Are we a better team without Rondo and Ray?

[Marcus13]

Hellll no.  **** at that thought.

Paul Pierce finally ignited his game, that's all.  Not to mention Orlando has one good player.  One. AND it's at the least impactful position on the floor.

[Celticjay]

I think someone already said it, but I'm going to say it again: it takes so much time and energy to get Ray Allen the ball. Some of you should really, really watch a play involving Ray. REALLY watch it - there's so much going on for the other plays involved, multiple screens, decoy movement.

Now I'm not saying Ray hurts the offense, his 3 pt shooting is an asset to any team. But sometimes we run plays for him too much and the offense gets stagnant.

100% agree with this Tommy point for you..

[PosImpos]

the least impactful position on the floor.

eh . . . a really good center impact the game in so many ways.  the entire Magic gameplan is centered around Dwight Howard, and they've been successful the past 3-4 seasons with Dwight as the centerpiece despite a revolving cast of mediocre to decent outside players who mostly are just good at shooting the ball.

center is probably the most impactful position on the floor, followed by point guard.

[Marcus13]

I think someone already said it, but I'm going to say it again: it takes so much time and energy to get Ray Allen the ball. Some of you should really, really watch a play involving Ray. REALLY watch it - there's so much going on for the other plays involved, multiple screens, decoy movement.

Now I'm not saying Ray hurts the offense, his 3 pt shooting is an asset to any team. But sometimes we run plays for him too much and the offense gets stagnant.

It does take effort from the team, but his shots are also the most efficient shots that this team gets.  Ray's baskets are team baskets.  They need to be running wayyy more plays for him than they do.

[Marcus13]

the least impactful position on the floor.

eh . . . a really good center impact the game in so many ways.  the entire Magic gameplan is centered around Dwight Howard, and they've been successful the past 3-4 seasons with Dwight as the centerpiece despite a revolving cast of mediocre to decent outside players who mostly are just good at shooting the ball.

center is probably the most impactful position on the floor, followed by point guard.

There is NO way Center is the most impactful position on the floor.  If you look at the 30 NBA rosters, how many of their most impactful players is their Center?  Without going through, Im willing to bet the answer is five or less.

How many times did Dwight even get a decent look in the fourth quarter last night?  It's really difficult to dump the ball into the post when you need a bucket.

[RJ87]

I think someone already said it, but I'm going to say it again: it takes so much time and energy to get Ray Allen the ball. Some of you should really, really watch a play involving Ray. REALLY watch it - there's so much going on for the other plays involved, multiple screens, decoy movement.

Now I'm not saying Ray hurts the offense, his 3 pt shooting is an asset to any team. But sometimes we run plays for him too much and the offense gets stagnant.

It does take effort from the team, but his shots are also the most efficient shots that this team gets.  Ray's baskets are team baskets.  They need to be running wayyy more plays for him than they do.

If Ray could even come close to still being able to create his own shot, you'd be right. But his offense is reliant on all 5 guys executing perfectly.

Its funny how people alway complain that Rondo holds the ball too long at the top of the key - but he does that when he waiting for Ray to get open. We really don't need to use up more of our shotclock than we already do.

[OsirusCeltics]

Idk about without Rondo, but here is my take on Ray

If Ray was on another team, his versatility would be evident
Ray can shoot the 3, awesome at driving the ball, one of the best cutters in the leauge, good defence for a guy his age, and is definately clutch... but you only see that in spurts since he's playing with 3 other all stars

Just a year before he came to the Celtics, he was averaging 26 ppg. But when he came to the team, his scoring lowered to 17 ppg, he was asked to run screens, stay in spots awaiting for 3 point oppurtunities, etc. I think Ray's ability to subdue his ego is overlooked. By seeing him play on the Celtics, alot forget how good he is

But I do think Celtics might be better off without Ray, because on this team they spend alot of energy and time on the clock trying to get Ray involved in the game. Just seeing the Celtics play the Wizards and Magic twice, I see how simple the Celtics play their offensive sets. They score with greater ease and its easier to get everybody on the team invovled

[ScoobyDoo]

TP for the guy who pointed out how much effort it takes for Ray to get his open looks and I would love an offense where he's just one part of many more moving pieces in the offense set. Sometimes it does seem like basically Rondo standing at the top of the key while three other players are setting multiples screens with Ray running all over the place...in circles.

That being said, we are much better with Rondo and Ray.

Rondo could take a lesson from Bradley and Moore on defense and just start playing better position and team defense on his guy rather than gambling as much and allowing easy baskets.

[kozlodoev]

I think someone already said it, but I'm going to say it again: it takes so much time and energy to get Ray Allen the ball. Some of you should really, really watch a play involving Ray. REALLY watch it - there's so much going on for the other plays involved, multiple screens, decoy movement.

Now I'm not saying Ray hurts the offense, his 3 pt shooting is an asset to any team. But sometimes we run plays for him too much and the offense gets stagnant.

It does take effort from the team, but his shots are also the most efficient shots that this team gets.  Ray's baskets are team baskets.  They need to be running wayyy more plays for him than they do.

If Ray could even come close to still being able to create his own shot, you'd be right. But his offense is reliant on all 5 guys executing perfectly.

Its funny how people alway complain that Rondo holds the ball too long at the top of the key - but he does that when he waiting for Ray to get open. We really don't need to use up more of our shotclock than we already do.

We could instead complain about Pierce standing on the wing and four other guys watching with no movement -- that also tends to happen quite a lot.

[clover]

Idk about without Rondo, but here is my take on Ray

If Ray was on another team, his versatility would be evident
Ray can shoot the 3, awesome at driving the ball, one of the best cutters in the leauge, good defence for a guy his age, and is definately clutch... but you only see that in spurts since he's playing with 3 other all stars

Just a year before he came to the Celtics, he was averaging 26 ppg. But when he came to the team, his scoring lowered to 17 ppg, he was asked to run screens, stay in spots awaiting for 3 point oppurtunities, etc. I think Ray's ability to subdue his ego is overlooked. By seeing him play on the Celtics, alot forget how good he is

But I do think Celtics might be better off without Ray, because on this team they spend alot of energy and time on the clock trying to get Ray involved in the game. Just seeing the Celtics play the Wizards and Magic twice, I see how simple the Celtics play their offensive sets. They score with greater ease and its easier to get everybody on the team invovled

I didn't see the game, but I heard someone--KG maybe? Doc?--say that all they did at the half was simplify their offense.  Seems to have helped.