Remember the last NBA season?
Didn't think so. No one around these parts wants to.
A year after fielding one of the worst teams in NBA history - including an 18-game losing streak - the Boston Celtics underwent the makeover of the century and are now being picked by just about everyone as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.
A year after the only good word that could be used to describe the Celtics was the dreaded P-word - potential - , the Celtics are prepared to field a team that has not been matched since the Big Three of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish wore the Green and White.
A year after the Celtics sent out a team made up of kids who were barely born when the Celtics raised their last championship banner in 1986, they may, for the first time in recent memory, have a legitimate shot at raising banner No. 17.
Celtics star Paul Pierce said he wanted help, and received a pair of future Hall of Famers in Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen who are still playing at or near the peak of their ability.
"We have a lot of similarities to the Heat," said veteran forward James Posey, who played for Miami's 2006 championship team. "We had a low post-presence in Shaq (Shaquille O'Neal) and a do-it-all guard in Dwyane Wade. Here, KG (Garnett) is a low-post presence, and you have Ray and Paul that can do anything."
Forward
Want All-Star talent? The Celtics' starting forwards have a combined 16 All-Star appearances.
Paul Pierce remains the team's heart-and-soul. No longer on his own, the 6-foot-7, 235-pounder is free to do what he does best: score. Still able to drive to the basket and shoot the jumper with the best of them, Pierce will bring his 23.6 career points-per-game average to a team that is head and shoulders better than any he has played for. Yes, that includes the 2002 Eastern Conference finalists.
It also says something when the player next to you needs only be introduced by two letters: KG.
Kevin Garnett, the 10-time All-Star and 2004 NBA MVP, represents the best low-post presence to don the Shamrock since "Cheers" was still in production.
The career stats that follow Garnett are jaw-dropping: 20.5 points per game, 11.4 rebounds per game, 4.5 assists per game and 1,576 career blocked shots. He has led the NBA in defensive rebounds the previous five seasons and is one of the league's ironmen.
Didn't think so. No one around these parts wants to.
A year after fielding one of the worst teams in NBA history - including an 18-game losing streak - the Boston Celtics underwent the makeover of the century and are now being picked by just about everyone as the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.
A year after the only good word that could be used to describe the Celtics was the dreaded P-word - potential - , the Celtics are prepared to field a team that has not been matched since the Big Three of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish wore the Green and White.
A year after the Celtics sent out a team made up of kids who were barely born when the Celtics raised their last championship banner in 1986, they may, for the first time in recent memory, have a legitimate shot at raising banner No. 17.
Celtics star Paul Pierce said he wanted help, and received a pair of future Hall of Famers in Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen who are still playing at or near the peak of their ability.
"We have a lot of similarities to the Heat," said veteran forward James Posey, who played for Miami's 2006 championship team. "We had a low post-presence in Shaq (Shaquille O'Neal) and a do-it-all guard in Dwyane Wade. Here, KG (Garnett) is a low-post presence, and you have Ray and Paul that can do anything."
Forward
Want All-Star talent? The Celtics' starting forwards have a combined 16 All-Star appearances.
Paul Pierce remains the team's heart-and-soul. No longer on his own, the 6-foot-7, 235-pounder is free to do what he does best: score. Still able to drive to the basket and shoot the jumper with the best of them, Pierce will bring his 23.6 career points-per-game average to a team that is head and shoulders better than any he has played for. Yes, that includes the 2002 Eastern Conference finalists.
It also says something when the player next to you needs only be introduced by two letters: KG.
Kevin Garnett, the 10-time All-Star and 2004 NBA MVP, represents the best low-post presence to don the Shamrock since "Cheers" was still in production.
The career stats that follow Garnett are jaw-dropping: 20.5 points per game, 11.4 rebounds per game, 4.5 assists per game and 1,576 career blocked shots. He has led the NBA in defensive rebounds the previous five seasons and is one of the league's ironmen.
At 6-foot-11 and 220 pounds, has been an All-NBA selection eight times and an All-Defensive team pick eight times.
When Boston has to go to the bench, they have a player that started for the Heat in their championship year. James Posey may not be a scorer, but he's a player. At 6-foot-8 with a wingspan that makes him nearly 7-feet, Posey is a tough defender with the quickness and ability to guard nearly any position on the floor.
Also fighting for playing time will be rookie Glen "Big Baby" Davis. Still a work in progress, the former Louisiana State star is a big body at 6-foot-9 and 289 pounds. He showed flashes of his college success in the preseason, scoring 21 points one game against the Nets. But he may be destined for the Developmental League.
Brian Scalabrine and second-year man Leon Powe, who broke out in the summer league, will also see time off the bench.
Guard
An All-Star the past seven seasons, Ray Allen brings the touch that has made him No. 2 all-time in 3-pointers made (1,920) and an underrated ability to score from anywhere on the floor (21.5 career ppg). He is also coming off a year when he averaged a career-high 26.4 ppg.
The one concern is that Allen, the oldest of the New Three (age 32), is coming off ankle surgery at the end of last season. But he insists he is back to 100 percent.
In contrast to the perennial All-Star is second-year point guard Rajon Rondo. The youngster has worked with Allen to improve his shot and is one of the fastest men in basketball. Now, can he distribute to stars?
When the Celtics need a 3-pointer off the bench, they will look to seven-year guard Eddie House. He has a career average of 2.2 3-pointers made per 40 minutes played.
Tony Allen may not have the spring he did prior to suffering a torn ACL on a dunk last season, but he will be asked to play defense. Rookie speedster Gabe Pruitt should also provide a spark.
Center
This is the biggest question mark.
Fifth-year big man Kendrick Perkins is slated to start and has shown flashes of being an above-average NBA center. But flashes mean little on a contender, and Perkins will have to avoid the foul trouble that has plagued him throughout his career if he hopes to stay on the floor.
Veteran big man Scot Pollard is going into his 11th year, and he does one thing - defend. He also brings NBA Finals experience, having played for the Cleveland Cavaliers team that fell to San Antonio last year.
He has helped put things in perspective.
"Sure we have talent, but the uphill battle is going to be getting that veteran mindset that the San Antonio Spurs and the Detroit Pistons have," said Pollard. "The feeling of, 'I know what that guy's going to do because I have played with him.' We have talent, but that's it right now."
