QUOTE (ZoomSlowik @ Aug 1 2007, 02:30 AM)
Um, yeah, they are. The Bulls have one 20-point scoring average season among them, and only two of them even have a chance to crack 20 this year. The Celtics trio has 25 such seasons, as well as 7 over 25 a game. Even if you take longevity out of the equation, each of the 3 guys Boston has have scored at least 20 a game over the last 3 years. You're not going to find a better scoring trio in the league, PERIOD. And while Allen and Pierce aren't much defensively, Garnett is a beast, and you can argue Gordon isn't that great either.
As for the finals thing, the only reason the Bulls have any is that they overpaid for Wallace. One guy won't make THAT big a difference in that regard. As for depth, the Lakers put up several titles there without a whole lot of depth either, it's not like Ron Harper or Lindsay Hunter or Brian Shaw were difference makers.
I could definitely see them being like the 03-04 Lakers though in their current form, just not having enough dependable options to get past the better teams, though they still have some time and the exemptions to add another competent player or two. They need to add at least one Robert Horry/Rich Fox type, another dependable veteran that will do the dirty work
I definately agree with you on the fact that we are talking 2 different leagues when you try and compare the scoring of Allen/KG/Pierce with Deng/Gordon/Hinrich (Hinrich of all people are you kidding me). I really like your post Zoom.
Anway, let me add my piece to it.
Let's start off by saying that next year the most improved player will be none other than Rajon Rondo. That's right. I said it first. I've been so high on this guy from day 1 and now I'm even more excited to see my boy from Kentucky represent. Imagine what he is going to do with so many options to pass the ball to. Rajon and his super quick first step will get to the hole and either be able to set up KG nice and pretty or he'll be able to break the defense down and find either Pierce or Allen wide open at the arc. I hate to say it but I'm going to love watching the Celtics next year. That's simply as a basketball fan.
Okay, so I think this could go down as on of the best 3 superstar pairings this league has seen in a long time. In terms of the way their games all completment each other I really couldn't draw it up much better. The only thing I am worried about is age. If one of them goes down with injury, the team will take a major hit.
As for the bench, I think we are underestimating it a bit. Did Lebron and the Cavs have a good bench? I would say it was decent but nothing great. Not to mention they went to the finals with basically no production from Hughes.
As it stands, the Celtics have Tony Allen (who's a pretty good option), Glen Davis who is unproven but who at the least will be a big body down low with scoring ability, Leon Powe who's going to be better in his second year, & they just signed Eddie House who will be a good backup PG who can hit the outside shot.
Not to mention that Doc Rivers is strongly pursuing Dikembe Mutombo. If they get Dikembe they are going to be very, very, strong defensively in the paint. Zoom you don't give Pierce much credit on defense but I think he's a good defensive player. The one I worry about is Allen who's getting older, but that's like Ben Gordon except at least he has height. As for Rondo he's a good defender and an excellent lane defender with his long arms. We all know KG plays good D. Kendrick Perkins' D will only get better when he's next to KG.
The Celtics have also been in talks with Jalen Rose, and I wouldn't be shocked if they landed someone like PJ Brown or another good vet. The Celtics have $3.8 million of their mid-level left which is more than enough to get a decent player to sign a 1 year contract. Players looking to win that title would definately be willing to go there to try and win on before they retire.
Even without getting any good players, this team is still in a good position to make the finals if they can avoid any big injuries.
Players that are still available:
Chris Webber, (imagine them adding Chris Webber),
Matt Barnes,
Dikembe Mutombo, Ime Udoka (a defensive stud who would make a lot of sense), PJ Brown, Malik Allen, Austin Croshere, Kevin Willis, Aaron McKie,
Eddie Jones, Gary Payton, Melvin Ely,
Jarvis Hayes, Danny Fortson, Jalen Rose, Devin Brown (who really played well at the end of last year), Mike Wilks (not a great option but showed some potential last season)
Oh, I forgot to mention Troy Hudson, Ruben Patterson who would make great additions. And last but not least, James Posey (who I hate, and is one of my least favorite players)
In short, I'm picking them as an 80% likelihood to make the finals if they don't have a major injury. However, it will be a tough series b/t them and the Bulls. The Bulls, if the rookies step up and Tyrus/Deng & Gordon all are significantly better could beat any team in the league. Hopefully, they do.
As for the Rockets, if they lose Dikembe they are going to be in a tough situation unless they can trade a couple of PG's for a good backup center.