The BIG FOUR will be back

If you're Boston, I just don't think The Big Three can make it through an 82 game season. They would have to shell out big bucks just to get decent backups. I just don't think Big Ticket could last with every other center he'd go up against being younger than him. Allen and Pierce need to be 100% healthy, and it is difficult to do as you age in the NBA. And both of those guys aren't there for defense. These guys will HAVE to have reduced minutes.

Rondo? Man, this guy has a finite set of skills. And some of his stat trends are not going the correct direction. This guy cannot shoot the three, HELL, HE CANT EVEN SHOOT FREE THROWS OVER 60%.

Can he distribute? Hell, yes. Best in the game. He's been in the league 6 years, and his turnover rate has increased EVERY year (from 1.8 as a rook, to career-worst 3.6 this past season). Had a couple of seasons over 50% shooting. Had career worst .448% last year.

You can say, "hell, 48% career shooter shot 45% last year, big deal" BUT, there is no room for decline on this team. The Big Three are already in decline, Rondo CANNOT be afforded this luxury. He'll go for 44 in one game, then have a 7 pt game to balance it out.

Again, BEST ASSIST MAN IN THE GAME. But to me, too many other catagories are just not factoring into his total game.

Rondo isn’t going anywhere, and neither are Pierce or Rivers. They, too, remain under contract and are seemingly prepared to keep this train rolling for the foreseeable future.

With that trio locked up and the possibility of Garnett and Allen returning under new contracts, the future looks bright for the Celtics. We also must remember that Ainge and Co. plan on reshaping the rest of this roster via other avenues as well.

The first step arrives on Thursday, June 28, when Boston is expected to have a very busy draft night. It owns two first-round picks, Nos. 21 and 22, and a third pick in the second round at No. 51. This draft is considered to be deep with quality players, so it wouldn’t be a far fetch to say that the C’s could add some rotational players to their team that night.

Additionally, with Garnett and Allen’s hefty contracts coming off of the books, the Celtics will be major players in free agency thanks to a heaping of salary cap space. This organization owns a rich history, has been praised for its professional nature, and has Rivers, one of the most respected coaches in the game, on its sideline. Those factors will force every NBA free agent out there to take a long, hard look in Boston’s direction beginning on July 1.

Two of those players will be Garnett and Allen. It’s possible that an era ended Saturday night in Miami, but a new one is ready to begin. And who knows, maybe it will be ushered in with those four familiar faces still donning green and white. 

[/QUOTE]