Boston Celtics: Why You Can't Rule Them out as NBA Contenders Yet
Eighty-three days in and there's still no sign of an end to the NBA lockout. But who cares? We eat, sleep and breathe hoops around these parts, so why shouldn't we take a look at where the Celtics stand just days before training camp would normally begin?
As of right now, the Celts have just seven players (Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Jermaine O'Neal and Jeff Green) under contract. Certainly, there will be plenty of work to do on the day the league unlocks its doors but for starters, that's a pretty solid core.
Look for the C's to add a little bit more continuity to what they already have by making contract offers to a couple of their own free agents, Glen Davis and Delonte West. Those two guys along with first-round pick JaJuan Johnson and a couple more free-agent signees should be enough to fill out the roster.
As far as the Celts' chances are concerned as they continue to age in an ever-crowded, rapidly improving Eastern Conference, an important gauge will be the amount of games on the schedule. A shortened season slate will aid the Celtics immensely.
In their Eastern Conference semifinal loss to the Miami Heat this past season, the Celts were worn out, Garnett in particular. Their collective age caught up to them and that, combined with the litany of injuries afflicting Rondo along with their lack of depth in the frontcourt, spelled doom.
It may seem odd to be rooting for the league's labor impasse to affect the number of games played but if the Celts are going to contend for their 18th title in what will likely be a last hurrah for the trio of Pierce, Garnett and Allen, such a scenario may well be their best bet.
Through last season's first half, the Celts were practically unbeatable, not starting to bog down until after the All-Star break and when Kendrick Perkins was shipped off to Oklahoma City for Green and Nenad Krstic.
In their first 55 games, the C's sported a 41-14 mark before stumbling to a 15-12 finish and the subsequent second-round exit. If the upcoming season is shortened anywhere from 40-50 games, the Celts will be as much a contender for a championship as anyone.
We love our NBA pure and unadulterated. But if cutting short the 2011-12 schedule will help the Celtics before their most recent window closes for good, we say start snipping.
