No matter what happens from this point on, one thing is clear: The Celtics need to rebuild. As much as we’d all love to, we can’t rely on the big 3 forever. They’re getting old and it just doesn’t seem practical to keep them all around. Now don’t get me wrong, I love the big 3 and They’re having a great playoff run but I think they’re going to reach a point where their passion and experience is outweighed by their age. Granted, the way KG has been playing, it seems like this may not be until he’s about 52! Nonetheless, the rebuilding will need to come at some point and this offseason looks like a good time to do it.
So what’s next for the C’s? What do they need to focus on when rebuilding?
Rebounds
The Celts pulled down an average 38.8 rebounds per game this season. That was the worst in the NBA! Who would’ve thought that the Bobcats would be better than us at something? In any case, Boston needs to get some rebounds.
Spark off the bench
The Celtics had an average of 21.9 bench points per game. That stat has dwindled to just around 14 in the current playoff run. That is horrendous! No wonder we’ve lost so many leads!
But the question remains: who will give us this spark? The first name that pops into my head is Nate Robinson. He was rarely a prolific scorer (averaging only 7.1ppg with the Celtics) but he sure knew how to get the crowd and his teammates going and make a clutch bucket now and then.
Another former Celtic I’d like to see return is Delonte West. This shotgun-toting, motherfucker (only Lebron, his mother, and West can know for sure) had some great stints with the Celtics. His last (2010-11) was marred by injury and suspension, but West has gotten his act together and played well for the Dallas Mavericks, averaging almost 10 points per game off the bench. He could provide that much needed energy the Celtics’ bench so desperately needs.
Replace Ray Allen
As much as I love Ray, he’s probably not going to be around next season. He’ll be an unrestricted free agent this summer and teams such as the L.A. Clippers have expressed interest in signing the aging guard. With Ray gone, the C’s will need a new deep threat. Avery Bradley and Mickael Pietrus have played some solid games at guard but the Celtics may need to look into an established guard who can shoot the three ball to fill the void that will be left after the departure of Allen. Eric Gordon seems to be the most logical choice here but he won’t come cheap.
Bring back KG for another year.
I don’t care how old he is, Garnett can still play. He’s shown that this year by putting up 15.8 points per game and grabbing 8.2 boards per game. He has proven time and time again that he is clutch in the playoffs, averaging 19.9 points per game and 10.8 rebounds in this current playoff run. The bottom line is he is one of our best players right now and we want him back. Ideally we’d sign him for a one-year deal for the veteran minimum but that probably won’t happen. The one-year deal seems probable though, we’ll just have to dish out all-star money again.
So the question we need to ask now is Who’s out there? Here’s a few of the players (that the Celtics can afford) who I believe would improve the team.
(R) – restricted Free Agent
(U) – Unrestricted Free Agent
Centers
-Roy Hibbert (R)
*He’s the guy! A great rebounder and a growing scorer, Hibbert is an up and coming center. Plus, the pacers are flirting dangerously with their cap ceiling and he wants more money. We can give it to him.
-Brook Lopez (R)
* young, great scorer, but not a great rebounder. He wouldn’t be a bad option but I think we can do better.
-Chris Kaman (U)
* The Celtics are trying to rebuild, not sign more older guys. Pass.
-Greg Oden (U)
* very risky. He’s extremely injury prone. If he manages to stay healthy next season he’d be a great asset.
-Stiemsma and Hollins
* Gotta love Greggy! The other day he almost set a new record for quickest foul out! They’re both decent and cheap. Re-sign them!
-JaVale McGee (R)
* So much talent, so little IQ!
Shooting Guard
-Eric Gordon (R)
*Prolific scorer who gives the Celtics that deep threat. He’s no Ray Allen but let’s be honest, lately Ray Allen’s been no Ray Allen.
-O.J. Mayo (R)
* The X factor. He’s unpredictable but if he gels well with the tam he may slip into a great groove.
-Nick Young (U)
* Sporadic scorer. He was great with the Wizards but that’s not a good indication of reality (except for John Wall, he’s the real deal).
-Marquis Daniels, Pavlovic, Pietrus
*If it were up to me I’d re-sign Pietrus and send the other two home to sit on the couch and watch the game because that seems to be all they’re good for. Well, that and making pumping motions that nobody understands.
Forwards
-Nicholas Batum (R)
* It isn’t realistic to think Batum will be wearing green and white next season because of the bidding war that is likely to ensue. But hey, crazier things have happened!
-Jeff Green (R)
* His heart is better and he wants to be a Celtic again. Why not let him?
-KG (U)
* Heart and soul baby, heart and soul.
-Brandon Bass (Player option)
*He’ll come back… if he have the money.
-Kris Humphries (U)
*He and Kim Kardashian hate each other now… maybe if we bring him to Boston she’ll avoid it. Wouldn’t that be great?
-Ryan Anderson (R)
* He had a breakout season with Orlando. It’d be tough to land him but it’s worth a shot.
-Ersan Ilyasova (U)
* Same here. Breakout season but his price will go up.
Best the Celtics could be next season:
(Probably won’t happen but a man can dream can’t he!)
PG: Rondo
SG: Gordon
SF: Pierce
PF: Garnett
C: Hibbert
Key Bench Players: Bass, Bradley, Pietrus, Jeff Green, Stiemsma, Robinson
Whatever happens next year, We’ll be here to support the Celts, even in this time of rebuilding… let’s just hope it doesn’t take too long!
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