Boston Celtics: Down with Injuries, Still Champions

This NBA season has not been kind to the Celtics. 

The green mystique seems to be fading with each passing game. 

The once fluid motions of "Ubuntu" has been lost in a sea of never-ending injuries. 

Teams are daring Ray Allen to shoot; they no longer fear his outside shot and exploit his defensive lapses when the game is in doubt. Lately, Yahoo Sports has been reporting his name in trade rumours.

Ray Allen will have to do two things if the Celtics do not trade him: He must take a pay cut next year and accept coming off the bench ala Jamal Crawford.

Rasheed Wallace has been lost in a sea of never-ending threes and seems to have an aversion toward playing defense.

Eddie House is making his shots but somehow his contributions do not impact the game.

The Celtics have adopted a new mantra, "Health is all we need." 

Glen Davis's untimely injury at the beginning of the season seems to have had a domino effect on the team.  Marquis Daniels is mending from thumb surgery.  Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett are recovering from knee injuries of their own.

Tony Allen is finally healthy after three years and is showing flashes of consistency.

Boston's core players are on the other side of 30 and this may be the last time they play together as a unit. 

They are mired in mediocrity and many are questioning their championship mettle. 

They understand that they must continue to not just work hard, but to also put in the hard work. 

The 2008 redemption of Celtic Nation will mean nothing if they do not get the opportunity to show the true nature of the Celtic mystique in the NBA Finals.