not to jump ahead, but I was just looking through the list of available free agents this summer and started trying to figure out possible lineups for next year. Im not an expert on a lot of the new cap rules, so hopefully someone who is can give some feedback (roy).

Rondo (11 mill) / Hinrich (vet minimum)

Bradley (1.6 mill) / Ray (MLE, or 3.6 million)

Jeff Green (6 mill) / PP (16.8 mill)

Ersan Ilyasova (8 mill) / Brandon Bass (4 mill) / JJJ (1 mill)

KG (8 mill) / Kaman (vet min) / Stiemsma (1 mill)

Rondo, PP, Bradley, and JJJ are all under contract, so thats $30.4 against the cap

Lets assume Bass takes his player option at $4 mill, now we have $34.4 on the books

We then sign Jeff Green for a 6 mill, 1 year deal - Although this is very low for a player of his caliber, it works for both him and the team. His perceived value will have taken a large hit due to the heart issue, and he will not be able to fetch a big, long term contract on the open market. A 1 year deal gives him the ability to showcase his talents and pursue a much better contract in 2013 (from the celtics or another team). I think that due to the loyalty the celtics have shown him and the long term financial benefits that this would provide, he would be down. (glen davis did something similar in 2010. >>> This puts us at $40.4 million against the cap

next, we have Ersan Ilyasova. Although a bit of a SF/PF combo type guy, he is an excellent rebounder. Despite not being the strongest post defender, there are few PFs who play down low anymore, and he is a very good peremiter defender. Is also fast and athletic, would make a great running mate for rondo, bradley, and green. we could sign him to a backloaded 5 year contract starting at 8 mill (i think that would max him out at 12ish mill by the final season, and seems like a fair price) >>> $48.4 million on the books

With a retooled starting lineup and some talented youth, I think KG would be compelled to sign on for a reduced price. I realize that he is probably the best bigman free agent, and could command upwards of 13 mill from a team like the Nets. However, he is extremely loyal and I think that the only reason to comeback is to get 1 more ring and cement his legacy. He also has more money than God already, and is one of the richest athletes of all time. I could see him signing on for 8 mill if we gave him a no trade clause or a player option for a second year. >>> we now have $56.4 million on the books.

Resign stiemsma for $1mill >>> $57.4 million on the books.

This is where things get tricky. According to wikipedia "Under the 2011 CBA, the amount of the MLE and its duration depend on the team's cap status. The MLE is now $5 million for a duration of four years for teams that are over the cap either before or after the signing, but did not pay luxury tax in the previous season. Teams without cap room that paid tax in the previous season have an MLE of $3 million with a three-year duration. Teams with cap room, previously ineligible for the MLE, have a new MLE of $2.5 million with a two-year duration. The MLE is frozen at the stated levels through the 2012–13 season, after which it increases by 3% per season."

I guess all we would have is the 2 year, $2.5 million exception as we paid tax in the previous season, and any signing would put us over the predicted $61 million soft cap.

with that in mind, I guess there are a couple options, all of which seem like a long shot but would really solidify this team as a contender. First, we could offer Ray Allen the rest of our cap space (61 mill - 57.4 mill = $3.6 million)

This seems like a fair value for Ray allen, given his current injury issues and the potential of surgery. However, he has made it clear that he wants to play somewhere where he can be a starter. Despite this, I thinkt that, with the lineup previously stated, and the chance to form a super-bench with PP, Bass, Hinrich and maybe Kaman, he would have a hard time not viewing this as an opportunity to raise banner 18 (or maybe 19) and go out on top. Again, loyalty and stability are important to him so we could throw in a no trade clause and some sort of player option.

With that, we are over the cap, regardless if we do it through the MLE or through offering $3.6 million.

Again I am not an expert on the cap rules, but I believe that you can offer the Vet Min to as many players as you like. I think that Kaman and Hinrich, who are both vets and have received large contracts in the past may be willing to sign on with the celtics for the vet min. They also seem to be scrapy, blue collar players and i think that they would probably appreciate this type of franchise.

With that, we have an incredibly solid 12 man unit, a totally revamped starting lineup which can run with rondo, and probably the best bench of all time. I see the rotation looking something like this.

Rondo (35 mpg) / Hinrich (10 mpg) / Bradley (3 mpg)

Bradley (28 mpg) / Ray (20 mpg)

Green (23 mpg) / PP (25 mpg)

Ilyasova (30 mpg) / Green (6 mpg) / Bass (12 mpg)

KG (23 mpg) / Kaman (20 mpg) / Bass (5 mpg)

It is also an incredibly versitile lineup, with many players who can play 2 positions

BIG LINEUP: Rondo, Pierce, Green, KG, Kaman

SMALL LINEUP: Rondo, bradley, pierce, green, KG

3 Ball lineup: Hinrich, Ray, Pierce, Green KG

Defensive: rondo, bradley, pierce, KG, Kaman

Fastbreak: Rondo, Bradley, green, ilyasova, kg (starters)

Anyways, let me know what you think about that team, and whether or not it is possible financially.

Ive only missed a handful of games since the big 3 got together. However, I was traveling for the entire ECF and Finals run of 2007-2008 and unfortunately only got to see a couple of games from each series, along with highlights. Recently, Ive been trying to rewatch all the games from the playoff run, as Im strarting to realize this might be the last time to appreciate this group together. Rewatching these games is really interesting, especially listening to what the announcers were saying back then, and comparing it to what is going on now. There are three main takeaways that I have from watching this team operate at full force during the first 4 game sof the 2008 finals.

1. Paul Pierce has dropped of the MOST out of KG, Ray and himself

People seem to think that he has held up the best, but I think this is just because he has adjusted his game the best and found ways to become more efficienct. However, watching back then it is clear that he just isnt capable of playing the way he used to. His first step and his ability to stop on a dime and pull up has severly deterorated. With that said, his footwork has gotten better, so he is able to create shots for himself and maintain efficiency. However, the lack of speed has impeded his ability to run the offense like he did in most of 2007-2008, as defenders dont have to worry about him driving and can thus play him tighter and get up in his face. I think that, despite his obvious drop off, it actually effects the team less than one would think, as his main weapon was still the stepback jumper. With that said, he needs to start driving more, as even if he cant finish at the rim, he is still one of the best at drawing contact, and it will keep defenders guessing. Its really clear comparing his game then and now that his stepback has become predictable, whereas before, when he put his head down and drove to the elbow, he could create space as defenders were back peddling and expecting a drive. Overall though, I think this has had a small impact on the team

2. Ray used to run the offense for a large portion of the game

In seatle and milwauke, Ray was a combo guard and created his own shot. The guy average 25 points the year before being traded to us. I know that he is ancient by NBA standards, but I dont think that his athleticism or speed have actually dropped off that much. Despite his body holding up, he has completely changed his game. Its as if Ray now is a hyperbole of his old self, and I think this is largely Docs fault. Before, he used to run around screens to spot up a lot, but now it is literally ALL he does. In game 4, ray ran the offense for a large portion of the game and was constantly driving and getting finger rolls and reverse layups. I really think that he needs to return to this to some extent, and that he fully has the ability to do so. Watching him run around screens etc, he looks just as fast and athletic. However, I think that Doc has pigeon holed him into his roll as a pure shooter to some extent, and that this has become more and more true each year with the celtics. I think he has to start playing outside of the system a bit more and looking to create his own shot. I dont buy the idea that he is too old or slow to do so, as creating a shot and driving is not that much more physically demanding than sprinting laps around the arch and running off screens. I think that Ray creating for himself a bit more and being more of a focal point of the offense would help provide some variety to our offense

3. When KG gets the ball in the low post, good things happen

ALL GAME, Van Gundy keeps repeating this phrase and calling for the celtics to throw it to KG in the post. And every time kg gets the ball, he either scores, or a series of passes leads to a kick out and a 3. EVERY TIME. Again, watching him I really dont see that much of a drop off physically. Even back then, he had trouble scoring on Pau in the post. However, he's an excellent passer, and even if he cant drop his shoulder and get to the basket he still has that unstoppable turn around jumper, a shot that is impossible to block even if he can barely get off the ground. I saw a lot of post moves that I really believe that he is still capable of, and again, I think that him moving away from it is largely Docs fault, as Doc is more intent running a strict offense and having players fit into "roles" than any coach in the league.

In 2008, the big 3 each took turns running the offense. I think that the emergence of Rondo has made doc force them into very specific roles, and that our offense has become very predictable because of it. Granted, Rondo is arguably our most talented player, and we have to integrate him into the offense. However, I do not think that we need to run so many set plays and have players fit into such strict molds. In Pheonix, Nash still gets 11 assists, but I have watched a lot of their games and Nash spends less time with the ball in his hands than Rondo. They play a more fluid game, and often the ball will go back to Nash at the top of the key once the opposing teams defense has broken down, and he will then find the mismatch, or drive to the basket.

I think that if we were to start relying on Ray and KG to create their own shot a bit more, our offense could be much more fluid. In 2008, there were often times when defenses would collapse on Ray or KG, and they would dish out to House for a 3 or mid range. Obviously Rondo cant shoot like House, but House also cant drive like Rondo. I noticed that, by the time that the ball works its way out to House, the defense is already broken down and there are driving lanes or mismatches. If the ball were to come back out to rondo at the top of the key as a result of KG and Ray attacking more, Rondo would have driving lanes, or the ability to get it back to whoever has the best mismatch. This strategy also involves Rondo being much more aggressive. Not that it is anything groundbreaking, but I think that watching the 2007-2008 team really confirms what a lot of us talk about. Ray and KG are too reliant on Rondo as a facilitator, and Rondo is too focused on facilitating. I think that everyone on this team is more capable of creating their own shot than we are being led to believe, and that the lack of aggression, and reliance on set plays and strict offensive roles makes us very predictable. I think Doc is a great coach, and has an excellent vision for how the big 4 should fit together. However, I think that he has take that vision too far. All 4 of the big 4 have become hyperboles of themselves, never playing outside their comfort zone or showing any creativity. If I were Doc, I would sit the team down and make them watch the entire 2007-2008 playoff run to remind them what they are capable of, and remind them to just play the game the way they play, without trying to unnecessarily conform to rigid rolls and plays. Obviously none of them are entirely capable of what they were in 2007-2008, but I think that there is a middle ground between where they were then, and where they are now. In this middle ground, they still attack, but they also have Rondo (who is far superior to what he was in 2007-2008) to facilitate when things arent going their way.

Sorry this is so long, but its something Ive been thinking for a long time, and rewatching the glory days really confirmed it.

(promoted FanPost)

Everyone seems to be panicing about pierce's lack of production, but the truth is, that he is playing very similarly to how he played in 07-08 when the Celtics managed to beat the Cavs. His 41 points in game 7 have overshadowed the fact that he struggled against lebron for much of the series. Obviously we will need him to get going and provide some offense at some point in this series, but what is more important is his hustle on defense and forcing Lebron into bad decisions and turn overs.  LeBron's scoring cannot be stopped, but when PP and Ray come at him and trap aggressively, he turns the ball over, and has a hard time getting his team mates involved.  

Pierce has admitted that he is no longer the guy who can go out and get 25-30 a night, but the thing is that we have so many offensive weapons that he doesnt need to, as long as he plays his role right and frustrates lebron.  He isnt going to put up his usual numbers when he's being guarded by the strongest, fastest, most athletic player in the league, but as long as he doesnt make mistakes, or force things, he can keep the defense honest and open things up for his teammates. 

If this series goes to 7, I predict that Pierce will step up and be the hero for one game, but until then, it is just important that he plays his role, spreads the defense, and guards lebron aggressively, forcing jump shots and turn overs.  For those of you who still think that his lack of offensive production is a major concern, take a look at these stats from 07-08.

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