Kevin Garnett to Boston

[ST]

So Boston now has three big guns - Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett.

But I would not start fitting the guys for championship rings just yet. One problem is that Pierce and Allen play the same position. The other is chemistry - will these guys have worked together long enough to be clicking when the playoffs start? Will there be enough shots for three 22+ PPG scorers?

Personally, I would move Allen or Pierce for 2 or 3 good role players.

[Louie]

Disagree, Ainge finally did something correct, although it is largely the owner's willingness to take on huge salary increases and probably salary cap, etc. penalties.

Allen will be the SG and Pierce the SF. The problem now is bench and maybe C and PG (although I think Rondo will do well, as all he really has to do it get it to one of three excellent scores who can create for themselves). I don't think chemistry will be difficutl as Garnett has been a very good teammate through the years and looks to get others involved, plus he is hungry to go out on top. Pierce was whining about not having enough talent around him, now he has no reason to whine.

Research available at 82games.com suggests the importance for a championship team to have at least one first team AllStar and one all Defensive team. You are correct that a couple of role players (nonscorers who do the other things needed to win) are necessary on the court. I think the PG and C will serve that role. The biggest problem is that older players break down easier and don't recover as quick, and with a weak bench that would be deadly for the Celtics.

[ST]

The need for a PG is lessened by the fact that all three guys averaged 4 assists per game last season. However, all three were the #1 scoring option on their teams and they were able to dish when defenses collapsed on them.

It ought to be interesting how those numbers change. Somebody's scoring will certainly drop. You're not going to get 72 PPG from three guys. Just not enough shots to go around.

[Diamond Joe Quimby]

Celtics greatly improved (on paper). Now, if they can get some quality veterans willing to play for league minimum, they may be onto something (until Austin Croshere signed with Golden State, he was an example of a role player that would have fit).
They need to find a point guard, perhaps Jalen Rose... Gary Payton is a free agent... For forwards, Alan Henderson is out there.
If they can stay healthy, the Celtics could be very good.
Wither the Pacers....

[ST]

I don't think chemistry will be difficutl as Garnett has been a very good teammate through the years and looks to get others involved, plus he is hungry to go out on top.

You could have said the same thing about Scottie Pippin, Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley with the Rockets, but they went out with a whimper. The Lakers were great on paper with Shaq O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone and Gary Payton, but got squashed by Detroit. On paper, Boston looks formidable (at least their three stars) but it takes more than that and IIRC none of these guys have ever played together.

On paper USA Basketball should have dominated the World Championships and the Olympics, but it takes more than a collection of stars to win a ring.

Even if Boston does win the East, I don't see them beating Pheonix, Dallas or San Antonio.

[DwightSchrute]

Disagree...I don't give a shit about the NBA.

Go IU!

[clayfeat]

Disagree...I don't give a shit about the NBA.

The NBA is on par with the WWE, in my opinion.

Why waste any time thinking about it?

[DwightSchrute]

Now this is a NBA I can spend some time on...

[Louie]

I don't think chemistry will be difficutl as Garnett has been a very good teammate through the years and looks to get others involved, plus he is hungry to go out on top.

You could have said the same thing about Scottie Pippin, Hakeem Olajuwon and Charles Barkley with the Rockets, but they went out with a whimper. The Lakers were great on paper with Shaq O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone and Gary Payton, but got squashed by Detroit. On paper, Boston looks formidable (at least their three stars) but it takes more than that and IIRC none of these guys have ever played together.

On paper USA Basketball should have dominated the World Championships and the Olympics, but it takes more than a collection of stars to win a ring.

Even if Boston does win the East, I don't see them beating Pheonix, Dallas or San Antonio.

I think I said that the attitude of Garnett, including his willingness to get others involved, may preclude chemistry problems. I don't think I said that chemistry problems can not exist on star laden teams.

[ST]

I think I said that the attitude of Garnett, including his willingness to get others involved, may preclude chemistry problems. I don't think I said that chemistry problems can not exist on star laden teams.

I don't doubt that these guys are professionals and that Garnett, specifically, is a team player who only wants to win. But chemistry doesn't only refer to chemistry problems. Will these guys get comfortable working with each other quickly enough to win home court advantage in the East, or at least the first round of the playoffs? Will they be polished enough to go deep into the playoffs, or will they need more time to get used to how they play together?

Once these guys have had a full season to work together, Boston will be dangerous, especially if they can stay healthy and add a couple role players. Watch out for them in 2008-2009 - but I'm not expecting a championship in 2007-2008, especially considering they will have to face Pheonix, Dallas or San Antonio in the Finals.

[ST]

I threw a brick with my prediction last year.

Does anyone think Boston will repeat as champs this year?

[Father Wrath]

The NBA is on par with the WWE, in my opinion.

The NBA is not as honest.