@Average Game James you say "If Tatum doesn't take a (probably small from here) step forward to become that guy, the reality is the Celtics need to find a guy that is."
And thats where the math becomes fuzzy for me.
I understand that you USUALLY need a "Top 10 guy". Makes Sense. I mean I assume you have a top 10/ top 30 and top 75 -80 guy (or something) as your 3rd.
However if you have a top 15/top 30 and a top 40-50 (which we certainly cant claim to have currently with a hobbled Kemba) is that enough. Is the Delta from #47 to #72 enough to offset not having a #7 but having a #12?
Plus what if your 4th best guy is #90? (Like Smart??)
Again all these numbers are quibbles (Maybe Smart isnt the 90th best guy in the league......but is he better then most teams 4th best player? How much better? And is that enough to offset a lesser #1,2 or 3?)
Just seems to formulaic to put this (or any team) in the "They need a top 10 or it aint happening." This team specifically with two top 40 (??) players (Before we count Kemba and Smart) seems specifically anti stereotypical.
As unlikely as it to happen 5 guys in the top 50, do they win a championship? (Is that a "Pistons approach"?)
Maybe Last year with Healthy Kemba, Healthy Gordon, Tatum, and Brown (multi top 50 players) were good examples of a team that could well have won the championship (even against an all time Great and his Robin).