Who should lead the Celtics?

Since then, the Big Three has thrived in two straight games while Rondo has taken a back seat and Perkins has done his normal dirtywork.

Now, Chris Forsberg writes that the Celtics are at their best when the Big Three lead the way.  (ESPNBoston)

But it’s clear that the Celtics need it most out of Pierce and Garnett. The stats tell the story. When Boston started the season blistering hot at 23-5, either Pierce or Garnett led the team in scoring in 15 of those wins.[...]

Since Rivers’ proclamation after an awful loss to the Grizzlies, Pierce has averaged 20.5 points per game (three points above his season average), while Garnett has averaged 15.3 points (a point higher than his mark for the season).

Rivers hesitated to get too excited about the duo Wednesday after they combined to score nearly half of Boston’s points (51 on 20-of-28 shooting), but he knows it’s a good sign for the success of his team if this trend continues.

Rich Levine agrees with Forsberg. (CSNNE)

Were these two youngsters taking over the team right before our eyes?

Many convinced themselves yes. And it was an understandable. The Big 3 were struggling — Ray Allen with his game, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett with their bodies — while the “Other Two” were keeping Boston afloat. Doing things they’d never done before, leading in ways you never thought imaginable and steadily narrowing the gap between them and their Hall of Fame teammates.

But as playoff time draws closer, the reality’s become clear. This team still belongs to the Big Three. Rondo and Perk could turn into Archibald and Parish, and it won’t make a difference unless Allen, Pierce and Garnett turn back into, well, Allen, Pierce and Garnett. (The last one probably isn’t possible, but at least they need him to get close.)

Doc Rivers seems to agree that the team is at its best when Rondo is more of a distributor than a scorer.  (Boston Herald)

“Part of the stuff that happened in that stretch where all of the injuries happened was we needed Rondo to score more,” coach Doc Rivers said. “We needed Perk (Kendrick Perkins [stats]) to score more, we needed Baby (Glen Davis) to look for it more, because we had all those guys out. And part of your rhythm getting screwed up a little is when everybody comes back now you have to revert back to your old roles, and it takes time. You’re trying to fit these guys in, (and) they’re not really ready, but we’re still trying to get them the ball. And we couldn’t score, but we’re still going to them because we know eventually (they have to step up).

“So that’s part of all that, and Rondo understands that as well as anybody. The great part about him (is) he doesn’t care if he has 20 (points) or 20 assists. He’ll take either one. He’s fine with it.”

Me? I think the Celtics are at their best when the ball is moving freely. It doesn’t matter who’s scoring the points as long as the offense is equal-opportunity and that ball is moving like a hot potato.

What do you guys think?