Although the Celtics nearly won it all they defintely ran out of gas much due to their age. They had a great run beating 3 of the best 10 players in the league in Dwayne Wade, LeBron James, and Dwight Howard and nearly beat the best team and player in Kobe Bryant and the Lakers, but they did come up short and they are aging. With Tony Allen, Ray Allen, and Nate Robinson all free agents and Pierce with an opt out option and Rasheed Wallace deciding whether to hang it up, and Dcor Rivers likely leaving the team is Boston done ? Can they make another run at this thing ? Let me know your thoughts
It's going to be interesting what they do. Celtics have on the roster Pierce, Rondo, Garnett, Perkins and Glen Davis. Rasheed is on as well but he might retire, which gives us extra 6 million to use. The smartest thing IMO would be for Pierce to opt out and work a better contract which gives Boston more options and more money to use on free agents, something where he gets a 3 to 4 year deal getting 6 to 7 million a year. (he has plenty of money, I'm sure he wants another ring or two, and the way to do it is by helping the team get younger by bringing new talent in) If that happens, and we don't sign Ray back, I would love if Celtics go after Joe Johnson to take Ray's spot, and then go after some PF/C guys who could give good minutes to KG and Perk who might miss the first few weeks in the beginning of next season. (knee injury / surgery) Doc has to come back, otherwise it would be a total change in the style of play, knowing that Thibodeau is not here as well.
I saw Ray Allen completely shutting Kobe down, Pierce knocking down shots and playing solid d, Wallace played amazing d and was owning Pau one on one, KG was pretty solid, as well. All of our older players played good, for the most part. What the fuck are you talking about?
Artest locked down Pierce, KG was beat badly on the boards, Gasol pwned Sheed in the 4th quarter and Kobe shut down himselfby taking bad ass shots, this team is old and it might have been their last Finals.
I have to agree with Thrilla on this one. I think Boston probably is done, but that has to do with cap space and contracts, and has nothing to do with age. Sheed did own Pau one-on-one and if Wallace hadn't been in foul trouble (as the whole Celtics team couldn't seem to stop fouling in the 4th) we would have a different champion.
I just think that Boston could a worse team next year than they were this year and Lakers a better team, much due to Bynum's and Kobe's injuries (I'm not saying Kobe will be better next year but he can keep up the form right now). I wouldn't rule out Boston for next year, even if they don't make any offseason moves. Even this season people thought they were done and look what happened. If they let Rasheed and Ray walk and get something like Joe Johnson, then look out!
I don't see why Boston wouldn't go hard at that option, let Ray go wherever he wants or sign him for bench, let Rasheed retire and try your hardest at getting Joe Johnson. Team would look like this: Rondo Johnson Pierce KG Perkins Baby on bench, then we'd have to get more free agents or sign back Tony Allen, Nate, and get some bigs. I wouldn't call that being done next year. Also can you imagine if we had a guy like Johnson in this series, someone who can create their own shot and be able to explode in games.
They were built for a brief opportunity at a championship and it was highly successful - they made two NBA Finals appearances and won a title. Fortunately, they have Rondo to build around, but they will only get worse from here on if they keep the same team.
