Are we Rondo + 1 player away from contending?

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With Rondo's return coming around in a while, to join what looks like some nice if misfit playoff role players and talented yoots, I can't help wondering whether it's just my green goggles or if we might just need a closer plus Rondo's return to have a puncher's chance.

JC as bench spark. Bradley/Lee at the 2, Green/Wallace, Sully/Bass...

Don't we just need a #1 big and Rondo's return to be as good as anybody?

And second, is looking to make a run more appealing than the lottery?

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

I think we will need more than one high calibre player to complement the skills Rondo has, in ordder to complete a title chasing roster. 

[masteremile123]

We need one very good scorer/closer , and 1 big strong center who cand defend and rebound (someone legit).
If we can get these 2 players and sully fulfils his potential than yeah we are contenders.

[Celtics4ever]

two at least.

[henr1k]

No. I love Rondo, but he needs to be your 3rd best player if you are going to contend for the title. If he is your 2nd banana you are going to fight for the 4th spot in East.

I actually think this team is similar to the one before KG/Ray Allen trades. We have one building block in Rondo and a bunch of young players/ assets. Actually, picks from Nets make present situation even better for Danny.

Boston needs a #1 option wing player (new Pierce please), someone who can get you 20 on any night and can get his own shot up, and a defensive big who can defend/protect the paint and complements Sully/Olynyk.

P.S. I believe only Rondo and Sully are going to be here when Danny is done rebuilding this team. Maybe Bradley as a 3rd guard - Tony Allen type of player.

[Kuberski1]

Two stars at least....ideally both better than Rondo.  Tall order for Mr. Ainge....Only 1 puts you in the 2nd tier/first round PO exit group - don't go there, please...

[OhioGreen]

I think you could argue that all we need is what we lost in KG & PP!  We just need the much younger versions of both of them!   I think RR and Sully are both quality starters.  If Sully can remain healthy, he's gonna be amazing, as he's just scratching the surface of what he can do, and he's already beasting! We already have a great bench, except they're being forced into the role of starters. Vitor 5,KO/BB 4,JG 3,AB/CL 2, JC/PP 1. Those guys can compete with anyone's bench!
So, yeah, the defensive anchor, and the dynamic scorer, and I think we're right there! If we can get both, via trade without giving up too much, we'll be there sooner--if by draft, later! All up to Danny!!!!

[Roy H.]

If that one guy was Lebron, maybe. We'd still probably need a solid defensive big man, though, and maybe some more reliable shooters.

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If that one guy was Lebron, maybe. We'd still probably need a solid defensive big man, though, and maybe some more reliable shooters.

I suppose this is the same as a prime Pierce. He played Lebron to a draw in 08.

I agree with most that we need a C and a top guy, but wonder if that could be one guy.

I must admit that if I were Danny I'd be shaking the trees about every top big man out there.

[Moranis]

If that one guy was Lebron, maybe. We'd still probably need a solid defensive big man, though, and maybe some more reliable shooters.

I suppose this is the same as a prime Pierce. He played Lebron to a draw in 08.

I agree with most that we need a C and a top guy, but wonder if that could be one guy.

I must admit that if I were Danny I'd be shaking the trees about every top big man out there.

Lebron James is a vastly superior overall player to a prime Paul Pierce.  They aren't even all that close. 

[Eddie20]

I think we need a good shot blocker/interior defender, a primary scorer (I see Green more of a 2 option), and a shooter to spread the floor .

[crimson_stallion]

No. I love Rondo, but he needs to be your 3rd best player if you are going to contend for the title. If he is your 2nd banana you are going to fight for the 4th spot in East.

I actually think this team is similar to the one before KG/Ray Allen trades. We have one building block in Rondo and a bunch of young players/ assets. Actually, picks from Nets make present situation even better for Danny.

Boston needs a #1 option wing player (new Pierce please), someone who can get you 20 on any night and can get his own shot up, and a defensive big who can defend/protect the paint and complements Sully/Olynyk.

P.S. I believe only Rondo and Sully are going to be here when Danny is done rebuilding this team. Maybe Bradley as a 3rd guard - Tony Allen type of player.

In most scenarios yes, I agree we'd need two players away. 

That said I am perfectly fine with Rondo being the 2nd best player on the team.  When we took Miami to the ECF two seasons back, Rondo and KG were the two best players in that series - Pierce and Ray were pretty much non existent.

I think that adding a second elite player to the team could make us a contender, but it would have to be a two-way player of truly elite level.  I don't think an 'offense only' player like Kevin Love would cut it. I think we'd need a guy (preferably a big) who can play at an elite level on both ends of the floor.

As much as I dislike him, Dwight Howard would be one such player.  His ability to score ~20 PPG on a nightly basis combined with his ability to dominate on defense and on the boards would transform this team dramatically.  Combine that with Rondo's elite ability to get big guys easy baskets and what you get is one of the best two-man combinations that the league has probably ever seen (think Stockton to Malone). 

In this scenario we would still struggle to put points on the board as a team, but with Rondo, AB, JG, Sully and Dwight out there we would legitimately contend for the title of "best defensive team in the NBA".  Then add in a bench of Crawford, Lee, Wallace, Bass and Olynyk/Faverani and that is a very nice team which I think could contend.

Ultimately though I think we are an All-Star big and a high calibre scorer away from being a contender.  Almost any such combination (e.g. Monroe + JR Smith, Aldridge + Monta Ellis, Hortford + Rudy Gay) combined with Rondo, Green and Sully/AB would instantly transform this team in to a contender.

[saltlover]

No. I love Rondo, but he needs to be your 3rd best player if you are going to contend for the title. If he is your 2nd banana you are going to fight for the 4th spot in East.

I actually think this team is similar to the one before KG/Ray Allen trades. We have one building block in Rondo and a bunch of young players/ assets. Actually, picks from Nets make present situation even better for Danny.

Boston needs a #1 option wing player (new Pierce please), someone who can get you 20 on any night and can get his own shot up, and a defensive big who can defend/protect the paint and complements Sully/Olynyk.

P.S. I believe only Rondo and Sully are going to be here when Danny is done rebuilding this team. Maybe Bradley as a 3rd guard - Tony Allen type of player.

This team is way better than the pre-KG/Ray team.  I think that team went something like 4-32 without Pierce.  This team is 6-10 without Rondo.  It's a lot more functional.  But you're right, it needs a real center.  Rondo has shown he can be the primary scorer when the team needs it.  Would a big-time scoring wing be preferred?  Sure.  Is it necessary?  No.  Just an elite defensive center.

[dwlefty13]

I honestly think one of the two players that will compliment Rondo is not in the league yet, the other can be acquired via trade if our young guys continue to develop and show improvement with time.

I agree with one comment earlier that Rondo, Sully, and Avery will probably be the three that sticks around as Danny makes moves the next couple of years for another title run. I would also add Olynyk to the mix as well to keep as he can score both in the post and the outside, the defense needs work but a big who is defensive minded can compliment his offensive skills well.

[wdleehi]

No.





While I think it may be possible to build a contender around a top star and Rondo, I highly doubt the Celtics have the proper complimentary players that would best fit that group.