Are the Boston Celtics a Perfectly Constructed Team?

If you were to put together a perfect team, what would it look like?

They would have the perfect mixture of youth and veteran leadership, potent scorers and intimidating defenders, All-Stars and role players, intensity and composure, athleticism and versatility.

They would have a history of success together, and the hunger to once again prove their dominance.

They would be the perfect combination of chemistry, talent, and desire.

If you were to break it down by position the ideal team would look like this:

Rajon Rondo

A point guard who can control the pace of the game, is an elite ball-handler, looks for his open teammates before his own shot, and plays unrelenting perimeter defense.

Ray Allen

A shooting guard who can pull up from anywhere on the court and drain a shot with a lightning quick release, but who can also take it to the hole to keep his defender honest.

Paul Pierce

A small forward who can flat out take the ball to the rim, use his body to his advantage, and who can finish with contact. A smart defender, who can stretch the defense with good outside shooting ability.

Kevin Garnett

A power forward who is a defensive stopper, has a great mid-range offensive game, can play with his back to the basket, is a good rebounder, overflows with intensity, and is the emotional leader.

Kendrick Perkins

A center who fills up the paint with his big body, has an unrivaled work ethic, is a solid interior defender, is strong on the boards, and isn’t afraid to do the dirty work.

Rasheed Wallace

A versatile big man coming off the bench who is capable of playing multiple positions, is a great defender, can shoot from anywhere on the court, has a solid post game, and is a good rebounder and shot blocker.

Marquis Daniels

A combo guard coming off the bench who can run the point and play the shooting guard position equally effective. A good slasher and finisher, who can post up smaller guards, has a good mid-range game, and who is a quality defender.

Eddie House

A shooting specialist guard coming off the bench, who is deadly from long range, can handle the ball effectively, is high-energy, and who can provide instant offense when his team is struggling.

Glen Davis

A starting caliber big man coming off the bench, who is agile and powerful, with a good mid-range jump shot, can finish with contact, and is clutch in key situations.

Shelden Williams

A luxury big man coming off the bench with a long wingspan, who is an excellent rebounder and shot blocker, and who plays tough and determined basketball.

Brian Scalabrine

A role-player coming off the bench with unlimited hustle. Has good basketball IQ, can knock down open shots when given the opportunity, and is willing to do the little things.

2009-2010 Boston Celtics

Come to think of it, this sounds a whole lot like the 2009-2010 Boston Celtics.

As you break down each player on this team, separating their attributes from their identities, it becomes apparent that there are not many flaws in their makeup.

In fact, they almost seem too good to be true. How could a team as well constructed as this possibly lose? I think the answer, as we are beginning to see, is that they don’t. Not very often anyway.

I think it is becoming clear that the Celtics, not the Lakers, are the best team in the NBA and should take back their crown when all is said and done.