Maybe I'm delusional. Maybe I have my green goggles on. Maybe I've had way too many Sam Adams tonight. All I can say is that I think, providing a few good moves by Danny, this team can come back in the Eastern conference.
Let's face it, it's Miami and everyone else. Is a healthy Celtics team really that far behind a Chicago or Indiana? Allow me to highlight a few minor things I think would greatly help this team.
1) Convince Pierce to be a sixth man
I think this is extremely important if Danny "runs it back" persay. If Pierce can get his minutes down to about 30 a game, off the bench I feel he can stay fresh and be very effective.
2) Sign Samuel Dalembert
I crunched the trade machine so many times last year trying to figure out a way to get Sammy to Boston. Say his IQ is bad if you want but numbers don't lie (sorry Michael K) Sammy's per36 numbers equal out to about 14points/13rebounds/2.2blocks. He would immediately provide an inside presence this team lacks so bad. He would pair well with KG or Sullinger.
3) Draft Gorgui Dieng
Dieng anchored a defense that led Louisville to a national championship. His combination of defense, rebounding, athleticism, and size would be a great injection into Boston's front line. While his upside may be limited, Dieng can step in immediately and fill a role on this team.
4) Trade one of Crawford, Lee, or Terry for a big
This move does not have to be anybody special, just another big. Maybe Atlanta takes a sign and trade for Ivan Johnson. Johnson is somebody who will simply pound the snot out of you and play good defense. Him and KG would form one nasty front line.
5) Acquire Beno Udrih
The Magic likely have very little interest in bringing Beno back but he could serve a solid role for Boston off the bench. This past season, Udrih averaged 13.3 points and 7.5 assists per 36 minutes and hit on 44.1 percent of his field-goal attempts. He is a career 46.2 percent shooter, and he shot 50 percent from the floor as recently as 2010-11. I'm sure Orlando would entertain the idea of Crawford in a sign and trade instead of losing Beno for nothing.
So let's recap. Boston moves Pierce to the bench in a sixth man role. Signs Samuel Dalembert. Drafts Gorgui Dieng. Adds another big on the bench. Acquires Beno Udrih.
Rondo/Udrih/Williams
Bradley/Pierce/Lee/Terry
Green/Pierce
Sullinger/Bass/Dieng/Johnson
Garnett/Dalembert/Dieng
One more shot, one more chance. Then Boston lets PP and KG retire and their combined 30mill off the books.