There's a reason I waited several days to put together a memoriam on the 2009-2010 Boston Celtics. Even though the series turned out to be something of a disappointment with respect to the hype put into it, the NBA Finals was still a classic seven game series featuring the two great franchises in the league.
The Lakers victory came in somewhat auspicious fashion with their best player struggling most of the game, yet somehow still taking the MVP trophy. Guys who were dogs came up big and vice-versa. However, with so much uncertainty before next season, the Celtics have little time to process the emotion of their loss.
Ultimately, the decision for Boston general manager Danny Ainge will be what direction he wants to take the team in. This, of course, assumes that the rumors of Ainge's interest in the Phoenix GM job are just rumors. Otherwise, Celtics ownership will really have a rebuilding project on their hands whether they want to or not.
The team can either keep its core nucleus together and potentially make a similar run towards a title next season, or they can take whatever steps necessary to get younger, while still trying to maintain some level of success. Like all problems of a complicated nature, the big decision is tied together with lots of little decisions, each of which will have an effect on another.
Ray Allen likely provides the first cornerstone to completing this puzzle. The veteran sharpshooter is a free agent, but is far down the ladder in comparison to some of the other talent available on the market. Allen also didn't do himself any favors by having one of the worst shooting stretches of his career in Games 3 thru 7. If the C's decide not to pursue him, it's a sure sign that they intend to try and rebuild.
The bench provides yet another serious question. Even without Allen, the Celtics are hovering dangerously close to the salary cap ceiling. While ownership has shown a desire to spend whatever it takes to win, there are limits and having to fill out two-thirds of a bench is going to require some interesting financial maneuvering.
That morass could get even murkier if Rasheed Wallace retires. While 'Sheed said nothing officially, teammate Kevin Garnett hinted after Game 7 that he and Wallace had discussed the subject. Thought it would provide yet another open roster spot, Wallace's vacated contract would give the Celtics some more flexibility in terms of being able to bring a higher-priced talent.
Another decision that's out of management's hands is one to be made by Paul Pierce. The longtime Celtic has a $21 million dollar player option. However, he could also opt out and take a long-term deal before a new collective bargaining agreement is put in place. That deal could be with the C's, which again would create financial flexibility, but Pierce won't find a yearly salary over $20 million again.
The final piece of the puzzle is the coach. Doc Rivers has always been an outspoken family man, and with one son about to graduate college and another about to enter it, you could understand why he might want to take a year off. Not to mention his most trusted assistant in Tom Thibodeau will be manning the sidelines in Chicago next year.
In the end, I believe Ainge stays and the Celtics retool for one more run with the current group. A new voice will be in place though as Rivers probably departs, preferably a voice that knows how to handle veteran egos. I predict that Allen will come back for a year or two at a significantly reduced rate, and the results next year will once again depend on team health, and the ability of the bench to produce offense. As always, wait 'til next year.
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