Boston Bows Out
Changing of the Celtics Old Guard?


Saturday night the scoreboard above the American Airlines Arena court read;

 Boston Celtics 88- 101 Miami Heat

With that Boston's great stalwarts trudged to the depths of the arena, exalted and exhausted in equal measure, perhaps for the last time. The 'Big Three' of Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce may never be seen together again in the Celtics uniform to which they've given their all.

This group has achieved this season, what many predicted was impossible. Claims that the Celtics were over the hill and washed up were beginning to look justifiable. The franchise was nowhere before the All-Star break and even those within the locker room may have started to feel as if they were eventually losing the struggle to keep ahead in their race with time. Not that they said so publicly. Throughout all their early season struggles the message remained the same; keep telling us we're finished, we're gonna prove you wrong. And they did. A magnificent end to the regular season presented these Celtics with another shot at the playoffs. The Atlanta Hawks provided the first test and were eventually dispatched in six games. Next came the rejuvenated Philadelphia 76ers, playing they're first post season since Allen Iverson called the shots all the way back in 2003. The eighth seeds, who had already dispatched the of Chicago Bulls proved to be dogged advisories. It took seven, gruelling games for Boston's ageing superstars to see off Iguodala and Co. The reward? A re-match with old foes the Miami Heat.

The Heat do not enjoy playing this Celtics group. Plain and simple. Boston are not bowed by the presence of Miami's stellar line-up like others are. These guys have been around the block too many times to succumb to such weakness. Just like that, however, the Celtics charge to the NBA Finals was derailed, losing game seven in South Beach. The Heat may not like the Celtics, but that game seven defeat means they've now accounted for the Celtics post-season two years running. So the question that lingers over the group remains; have they perhaps been around the block one too many times? Has the time come to dismantle the most beloved Celtics team of recent times, and build for the future? Or will Danny Ainge give this group one last shot, and hold off until the 2013 off-season for rebuilding work to begin?


General consensus would dictate that the time for change has come, a transfusion of new blood be sought , and a time to begin anew embraced. The case is certainly not without merit;


1975 gave the league its now all time leading three point shooter Ray Allen;
1976 bestowed upon us one of the league's most ferocious competitors Kevin Garnett; and
1977 gifted us with 'the Truth'. LA kid turned Celtics captain, and 2008 Finals MVP Paul Pierce.


A long road has been travelled by all three. They won't admit it but perhaps in 2012 their time has finally come, as a Celtic at least.


The greatest uncertainty surrounds Garnett and Allen; both free agents. Neither, it seems, want to leave. KG has made no secret of his desire to remain involved in Boston. He didn't want to leave Minnesota in 2007 either, once he puts down roots he likes to stay and develop where he is. Considering the commitment to the organisation he gives every time he steps onto the court that's not hard to understand. Perhaps then Allen is most likely to seek pastures new, or be forced to seek such an adventure. After all he has been the least influential of the 'Big Three' this post-season during which he's been burdened with an ankle injury. He, though, has his sights firmly set on retaining his No. 20 Celtics uniform too and has let the world know he's still capable of playing for some time yet;

"I don't know what Kevin's situation is. There's a lot of basketball left in my legs, I know that for sure. So it's hard to say what can happen, what may happen."

It's a fine line Ainge and Doc Rivers must now thread. On the one hand, should they stick with the 'Old Guard' they might just find themselves not too far from a disastrous season delivered by players once great but now waning under the pressure of yet another season's toil on their limbs and joints. On the other, perhaps this group represents the best chance of success again next season. Especially given the relatively threadbare stockpile of free agency talent, it might just be that entrusting the 'Big Three' with delivering success again next season is the most prudent option. Try and surround these guys with a stronger bench and greater depth to give them more rest and things start to look altogether rosier for the current stars. Pierce's influence may be waning slightly but he remains a fine player, Garnett it seems would play until he were eighty if only the body would allow it, such is his spirit,  and who would bet against Allen being only an operation away from returning to his majestic best?



The biggest piece of the puzzle that has yet to be discussed is Rajon Rondo, Boston's exquisite mix of unpredictability, determination and execution that has steered this Boston ship to within a game of disposing of LeBron James and Co. Keeping Rondo in Boston, first and foremost, is crucial. This is his team now, and any future success will be built largely on his shoulders. Should the Celts decide its time for fresh faces they must ensure they attain the services of players that can march to the peculiar beat of Rondo's rhythm.

Simply put; Boston's most influential players off the off-season have been Rondo and Garnett. With Bass and Pierce likely to be in tow anyway next season, and the potential for Allen to recapture what is a most devastatingly beautiful jump-shot, is the prospect of re-signing both Garnett and Allen for another assault on the league really that outrageous? I certainly hope not. Whatever becomes of this team, Boston's 'Big Three' will be fondly remembered for their heart and their hunger, their desire and determination, as well as their talent. But ultimately, they will be remembered for their banner- even if it is to be, just one.