If We Are Done, Are We Finished?

[Jason Terry]

Excellent discussion all around in this thread. The VORP analysis brings in a bit of objectivity. Hard for us fanatics to see things for what they are........ We are right there in the mix in talent level. Close to contention. Even last year down the stretch we were a top 4 west team. 

• Why are we close to Phoenix in talent level, yet they’re in a class above us comparing results? Why isn’t Boston better than they are? Chemistry. This is our top issue according to Luka. He is now our franchise and if he says that’s the problem then it’s probably true. Could chemistry come from being together another year? Yes. Could it come from our young players (Luka, KP, JB) and emerging young veterans (DFS, Maxi) improving and being more comfortable? Yes. How about Bullock, Brown or Dragic? Yes.....bottom line is the chemistry element around the league year to year can be fickle. That element is important to our superstar so worth monitoring 
  
  
• KP? The elephant in the room that our season likely depends on. The easiest path to 2nd star(and jump in VORP) is KP. His trade value is low enough that the best move is to wait and see what he looks like. Even in a worst case scenario his contract can be flipped for another max player that could be a better fit. We’ve seen it happen regularly over the past few years.....definitely a situation worth monitoring. Definitely not a situation we feel good enough about at the moment to go all in on another player to build around Luka and KP
  
  
• Do we need another top 20 player to win it all? Eventually, yes, that’s the best path. Luka is the special type of mold though where in his younger years he will have Lebron type ability to will his teams to deep playoff runs
  
  
• Brunson....is he a great backup PG that can feast on 2nd teams? Yes. Does that translate in the playoffs? Not according to the one year of evidence. Probably not next year, but something to keep an eye on. Brunson, Harrell, Pat Bev, Lou Will, Gasol etc. These were all important regular season players. Look no further than Brunson as evidence that playoffs and regular season are completely different. We have plenty of regular season talent. We need more guys we can play in the playoffs. Bullock and Dragic both fit that mold better than a player like Brunson. Still room to grow and take the FVV/Brogdon leap. Another player to keep a close eye on