Boston Celtics 2010-11 preview
The Celtics made it all the way to the NBA Finals last year coming within just one game of winning it all. Was that a fluke or are the Celtics primed for another run at a championship? Judging by their roster the Celtics should be challenging for honours again this year but don’t expect them to be a force in the regular season.
Expect them to be much as they were last year – quick out of the starting blocks and then fading towards the end of the season as the veteran team starts to slow down before picking it back up for the play-offs.
The starting five of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Rajan Rondo and Kendrick Perkins have yet to be beaten in the play-offs. Last season Perkins injured his knee in the Finals and missed game seven and the season before that Kevin Garnett missed the whole of the post-season. But the first season they all played together? They won it all.
Off-season moves
On paper Danny Ainge made some pretty good off-season moves for the Celtics.
With Rasheed Wallace having retired – a decision which had the Celtic fans jumping for joy after his regular season performances – the C’s were left without a sixth man. They used the mid-level exception on Jermaine O’Neal to replace Wallace and play Perkins’ minutes while he recovers from his knee surgery.
Though they’ve only signed O’Neal to a two-year deal with his history on knee injuries, the 31-year-old may not be a reliable option. Before last season the centre hadn’t played in more than 70 games since the 03-04 season and made only 1.4 blocks per game last year, down from two per game the season before.
Ainge also signed Shaquille O’Neal to split time with J. O’Neal at centre when Perkins is out. Shaq obviously isn’t the dominant force he once was, but he can still defend the best centres in the game, just ask Dwight Howard. The Celtics will be hoping Shaq’s ego doesn’t stop him accepting his bit part position in the team, but with Garnett, Pierce and Allen all in the same team Shaq may just be kept in check.
Signing Delonte West gives Boston a good defender on the wing and a good shot creator. At 27-years-old West provides amazing value at the veteran’s minimum, even with all the question marks surrounding West’s mental state.
Prediction
The Celtics have some serious concerns in their team, especially with age, but the talent and defence is certainly there for another 50+ win season and a deep run into the play-offs where they hope they can beat the Miami Heat.
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