The Heat will dominate for years no matter what Danny does

[aporel#18]

The Heat still need to begin to be dominant. They just were lucky with all injuries (Rose, Howard, Bradley,Pierce,Ray...). Of course Bosh couldn't play for some games, but no team has the refs on their side (except for the Fakers) like them. So that equals things.

OKC and Miami may win a title or maybe more, but remember this is Stern-ESPN-NBA, where the machine needs a newer, cooler story almost every year. If/when the Heat win their ring, their story will be old, just like Wade, who looks older than KG right now. OKC seem to be well built, but their inside game is not that good. They have humongous talent in the perimeter, but eventually a more complete team will be assembled and their jumpshots will stop falling in.

Chicago still scares me more than those teams, but next year Rose will be rehabbing, so there's a chance for yet another last run of the Big 3. We need a beast who can crash the boards and protect the rim, and bring back all the rotation players. Stiemsma will be great as 5th-6th big from the bench, so we need some help there. Wilcox, Green, Bass and Bradley plus the Big 4 and some young players will be enough to compete with Miami, who is at the top of what they can be right now.

Go Celtics!

[BenHenry]

Nope. If KG signs another 5 year extension with us, give him a little HGH(human growth hormones)like James and Wade, with a healthy Rondo and Bradley we can beat Miami. Keep Doc as coach cuz we're a team designed to beat them for years to come. 


Garnett do it!

[wdleehi]

If the Heat stay together...



The Heat can be beaten. 

[D Dub]

nahh, very flawed team.  took 8 guys to knock out the old/injured Celts...

[ScoobyDoo]

I still feel that the combined talent, experience and leadership of KG, Pierce, Ray and Rondo can definitely, without question, bring us another title, PROVIDED THAT:

1. We re-sign Jeff Green to play large minutes behind Pierce for the entire season. Pierce should average about 25-30 minutes a night next year

2. Ray Allen comes off the bench behind Bradley - and we sign, at a minimum, Pietrus behind those two. Ray at about 25-30 minutes a night all season.

3. We make a major play for height, muscle and toughness in the front court to give KG all the help he needs - and rest. KG at about 20-25 a night all season.

Centers of interest: Kaman, Hawes, Aaron Gray, Asik, Haddadi, Semih Erden. Size and aggression is what we're after.

Power Forwards: Humphries, Landry, Illyasova, Wilcox, Lavoy Allen, Reggie Williams, Sean Williams.

I also really like the idea of trying to trade for Josh Smith now. I'm wondering if Atlanta wouldn't go for our two firsts and JJJ as someone else mentioned. That's actually a decent deal for Atlanta if they want to move him. and get rid of his salary. They could combine the two firsts and something else to move up and get a good young PF.   

[LarBrd33]

Yes the Heat will be tough as long as LeBron is on that team.  Wade will get a bit older.  They have a solid 5 year window to be very very good.

Thunder have like a 10-12 year window to be great.  This will probably be the first of multiple Heat/Thunder Finals.  Strap in and enjoy as a basketball fan.

As a CEltic fan... get ready to be also-rans unless Danny lands another top 5 superstar (Dwight is the only one even remotely available).

[Celtics18]

Yes the Heat will be tough as long as LeBron is on that team.  Wade will get a bit older.  They have a solid 5 year window to be very very good.

Thunder have like a 10-12 year window to be great.  This will probably be the first of multiple Heat/Thunder Finals.  Strap in and enjoy as a basketball fan.

As a CEltic fan... get ready to be also-rans unless Danny lands another top 5 superstar (Dwight is the only one even remotely available).

We'll find someone to go along with Rondo within the next couple of years.  Be a little patient.  These next couple of years will be about gaining and developing assets and keeping cap room.

I think the 2014 off-season is when Danny will pull his next big move. 

[j804]

Yes the Heat will be tough as long as LeBron is on that team.  Wade will get a bit older.  They have a solid 5 year window to be very very good.

Thunder have like a 10-12 year window to be great.  This will probably be the first of multiple Heat/Thunder Finals.  Strap in and enjoy as a basketball fan.

As a CEltic fan... get ready to be also-rans unless Danny lands another top 5 superstar (Dwight is the only one even remotely available).

keep doubting them and watch them be right there in the thick of things next year

[BballTim]

Yes the Heat will be tough as long as LeBron is on that team.  Wade will get a bit older.  They have a solid 5 year window to be very very good.

Thunder have like a 10-12 year window to be great.  This will probably be the first of multiple Heat/Thunder Finals.  Strap in and enjoy as a basketball fan.

As a CEltic fan... get ready to be also-rans unless Danny lands another top 5 superstar (Dwight is the only one even remotely available).

  We don't have a top 5 superstar playing with Rondo now and we aren't also-rans.

[LarBrd33]

Yes the Heat will be tough as long as LeBron is on that team.  Wade will get a bit older.  They have a solid 5 year window to be very very good.

Thunder have like a 10-12 year window to be great.  This will probably be the first of multiple Heat/Thunder Finals.  Strap in and enjoy as a basketball fan.

As a CEltic fan... get ready to be also-rans unless Danny lands another top 5 superstar (Dwight is the only one even remotely available).

keep doubting them and watch them be right there in the thick of things next year

Kevin Garnett is one of the 25 greatest players of all time.  In his prime he was arguably the best basketball player alive.  In 2008 he was still a formidable NBA superstar.  During this playoff run, he was as good as he's ever been on the Celtics.  NBA Superstars make you a contender in this league (See:  NBA Finals... LeBron vs Durant)

I'm just being realistic.  We became a contender, because we landed Kevin Garnett.  If he comes back next year and plays as well as he did in these playoffs... we'll have a shot to make another playoff run.  But post-KG... we either find a new top 5 superstar (Dwight seems the only one available)... or expect us to be also-rans.

The good news is... Danny Ainge is a smart man.  He understands this very clearly.... which is why he threw the kitchen sink at New Orleans trying to land Chris Paul.. and why I fully expect him to continue to make bold attempts to find us a superstar cornerstone even at the expense of trading an EXTREMELY GOOD (but not Superstar) Rajon Rondo.

[Celtics18]

Yes the Heat will be tough as long as LeBron is on that team.  Wade will get a bit older.  They have a solid 5 year window to be very very good.

Thunder have like a 10-12 year window to be great.  This will probably be the first of multiple Heat/Thunder Finals.  Strap in and enjoy as a basketball fan.

As a CEltic fan... get ready to be also-rans unless Danny lands another top 5 superstar (Dwight is the only one even remotely available).

keep doubting them and watch them be right there in the thick of things next year

Kevin Garnett is one of the 25 greatest players of all time.  In his prime he was arguably the best basketball player alive.  In 2008 he was still a formidable NBA superstar.  During this playoff run, he was as good as he's ever been on the Celtics.  NBA Superstars make you a contender in this league (See:  NBA Finals... LeBron vs Durant)

I'm just being realistic.  We became a contender, because we landed Kevin Garnett.  If he comes back next year and plays as well as he did in these playoffs... we'll have a shot to make another playoff run.  But post-KG... we either find a new top 5 superstar (Dwight seems the only one available)... or expect us to be also-rans.

The good news is... Danny Ainge is a smart man.  He understands this very clearly.... which is why he threw the kitchen sink at New Orleans trying to land Chris Paul.. and why I fully expect him to continue to make bold attempts to find us a superstar cornerstone even at the expense of trading an EXTREMELY GOOD (but not Superstar) Rajon Rondo.

There's no trade happening for our superstar point guard that would make our future brighter.  Give it up.

[LarBrd33]

Yes the Heat will be tough as long as LeBron is on that team.  Wade will get a bit older.  They have a solid 5 year window to be very very good.

Thunder have like a 10-12 year window to be great.  This will probably be the first of multiple Heat/Thunder Finals.  Strap in and enjoy as a basketball fan.

As a CEltic fan... get ready to be also-rans unless Danny lands another top 5 superstar (Dwight is the only one even remotely available).

keep doubting them and watch them be right there in the thick of things next year

Kevin Garnett is one of the 25 greatest players of all time.  In his prime he was arguably the best basketball player alive.  In 2008 he was still a formidable NBA superstar.  During this playoff run, he was as good as he's ever been on the Celtics.  NBA Superstars make you a contender in this league (See:  NBA Finals... LeBron vs Durant)

I'm just being realistic.  We became a contender, because we landed Kevin Garnett.  If he comes back next year and plays as well as he did in these playoffs... we'll have a shot to make another playoff run.  But post-KG... we either find a new top 5 superstar (Dwight seems the only one available)... or expect us to be also-rans.

The good news is... Danny Ainge is a smart man.  He understands this very clearly.... which is why he threw the kitchen sink at New Orleans trying to land Chris Paul.. and why I fully expect him to continue to make bold attempts to find us a superstar cornerstone even at the expense of trading an EXTREMELY GOOD (but not Superstar) Rajon Rondo.

There's no trade happening for our superstar point guard that would make our future brighter.  Give it up.

I agree... there's no trade happening for Rondo.   Giving it up.   We might be a solid playoff team from here on out, but more or less we'll be also-rans.

You can find some complimentary pieces to put around Rondo (easily a top 30 player in the league), but if he's your best player... I have a feeling our ceiling is about even with Utah when Deron Williams was running the show.  THat's to say they could potentially win 50+ games and have some deep playoff runs... but they'll always be fodder for the teams with real superstars... the Kobe's, the Wade's, the Duncan's, the KG's... and now teams lead by the likes of Durant, LeBron, Dwight and Chris Paul... It's a Superstar's league.  If you don't have one... you probably aren't a serious threat.

FYI to anyone who read this... save me the "Rondo IS a superstar" rebuttal.  I admire your optimism, but it's not true.  He's an exception point guard and easily one of the best point guards in this league... but if we're comparing LeBron or Durant to Rondo, it's a no-contest.

Paul Pierce was an exceptional player in his prime too.  He lead us to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2001 with another all-star by his side.  But until a superstar savior walked through those doors (Kevin Garnett) ... we were also-rans.

[Celtics18]

Yes the Heat will be tough as long as LeBron is on that team.  Wade will get a bit older.  They have a solid 5 year window to be very very good.

Thunder have like a 10-12 year window to be great.  This will probably be the first of multiple Heat/Thunder Finals.  Strap in and enjoy as a basketball fan.

As a CEltic fan... get ready to be also-rans unless Danny lands another top 5 superstar (Dwight is the only one even remotely available).

keep doubting them and watch them be right there in the thick of things next year

Kevin Garnett is one of the 25 greatest players of all time.  In his prime he was arguably the best basketball player alive.  In 2008 he was still a formidable NBA superstar.  During this playoff run, he was as good as he's ever been on the Celtics.  NBA Superstars make you a contender in this league (See:  NBA Finals... LeBron vs Durant)

I'm just being realistic.  We became a contender, because we landed Kevin Garnett.  If he comes back next year and plays as well as he did in these playoffs... we'll have a shot to make another playoff run.  But post-KG... we either find a new top 5 superstar (Dwight seems the only one available)... or expect us to be also-rans.

The good news is... Danny Ainge is a smart man.  He understands this very clearly.... which is why he threw the kitchen sink at New Orleans trying to land Chris Paul.. and why I fully expect him to continue to make bold attempts to find us a superstar cornerstone even at the expense of trading an EXTREMELY GOOD (but not Superstar) Rajon Rondo.

There's no trade happening for our superstar point guard that would make our future brighter.  Give it up.

I agree... there's no trade happening for Rondo.   Giving it up.   We might be a solid playoff team from here on out, but more or less we'll be also-rans.

You can find some complimentary pieces to put around Rondo (easily a top 30 player in the league), but if he's your best player... I have a feeling our ceiling is about even with Utah when Deron Williams was running the show.  THat's to say they could potentially win 50+ games and have some deep playoff runs... but they'll always be fodder for the teams with real superstars... the Kobe's, the Wade's, the Duncan's, the KG's... and now teams lead by the likes of Durant, LeBron, Dwight and Chris Paul... It's a Superstar's league.  If you don't have one... you probably aren't a serious threat.

Rondo is a superstar, though.  I won't put him in a class with Durant and James, but Paul and Howard, absolutely.  He'll need some help, though.  Danny will make it happen.  It may take a little patience.

[BballTim]

Yes the Heat will be tough as long as LeBron is on that team.  Wade will get a bit older.  They have a solid 5 year window to be very very good.

Thunder have like a 10-12 year window to be great.  This will probably be the first of multiple Heat/Thunder Finals.  Strap in and enjoy as a basketball fan.

As a CEltic fan... get ready to be also-rans unless Danny lands another top 5 superstar (Dwight is the only one even remotely available).

keep doubting them and watch them be right there in the thick of things next year

Kevin Garnett is one of the 25 greatest players of all time.  In his prime he was arguably the best basketball player alive.  In 2008 he was still a formidable NBA superstar.  During this playoff run, he was as good as he's ever been on the Celtics.  NBA Superstars make you a contender in this league (See:  NBA Finals... LeBron vs Durant)

I'm just being realistic.  We became a contender, because we landed Kevin Garnett.  If he comes back next year and plays as well as he did in these playoffs... we'll have a shot to make another playoff run.  But post-KG... we either find a new top 5 superstar (Dwight seems the only one available)... or expect us to be also-rans.

The good news is... Danny Ainge is a smart man.  He understands this very clearly.... which is why he threw the kitchen sink at New Orleans trying to land Chris Paul.. and why I fully expect him to continue to make bold attempts to find us a superstar cornerstone even at the expense of trading an EXTREMELY GOOD (but not Superstar) Rajon Rondo.

  Having superstars help you to contend, but having a superstar doesn't make you a contender. KG was rarely on contending teams when he was arguably the best player alive, CP3 (and Deron, for that matter) are both at least half way through their careers without ever being on contenders.

[LarBrd33]

Yes the Heat will be tough as long as LeBron is on that team.  Wade will get a bit older.  They have a solid 5 year window to be very very good.

Thunder have like a 10-12 year window to be great.  This will probably be the first of multiple Heat/Thunder Finals.  Strap in and enjoy as a basketball fan.

As a CEltic fan... get ready to be also-rans unless Danny lands another top 5 superstar (Dwight is the only one even remotely available).

keep doubting them and watch them be right there in the thick of things next year

Kevin Garnett is one of the 25 greatest players of all time.  In his prime he was arguably the best basketball player alive.  In 2008 he was still a formidable NBA superstar.  During this playoff run, he was as good as he's ever been on the Celtics.  NBA Superstars make you a contender in this league (See:  NBA Finals... LeBron vs Durant)

I'm just being realistic.  We became a contender, because we landed Kevin Garnett.  If he comes back next year and plays as well as he did in these playoffs... we'll have a shot to make another playoff run.  But post-KG... we either find a new top 5 superstar (Dwight seems the only one available)... or expect us to be also-rans.

The good news is... Danny Ainge is a smart man.  He understands this very clearly.... which is why he threw the kitchen sink at New Orleans trying to land Chris Paul.. and why I fully expect him to continue to make bold attempts to find us a superstar cornerstone even at the expense of trading an EXTREMELY GOOD (but not Superstar) Rajon Rondo.

  Having superstars help you to contend, but having a superstar doesn't make you a contender. KG was rarely on contending teams when he was arguably the best player alive, CP3 (and Deron, for that matter) are both at least half way through their careers without ever being on contenders.

Agree.  Simply having a superstar doesn't make you an automatic contender (unless that superstar is LeBron James, I guess... any crap team can add him and probably be a threat to win a title), but trying to be a contender without a superstar is almost impossible... unless you're that one Detroit team that shocked the Lakers.  Pretty much the only champion to win a title without a superstar in 30+ years and it took a perfect scenario for it to happen (NBA was having some dump-years when the eastern conference stunk... and the Lakers imploded for a variety of reasons in the Finals).