Celtics 2013-14 Schedule: Games of Note

The Celtics open the 2013-14 season on October 30th at Toronto at 7pm.  Other notables...

DECEMBER 10  @ BROOKLYN (first game vs. Paul Pierce & Kevin Garnett)

DECEMBER 11 vs. LA CLIPPERS (first game/ only home game vs. Doc Rivers)

JANUARY 8 @ LA CLIPPERS

JANUARY 26 vs. BROOKLYN (first home game vs. Pierce/ KG)

MARCH 7 vs. BROOKLYN

MARCH 21 @ BROOKLYN


No Christmas game this year for Boston.  Your five-pack is...

Bulls vs. Nets
Thunder vs. Knicks
Heat vs. Lakers
Rockets vs. Spurs
Clippers vs. Warriors

The New Nets

How many times today do you think someone said Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett..... aaaaaand Jason Terry are now Brooklyn Nets.  I mean Terry was a solid player in the league.  He's a former 6th Man of the Year and NBA Champion with the Mavericks.  But he sucked last year.  I was shocked to see that he averaged 10 points per game because it felt like a lot less.

But a bit of a turd in the punch bowl going on at today's press conference.  "We present to you future Hall of Famers Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, as well as Jason Terry's contract that the Celtics made us take back."

JET will probably have a sick year.  I actually liked the signing a lot last year.  But he was awful.  

Side note: NETS are LOADED

PG Deron Williams
SG Joe Johnson
SF Paul Pierce
PF Kevin Garnett
C Brook Lopez

BENCH
Jason Terry
Andrei Kirilenko
Andray Blatche
Reggie Evans
Shaun Livingston
Mason Plumlee
Mirza Teletovic

Celtics And Nets Agree To Monster Deal

The Truth is, Celtics are in a rebuild... ok that's awful.  Here is the breakdown.


NETS Receive: PAUL PIERCE, KEVIN GARNETT, JASON TERRY

CELTICS Receive: GERALD WALLACE, KRIS HUMPHRIES, MARSHON BROOKS, KEITH BOGANS, KRIS JOSEPH, 1ST ROUND PICKS IN 2014, 2016, 2018 AND RIGHT TO SWAP 1ST ROUNDERS IN 2017

Sadly, it had to be done.

Couple ways to look at this.  The Celtics essentially traded Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce for FOUR 1st ROUND PICKS and got rid of Jason Terry's contract.  (Yes they take back a bad deal in Gerald Wallace)

Also the C's now have TWO 1st Round Picks in 4 of the next 5 years, and the one where they only have 1 (2017) they can swap with the Nets if they have a better one, not terrible.

Now what do they do with Rajon Rondo...

Thoughts On Doc, Clippers, Celtics

Almost too much going on with the Celtics right now to make sense of it all.  Almost.  Here are some bullet points of what I think is happening/ will happen.

• Doc Rivers MUST go.  $7 million a year for 3 years, for a guy who wants out and will be coaching a sub-par team.
• Doc wants the Clippers to keep Bledsoe?  That's gotta be some kind of double-secret tampering.
• DeAndre Jordan, Caron Butler, and a 1st round pick is NOT enough for Doc & KG
• True, KG (retire) and Doc (TV) could leave and the C's could get nothing, but the Clippers need them even more, so C's can't give in for less than a Bledsoe package.
• Blake Griffin should be the player the Clips refuse to deal, not freakin Eric Bledsoe
• Would you rather have Doc & KG or Lionel Hollins, Eric Bledsoe, and DeAndre Jordan
• Bledsoe is a nice player.  However wouldn't surprise me if he was never an All-Star
• Bledsoe and Jordan are both overrated.  If they were better, the Clippers (with Chris Paul and Blake) would still be playing.
• Celtics WILL NOT buy out Paul Pierce for $5, makes no sense.
• C's can trade Pierce this off season or even in the season.  $15 is a lot, but teams can make that work.  He's still a Top 8 small forward.
• Where Pierce ends up is a mystery.  Clips, stays in Boston, no clue.
• Cliff Paul is awful.
• Ultimately LAC will include Bledsoe (after agreeing to max deal with Chris Paul) and get Doc and KG for Bledsoe, Jordan, Butler, picks.
• Celts need to shed Jason Terry and or Courtney Lee (perhaps get less picks or what not to make that happen.)
• If the reason the Clippers don't want to include Bledsoe in the deal is so they can pair him with Blake in a trade for Dwight, that's dumb.  Not happening.
• C's should hire Ty Lue once Doc is out the door.
• Vinny Del Negro is the worst.
• Celtics need to acquire enough assets to make future push for Kevin Love or LaMarcus Aldridge.
• C's current assets: Rondo, Bradley, Sullinger, Green, Melo, 16th pick in this month's draft.... (Doc, KG, Pierce.)
• My head hurts trying to put all this together.

NBA MOCK DRAFT COMING SOON...

-Keefe

Podcast: Keefe & B. Robb on Celtics

Keefe and Brian Robb (CelticsHub.com) talked Celtics future this weekend. And now you can listen to it today.

Podcast: C's Trade Deadline Thoughts

Whacky Celtics Trades That Fit Under The Cap

The NBA trade deadline is Thursday at 3pm est.  The Celtics have had nearly all of their players rumored in potential deals.  KG, Rondo, Pierce, Bass, Green, Lee, Terry, even Fab freakin Melo.  Here are some gems that could work...

Celtics receive ERIC BLEDSOE & DEANDRE JORDAN
Clippers receive KEVIN GARNETT

Celtics receive HARRISON BARNES, RICHARD JEFFERSON, BRANDON RUSH
Warriors receive PAUL PIERCE

Celtics receive DEMARCUS COUSINS, TYREKE EVANS
Kings receive RAJON RONDO


C's would be in massive rebuild mode.  But a future core of solid young players that could develop or be dealt in bigger trades in the offseason and or at the draft.

LINEUP:
Eric Bledsoe
Avery Bradley
Harrison Barnes
Demarcus Cousins
DeAndre Jordan

BENCH:
Jeff Green
Jared Sullinger
Brandon Bass
Jason Terry
Courtney Lee
Richard Jefferson
Brandon Rush
Fab Melo

*I would also look to trade Jason Terry and Brandon Bass if possible.  If not, a vet like Terry could help Bledsoe/Barnes.

New look!

Podcast: Celtics Trade Talk

I talked Celtics and NBA Trade rumors with Brian Robb on Monday night.  And here it is.

Click Here to go to CelticsHub.com

The Injury Bonanza of 2012 and How The Celtics Stack Up

NBA players are dropping like flies in the playoffs.  Perhaps a victim of the 66-game lockout shorten season or in some cases because of self mutilation (see: Amar'e Stoudemire punching glass), big names and small names alike are missing the most important games of the year. 

2011 MVP Derrick Rose suffered a torn ACL, Knicks rookie guard Iman Shumpert the same.  Baron Davis just went down with a nasty knee injury himself.  Dwight Howard will not play in the playoffs, Al Horford just returned after sitting out nearly the entire season, his backup Zaza Pachulia is still out.  The flash in the pan known as Jeremy Lin has been sidelined for the first 4 games of the Knicks-Heat series.  Memphis stud Zach Randolph worked his way back into the lineup the final couple weeks of the regular season.  The T-Wolves' chances of making the post season went out the window when rookie PG Ricky Rubio blew his ACL, the Clippers lost their leader Chauncey Billups, and many more.  And then you have the "old" Celtics.

The C's are up 3-1 in their 1st round series with the Hawks.  Boston managed to win the Atlantic Division title despite numerous injuries throughout the season, which began with the news that Jeff Green would miss the year and need heart surgery.  Chris Wilcox was forced to the sidelines in an eerily similar fashion.  And Jermaine O'Neal... whatever.  The veteran group fought through the multiple back-to-backs and the ridiculously thrown together season (little to no practice time and crazy travel schedule) to win the division (for the 5th straight year) and enter the playoffs as the #4 seed.  They still did not have home court advantage.

Where do the Green stand health wise?

Ray Allen missed the last 9 games of the year with an ankle injury and Games 1 and 2 against the Hawks.  Allen surprised himself coming back for Game 3, saying that he had told KG he would probably miss the entire series.  It's hopeful that he will be on the court the rest of the way, but it's no sure thing.  Allen will undergo surgery when the C's are done.

Paul Pierce, who was extremely durable this season, hurt his knee in shootaround prior to Game 4, and Doc left the morning get-together thinking the Captain would miss the game.  He played, 24 points in 17 minutes, and said on his twitter that he was glad he only played limited minutes to he could rest his knee.

Mickael Pietrus played in 42 of the 66 games this year.  He missed time with a concussion and left Game 4 in the 3rd quarter with a hamstring injury.

Avery Bradley re-injured his left shoulder in Game 3.  He was a game-time decision in Game 4 (he played), but will be a concern through the rest of the playoffs.  He apparently popped out his shoulder 2-3 times during the season, but Doc Rivers said it was like a "LEGO" and would just pop back in, but in Game 3 it did not do that.  Gross.

Greg Stiemsma (feet) sat out of nearly every single practice the Celtics had this season.  He should be able to go the rest of the playoffs for as much time as the team needs him, but it should be pointed out that he's been playing banged up all year.

Is it possible that Rajon Rondo and Kevin Garnett are the healthiest players on the team?   

The lasting image of the 2011 playoffs for the Celtics was Rajon Rondo playing against the Heat with one arm.  After Dwyane Wade tackled him to the floor, Rondo got up and tried like hell to play through the pain.  The 2009 playoffs were essentially a lost cause because of the knee injury that kept Kevin Garnett from suiting up with the team.  Now in 2012, Rondo and KG are the healthiest, and without question the two pieces most important to knocking of the Heat in a potential Eastern Conference Finals match-up.

Few would have predicted the type of season KG had.  At 35 years old and with well over 1,200 career games played, Garnett averaged 16 points, 8 rebounds, 3 assists per game (playing in 60/66, sitting out a couple for personal reasons and for rest).  I believe he will be All-Defensive 2nd Team and All-NBA 3rd Team, at center, where he really flourished in the 2nd half of the season.

Health has already derailed the top seeded Bulls and the Orlando Magic.  If the Celtics are going to make a deep run they are going to continue to walk the injury tight rope.  KG and Rondo will have to defy the odds and Pierce (knee), Allen (ankle), Bradley (shoulder), Pietrus (hamstring, head), and Stiemsma (feet) will have to be "healthy enough." 

Believe it or not I said Heat-Celtics in the East Finals in my pre-season predictions.  There is no reason to change that now. 

-Keefe

5 Questions With Gerald Wallace

I talked to Portland forward Gerald Wallace prior to the Celtics-Trail Blazers game on Friday night at the Garden. Here is what the Alabama alum and former All-Star, who is averaging 13.7 points, 6.5 rebounds, and 2.9 assists had to say.

1. You have a long history of facing Paul Pierce, what is that match up like?

Wallace: It’s always intense. You know he is going to get the bulk of the offense. The offense is always going to move through him. You’re always on your toes, they’re going to call a lot of plays for him. The offense mainly goes through him. So you have to get up for it and be prepared for it.

2. As a versatile guy you’ll probably be matched up with Kevin Garnett as well. At this stage of his career are you surprised that he’s still playing at the level he is?

Wallace: No I’m not. I think that guys that are his type evolve with the time. And he has done a great job of evolving his game to where he’s able to knock down an 18 to 20 foot shot on the screen and roll. His defense is still there because he’s nearly 7 feet tall, so that’s always gonna be a presence and he keeps himself in great shape.

3. With the trade deadline next Thursday, does that change the atmosphere in the locker room at all?

Wallace: No what they got to do has nothing to do with us going out on the floor and playing, it’s got nothing to do with us. It doesn’t change anything, we still got to play. Our main thing is we got to get a win, we need to go out and win.

4. You guys are on your longest road trip of the year, this is night 2 of a 7 game trip, and you haven’t played well on the road [5-13] is there any particular reason you can pinpoint for that?

Wallace: I mean you can pinpoint any kind of reason you want. Our main thing is we have to improve and get better, and right now we haven’t did that so far this season. So we got to come out with something and figure something out.

5. You got a player option for next year, have you thought about that yet?

Wallace: No comment. No comment.

-Keefe

3 Celtics Trades That (Probably) Won't Happen

The NBA Trade Deadline is just a week from tomorrow. It also marks the 1 year anniversary (on the NBA calender) of the miserable Kendrick Perkins to the Thunder deal. I'm still not over it. In my defense, I HATED it at the time and even spent 5 hours on 98.5 The Sports Hub that night explaining how bad the move was and that Danny was hinging his playoff hopes (the team was atop the East at the time) on two injured, old centers named O'Neal. At least Jeff Green fit in well.

But anyway, the Celtics (20-17) have just 29 games left to play in this shorten 66 game regular season. And after a slow start and multiple losing streaks, they find themselves playing for 1st place in the Atlantic Division against the Philadelphia 76ers tonight and an automatic Top 4 Seed (avoid Miami and Chicago in Round 1!) in the Eastern Conference. The C's are currently on a 5 game winning streak (Cavs, Bucks, Nets, Knicks, Rockets). But with their future very much in question, what should they do?

Many of the trade rumors that have circulated around the league involve the Big 4, rightly so. Kevin Garnett ($21.2 million) and Ray Allen ($10 million) are unrestricted free agents after this season. While Paul Pierce (2 years remaining, avg. $16 million per year) and Rajon Rondo (3 years remaining, avg. $12 per year) are not only under contract going forward, but are both playing at a very high level. In fact, to be fair, KG and Allen are also playing at a much higher than anticipated level this season, particularly in Garnett's case, as of late (18.8 points, 10.2 rebounds during 5 game-winning streak.)

Because of this sudden winning streak and the newly found rotation Doc Rivers has stuck to (aided by the Jermaine O'Neal injury), the idea of keeping this group together and making one final run has begun to emerge, amongst some. Can they beat the Bulls in a 7 game series? What about the Heat? The thought that they could miss the playoffs with this group is ridiculous. Not only based on their own abilities, but more so the rest of the Conference. They WILL make the playoffs, but how far can they go?

If the Celtics want to make moves AND not go into full fledged re-building mode they have to keep Rajon Rondo. I repeat, KEEP RAJON RONDO. He's a bargain for an All-Star and is a Top 5 Point Guard in the NBA. Do you need more around him? Of course. Can he win a title as the best player? No. But how many guys can?

I keep Pierce as well, unless a 3-team deal comes along involving one contender (who else would want Pierce) or the right team steps up and the C's get young players/picks. Now is the time to deal Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, but you can't give them away.

Hired guns. Assassins. Mercenaries. Ok, rentals. That's what Ray and KG would be for teams with their eyes on the Larry O'Brien Trophy. So after that long winded open, here are 3 Celtics trades that (probably) won't happen:

1. Ray Allen to the Clippers for Eric Bledsoe, future #1 draft pick.

There would have to be other filler in their to make the deal go through, but the Clippers desperately need a 2 guard. Billups is out for the year, Mo Williams is a PG, and Randy Foye just isn't good. Youngster Eric Bledsoe has played in just 11 games this year and doesn't see the court much. He is a good piece though for either the C's to build around and or deal themselves.

2. Paul Pierce & Ray Allen to the Grizzlies for Rudy Gay, O.J. Mayo, Josh Selby, and two future #1 picks.

For some reason the Rudy Gay-Zach Randolph combo has not netted a lot of success. Memphis is good with 1 and not the other. They could make a serious run at it this year with a core of Gasol-Randolph-Pierce-Allen-Conley with T.A, Speights, and Cunningham. Meanwhile the C's get younger and enter the Rondo-Gay era. With Pierce and Allen gone, they would have to do this as well.

3. Kevin Garnett & BOS 1st round pick to the Hawks/ Josh Smith, Kirk Hinrich, & Avery Bradley to the Warriors/ Monta Ellis, Andris Biedrins, GS & ATL 2nd round picks to the Celtics.

Lot going on there. IF the C's pull off trades 2 and 3 they are looking at squad of Rondo-Ellis-Gay-Bass-Biedrins with Mayo, Selby, and for the rest of this year Wilcox, Pietrus, Stiemsma, Johnson.

Yeah I know. It's not great. It would be exciting to watch Rondo play in an uptempo style with Ellis and Gay on the wing.

These deals (probably) won't happen, but with all the crazy rumors flying around now and for the next week, I got to throw a couple more out there. All I know is that whatever Danny does, it won't surprise me as much as Perkins & Nate for Green & Krstic. Can't wait to see what happens.

-Keefe

Trade Deadline Day with the Celtics

-Keefe

All-Star Weekend Recap

Thoughts from the recently completed NBA All-Star Weekend...

Friday: Celeb Game. I will not mention the young boy who was voted MVP. I will however question how Michael Rapaport is still a celebrity. He was in one of my five favorite movies of all time, True Romance, which came out in 1993! Since then, he’s been in a lot of gems, 95% of things you’ve never heard of. But be sure to check him out in the current (?) TV show Pound Puppies. How many people were offered a spot in this game before they got to him, or does he get an automatic invite considering he’s never missed a celeb game?


It was good to see Scottie Pippen getting after it. I am a big Pippen guy, and clearly he still has the fire.

Rookie-Sophomore Game: I was shocked. Rookie for the 2nd year in a row? I know they had Blake Griffin and John Wall, but the Sophs had won 8 of the 11. The Wall oop to Griffin made the whole game worth while. How about James Harden, who was a late addition for the banged up Tyreke Evans, dropping a smooth 30 including a monster throw down? DeMarcus Cousins went for 33-14. I really should have considered the chemistry between Wall and Cousins before making a “friendly” wager. At least the over hit.

Saturday Night: Shooting Stars again? Come on. I don’t know what the worst part is. The NBA stuffing the WNBA down our throats. The retired player wearing a current jersey and looking sadly out of shape. Watching three people take turns missing a half court shot. Or the WNBA. Just get rid of this. I was on board for HORSE when they did that, it wasn’t good, but it made Shooting Stars look like a 1980’s Dunk Contest.

Skills Challenge: Great lineup. Chris Paul, Stephen Curry (who was my pick), Russell Westbrook, Derrick Rose, and John Wall. They clearly don’t give a crap about it, but I still like it. It’s a solid obstacle course and shows off some different things. Passing through tires? Yes please. Of course this is coming from a guy who will be watching hours of the NFL Combine coming up.

3-Point Shootout: I had Pierce, thought he would rise to the challenge and overcome the LA crowd. He seemed surprised by the boos. I understand he is from Inglewood, but you were the Finals MVP beating the Lakers less than 3 years ago. It’s not going to be a friendly atmosphere. Pierce should have gone from rack to rack in a wheel chair then given the finger the Staples Center. But he probably handed it better.

Despite not winning, there is no shame in the efforts put forth by Ray Allen and Pierce. The same can not be said for Boobie Gibson and Kevin Durant. Why was their a Cavalier allowed at All-Star weekend? Did we get an answer on that yet? No one else would shoot 3’s?

Dunk Contest: Very solid. NBA TV recently aired an NBA Slam Dunk Contest Marathon, airing every single Dunk Contest in order from 1984 to now. Needless to say, I got nothing done that day. (Side note: best part may have been the guys who didn’t win and maybe you forgot about like Stacey Augmon, Larry Johnson, Shawn Kemp, Ray Allen, Mahmoud Abdul-Rauf, Kendall Gill, and the fact that Clyde Drexler was in it 5 times and never won.)

Fair criticisms about the event this year: only 1 star player/ guy casual fans have heard of, lots of gimmicks, the coaches, and the number of times it took most dunks to be completed.

I didn’t hate the coaches, but can understand those who found them annoying. I also thought the lineup was fine. Sorry people LeBron is not going to do it, Kobe isn’t coming back, and I think Vince Carter has disappeared in the Arizona desert. Michael Jordan was in it 3 times with his last being in 1988 (3 years before he won the title). It’s easy to look back and say all the stars used to do it, which is really part true. Yes Jordan was an All-Star and scoring leader, but he had not yet become a champion and owner of best player on the planet distinction.

If you just saw the completed dunks from this year’s contest, it was as good, if not BETTER, than any other. I do believe that the number of attempts hurts the WOW factor, and that is my biggest criticism of this year’s event. In 2000 did Vince have any re-dos? I don’t think so. In the same event, in fact, I remember Steve Francis picking himself off the floor at one end of the court; kinda stretch his legs while dribbling toward half court then just tossing a crazy high pass down court, letting it bounce before catching it and throwing down a sick dunk (below 5:30 mark). It looked like he just woke up and then he brought the place down. It was nuts. No do-over needed.

I loved both of DeMar DeRozen’s dunks, although the number of attempts and likely Darryl Dawkins, hurt his chances. Serge Ibaka did a TRUE free throw line dunk, which no one seemed to care about. JaVale McGee did something I have never seen (also one that is hard to practice for you 7 footers with bounce out there.) Blake won, and that’s fine with me. I wonder what he was really going to do on the Kia dunk as Kenny Smith did say the pass from Baron Davis wasn’t where it was supposed to be. Maybe we’ll find out next year…

(Ideal 2012 Dunk Contest: Blake Griffin, LeBron James, JaVale McGee, Dwight Howard, Russell Westbrook, Monta Ellis… that’s right, going back to six.)

Sunday All-Star Game: A record night. Kobe Bryant went for 37 and 14 to win his 4th MVP (tying a record) as the West beat the East 148-143. LeBron James slapped up just the game’s 2nd triple-double (only Jordan had done it previously). It was a typical All-Star game other than that, long outlet passes, dunks, oops, open shots, tons of points, then about 2-3 minutes of “this is gonna be a game” at the end.

The four Celtics combined for just 28 points off the bench led by Ray Allen’s 12. More importantly Doc Rivers made sure to rest his guys. Kevin Garnett played a game-low 8 minutes, Paul Pierce just 11, Allen 17, Rajon Rondo 21.

All and all, it was a successful and enjoyable All-Star weekend, the best of all the four major sports. Now it’s time to turn our attention to the second half… well final quarter of the season.

-Keefe

All-Star Saturday Night

Make your picks for All-Star Saturday Night. We just saw the Rookies with a surprise win over the Sophomores last night where John Wall set a Rookie Challenge record with 22 assists including some crazy ones to Blake Griffin (posted below). DeMarcus Cousins went for 33-14. In a losing effort James Harden (who was a late replacement for Tyreke Evans) dropped a smooth 30.

Business picks up tonight with 3 more events. Here are the participants with my winner in bold.

Skills Challenge:
Chris Paul, Hornets
Russell Westbrook, Thunder
Derrick Rose, Bulls
Stephen Curry, Warriors
John Wall, Wizards

3-Point Shootout:
Paul Pierce, Celtics
Ray Allen, Celtics
Kevin Durant, Thunder
James Jones, Heat
Dorrell Wright, Warriors
Boobie Gibson, Cavs

Slam Dunk Contest:
Blake Griffin, Clippers
Serge Ibaka, Thunder
DeMar DeRozen, Raptors
JaVale McGee, Wizards

Should be a great night.

FYI Sports Brief fans, coming soon the first Sports Brief Podcast. Terms are currently on the table for the debut pod. Stay tuned...

-Keefe

3-Point Shootout Participants

Paul Pierce will defend his 3-point shootout title this upcoming All-Star weekend in LA, and his toughest competition will likely be from his teammate Ray Allen. Here are the "sharp shooters" invited to take part.

Paul Pierce, Celtics
Ray Allen, Celtics
Kevin Durant, Thunder
Boobie Gibson, Cavs
James Jones, Heat
Dorrell Wright, Warriors

Well you got 3 All-Stars and 3... others. What about Kevin Martin or Mike Bibby? I'd rather see Reggie Miller dust himself off and get in there over the Gibson-Jones-Wright 3-headed monster.

Some history on the 3-point shootout. It began back in the glorious 85-86 season where, surprise surprise, Larry Bird won. In fact Bird took home 1st place in the first 3 (why not) competitions. Dale Ellis got a win in the 4th year, then sharp shooting, never playing Craig Hodges of the Bulls ripped off 3-straight.

Mark Price captured back-to-back titles, Glen Rice, the obnoxious Tim Legler was in there, Steve Kerr, Jeff Hornacek (2), Ray Allen in 00-01, Peja (2), Voshon Leonard (remember him?), Q-Rich, Dirk, Jason Kapono (2), Daequan Cook (the Gerald Green Dunk contest winning parallel), and then Pierce last year.

I'll tell you what, the dunk contest with Griffin, McGee, DeRozan, and Ibaka will definitely be the highlight of the night, and maybe the weekend, but I'm down to watch Pierce and Ray go head-to-head in a 3-point shootout, throw the league's leading scorer in there as well and I don't even care about the 3 also rans.

I'll find a way to enjoy the shootout, probably not as much as the picture above though.

-Keefe

Why the Celtics Can Win the 2011 NBA Title

When the Celtics finished 50-32 and in 4^th place in the Eastern Conference last year, no one thought they would be just minutes away from winning their 2^nd championship in 3 years. They’re too old. They won’t be able to compete with LeBron’s Cavs, Dwight’s Magic, or certainly Kobe’s Lakers. Well they broke up Cleveland, took down Orlando, and nearly beat the defending champs from LA. Here’s why they can go all the way this year.

Depth. This team, since 2007-2008 has always had the best or second best starting lineup in the NBA. Rondo-Ray-Pierce-KG-Perk have never lost a playoff series when starting together, as Doc likes to point out. But they’re second unit has never been confused with the league’s best bench mob.

Sure they have gotten great contributions from the likes of James Posey, P.J. Brown, Glen Davis, Eddie House, Rasheed Wallace, and Nate Robinson since the Big 3 has been here, but consistent great play from the subs has been elusive.

The loss of Kendrick Perkins for perhaps half the season, was an obvious concern for this team. How would they fill the void? Danny Ainge and the front office not only made sure they replaced Perk, but also the retiring Rasheed Wallace, making the decision to bring in extra pieces and not merely wait for Perk to return from knee surgery and rehab.

In addition to the now Big 4 of Rondo-Ray-Pierce-KG, the C’s have added Shaquille O’Neal, Jermaine O’Neal, and 2008 2^nd round pick, Turkish center Semih Erden to grab rebounds, bang bodies, and do the ugly stuff.

The team re-signed Glen Davis, Nate Robinson, and Marques Daniels, brought back Delonte West, brought in Von Wafer and drafted Avery Bradley and Luke Harongody. It was a busy off season for the Celtics, not one where they were just happy to win the East and play the Lakers close.

Obviously just having depth is not enough to win an NBA title. The C’s still have their star-power as well. Paul Pierce, and maybe I am a little biased here, is a Top 10 player in the league. Ray Allen is a Top 5 shooter, and Kevin Garnett can still anchor a defense and score on the majority of bigs in the league.

As for Rajon Rondo? After getting cut from the World Championship team… I mean leaving because of a sick relative… he is out to prove a point. He has always played well against the biggest name PGs in the league, Chris Paul, Deron Williams, Tony Parker, Steve Nash, Jason Kidd, etc., but now you have to add all the players who won Gold instead of him, Russell Westbrook, Chauncey Billups, Stephen Curry, and most notably Bulls PG Derrick Rose.

I expect a monster season from Rondo to go along with more of the same from the rest of the starting lineup and a much improved bench, which of course should allow KG to not have to play crazy minutes in the regular season.

The Celtics also do not possess any major weaknesses that other clubs, specifically the Heat, Magic, Thunder, and Lakers can exploit. Rebounding was an issue last season, (25^th in rebounding differential), but the additions they have made should help solve that problem.

The C’s have the depth, star-power, and experience to win the NBA title this season. They also know, despite whatever there contracts say, this might be the last chance.



-Keefe

Shaq to Boston

Shaquille O'Neal appears to be on his way to the Boston Celtics. I don't hate the move at all. He's a lot like Perk, but better offensively, and if he's signing for the minimum then why not? Rondo-Allen-Pierce-Garnett-Shaq with Jermaine O'Neal, Glen Davis, Von Wafer, Nate Robinson, Avery Bradley off the bench. I like it, and now they don't have to wait and pray for Perkins to get healthy.

But can you imagine if this was the team in 2003?

2003 Stats (02-03 season)

Shaquille O'Neal - 27.5 pts, 11.1 rebs
Kevin Garnett - 23 pts, 13.4 rebs
Paul Pierce - 25.9 pts, 7.3 rebs
Ray Allen - 22.5 pts, 44% 3pt
Jermaine O'Neal - 20.8 pts, 10.3 rebs

Shaq & KG were 1st Team All-NBA
Pierce & Jermaine were 3rd Team All-NBA
All 4 were All-Stars

Check out some of my favorite Shaq moments over the years below...




-Keefe

Celtics vs. Lakers

Tonight is Game 1 of the NBA Finals, and for the second time in three years it will be Celtics vs. Lakers. It is the 12th time in league history that the championship game is between these two franchises.

Match ups: BOS vs. LAL

PG: Rajon Rondo vs. Derek Fisher
SG: Ray Allen vs. Kobe Bryant
SF: Paul Pierce vs. Ron Artest
PF: Kevin Garnett vs. Pau Gasol
C: Kendrick Perkins vs. Andrew Bynum

Bench: Rasheed Wallace, Glen Davis, Tony Allen, Nate Robinson vs. Lamar Odom, Shannon Brown, Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic

Head Coach: Doc Rivers (1 title) vs. Phil Jackson (10 titles)

Total Titles: Celtics 17 - Lakers 15

Head to Head in Finals: Celtics 9 - Lakers 2


Keefe's Pick: Celtics in 6; Rajon Rondo MVP

Celtics: The More You Know

Ray Allen: drafted in 1996- 1,000 career games*
Kevin Garnett: drafted in 1995- 1,105 career games*
Paul Pierce: drafted in 1998- 862 career games*
Rasheed Wallace: drafted in 1995- 1,065 career games*
Michael Finley: drafted in 1995- 1,082 career games*

*regular season games

The Boston Celtics can put a lineup on the floor that is a combined 171 years old and that has played in a combined 5,114 regular season games. (To be fair there are 5 championship rings (1 each) amongst this group as well.)

Can any other team in the league trot out a lineup this old/ experienced?

In a word, No. Dallas comes in 2nd with 168 combined years from (Dampier, Kidd, Najera, Terry, T. Thomas.)

On the flip side, the Oklahoma City Thunder with a lineup of Durant, Westbrook, Ibaka, Harden, and Mullens = 103 years old.

The More You Know

-Keefe

Keefe's 12 Favorite & Least Favorite NBA Players

Favorite:
1. Paul Pierce
2. Gilbert Arenas
3. Shawn Marion
4. Brandon Jennings
5. Deron Williams
6. O.J. Mayo
7. Dwyane Wade
8. Brandon Roy
9. Jason Kapono
10. Ray Allen
11. Caron Butler
12. Rudy Fernandez

Least Favorite:
1. Joakim Noah
2. J.J. Redick
3. Tyler Hansborough
4. Andersen Varejao
5. Andrew Bynum
6. Ben Wallace
7. Hedo Turkoglu
8. Robin Lopez
9. Oleksiy Pecherov
10. Luke Walton
11. Tony Allen
12. Derek Fisher*

*If he never played for the Lakers he would be no where near this list.

-Keefe