The Celtics Rebuilding Process: What if Everything Had Gone Right?

Josh B

Analyst Written on March 12, 2009

Slide 1 of 7

BOSTON - JANUARY 22: Tim Duncan #21 of the San Antonio Spurs takes a shot as Al Jefferson #7 of the Boston Celtics defends at the TD Banknorth Garden January 22, 2007 in Boston, Massachusetts. The San Antonio Spurs defeated the Boston Celtics 93-89. NOT

(Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

After the 2007 draft lottery, Celtics fans couldn't have felt worse. You know the story. The Celtics received the third- and fifth-overall picks after fooling themselves into thinking they'd have the first given their two chances.

Sporting News released an article called "The Dynasty That Wasn't" after that lottery. On the cover was Tim Duncan in a Celtics jersey.

It uncovered the history of the 1997 draft and beyond. The Celtics ended the year with 15 wins. The Spurs had 20.

Tim Duncan was undoubtedly going to be the number one pick after coming off one of the greatest college careers ever. The Spurs got the pick, of course.

The article then gets pretty crazy, talking about Steve Nash and Tracy McGrady on the Celtics, which also assumes that they still have Paul Pierce, Antoine Walker, Joe Johnson, and somehow Chauncey Billups despite using that pick on the one they would have used for Duncan.

But this is a more realistic team. Well, not exactly realistic. But the Celtics were closer than you think to having even better talent than they do now.

This is the All-Celtics team that could have been in the past five years.

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The Celtics Rebuilding Process: What if Everything Had Gone Right?

Josh B

The Celtics Rebuilding Process: What if Everything Had Gone Right?

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