If Rondo stays, do we push a RR/AB/MS trifecta backcourt?

[Al91]

Simple topic following Bradley's new contract. Does anyone think it's possible that Rondo, Bradley, and Smart can move forward together similar to the three guard rotation in OKC of year's past (Westbrook, Sefolosha, Jackson)?

Obviously the offense isn't nearly the same but defensively it sounds pretty mean. Of course this would also be a better discussion if we actually contending too.

[csfansince60s]

Simple topic following Bradley's new contract. Does anyone think it's possible that Rondo, Bradley, and Smart can move forward together similar to the three guard rotation in OKC of year's past (Westbrook, Sefolosha, Jackson)?

Obviously the offense isn't nearly the same but defensively it sounds pretty mean. Of course this would also be a better discussion if we actually contending too.

Rondo, AB, Smart, Young and Pressey is a pretty versatile and impressive backcourt.

[snively]

Why not?

More similarities to Nash/Bell/Barbosa than the OKC guards though.

The more provocative question would be whether you go all small with all 3 guys on the court at the same time.

[Al91]

Well these three guards would sure bring a new definition to "going small". I like the PHX comparison if one of them can round out to be a scorer like Barbosa was.

I'm just not in the majority of people I've been reading posts from who think Smart was a bad choice or that it was a clear sign that Rondo is gone. Even with the call made to Thomas I'm still inclined to think a S/T would occur, shipping our Rondo and receiving Thomas in some sort of package. We'd still be just as guard heavy as before.

Given Rondo's minor injury history, missing a few games here and there prior to the ACL, and his return back from the surgery in addition to Bradley's injury history I'm more than welcoming of a good supply of back-up PGs in Smart and Pressey. Far from the type of log jam we saw last year with PFs.

[Donoghus]

For short minutes, its certainly something I'd like to see. 

I don't want that as my main unit, though.  Too small and offensively challenged.

[zerophase]

I say we have that 3 guard combo actually all healthy for a max of 50-60 games next year. Most of the time we won't have to worry about having 3 guards cause they'll all be injured.

[dreamgreen]

I could see a 3 man rotation for 1 year IMO it can't last longer than that if Smart is what people say he is.

[jay]

I don't think they will start like that, but I could see Bradley coming off the bench and seeing a small lineup of Rondo, Bradley, Smart, Green, Olynyk for stretches.

[GreenWarrior]

Simple topic following Bradley's new contract. Does anyone think it's possible that Rondo, Bradley, and Smart can move forward together similar to the three guard rotation in OKC of year's past (Westbrook, Sefolosha, Jackson)?

Obviously the offense isn't nearly the same but defensively it sounds pretty mean. Of course this would also be a better discussion if we actually contending too.

umm? isn't this a no-brainer if Rondo stays?

[JBcat]

I could see a 3 man rotation for 1 year IMO it can't last longer than that if Smart is what people say he is.

I think it can work very well short and long term.  Keep in mind Smart is very young, something like only 6 days older than Embiid.  So it may take him at least a couple years to be worthy of big starter minutes.  By that time Rondo will be entering his 30s, and it will be wise to start limiting his minutes (the Spurs way) to maximize his effectiveness.

I think it can work out really well.  Saying all this we still don't know what will become of Smart, but I'm very optimistic.

[Eja117]

If I were Stevens I'd actually give them occasional nights off on the back  set of back to backs ala Popovich.

[RRNoLookPass]

Why not?

More similarities to Nash/Bell/Barbosa than the OKC guards though.

The more provocative question would be whether you go all small with all 3 guys on the court at the same time.

Umm unlike Raja Bell, who was always a feisty defender, neither Nash nor Barbosa were ever known for their defense. I get the Nash Comparison to Rondo being the main distributor, but that's about it.

I think the OKC 3 guard lineup was a better comparison, because Westbrook and Sefalosha are both great defenders, and Sefalosha is usually a good 3p shooter like Bradley. Idk much about Jackson's defensive capabilities though...haven't watched him enough.

[LilRip]

Well, at least it's not an Isiah Thomas/Nate Robinson/JJ Barea backcourt 

[Celtics18]

I really hope so.  I know a lot of folks seem to think that there's no room for the three of them, but I think they could form a fun, defensive-minded back court.  I think Rondo and Bradley start with Marcus Smart filling in for both of them, with the occasional three guard lineup thrown in. 

I'm looking forward to seeing the three of them as Celtics to start the 2014-2015 season.  We'll see if I get my wish. 

[pokeKingCurtis]

That's some next level small ball right there.

Good lord.