Thomas was great, But there was always a big But

[Chris22]

"All of my friends have a big but." - Pee Wee Herman

[knuckleballer]

I'm sorry, butt...  https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=reTx5sqvVJ4

[Roy H.]

There are some big "ifs" with Kyrie, as well.

Can we win with an injury prone, no-defense, rarely-pass PG who rarely gets to the line and who has never proven he can carry a team?  Who has clashed with teammates, refused to stand up for coaches, and who chose being "the man" over his best shot at a title?

I love his talent, but he's got as many or more "buts" as IT did.

[tonydelk]

 When the trade goes down that "but" will be gone in my mind. Can we really win with a 5'8" player as our leading scorer and go to guy? Should we pay a guy that size 30 million plus per year into his 30's?

 These concerns are now gone with a normal sized point guard. Fair or unfair it's the truth. Plus he's 25, and I've actually seen him play big-time defense in big time moments.

 Horford/Hayward/Irving core is Legitimate. Size, Athleticism, skill, at all three positions, only thing they need is some 6'4" to 6'8" wings that can guard multiple positions.

 That's where Smart, Tatum, Morris, and Brown come into play. We are a lights out shooter away from being special.

This was always the case with IT.  Too short to succeed but he always has.  He will never be able to play D and will always be a liability.  The question is do you have the supporting cast to cover his defensive liabilities.  On top of that do you want to pay him 30m just to play offense.  I think that Danny felt that they did not have the team to win with IT.  I will really miss IT because he is a true Celtic but I was not comfortable in the team paying him 30m for the next 4-5.  I think we would have always been at the top of the East but never making it out of the East while LBJ is there and even if LBJ went West there is no way the team with IT was beating anyone out West.  The team is better with Irving but I will always have a special place in my heart for IT.