If the Celtics lose game 7 or get swept/win 1 game in the ECF...

[esel1000]

I think the big 3 era ends. Do you guys think Danny brings any of the big 3 back?

I can't help but think he's watching these games and thinking, its time for a full rebuild. It's gotta be going through his head. And if the celtics lose game 7 or basically get swept in the ECF, as a GM you can't look at it as a success due to the age and injuries of these guys.

If the celtics somehow fail to win game 7 of this series, I see a full rebuild in the offseason where basically everyone is traded/ signed and traded.

If they get swept or win like one game in the ECF I could see Ainge bringing back like 1 or 2 of the big 3 (pierce and kg, I don't see Ray back next year)

If they have a good ECF or win it or something then who knows. But its clear age and injuries are taking a toll on the proud experienced Boston Celtics.

So when we watch game 7 Saturday, just remember... this might truly be the end of the big 3 era. Thank them for what they've given us and no matter how Saturday looks, be thankful to watch them cause we'll all miss them when its over (whenever that is).

What do you guys think?

[thestackshow]

I just want the Big 3 to retire after this season. Its getting to the point where they are like an old dog that needs to be put down.

Time to just rebuild.

[esel1000]

I just want the Big 3 to retire after this season. Its getting to the point where they are like an old dog that needs to be put down.

Time to just rebuild.

well you have to admit pierce was pretty good out there tonight... everyone else looked terrible though. Im at a point where I think Ray Allen is causing perm damage to his ankle by playing, I think hes retiring. But if this team loses this round or gets destroyed next round, its basically a sign to ainge to make a change (rhymed haha)

[thestackshow]

I just want the Big 3 to retire after this season. Its getting to the point where they are like an old dog that needs to be put down.

Time to just rebuild.

well you have to admit pierce was pretty good out there tonight... everyone else looked terrible though. Im at a point where I think Ray Allen is causing perm damage to his ankle by playing, I think hes retiring. But if this team loses this round or gets destroyed next round, its basically a sign to ainge to make a change (rhymed haha)

We have only played 2 or 3 good games this post season, while playing 10 awful ones.

We are banged up beyond repair, its time to realize this isnt that same team that stormed into the post season looking like contenders, we are limping to the ECF and might not even get there.

[OsirusCeltics]

I just want the Big 3 to retire after this season. Its getting to the point where they are like an old dog that needs to be put down.

Time to just rebuild.

well you have to admit pierce was pretty good out there tonight... everyone else looked terrible though. Im at a point where I think Ray Allen is causing perm damage to his ankle by playing, I think hes retiring. But if this team loses this round or gets destroyed next round, its basically a sign to ainge to make a change (rhymed haha)

Ainge should make a change, if he doesn't trade them he's deranged.. ohhhhhhhh lol

[albas89]

Paul Pierce has earned the right to retire a Celtic whenever he wants, which should be at the end of his current contract.

KG might come back for much less, otherwise I can see him retiring next year.

Ray's not coming back, I don't know whether he retires or not, he's just not coming back.

I think it's more than obvious this is the end of the Big 3 era...

Right now I cannot expect from our players NOT to win 1 game/get swept by the Heat, it would be unfair. they are too banged up not to do so. however, I'd like them to win game 7 on Saturday, so that we can have one last good memory from them. the Garden should be rocking, this might get emotional...

[esel1000]

Paul Pierce has earned the right to retire a Celtic whenever he wants, which should be at the end of his current contract.

KG might come back for much less, otherwise I can see him retiring next year.

Ray's not coming back, I don't know whether he retires or not, he's just not coming back.

I think it's more than obvious this is the end of the Big 3 era...

Right now I cannot expect from our players NOT to win 1 game/get swept by the Heat, it would be unfair. they are too banged up not to do so. however, I'd like them to win game 7 on Saturday, so that we can have one last good memory from them. the Garden should be rocking, this might get emotional...

Thats actually how I look at it. Pierce still looks good out there he has another year in him, kg as well maybe if for nothing more than to "train" the new guys. Rays done though. And yeah thats what I was saying we really may be at the end of the road here, time to watch this game 7 and remember the good times haha

[wdleehi]

I have no issue bring back KG next year. 


I want to see the cap flexibility turned over unless a trade that brings back a star pops up.

[CelticG1]

If they lose game 7 ot will be an embarrassment and one of the worst Celtics playoff series in their history.

In 20 years we wont remember 1 player from this philly team

[scaryjerry]

Eh, if the Bulls stayed healthy both these teams would be fishing already, i think regardless of what happens danny should have a plan...are you saying he should bring them back if they get to the finals? 

[Spilling Green Dye]

KG has been one of the most consistent and effective overall players in these entire playoffs.  He'd be worth bringing back.

Paul has had some great games, but some stinkers too.  Next year I'm sure he'll be another step slower.

Ray Allen needs to go after this season.  Running plays for him that yield zero shots really slows down our offense.  Make way for Bradley and others.

Rondo has been another inconsistent player on our team.  Last night I thought he generally looked non-aggressive and couldn't make an open jumper (or even a layup!).

My overall conclusion:  Rondo is not ready to be the leader of a team on a night-in and night-out basis.  I'd be happy with bringing KG back, I'm ok with Pierce back (though his contract will be burdensome), Pietrus, Rondo, Bradley, Bass, and perhaps Steimsma.  Everyone else needs to walk. 

[CoachBo]

I largely agree.

However, and having just completed watching that debacle again, if that's all that Rondo can muster in a closeout game, I was wrong opposing the idea voiced here earlier about moving him for a lottery pick.

Clearly, and understandably, his value around the league isn't high enough to merit a star in return.

So if Rondo lollygags his way through Game 7, it's time to move him for whatever value exists. I'm done with his brand of wildly uneven effort.

[Celtics18]

I largely agree.

However, and having just completed watching that debacle again, if that's all that Rondo can muster in a closeout game, I was wrong opposing the idea voiced here earlier about moving him for a lottery pick.

Clearly, and understandably, his value around the league isn't high enough to merit a star in return.

So if Rondo lollygags his way through Game 7, it's time to move him for whatever value exists. I'm done with his brand of wildly uneven effort.

There's no question that Rondo was bad last night, but he's been playing like one of the best player's in the league for the prior ten games he played in during the playoffs. 

I expect that we'll see a better performance out of him in game 7.

[Gainesville Celtic]

I think we win Saturday night (though I have little evidence as to why we would at this point) and may even push IND/MIA to a game 6 or 7, but I think Ainge will proceed regardless of how well or disappointing we finish out this playoff run....

Rondo has been another inconsistent player on our team.  Last night I thought he generally looked non-aggressive and couldn't make an open jumper (or even a layup!).

My overall conclusion:  Rondo is not ready to be the leader of a team on a night-in and night-out basis.  I'd be happy with bringing KG back, I'm ok with Pierce back (though his contract will be burdensome), Pietrus, Rondo, Bradley, Bass, and perhaps Steimsma.  Everyone else needs to walk. 

I think this sums up my thinking exactly. The thing that bothered me the most last night was the sense that Rondo looked to be running at 75% speed... (Lollygagging is exactly the right term @CoachBo)

Unless he's hurt or I don't understand their defensive rotations he didn't seem interested AT ALL in trying to play man-to-man defense.

And with the game still in the balance (early 4th) I feel like he had an opportunity to put his stamp on the game and lead the C's to victory... and he just didn't.

I've always loved Rondo, but don't know that I've been more disappointed in him since he joined this team. It's confounding AND probably hurt his trade value if Ainge feels his time is up.



---------

I'll miss Ray next year, but I don't see him re-upping with Boston; Avery Bradley is the 2-guard of the future here.

I'm hopeful that KG will come back at a decent cap figure -- i haven't looked at the numbers but something in the 2 yr/$16-20 M range (maybe with a mutual option on the 2nd year).

I think next year can/will be a bridge year:

Rondo / Bradley / Pierce / Bass / KG

Jeff Green
Mickael Pietrus
Greg Steimsma
Boston #1 Pick
LAC #1 Pick
JuJuan Johnson
E`Twaun Moore

If that team struggles (and the younger guys aren't developing) I'd see Ainge blowing it up midseason (trading Rondo, KG, Green and Pietrus) and begining an all-out rebuild. I hope he'd let PP retire a Celtic unless the offer was just too good to pass up.

[pp34isthe1]

I do not see Ray back, unless he has successful surgery and wants to play a 6th, probably 7th man role.

KG will be in Boston IMO, unless he retires. There are literally no better options.

Next year we will have Jeff Green, Avery will be healthy, along with 2 first round picks. The youth and future will still be there. Every team has veterans, maybe not first ballot HOFer's, but I would hate to see the Celtics without the leadership of KG/PP.

PP and KG deserve to start, they can still ball. (less minutes is a must)

Hopefully Danny can swing something awesome and find this team and Rondo some more running legs. (Josh Smith please!)