The Boston Celtics are the second best team in the Eastern Conference behind the Miami Heat. I am of the belief that youth is essential in today's NBA, and the Celtics clearly do not have a young nucleus. But they have young role players, and they are deep. Really deep. The Lakers should have taken a page from Boston's book, considering how abysmal LA's bench is. The biggest player the Celtics lost this offseason was Ray Allen. Allen is a legendary 3-point shooter, and he is still effective at the age of 37 due to his specialized role. But he was replaced by Jason Terry, who will do a very good job as a bench player because of his scoring ability. He was a critical part of the Dallas Mavericks 2011 title run, and he will bring some of that intensity to Boston. They also added Leandro Barbosa, another solid shooting guard.
This team got way deeper in the frontcourt. I noticed a glaring lack of depth in that regard last year, considering that Greg Stiesma and Ryan Hollins got significant playing time. They signed Darko Milicic, they are getting Jeff Green back from the aortic aneurysm that sidelined him all of last year, and they drafted Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo with consecutive picks. This team was out-rebounded by about five a game last year, but I highly doubt that will happen again this year. They were a superb defensive team last year, allowing only 89.3 points per game, and I believe they will be at least as formidable this year.
On to this team's nucleus. It is outstanding. Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce are hungrier than Kirstie Alley at an all-you-can-eat buffet. KG puts the fear of God in my heart, and I am not even religious. Paul Pierce still has a chip on his shoulder due to the years of deficient basketball he endured in Boston before the big 3 was assembled. The Celtics made one of the best trades of last season, by sending Glen Davis to Orlando in exchange for Brandon Bass. Bass has a superb combination of skill and intensity. He averaged 12.5 points and 6.2 rebounds per game, and made almost half of his shots. His ability to play the power forward position so effectively is what allows them to put KG at center. Although Avery Bradley is not expected to return until mid-December, his lockdown perimeter defense will be greatly appreciated when he does come back. Rajon Rondo is an unbelievably dexterous point guard. He averaged 11.9 points and 11.7 assists per game. Those are superstar numbers. Watching him play is like watching poetry in motion. I am a Knicks fan, and yet I am constantly in awe of Rondo's focus and court vision. He is not the world's greatest scorer, but he steps up in critical moments. He averaged 17.3 points in the playoffs last year, 5.4 more than his regular season average. This guy is simply a baller.
This team has great internal leadership. If they do get out of line, however, they have coach Doc Rivers to set them straight. He is one of the two best head coaches currently in the NBA, with Gregg Popovich being the other. He garners the respect of all of his players, and he knows the best way to utilize each of them. The Boston Celtics are the NBA's best combination of skill, experience, depth, and coaching prowess. I still think the Miami Heat and Oklahoma City Thunder are better because of their superior talent, but the Celtics are not far off. I expect another trip to the Eastern Conference Finals this year. They will probably lose to Miami again because no one can stop LeBron James. But there is no shame in that at all. This team is still elite, without a doubt.
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