"It works sometimes" doesn't mean it's the best strategy for winning championships. That doesn't tell you anything about which strategy is the best; for all you know, Boston and Miami would have won more championships without those trades.
They could have but what difference does it make what could have happened? The fact is, they decided their best bet at making a push would be to get that edge they needed and it proved to work out in their favor. Besides its not like Pierce has 5-7 years left in him.
Boston was a feel good story, you can't take 3 all stars and expect them to gel. I think you already know that. Talent alone will not win you anything. 2nd, you are comparing a shaq cominng off a 4 consecutive finals trips, and did I mention we're talking about SHAQ. There is a reason dallas plummeted when they traded young scoring PG devin Harris for old ass J Kidd which was 2 years ago anyways. Don't try to augment your claim using examples on the far ends of the spectrum. Wekko did point our that teams can't stay pat, and I agree with that, the spurs are a good example. They should have made changes long ago but it all depends on the context of t he given situation.
I'd honestly put Rondo in the "not quite tier 1, but loads better than tier 2" category. Rondo is the best player on that Celtics team, hands down. Also, Brooks is definitely tier 2. But only because of his scoring.
Rondo has grown into the most reliable player on the Celtics, although I don't know if I'd be willing to say that he is that much better then the second tier.
No love whatsoever for Devin Harris? I know he's not having the best year and his team is crappy as crappy gets, but still.... not even a mention??
