Countdown from 30: #4 Boston Celtics
Last Season’s Record: The Celtics had another impressive regular season last year. It’s tough to top a 07-08 campaign that was punctuated with an NBA Championship. Although they ultimately were bounced in the second round, the pushed the eventual Eastern Conference Finals representative Orlando Magic to the brink of elimination despite being without the services of superstar and defensive anchor Kevin Garnett.
Arrivals: Rasheed Wallace, Marquis Daniels, Shelden Williams
Departures: Leon Powe, Mikki Moore, Stephon Marbury
Biggest Question: Can Rajon Rondo build on his 08-09 post-season performance in order to become an elite young PG in this league?
Off-Season Moves: The Celtics were very pleased with their ability to come a game within the Eastern Conference Finals despite being without the services of Kevin Garnett. Other players stepped up and Rajon Rondo really had a coming out party in the post-season. Although they were satisfied with getting where they did considering their circumstances, they still found that they had some glaring holes in their team make-up.
Heading into the off-season two weaknesses that Danny Ainge would look to address would be the lack of frontcourt depth, and the lack of depth in general the team had. The Big Three in Boston are only getting older and it’s extremely difficult to play an entire season logging substantial minutes. With Allen, Pierce and Garnett at ages 34, 31, and 33 respectively Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge were committed to bringing in some more depth to the roster this off-season. Furthermore, the lack of depth on this squad was really exposed when Garnett was ruled out for the playoffs and after just two games, Leon Powe went down as well. Perkins is a defensive specialist and beast on the glass, but remains fairly average offensively. Although Glen ‘Big Baby’ Davis stepped up in a remarkable way, the Celtics knew they could not move forward and compete for a title given the current roster personnel.
The Celtics were very strong in their pursuit of coveted veteran post Rasheed Wallace early in free agency and when all the dust settled, Kevin Garnett’s sales pitch to the former Tarheel was enough to bring him to Boston. Sheed brings a fiery personality and energy to this team. Sure he gets a lot of technical fouls but I attribute that more to his passion rather than an attitude problem. Wallace’s presence on this team will allow for there to be much more flexibility with the frontline. Doc will be able to go small, go long, and go big if he wants to. The mobility and athleticism of both Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace will be to a great advantage for coach Rivers. Additionally, Sheed’s ability to score the ball and spread the defense out will help to open up the lanes and opportunities for his teammates.
Their off-season did not stop there. The Celtics bolstered their bench further by adding the likes of Shelden Williams and Marquis Daniels. Williams has bounced around the league since being drafted fifth overall in 2006. He hasn’t ever gotten the opportunity to play significant minutes. He has proven to be a solid role player and that is all he will be called upon to provide for this team as well. Daniels, on the other hand, had a terrific year in 08-09. He was able to see a steady diet of playing time given the absence of Mike Dunleavy Jr. and he capitalized beautifully. Although he showed bits of inconsistency, he had some spectacular stretches including a November that saw him average 16.4 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.1 assists per contest. His ability to facilitate the offense will complement Eddie House’s shoot-first mentality nicely for the second unit.
X-Factor: Rajon Rondo
Rajon Rondo is the biggest variable on this veteran Boston Celtics squad. You know what you’re going to get from your Big Three and Kenderick Perkins is a consistent force on the defensive end and a presence you can’t completely ignore offensively. Nevertheless, of any player on this team, Rondo has the most untapped potential. The world was fortunate enough to see a glimpse of what Rondo is capable of during last year’s playoff run.
The former Kentucky Wildcat has the potential to be a Jason Kidd type of player that can lead a team and really contribute and stuff that stat sheet unlike so many of the league’s PGs. Although he lacks the superior court vision that Kidd has and is a bit smaller, he is a pest defensively and uses every bit of his long wingspan and freakishly large hands to disrupt passing lanes and get steals. Further, Rondo is a very capable penetrator and finisher. He needs to shore up his mid-range game and his three point shot is seemingly nonexistent. Nevertheless he is an elite rebounder at the PG position, a terrific facilitator, and his ability to score the ball continues to improve.
If Rondo can add an adequate mid-range game and become more fluid in his decision-making, this team will go from great to potentially living up to that “team to beat” label that Pierce prematurely gave to this team.
Three Predictions:
1. We will see a Gregg Popovich approach in terms of the Big Three’s playing this season, as Doc will look to preserve his horses for an extended playoff run
2. With the weapons surrounding Rasheed Wallace, he will shoot north of 45% from the field for the first time in six seasons
3. Boston will make it to the Eastern Conference Finals where they will have an epic series rivaling that in which took place in last year’s first round defeat of the Chicago Bulls
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