Early Predictions for the 2010-11 Boston Celtics
There’s a lot to be excited about as we near the opening of training camp for the Boston Celtics. The team made a big splash in free agency, keeping the Big 3 intact while acquiring the services of experienced big men that provide much needed bench depth. The Celtics should fare no worse than repeating as Eastern Conference Champions if everything holds up.
That said, there will be injury concerns and possible chemistry issues that will need to be addressed before the “Big 6” take to the TD Garden parquet on October 26. But as deep as they are, the Celtics will find ways to win games, even if a few hiccups occur during the early season games.
Let’s examine last year’s players and the new recruits to predict how they will fare this year.
Paul Pierce
1 of 8
Last Year: 18.3 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 3.1 APG
This Year: 17.0 PPG, 4.5 RPG, 4.0 APG
Pierce had his worst offensive season in 2009-10, but individual statistics don't mean anything if your team makes it to the NBA Finals.
He's not getting any younger, but now more than ever, Pierce can rely on his teammates to pick up more of the slack. Something that wasn't possible during the dark days of five years ago.
Pierce should continue to provide consistent numbers across the board, while being the go to guy when the game is on the line, but age will be a factor soon enough and slowly set in.
Still, he is the captain, the face of the team, and plays with as much passion as anyone else.
Kevin Garnett
2 of 8
Last Year: 14.3 PPG, 7.3 RPG, 2.7 APG
This Year: 12.8 PPG, 5.5 RPG, 2.0 APG
The health of Kevin Garnett is the biggest concern for the 2011 Celtics. Not because his game is on a rapid decline, but because his physical health is.
Garnett has played in only 77 percent of regular season games since joining the C's and one has to think this is a trend of things to come.
Don't be surprised if he turns into a rotational player in quarters two, three, and four this season, allowing Jermaine O'Neal to slide over to the No. 4 position, while Shaq man's the middle.
Whatever preserves his body is best for the team, but fans will need to prepare for Garnett to become more of a Big 6, than a Big 3 this year.
Ray Allen
3 of 8
Last Year: 16.3 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.6 APG
This Year: 16.0 PPG, 3.2 RPG, 2.5 APG
Ray Allen is one person Celtics fan can rely on. He's going to get his shot off and will be a solid No. 2 option, for points, until the day he retires.
The Celtics made the right move in bringing back Ray this offseason. Many fans were pining to have Allen shipped out of town during the trade deadline, but coach Doc Rivers, a big proponent of Ray's, helped to keep the team in tact and the rest is history.
While the Celtics are very deep at the off-guard position, Ray will continue to play 32-35 minutes per game, because has hasn't lost much off his game. Defenders have to challenge him, as he still ranks among the best in the league away from the ball.
A realistic amount of uncertainty lies in the front court, but Ray will be the catalyst behind keeping a consistent presence on the court late in the game.
Rajon Rondo
4 of 8Last Year: 13.7 PPG, 4.4 RPG, 9.8 APG
This Year: 14.1 PPG, 4.1 RPG, 10.8 APG
Rajon Rondo is the one Celtics player fans need not worry about.
He is the best person to lead this team back the NBA Finals because he is so dangerous with the ball. A phrase not generally reserved for those with a pass first mentality.
One has to believe Shaquille O'Neal's decision to join the Celtics had to do with the prospects of becoming the first player in league history to maintain a 100 percent field goal percentage throughout the season, because of all the alley oops he'll get from Rajon.
Silly as that sounds, that's what Rondo gives the Celtics. A player who makes everyone else around him better.
And if the work Rondo has put in with Mark Price on free throws this offseason pays off (unlike last season), he's all the more dangerous.
Jermaine O'Neal
5 of 8
Last Year: 13.6 PPG, 6.9 RPG, 1.3 APG
This Year: 6.2 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 2.0 APG
I was very excited when Jermaine signed with the Celtics. Not because I thought he would be a solid contributor, but because he was the type of player who would help out the team as a whole.
He's someone who can still draw the occasional double team, but he won't be anything more than the fifth man on the court at any given time.
O'Neal will match the style of play that Tony Battie brought to the Celtics in the earlier part of the decade. Go to him right off the bat for two quick buckets, then see what else happens.
He won't be on your fantasy team this year, but he gives the Celtics another guy on the floor you have to think about taking away the double team from the other guys on the floor.
Shaquille O'Neal
6 of 8
Last Year: 12.0 PPG, 6.7 RPG, 1.5 APG
This Year: 9.9 PPG, 6.1 RPG, 2.6 APG
It took all of 14 seconds for Shaq to be dubbed "The Big Shamrock" when he came to Boston and deservedly so.
The mere presence of Shaq will electrify the TD Garden and keep television ratings up, while putting butts in the seats. But he's not just a sideshow or an anomaly, he's the key piece that can put the Celtics over the top.
The best fit for Shaq on this year's Celtics is to come off the bench and lead the second unit. He can single handily shift an opponent's game plans if Doc does in fact use him in the second and fourth quarters.
The nightmare of having to contain him as the No. 1 option in the second and then with the starters down the stretch, should really give the Celtics an advantage.
And yes, I think him and Rondo should be on the floor down stretch. You can Hack a Shaq or..er..take Rondo out of his condo, but the dynamic those two can and will develop is something that goes beyond free throw shooting.
The Veteran Bench
7 of 8
Glen Davis:
Last Year: 6.3 PPG, 3.8 RPG, 0.6 APG
This Year: 7.1 PPG, 4.0 RPG, 1.8 APG
Big Baby is in a contract year, so he should have extra motivation to perform well. He's an underrated offensive rebounder and brings intangibles to the game that aren't always noticed.
Nate Robinson:
Last Year: 6.5 PPG, 1.3 RPG, 1.9 APG
This Year: 6.7 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 1.9 APG
Nate appears comfortable in his role, which should allow him to explode when he gets into games. Expect his attitude issues with the Knicks to be a thing of the distant past.
Marquis Daniels:
Last Year: 5.6 PPG, 1.9 RPG, 1.3 APG
This Year: 4.3 PPG, 1.7 RPG, 1.1 APG
Every team needs a Tony Allen. If healthy, Marquis fits this role. Expectations are non-existent, which should help him fly under the radar and get the occasional Tommy point.
Delonte West:
Last Year: PPG, RPG, APG
This Year: 5.6 PPG, 2.1 RPG, 2.0 APG
I am still a fan of Delonte and know he can perform well. If KG takes a shining to him and helps him stay away from off-court issues, he's a steal and a half, only furthering how deep the Celtics are.
Von Wafer:
Last Year: PPG, RPG, APG
This Year: 4.3 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 1.0 APG
No one is thinking "Von Wafer will have a great year", yet the Celtics went out and signed themselves a quality guy who can come off the bench and pitch in a couple of baskets if needed.
Kendrick Perkins:
Last Year: 10.1 PPG, 7.6 RPG, 1.0 APG
This Year: 2.0 PPG, 2.0 RPG, 0.5 APG
Perk looks to be progressing well from his A/C/P CL injuries, but can't be counted on to produce much in the upcoming season. We'll have to take a one day at a time approach with him, even if he makes it back onto the court.
The Rookies
8 of 8
Avery Bradley:
This Year: 2.2 PPG, 0.6 RPG, 1.9 APG
Bradley won't get much run, but remains in the team's plans for the future once Daniels departs.
Luke Harangody:
This Year: 2.2 PPG, 1.6 RPG, 1.0 APG
A rich man's Brian Sclabrine, but it's a growing year.
Semih Erden:
This Year: 1.1 PPG, 1.4 RPG, 0.3 APG
Semih has a good run in this year's FIBA cup, but he'll be buried on the depth chart.
Tony Gaffney:
This Year: 0.0 PPG, 0.0 RPG, 0.0 APG
Tony probably won't make the team, but he's a good enough player to make it in the NBA.
Oliver Lafayette:
This Year: 0.0 PPG, 0.0 RPG, 0.0 APG
Oliver probably won't make the team.
