The Hope for Banner 17: Gauging the Celtics Chances in 2008

This time last year, the Boston Celtics were coming off the worst losing streak in franchise history.

For 18 consecutive games, as Paul Pierce sat on the bench, injured and disgruntled, a hodgepodge of could-bes, might-bes and never-will-bes had found new heights for futility. Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge were lampooned by local and national media, which almost unanimously called for their dismissals.

And just when season that was supposed to be dedicated to the late Red Auerbach couldn't seem to get much worse, another Celtic legend, the man Magic Johnson once called "the greatest back court defender of all time," Dennis Johnson, passed away suddenly at the age of 52.

It was the lowest of the low for the team synonymous with good luck, and for all of the fans that suffered alongside them. Then, a few unlucky ping pong ball bounces later, everything changed.

Realizing he wasn't going to get either of the stars he wanted in the draft, Danny Ainge acted quickly, trading first for Ray Allen, one of the best shooters in league history. Then, without giving up his prized young point guard, Rajon Rondo, he traded for future NBA Hall of Fame megastar, Kevin Garnett. Overnight the Celtics were back to being relevant.

The media dubbed the trio of stars headlining for the Celtics "The Big Three," and since then, the Celtics have exploded to the best record in the NBA, and the best Celtics' start since the last time a "Big Three" was in Boston. But while the Celtics' hot start is obviously the toast of the town in Boston right now, especially in lieu of the Patriots' recent collapse, it's hard not to wonder about the Celtics' actual chances come playoff time.

In order to find this out, I decided to search the blogosphere. In my travels, I came across two posts that address the chances for the Celtics to win a championship.

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