Boston Celtics Report Card: Grades for All Key Players Through First Quarter

A rough start for the Boston Celtics and Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen has only insinuated more trade talks for these Big Three.

Yet these Celtics have picked up the pace after starting the 2011-12 NBA season just 4-8 and losing a grasp on the team's playoff hopes.

Now winners of three of their last four games at 7-9, the Celtics are back to winning games the way they know how to—playing defense. In the team's victory over the Magic, they held the team to just 56 points and a mere 20 that would come in the second half.

Talk about impressive.

As the Celtics enter the second quarter of the regular season, following is each key player's grade on this veteran ball club.

Marquis Daniels: C-

If it wasn't for Marquis Daniels' especially rough offensive play, he'd have one of the better grades of any Celtic with the type of defense he brings to the table.

Yet offensively, Daniels has been atrocious through 16 games. Daniels has shot just 27.7 percent from the field this season while averaging a mere 3.2 points on five field goals attempted per game.

It's been a rough start to say the least for Marquis Daniels on the offensive end. His defensive presence has kept him in the passing grade range.

Brandon Bass: B+

Brandon Bass has been outright impressive since joining this Boston Celtics team.

The most intriguing thing about Bass is not only how efficient he is when it comes to production, but just how quickly he has been able to work himself into the Celtics system with an essentially nonexistent offseason.

This season, Bass is averaging 11.5 points and 6.4 rebounds in just 27 minutes of play. He has put up at least eight rebounds in four of his last six outings. He has also stayed aggressive on the defensive end and given the Celtics a solid post presence on offense.

Expect Bass to only have his minutes increased by Doc Rivers as the season goes on.

Jermaine O'Neal: B-

Yes. It's clear Jermaine O'Neal is no Kendrick Perkins.

Yet O'Neal has not only put up improved numbers from last season, but has also managed to put up a strong effort on the defensive end.

In his last five games, O'Neal has put up an impressive 7.6 rebounds per game while playing no more than 27 minutes in any contest. Comparing this to the 7.1 Garnett has put up on the season, it is quite an achievement for the veteran talent.

O'Neal gets a B- in deserving fashion, despite failing to produce jaw-dropping stats.

Kevin Garnett: C+

It's simply just not the same.

With the exception of several solid outings—including a 14-point, 10-rebound performance against the Orlando Magic in the team's most recent victory—Garnett has been difficult to watch.

Garnett is one of the better players in the post offensively to ever play the game, yet he seldom has put his back to the basket. Garnett is a great rebounder, yet his 7.1 rebounds per game is the lowest mark since his rookie season in the league.

Make no mistake about it; Garnett has the potential to deliver, yet his play as of late is giving Danny Ainge all the more reason to deal the defensive powerhouse.

Garnett has to get back to his aggressive offense and pay more attention to detail on the defensive end. If these two things improve, the play of Kevin Garnett will drastically improve.

Ray Allen: B-

It hasn't been too great, but it hasn't been too bad either.

Without question, there is plenty more veteran talent that the all-time leading three-point shooter in NBA history can bring to this ball club.

Due to recent injuries, Allen has had to step up in the absence of Paul Pierce early in the season and has done so in a big way. His 14.9 points per game are the third best on the team and he has shot over 50 percent on the season.

The concern with Allen is how he has played in his more recent outings, scoring in double digits just once in his last five outings. It is not only a figure that has to improve for this team going forward, but it is a major concern given he is already being talked about in trade rumors.

His offense will not only have to improve for these Celtics' chances, it will also have to improve if he wishes to continue on with the team for the rest of this season.

Rajon Rondo: A-

He might boast a mediocre jump shot and may not bring the strength a player like Derrick Rose or Russell Westbrook bring to the table, but boy, can this talent play the PG position.

When it comes to playing the position, dictating the pace of the game and running the offense are the two primary responsibilities. In these two facets of the game, a player like Rajon Rondo flourishes and has done so for his Boston Celtics this season.

Rondo has brought these intangibles to the table with solid production, posting 15 points, 9.4 assists and 5.1 rebounds per game. He has also been more keen on taking jump shots and has made an impressive 51 percent of his shots on the year.

There is no doubt his jump shot and free throws need work. It goes without saying. Yet a special talent like Rondo that affects the game well outside of the numbers, is one which this Celtics team has to be content with.

Paul Pierce: B+

After an injury-riddled start to the season, Boston Celtics captain Paul Pierce has made it clear that "The Truth" is back in business.

In the team's win over the Wizards Jan. 22, Pierce scored 34 points, dished out 10 assists and grabbed eight rebounds.

Since returning from injury, Pierce has been especially effective on the offensive end of the floor. In his last three games, Pierce has gone for 12, 34 and 19 points.

He has proven to be somewhat inconsistent at times, yet according to ESPN his injury is still taking a toll on his game:

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"I have to play better for us to win ballgames, and I realize that," Pierce said. "I'm not going to say I'm 100 percent. I didn't come back 100 percent. I'm getting back in basketball shape. The heel isn't all the way where I'd like it to be. At some point in the season, it will be."

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Pierce has been especially effective offensively, yet his defense is what has seemed the most irrelevant since his return. If Pierce can improve his defensive shape and contribute significantly offensively, the Celtics are a team with a chance to get back to contending for the East.