The whole not fitting thing was true at the beginning of the season, but not at the end. This team destroyed the eastern conference like it was a joke. They simply couldn't take the spotlight the Finals shines on players.

Honestly this was the same thing for Dallas but more so Dirk in 2006. I think if they are healthy Miami wins it all next year. Sadly I think LBJ puts on a show in next year's finals.

  If Wade were a great outside shooter it might open up the lane more, so LeBron would have less defenders between him and the rim, so he'd be less likely to "choke". When I was watching the games LeBron wasn't missing a ton of shots he normally likes, he was forced into taking shots that he wasn't comfortable taking. Part choke, but definitely part not fitting.

Logically, your point makes sense.  However, Lebron wasn't forced into bad shots.  Lebron *had* good shots.  However, he'd just pass them up, in order to pass to Joel Anthony or something.  It was a very bizarre performance, and can only be called a choke.

But, back on topic, Chris Paul doesn't have a history of choking, and there's no reason to feel like he couldn't be a good fit.  I agree that he'd be more likely to attract Howard, as well.  The thought of a "big three + CP3 + Howard" combo, if for only one year, is too good to pass up.

That would arguably be the best starting 5 ever assembled in the 60+ years of the NBA. Garnett and Howard on defense would be like Ray Lewis playing with Lawrence Taylor. It would almost be a flawless starting 5 with maybe the only thing you could dislike being the lack of elite athleticism at the wings.

Of course, a starting lineup of Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, and Howard would be equally impressive.

The argument isn't really whether or not Chris Paul is better than Rondo or by how much, but rather whether Paul represents a better chance to sign Dwight Howard.  Everyone seems to think it's a given that he does.  I don't.  I don't think Dwight Howard in Boston is either a necessity or a certainty regardless of who our starting point guard is.

If we trade Rondo for Paul and don't end up with Howard, our prospects for the future look about the same as they do with Rondo leading us.

Personally, I'd rather find a way to get a different very good young big to go along with Rondo for the future.  Nene, M. Gasol, McGee, Jordan, and Bogut are among the young centers I wouldn't mind finding a way to snag. I'm also still intrigued by the prospect of the gamble on Oden.

Hey, I happen to think a lineup of Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, and Nene would be a pretty fierce contender as well no matter what Dwight Howard ends up doing with his life.    

  

Howard has talked about playing with Paul in the past. 




Paul is considered the better player then Rondo in the NBA.  He will draw more players. 

[bfrombleacher]

Getting Josh Smith could also help us get Dwight. It would also solve quite a few of our problems.

- Josh Smith is friends with Dwight.
- We'd get rid of Jeff Green, who is quite the enigma.
- http://www.hoopinionblog.com/2011/02/breaking-down-josh-smith-as-small.html He could be our future starting SF with Pierce at SG (Pierce has to start).
- We keep Rondo, putting an end to this very conundrum. Yes, I like Rondo a lot.
- We're not guaranteed to get Howard if we get Chris Paul. Dwight Howard is one of the few most coveted FAs of the decade. If we can't get Dwight, we'd still have Rondo and Smith to build around. Josh Smith has expressed interest in joining the Celtics, Dwight Howard expressed nothing.