Bricklayer said:
You're right, we could win 50 with this "core". And that's it. And whoopee. The only way we win MORE than 50 is by making these guys NOT the core -- by bringing in players as good or better than they are in different areas of the game. They are all second fiddles. Not really a core at all in some ways, but rather they THEMSELVES were already the players you SURROUNDED the old core with. Merely watching the old core bleed away doesn't suddenly make our peripheral players a "core". They are what they have always been. Limited system players made effective by the old true core. They basically excel at one thing -- shooting. Now you somehow find a way to rebuild the true core, these guys are a very good supporting cast (indeed limited shooters are classic supporting cast players). But they're not remotely an elite core in and of themselves.
I agree, but with some reservations. I think Bibby in 2002 and 2003 (our best years) was definitely part of the "core" as much as Divac and Christie. Peja arguably to a lesser degree as well, but Bibby's role in propelling us through the 2002 playoffs cannot be denied. Of course, most of this is moot since we lost superstar Webber in game 2 against Dallas in 2003. But I still think saying that Webber/Christie/Divac was our core that you're leaving a little bit out.
I think your reasoning is this:
Webber is the superstar.
Divac is the team sentimental leader and assist-maker, set up guy.
Christie the defensive stopper and set up guy.
But in the spring of 2002, all I remember hearing is that Bibby was THE MAN.
Now, you're right, we don't have a superstar, and don't have the defensive stopper, leader, or great passers. Bibby/Peja/Miller are shooters to begin with. I think Bibby could, if the system were set up to do so, become the man again. Miller could provide some hustle, as well as passing.
That leaves us with Peja, the pure shooter, who logically must net us the superstar/sentimental leader. I'm all for Paul Pierce.
Here's hoping that GP isn't blind to that.