This team has another Run left....

[TheReaLPuba]

...I can feel it.

This isn't just me being sentimental to a great core and successful era but I believe it's the truth.

Consider that next year will be a full 82 game season and much less crazy and grueling than the shortened 66 game season.

I believe Doc and the rest of the coaching staff will adjust accordingly throughout the year.

With better game and practice time management this team can be a contender coming out of the East as long as the makeup of the team stays intact (Big 4).

To be a title contender we'll definitely need a couple of bigs and a serviceable bench. But we don't need an elite bench just get one that doesn't puke the bed.

We'll have more youth through the draft and with Green, Bradley, Moore, and JJJ being integrated more plus practice time and everyone coming into training camp fully prepared I think this team can come out of the gate highly competitive.

There's only two teams that I believe has a better mix of young/old talent and that's the Spurs and OKC. But they play out West.

Also, other teams may have a "Big 3" but the C's have a "Big 4" and if healthy this core can still get it done...I have no doubt in my mind.

Our C's (without KG/RA) are still too good of a team to go for a high lottery pick in next year's draft and this summer's FA class isn't all that great as once thought. In fact the best FA's available are our own.

Sign them up and make another Finals run.

[Who]

Yeah, if they reinforce that bench, and hopefully, if the older guys don't lose too much, I think the Celtics could make a run next season.

[mctyson]

Well the reason it does is because "this team" really never took the floor together in 2011/2012.  We finished the season with an amalgamation (look it up, kids) of a roster.

This roster...

Rondo/Moore
Bradley/Pietrus
Pierce/J. Green
J. Green/JJJ
KG/Stiemer

...is basically the team that had a 70% winning percentage after the All-Star break.  Assuming we are healthy (big assumption as we have learned), there is no reason we shouldn't win 55 games next year.

[ManUp]

Unless we add a big piece another season with this core is going to end like the previous three. We need a guy or guys who can put points on the board as well as rebounders and athletes. I'm tired of watching Rondo running brakes begging guys to run all the way to the rim and I'm tired of watching Jumpers go flat as our lead evaporates in the fourth. I'm all for bringing the big three back but we have to tweak the formula. Danny had the right idea trying to snatch David West last season. Rondo, Ray, Pierce, Garnett and role players isn't going to work anymore.

[Chief]

I don't think this team, can beat the Heat.

[pearljammer10]

We might be able to win 55 games but we wont be able to beat the heat. Especially with Green playing the four. We need get a legit big man inside the paint that can do the work down low. The heats biggest weakest was defense down low and we were able to exploit it with kg and even a little bit of bass. We still need a low post rebounder/scorer that can get us over the top.

Plus we are just old, we need "young vets" as I call it. Guys with a bit of experience but are still young and athletic. Watching the celtics is like watching paint dry compared to OKC vs the Heat. Lets get some excitement fellahs.

[D Dub]

with Rondo being only 26, I'd say we have several runs left.

like pearljammer10 says above, just need to add another big to the stable.

[Mr October]

I don't think this team, can beat the Heat.

If you add Bradley, Green and an MLE big, I think the Celtics can beat Miami. (And I'm not overlooking Bosh's presence. He was huge.)

[LB3533]

I don't think this team, can beat the Heat.

We went 7 games with the Heat with a hurt PP and RA.

[Mr October]

I'd like to see what Stiemsma can do when he is healthy, has a proper training camp, and can practice through the season. He was looking really nice in the regular season for long stretches despite the plantar faciitis.

Maybe Johnson makes the Bradley leap in year 2.

I'm excited about next season. I just don't want to see a Detroit-esque Gordon/Villanueva signing.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I don't think this team, can beat the Heat.

We went 7 games with the Heat with a hurt PP and RA.

yep...and had an 11 point lead in their building. we most definitely can beat them. we need a solid bench and a very good center to split time with KG. We also need a PF to step up. yound shooters step up, bradley, moore, draft picks.

Can we get all that though is the question? i think steamer could be a good back up PF or 3rd string center. we get rebounding and scoring down low we beat the heat. KG could not do it all himself. Sure rondo and PP would drive to the rack but that does not always work out as we saw. If we draft a SG he best be lights out. We need to be able to rely on a combo of inside/outside to drive teams crazy. i prefer killing teams inside with two centers rotating who stay fresh all game and/or a twin towers approach with a PF...then when the opponent sells out down low you finish them with wide open looks from outside.

[Q_FBE]

I don't think this team, can beat the Heat.

We went 7 games with the Heat with a hurt PP and RA.

And no Avery Bradley to take Dweeb Wade out of the equation. But did you factor in that Chris Bosh did not appear until Game Five for Miami?

[ImShakHeIsShaq]

I don't think this team, can beat the Heat.

We went 7 games with the Heat with a hurt PP and RA.

And no Avery Bradley to take Dweeb Wade out of the equation. But did you factor in that Chris Bosh did not appear until Game Five for Miami?

I don't care what people say about them and Bosh, if we had ab and another big to play with KG I think we beat them! Heck, I would go as far as saying we beat them with Bosh if we had AB! With AB, KG could have stayed on Bosh instead of being afraid Ray was going to let Wade easily breeze by him (which he did so many times). Sure Bosh hit his shots but he was wide open as KG had to stay near the basket on all of those shots.

[Bombastic Jones]

Definitely.  With AB, Green & Wilcox healthy we could have played with anyone.  I also feel like we could have won the Heat series with the team we put out there.  Game 2,3,4,5 all could have gone either way.

[Chief Macho]

Don't see it.  Another full season on Pierce and KG's legs is going to again leave them limping into the playoffs.   They're still slow and old.   It's just a waste of time and money. Start getting younger guys that can really benefit from Rondo's open floor ability.   No,  I don't think you can really do both.