Four on the Floor

Boston’s 2-3 start, with those 2 wins coming against a pair of lightweights, is a small sample to create a blueprint on how to win or lose games. However, those 2 games with Pierce back in the line up, has showed us how they are able to set the tone early in the game with the Captain playing alongside Rondo, Allen and KG.

People say that Rondo is the catalyst on how far Boston can go but the way I see it the fate of this franchise is built around a complete Big 4, anything less than that will make life difficult for Boston. Unlike, the Bulls or the Lakers whose fates are seemingly tied on how well Rose or Kobe respectively, plays the game, for Boston it’s just not meant to be a dominant one man show. It is more intricate like a jigsaw puzzle fitted together to form a picture.

At this point of their careers, Pierce, Allen and KG have as much flaws as they have talents. But this seems to be more evident in KG. He has been playing farther and farther away from the basket and seems reluctant to take more shots around the rim. It is harder to measure his effectiveness on defense after they overhauled their roster and for a team that preaches team defense familiarity is crucial. He does stretches the floor well with his perimeter shots, a reliable pick and pop partner and has the knack to set timely and sturdy screens for his teammates.

Rondo, on the other hand, is young but is still rough around the edges as far as his ability to lead this team is concerned. The other frustrating part about Rondo is that I’m not sure what makes him tick, what motivates him to be the aggressor especially on offense as it the most glaring hole in his arsenal. He would light up the scoreboard against NY and Miami, passive against lightweights like NO and Detroit then drops a triple double against a winless Washington.

Pierce and Allen are still reliable scorers, with the latter still making a living at the perimeter while the former can score anywhere around the court with his versatility. They are no longer as athletic as before or could jump over defenders. But what they lack in athleticism they make up for it with their craftiness.

Fitted together the flaws are less noticeable. KG's screens will be as valuable as Allen's three pointer while Rondo's assist holds as much value as Pierce's patented step back jumper. Some nights their age might show or Rondo's passiveness can get frustrating but one things is for sure, life as a Celtics fan is a lot easier with the 4 of them on the floor.