As we all know, beyond Garnett, Ainge has had deals in the works for any and all of the C's at one point or another over the last 24 months. Welcome to professional sports.

"We want Ray Allen back in the worst way"....why would Ainge say this? Loyalty? Retire a Celtic? You gotta be kidding me. It is the CBA. If he re signs Allen he gets the full MLE......if he goes they get the "mini MLE." Quoted on WEEI last week.."I like our team I want to bring them all back..." Why? To make the fans at Celticsblog happy? No he is doing it because, with cap holds and assorted other rules, the NBA makes it easiest to resign your OWN players. This explains why Ainge is doing just that. The ONLY real flexibility Ainge has is sign and trade and he has admitted that publicly. As the rules apply, the best FA's for the Celtics to sign are the CELTIC'S free agents.

Thus, we have the best possible roster...barring trades, the Celtic's should be on their way to Miami again next year. What is the matter with that? I would prefer a better player than Bass to start alongside KG. That would mean a sign and trade.

I would like to address the frequent quote " the Celtics just missed making it to the NBA finals." In the seven game series with Miami the Celtics were outscored in the fourth quarter of all 7 games. In the 6th and 7th games they were soundly beaten. If you watched the games it was clear that Miami had figured out how to beat the Celtics. Why? Weak bench. Injured starters...obviously. Pierce is no longer able to slow down James.

Will the Celtics have injured starters next year? Yes. Will they have the size and athleticism to beat Miami? With a trade, yes....as currently composed I think it is asking a lot to assume that 1) no Celtic's starters will be injured...2) The big three (if Allen re signs) will be "better" a year later. There are too many wild cards with more resignings to make a guess. Green, Sullinger, Purdue, FA's etc. Can they field a team that can balance James and Wade? Will the player who steps up to fill in for an injured starter be able to keep the Celtics "even with Miami." This is Ainge's goal along with "really wanting Ray Allen back..." Give me a break.