Why are we even debating rebuilding?

[Chris]

It is not so simple.

This.  The problem I have with deciding to "rebuild" or not, comes down to a much bigger question...HOW?

There are many ways to rebuild, and it really does depend on the circumstances, and the assets you have. 

What doesn't work is just saying "I am going to rebuild" and having a fire sale.  Then you will inevitably get pennies on the dollar and set thing back even more.

I think every move needs to be thought out individually, with a vision towards the future. 

Yes, you need to be actively looking to move anyone and everyone in the hopes of building a future, but it is more difficult than a lot of you seem to think. 

And then there is the question of culture.  This team has built a winning culture over the last 5 years that was sorely lacking over the previous 20.  If you clean house, that has to be a concerns.  Not as important as talent, but it does hold a value, and needs to be taken into account with any moves you make.

[pearljammer10]

It is not so simple.

This.  The problem I have with deciding to "rebuild" or not, comes down to a much bigger question...HOW?

There are many ways to rebuild, and it really does depend on the circumstances, and the assets you have. 

What doesn't work is just saying "I am going to rebuild" and having a fire sale.  Then you will inevitably get pennies on the dollar and set thing back even more.

I think every move needs to be thought out individually, with a vision towards the future. 

Yes, you need to be actively looking to move anyone and everyone in the hopes of building a future, but it is more difficult than a lot of you seem to think. 

And then there is the question of culture.  This team has built a winning culture over the last 5 years that was sorely lacking over the previous 20.  If you clean house, that has to be a concerns.  Not as important as talent, but it does hold a value, and needs to be taken into account with any moves you make.

Agreed. If we "rebuild" here on the fly, who is to say that we wouldnt be talking about another 15 to 20 year stretch of very poor to mediocre basketball.

[Chris]

It is not so simple.

This.  The problem I have with deciding to "rebuild" or not, comes down to a much bigger question...HOW?

There are many ways to rebuild, and it really does depend on the circumstances, and the assets you have. 

What doesn't work is just saying "I am going to rebuild" and having a fire sale.  Then you will inevitably get pennies on the dollar and set thing back even more.

I think every move needs to be thought out individually, with a vision towards the future. 

Yes, you need to be actively looking to move anyone and everyone in the hopes of building a future, but it is more difficult than a lot of you seem to think. 

And then there is the question of culture.  This team has built a winning culture over the last 5 years that was sorely lacking over the previous 20.  If you clean house, that has to be a concerns.  Not as important as talent, but it does hold a value, and needs to be taken into account with any moves you make.

Agreed. If we "rebuild" here on the fly, who is to say that we wouldnt be talking about another 15 to 20 year stretch of very poor to mediocre basketball.

Right.  That, and what does rebuilding even mean?

The team IS rebuilding.  They are in the process of turning over their core players.  But it is a PROCESS.  It takes time.  Sometimes no move is better than the wrong move. 

[angryguy77]

Because it needs to be done at some point, that is unless we can find a Lazarus Pit for Paul and KG to take a dip in.

[csfansince60s]

Because it needs to be done at some point, that is unless we can find a Lazarus Pit for Paul and KG to take a dip in.

TP....haha....I was thinking more like a Ponce de Leon pina colada for the old boys.

[Fred Roberts]

I agree w/ Chris, we already are in rebuild (on the fly) mode. The minute we turned over Perk for Jeff, Curly & a pick is when we began rebuilding.

We aren't getting the lottery picks many rebuilds rely on, but we have gotten younger talent with room to grow. Trying to win while rebuilding is not a terrible idea.

Other than PP & KG, almost everything has turned over. This will continue as Danny seeks the best value in the draft and in trades. Assuming we can't get anything valuable for PP & KG, you gotta keep them. Keep adding young talented pieces and acquiring assets and be ready when the opportunities present themselves. That's all Danny can do, and he's doing it.

Jeff, Rondo, Sully, Avery, Fab, Lee and T-Will are 7 good young players with value here or elsewhere. The Shav/DJ/Wilcox/Bass situation requires an upgrade.   

[kozlodoev]

As Bill Parcells famously said "You are what you are".

I'm pretty sure he said, "You are what your record is".

[ctrey]

As Bill Parcells famously said "You are what you are".

I'm pretty sure he said, "You are what your record is".

I looked. People credit it as "You are what your record is"

also: "You are what your record says you are"

and "You are what you are". One way or another you get the jist. I did not mean to misquote the man.

[PhoSita]

And then there is the question of culture.  This team has built a winning culture over the last 5 years that was sorely lacking over the previous 20.  If you clean house, that has to be a concerns.  Not as important as talent, but it does hold a value, and needs to be taken into account with any moves you make.

I think the issue of culture can be addressed by making sure -- overpaying a little bit even, if necessary -- to keep a few veteran leaders on the roster who have some history with the team and / or have demonstrated that they are hard workers who lead by example.

Brandon Bass would be a candidate for this.  I liked the idea of keeping Keyon Dooling or Pietrus around from last season for this purpose, too.

You don't need to hold onto the highly paid, highly productive veterans in order to maintain that culture.

I think a part of it too is forcing players to compete for spots in the rotation.  If you "tank" by spoon feeding inferior younger players playing time even when there are guys behind them that have done more to earn playing time, it creates an atmosphere of entitlement for the young prospects and a sense that hard work doesn't correlate to success on the team.

This also means you need to get a coach who is going to hold guys accountable and treat players equally regardless of their age or when they were drafted.  Merit based system.  Give the players the sense that the team expects them to work hard and try to win even if most of the teams they face are more cohesive and have more talent or experience.

[BballTim]

And then there is the question of culture.  This team has built a winning culture over the last 5 years that was sorely lacking over the previous 20.  If you clean house, that has to be a concerns.  Not as important as talent, but it does hold a value, and needs to be taken into account with any moves you make.

I think the issue of culture can be addressed by making sure -- overpaying a little bit even, if necessary -- to keep a few veteran leaders on the roster who have some history with the team and / or have demonstrated that they are hard workers who lead by example.

Brandon Bass would be a candidate for this.  I liked the idea of keeping Keyon Dooling or Pietrus around from last season for this purpose, too.

You don't need to hold onto the highly paid, highly productive veterans in order to maintain that culture.

I think a part of it too is forcing players to compete for spots in the rotation.  If you "tank" by spoon feeding inferior younger players playing time even when there are guys behind them that have done more to earn playing time, it creates an atmosphere of entitlement for the young prospects and a sense that hard work doesn't correlate to success on the team.

This also means you need to get a coach who is going to hold guys accountable and treat players equally regardless of their age or when they were drafted.  Merit based system.  Give the players the sense that the team expects them to work hard and try to win even if most of the teams they face are more cohesive and have more talent or experience.

  We're going to depend on Brandon "I've never been ready for a pass in my life" Bass to carry on our title culture? Yikes.

[prov1ml34]

I don't get why everyone is so quick to just blow it up and start the rebuilding....I've seen a few people even use the excuse "well no one is beating the Heat."

I think when you look around the league this year and the number of injuries, you can't just throw in the towel until you absolutely have to. Meaning, when Paul or KG choose to leave on their own accord. What is there to say that LeBron doesn't go down next season with an injury? That leaves the Eastern Conference pretty much wide open. If our team was healthy, I would take them over any team in the Eastern Conference come playoffs. I just don't see what the rush to become mediocre is. Let's just let this thing play out.

[PhoSita]

And then there is the question of culture.  This team has built a winning culture over the last 5 years that was sorely lacking over the previous 20.  If you clean house, that has to be a concerns.  Not as important as talent, but it does hold a value, and needs to be taken into account with any moves you make.

I think the issue of culture can be addressed by making sure -- overpaying a little bit even, if necessary -- to keep a few veteran leaders on the roster who have some history with the team and / or have demonstrated that they are hard workers who lead by example.

Brandon Bass would be a candidate for this.  I liked the idea of keeping Keyon Dooling or Pietrus around from last season for this purpose, too.

You don't need to hold onto the highly paid, highly productive veterans in order to maintain that culture.

I think a part of it too is forcing players to compete for spots in the rotation.  If you "tank" by spoon feeding inferior younger players playing time even when there are guys behind them that have done more to earn playing time, it creates an atmosphere of entitlement for the young prospects and a sense that hard work doesn't correlate to success on the team.

This also means you need to get a coach who is going to hold guys accountable and treat players equally regardless of their age or when they were drafted.  Merit based system.  Give the players the sense that the team expects them to work hard and try to win even if most of the teams they face are more cohesive and have more talent or experience.

  We're going to depend on Brandon "I've never been ready for a pass in my life" Bass to carry on our title culture? Yikes.

Bass is a hard working, soft-spoken guy who doesn't put himself before the team and doesn't complain when he loses playing time.  He doesn't cause waves when he's struggling or not getting opportunities to take shots.  He just keeps working hard and does what he can for the team.

I absolutely think Brandon Bass is a good example for the younger players on the team.  You don't need to be an All-Star to be a leader.  You don't even need to be vocal and super charismatic.  You just need to work harder on your game than on your public persona or the comments you make after a game.  You can lead by example.

[SHAQATTACK]

rebuilding this year makes no sense I guess.   

Next year will be a whole new story .