Saturday night in Miami may have marked the end of an era as the Celtics' season came to a close after the Heat took Game 7 to advance to the NBA Finals. While Rajon Rondo and the youth of Avery Bradley and Greg Stiemsma give the Celtics building blocks heading forward, the team must decide how to address Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen's status as they become free agents this summer. Let's check in on the latest news and headlines out of Boston as we anxiously await the fate of the Big 3…
- Ray Allen may not return to the Celtics next season, but the former UConn star has no plans of retiring, according to a staff report from CSNNE.com. The future Hall of Famer plans to undergo surgery to remove bone spurs from his right ankle as soon as possible so that he can be ready in time for next season. "I dunno what Kevin [Garnett's] situation is," Allen said. "There's still a lot of basketball left in my legs. I know that for sure. It's hard to say what can, what may happen, but the four of us know how to play basketball and we know how to win games."
- Joel Brigham of HoopsWorld considers the future of the Big 3 and believes Allen is the most likely to leave as he will attract a great deal of attention as a free agent. Brigham suggests the Knicks, Heat and Grizzlies may attempt to sign the guard in hopes of adding a clutch three-point shooter with championship experience. If Allen leaves, Garnett may not be too far behind, which would put the Celtics in a position to deal Paul Pierce and completely revamp the look of the team.
- The Celtics may be able to keep the Big 3 intact given the youth surrounding its aging group of veterans, writes Sean Deveney of Sporting News. Beyond its two first-round draft picks, Boston should have Jeff Green back in the fall as well as Brandon Bass, who is expected to exercise his player option. Count Doc Rivers among those who hope the trio remains with the Celtics next season. “I just want to stick with this group if it's a couple more days, a couple more weeks, or whatever. I just want to stick with them.”
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As much as I like bradley, Allen should be the starter next season. Theoretically, Jeff Green becomes your sixth man and Bradley is next in line off the bench. I really want to see the core back, so I hope Allen and Garnett are back. This team can win if it’s supporting cast is stronger. Even as old as they are, they still handled the Miami Heat for 7 games.
Bradley is too good of a defender to keep him behind Ray. Not only that but he proved he can score when needed. Ultimately Ray and Green could be featured in that second group that struggled to produce all season. Add another productive big to spell Garnett and next years team could replicate or even go further than this one in my opinion. The big three had too many minutes, let them rest a bit and they will be scary.
It truly wont be the Celtics without Garnett Allen and Pierce. It will be Boston but not the Celtics. They ARE the Celtics.