"A three-year experiment that was extended out to a fifth postseason potentially ended when Boston coach Doc Rivers pulled his four stars off the floor in the last minute of the Eastern Conference finals Saturday. LeBron James and the Heat were looking ahead to launching a new rivalry with Kevin Durant and the Thunder after their Game 7 victory, while Rajon Rondo and the Celtics' Big Three were left to think back on what they had shared, and to wonder what comes next.

Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen will be unrestricted free agents in July, while Paul Pierce and Rondo will remain on the books. Allen and Garnett, both 36, are expected to receive bids from Boston rivals this summer.

While Allen has insisted he will continue to play next year and beyond, Garnett's future has been much harder to predict. Early in the season word was leaking from people who knew him that Garnett was considering this to be his farewell year. Garnett (as well as Pierce) was surprised that the season started as early as Christmas Day after the lockout. He was not ready and the Celtics were only 15-17 going into the All-Star break.