Do you think IT/Hayward/Horford is a "big 3?" (poll)

[ayer]

two and half men

LOL

TP

I voted a hesitant Yes, I f Al Horford is on his prime, easily yes..

[KGs Knee]

two and half men

LOL

TP

I voted a hesitant Yes, I f Al Horford is on his prime, easily yes..

Even at this stage...if not for Al Horford, IT doesn't have a career year last season.  Horford just makes other players better.  His main purpose is to do exactly that, and always has been his entire career.  He's willing to take a back seat to IT, but as we saw in the playoffs, Horford's two-way ability and all-around game can reach another level.

[LilRip]

I voted yes. I think we're in for a pleasant surprise at how good these guys can be next year. They're all versatile and complementary. Honestly, Ainge has done a masterful job constructing the roster in terms of fit. Every team has a weakness and like GSW, ours is rebounding. It will be interesting to see how CBS addresses this.

[Somebody]

two and half men

LOL

TP

I voted a hesitant Yes, I f Al Horford is on his prime, easily yes..

Even at this stage...if not for Al Horford, IT doesn't have a career year last season.  Horford just makes other players better.  His main purpose is to do exactly that, and always has been his entire career.  He's willing to take a back seat to IT, but as we saw in the playoffs, Horford's two-way ability and all-around game can reach another level.

His 3 point % in the playoffs was 52%. Yes you heard me, 15/6/5 on 52% 3 point shooting.

[Greyman]

I voted 'no'. Happy to be convinced otherwise though. I couldn't think of another 'big 3' they are better than yet. Will wait and see. Part of me thinks that with the potential among the rest of the team a big 4 or 5 could be emerging, I am an optimist though.

[Surferdad]

Sure, why not.  Kinda irrelevant though, given that you need a Big 8 to win the 'chip today.

I voted 'no' but your post reminds me of Surferdad's 1-3-8 rule-of-thumb to creating a championship roster:

1 - You need one truly elite superstar, sure-fire HOFer.
3 - You need 3 all-stars
8 - You need 8 players who could be starters on most NBA teams.

The model is the 1986 Boston Celtics with Bird-McHale-Parish Big-3.

This current Celtics team has the THREE and may have the EIGHT, but definitely does not have the ONE in the 1-3-8 rule-of-thumb.

[Dino Pitino]

Horford in the playoffs was about as effective as late-career KG, circa 2012. Hayward is about as good overall as Ray. IT is the reigning 4th quarter king, about as impactful as Pierce. I think it's fair to call them a big 3. Just not the equals of the 2008 or 1980's big 3.

[A Future of Stevens]

I voted 'no'. Happy to be convinced otherwise though. I couldn't think of another 'big 3' they are better than yet. Will wait and see. Part of me thinks that with the potential among the rest of the team a big 4 or 5 could be emerging, I am an optimist though.

They are better than the big 4 of LA in 2012 

[Androslav]

I didn't think this would be in question.
We have a Big 3 there. Are they the best big 3 in the league? Clearly no, but they are 3 allstars in/or close to their primes.

[johnnygreen]

Sure, why not.  Kinda irrelevant though, given that you need a Big 8 to win the 'chip today.

I voted 'no' but your post reminds me of Surferdad's 1-3-8 rule-of-thumb to creating a championship roster:

1 - You need one truly elite superstar, sure-fire HOFer.
3 - You need 3 all-stars
8 - You need 8 players who could be starters on most NBA teams.

The model is the 1986 Boston Celtics with Bird-McHale-Parish Big-3.

This current Celtics team has the THREE and may have the EIGHT, but definitely does not have the ONE in the 1-3-8 rule-of-thumb.

I do agree that the current "Big 3" doesn't have a sure-fire HOFer. However, I think it is more important for the One to be an MVP caliber player during the championship run, than just having a washed up HOFer. Thomas finished in the top 5 in MVP voting last season, and with the addition of Hayward, he may improve even further. Maybe his scoring numbers go down slightly, but his assists may increase.

Are they a Big 3? I would say yes.  I todays NBA, they have 3 max level players close to the prime of their careers (with Horford towards the end of his prime). If the team is healthy, there is no reason they shouldn't finish in the top 2 in the Eastern conference. The expectation is to at least make the Eastern conference finals, if not the Finals next season. Not many teams in the NBA can make those claims.

[action781]

They are roughly as much of a big 3 as Jimmy Butler, Andrew Wiggins, and Karl Towns

[gouki88]

It's definitely not on the same level as GSW's, Cleveland's, or even San Antonio's, but it's still there.

I think complementing it with strong role players like Morris and Smart is a good move, not to mention our young guns. Hopefully we can add two more young guns in 2018!

[tstorey_97]

"Big three" means contenders...I suppose.

In a playoff series, Vegas will favor:

GSW
Cavs
Rox
Spurs
OKC will be a tough one...what's the spread for this series? I say "even."

Celtic's record versus this bunch ain't much. Take out Bradley who many think is "no big deal" and "oh well he had to go"...etc. He was our best player in the playoffs with Horford...remember?

Then, add Hayward who is going to make them better, not sure how much yet.

See how they do, but aren't "big threes" supposed to be in the finals meaning they are top two or three in league?

[incoherent]

**** the disrespect IT receives here is absolutely insane.

Shame on anyone discounting IT.

He just put up 25+PPG on 60% True Shooting, only a couple other people in the history of the league has done that including MJ and Curry.....  ****.... that alone makes him a superstar.  You IT haters are such a joke.

[__ramonezy__]

Not sure how IT, Hayward and Al is not considered a Big 3.... each is a top 10 player at their respective positions.

So they are definitely a Big 3, just not the best one.