How about this take?

[Douglas342 at aol.com]

Two time periods are involved here.  Let's assume relatively good  health all 
around.
 
Next three years or so:  the team is better off.  Ray Allen for  Delonte West 
and a kid works for me.   Ainge has done a good job deep  in the draft, so 
maybe in the next 2-3 years he finds some more Gomes  types.
 
Four years and beyond:  we haven't destroyed the kiddie corps.   What will 
this team look like in four years even if Pierce and Allen are both  gone?  I'm 
not ready to say that this is the same as bringing Antoine back  for a playoff 
run.  We've improved in the short run without sacrificing  (too much) in the 
long run.
 
Finally, some reality checks:  championship teams are flukey  things.  You 
need a superstar (Shaq, Duncan) who somehow becomes surrounded  with 
hitherto-unseen role players who relish the chance and who are pretty good  in their own 
right.  For some teams it works (Lakers, Spurs); for others it  simply never 
does (Utah, Phoenix, Indiana.)  Only one team wins the  title.  All you ask is 
a shot.



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