I've crossed over. Completed my 180. I was always a proponent of this team and how it was constructed. I thought a healthy Bradley and acceptance of roles could solve many of this team's issues. I thought the vets would have kicked it into gear by now. I thought this team, as constructed, had a one-to-three-year shot at the championship.
But, now I don't believe any of that. All I believe is that this team is mediocre, not because of overall talent (this is a top-4 team in the East based solely on talent), but because of effort and drive and focus and heart. That is the reason why I don't see a 2010- or 2012-type turnaround. Those teams had heart, but were bothered by injuries and lack of depth. Once they got healthy, they battled deep into the post-season. This year's team has talent and depth. This year's team simply lacks heart.
Let's get one thing straight: This team is essentially completely healthy. There are no true injury concerns like in seasons past. Even without Bradley to start the season, the team should have been above .500. That is one reason why the .500 record now is so disturbing. We have some nicks and scratches, but nothing major. Look at the Bulls, winning without Rose and Deng. Look at us, with everyone on the court, losing to the lowly Hornets and Pistons.
I DON'T BLAME AINGE. His off-season additions were spectacular. He added youth, athleticism, 3-pt shooting, and defense. We were all excited that Rondo could run with the new athletic youths and that we now had a number of guys who could knock down the three. We also now had three shutdown defensive guards (Rondo, Bradley, Lee) (too bad Rondo stopped playing defense). You can nitpick losing out on a big man here or there, but he essentially replaced Allen, Daniels, Stiemsma, Pavlovic, O'Neal, and Pietrus with Terry, Lee, Green, Wilcox, Darko, Barbosa, Collins, and Sully. He re-signed KG, Bass, and Dooling. Moves we all liked at the time. It's not his fault Dooling or Darko left. He over-paid for Green, but our backup SF isn't what's hindering this team. And, when you're complaining about the lack of big men, remember that at the end of last season KG was our starting center and Bass was our starting PF, and that was working (their only backups were Stiemsma and a worthless O'Neal). Ainge brought in Darko and Collins and Wilcox to backup KG. He drafted Sully and Melo,and Sully has paid off big time right away. Ainge did his job.
I have always been a fan of Doc's off-court coaching. He is one of the great teachers and mentors. I've disagreed with Xs and Os here and there, and I blame his schemes for some issues - offensive droughts and offensive rebounding - but I DO NOT BLAME DOC FOR THIS YEAR'S STRUGGLES.
I BLAME PLAYERS.
I blame vets, like Rondo and Pierce, who seem to show up only when they want to. I blame new guys, whoever they may be, who aren't giving their all every night.
I see it as this:
Guys bringing effort every single game - KG, Sully, Bradley.
Guys bringing effort more often than not - Lee, Collins, Wilcox, Barbosa.
Guys bringing effort only when they want to (not often enough) - Rondo, Pierce, Terry, Green, Bass.
That last group is where I find my trade chips.
I'm ready for Ainge to pull the plug. It's not about talent. It's about heart. It's time to rebuild this team's heart. So what if it costs us this season. I'd much rather be on the new road to a championship.
1) Trade Rondo. I know he's the most divisive player amongst fans of this generation. I've usually supported him, except where an upgrade for someone like Chris Paul was concerned. Now? I'm done with Rondo. He's just too inconsistent to be a team leader. He's also our best trade chip.
It's ridiculous to write about hypothetical Rondo trades because almost every team in the NBA would be willing to trade for Rondo. All I'll say is that in exchange for Rondo Ainge needs to bring in a young, efficient 20ppg scorer (because of Trade #2 below). This player does not need to be a PG. We can always pick up a vet or run with Bradley and Lee. Rondo should also bring at least one first round draft pick and a few other throw-in players.
Rondo = 20ppg scorer, 1st round pick, throw-in players
2) Trade Pierce. The Truth is my favorite Celtic since Reggie Lewis, but he's doing more bad than good to this year's team. Hes playing inefficient offense and lazy defense. He only gets up for the games against the Knicks. Trading him to a contender now could bring back key players and draft picks. He can always sign a 1-day contract upon retirement and retire as a Celtic, and of course his # will go in the rafters, but I no longer believe we have to keep him here for the sake of loyalty.
Pierce = veteran low-post big man, draft pick or two
3) Include Bass, Green, or Terry in those trades to make salaries match. Bass makes $6, Green makes $8.5, Terry makes $5. That gives Ainge flexibility.
4) Build new team around Bradley, Sully, and guys brought in with trades. Do not trade Bradley or Sully. Keep Melo if possible. Keep Lee.
5) KG has two years left on his contract. If he plays it out, great. If he retires, immediately sign him as your Defensive Assistant Coach. And, hang his # up in the rafters. The man gave everything he had to this team, at an advanced age. He earned it.
So, I propose trading Rondo and Pierce, and any of Bass, Green, and Terry.
I propose building the new team around Bradley, Sully, Lee, Melo, and the talent that comes back in the trades. I propose locking up KG as a Celtic-for-life.
I know I'm not throwing out specific players in the Rondo and Pierce trades, but it could be literally anyone. Almost any team in the league would want Rondo, and any championship contender would want Pierce. So, let's start the discussion.
Your thoughts?