4 Burning Questions Facing the Failing Boston Celtics

Yesterday, the Boston Celtics lost their fifth straight game and watched their record fall to 4-8 on the season, and 19-20 since they traded away Kendrick Perkins last year. 

This is getting further and further away from the the "turn on the switch" kind of talk and more and more like they simply don't have what it takes to win any more. 

The Boston Celtics have some serious questions to face. 

Is the Window Shut?

The first question the Celtics need to answer is this. Is the window already shut? 

If it is, the longer they hold on to hope, the more damage they do to the franchise. It can be tough for a player to acknowledge it's time to retire. 

It can also be tough for a team to acknowledge it's past the time. The Celtics big three were supposed to win more than one ring. They probably won't win any more. 

I believe the window isn't just shut. It's nailed and painted shut. 

Do You Re-Sign Ray Allen?

Ray Allen is having a terrific year, averaging 16 points and shooting .513 from the field, but he's also 36. He's not a spring chicken. 

Is he worth signing to another contract, or do you let him go? Or perhaps, do you even consider buying him out and letting him ink up with another team where he could contend for another ring?

Do You Trade Paul Pierce?

Of their Big Three, the only one with any shelf life left is Paul Pierce. If they can handle the truth, then maybe they need to trade the Truth, or at least explore if there is a market for him. His contract isn't outrageous, and with his championship experience, they might be able to get a taker. 

Can You Build a Contender Around Rajon Rondo

Rajon Rondo is a great facilitator and he has the ability to get to the rim. 

It's one thing when you're dishing to a trio of Hall of Fame players, though, and quite another if you're shouldering the burden of the team. 

Rondo does not have the ability of a Derrick Rose, Chris Paul or Deron Williams to take over the scoring load when needed. If the Celtics are going into rebuilding mode, they need to ask themselves, can you build a winning team around Rondo?

Is Doc Rivers the Best Choice for the Future?

Doc Rivers coached the Celtics to an NBA title and to the finals again in 2010.

The question the Celtics have to face is whether he's really the head coach of the future. Before 2007, the Celtics were a below average defense. Now they're a below average defense again. The Celitcs won their championship on the success of their defense. 

Not coincidentally, the era of their defensive success coincided with the tenure of Tom Thibodeau, who was the defensive coordinator form 2007-10. The Celtics defense was top five every year. 

Last year, there was carry-over effect as they had most of the same players and ran the same system. However, this year the Celtics are once again below average on defense, ranking just 21st in defensive rating. 

So is Rivers the reason for their success, or was it Thibodeau? If it was Thibs, then the Celtics need to face the tough question of whether to fire Rivers.