The Celtics are being rebuilt, so marshalling assets, managing the salary cap, and accruing young talent and future no. 1 picks is the name of the game. Danny Ainge's decision on Rajon Rondo remains the defining issue. Read more »
Basketball Articles
Danny Goes To Market: Is Rondo In Tow?
Boston's Rebuild After 16 Months: Time For Patience And Optimism
Since Danny Ainge made his 180 in May 2013 by cashing in on Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Doc Rivers, he has done a remarkable job of implementing a serious rebuild and putting the Celtics in a position to succeed. Read more »
Tanks But No Tanks: Danny Ainge’s (Nearly) Impossible Mission
One-third of the way through the season, the Celtics are doing a dreadful job of tanking. Why that is and what that means for the immediate and long-term prospects for the team is the subject of this piece. Read more »
The Superstar Theory, Part Two: What Every NBA GM Needs To Know (Section A)
The Superstar Theory does not explain who will win every title before the season or before the playoffs; it simply explains who is in legitimate contention, and provides guidance to teams that would like to become legitimate contenders. Read more »
What The Superstar Theory Does And Does Not Explain (Section C)
The Superstar Theory is not the Nostradamus Theory; it does not predict who exactly will win championships. It only explains, with considerable precision, what teams will be in legitimate contention. The games still have to be played. Read more »
All Superstars, All The Time: The Secret To Winning Or Contending For An NBA Title (Section A)
Most championship teams have at least two players from the list of the best 95 players in NBA history on their roster in their prime. Smart GMs understand the superstar thesis and take steps to increase their odds dramatically. Read more »
Who Are The Best Players On Teams That Won And Contended For Titles? (Section B)
Every single NBA champion has been led by a player on this list. So if your team does not have as its best player one of these guys, or someone likely to get on the list, your chances are virtually nil. Read more »
Additional Superstars Needed For Championships (Section C)
It is not just having a platinum or gold superstar that matters, it is having additional superstars that separates the champions from the pretenders. Read more »
The Art Of The Managed Blow-Up
With the Celtics no longer a true title contender, the question now is whether Danny Ainge should expedite the process and cash in his aging chips for assets while he still can. Read more »
Danny Ainge And The Art Of The Rebuild
The Celtics are no longer a title contender and how Danny Ainge plays his cards over the next year or two will determine whether they can hit the trampoline and regroup, or return to their mediocrity treadmill from 1993 and 2007. Read more »
Occupy the NBA? The Players’ Nuclear Option
The NBA owners need to face the full fury of a more truly competitive market. This is it. It is the only leverage the players have and would ultimately drive up salaries because of actual market competition. Read more »
The Path To A Permanent Peace Between NBA Players And Owners
At a labor impasse, maybe the NBA needs to eliminate individual contracts between players and teams, and establish a salary structure that encompasses every player. Here's how it could be done. Read more »
Whither The Celtics? Four Paths to the Future
There are four distinct directions the Celtics could take moving forward, each with legitimate evidence to support it, and each with its perils and promise. Read more »
The Rondo Paradox
Rajon Rondo's trips to the line this have been infrequent and largely unsuccessful. If he commits to getting to the line, Boston's chances of a title increase, as does Rondo's ability to be an MVP candidate. Read more »
How To Solve The Owners-Players Squabble And Avoid A Lockout In 2011
The NBA should have a historically great playoffs and here is a multi-step way to follow excellent basketball with labor peace. Read more »
Reconsidering The Superstar Theory, Part 1 & Part 2
Throughout NBA history, teams that win, or even compete for titles, almost always have one or two of the absolute best players in the game. The Heat will test this theory in a unique way. Read more »
Reconsidering The Superstar Theory, The Conclusion
Throughout NBA history, teams that win, or even compete for titles, almost always have one or two of the absolute best players in the game. The Heat will test this theory in a unique way. Read more »
The Path To A Permanent Peace Between NBA Players And Owners
The NBA needs to eliminate individual contracts between players and teams, and establish a salary structure that encompasses every player. Here's how. Read more »
The Miami Heat And Uncharted Waters
In a sport where teams with genuine superstars do disproportionately well, the Miami Heat are a frightening proposition. Read more »