We're are depending on 34, 35, and 36 year old veterans to produce at near star level. The names Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Kevin Garnett don't mean the same in 2012 compared to what they did in 2008. The load hasn't been lightened enough since 08.
I would say the load has been lightened significantly by the player wearing the number 9 jersey. However, we need more out of our hall of fame role players right now, that's for sure.
How so? In crunch time all he does is pass to the 3. I didn't see last nights game, but in general Rondo likes to do most of his scoring in the first 3 quarters. I followed the game with the boxscore last night the first half he had 10 free throw attempts he ended the game with 12 total. He finished with 24 last night, but didn't he have something like 18 in the first half?
Well, to me assists, steals, rebounds, deflections, and other not stat showing plays all count as contributing to winning ball games. I know that some feel the only way to contribute is to be the guy who puts up a ton of shots.