Boston Celtics: 10 Reasons Paul Pierce and Big 3 Are Contenders

Paul Pierce and the Boston Celtics are off to a positive start following the All-Star break, as the team has won its last four games and is starting to make noise in the talent-heavy east.

For the majority of the 2012 campaign, the Big Three and company have struggled to keep a winning record going. Whether it's a lack of offense or an inability to keep the Big Three and Rajon Rondo healthy at once, the Celtics have been searching for answers.

The team's most recent run has the doubts gradually fading, as these Celtics look as tough as any team in the Eastern Conference and look to continue the hot play going forward.

Here are 10 reasons why Paul Pierce and the Big Three will be contenders in the East, as well as in the NBA title race.

10. The Tranisition Game Is Picking Up

If the Boston Celtics are able to run the fast break consistently throughout the course of a basketball game, there is no doubt this team will be a force to reckon with come postseason time.

In the team's last two wins, it recorded 12 steals against Carmelo Anthony and the New York Knicks and 11 against the Kyrie Irving-led Cleveland Cavaliers.

The transition game will be key for this team, as PG Rajon Rondo is best in the open floor. His ability to find guys like Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen in rhythm is arguably the most important factor in helping to improve this season's inconsistent Celtics offense.

9. Brandon Bass Is Proving His Worth

As of late, forward Brandon Bass has shown this Celtics team just how valuable he can be.

In his last four games, Bass has stepped up the scoring load and upped his minutes per game. Bass is averaging 13.5 points and five rebounds in those four games as well as 31.8 minutes per game compared to the 29.3 he averages this season.

If Bass can continue to contribute offensively and give head coach Doc Rivers more minutes, it will allow Kevin Garnett more time to rest and give the Celtics an especially positive boost in the long run if KG can stay healthy as a result.

8. Ray Allen Is Starting to Drop the Three-Point Shot Again

When Ray Allen is consistently hitting the three-point shot, the Boston Celtics are lethal offensively.

Allen has the ability to break the Celtics away from teams late, boasting arguably the best three-point shot in NBA history.

In his last seven games, Allen has gone 18-for-39 from three-point range and has hit eight of those shots in the last three games played.

It will take Allen's shooting ability from range against top-notch teams like the Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls in the Eastern Conference to move on in the 2012 NBA playoffs.

7. Chris Wilcox Has Become a Factor

During the team's four-game win streak, Chris Wilcox has been a major factor coming off the bench for this Celtics team.

In the four wins, Wilcox has shot at least 50 percent in every game, has grabbed 8.5 rebounds and is averaging eight points per game in just 23.5 minutes.

Much like Glen Davis was for the team last season, Wilcox has been proving he can contribute efficiently in the few minutes he plays.

The Celtics bench has struggled all season, and these contributions from Wilcox will be all the more significant as the season continues.

6. Better Rebounding

Since the Big Three assembled in Beantown in 2008, the one major struggle for this Boston Celtics team has been in the rebounding department.

The Celtics rank No. 30 in the NBA, averaging just over 39 rebounds per contest.

With Kevin Garnett, Chris Wilcox and now Rajon Rondo working harder to come down with the boards as of late, the Celtics are able to more easily dictate the tempo of basketball games. In the team's last four games, the Celtics are averaging 43.3 rebounds and are winning games as a result.

Garnett is leading the way during the current win streak, recording three 10-rebound games in those four victories.

5. The Experience Factor

Doc Rivers, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo have all been there before.

Despite having a new-look team in 2012, the most valuable assets to this Boston Celtics team have NBA championship experience.

With two NBA finals appearances and an NBA championship since 2008, there is no question that this is a team with the veteran leadership to make a deep run in the postseason.

4. Much Improved Offense as of Late

As you can see, the Big Ticket agrees 100 percent.

The Boston Celtics offense has been as solid as it has been all season since the All-Star break. Much of the team's success has come as a result of stepped-up play from Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce.

Rondo is now fresh off of a 17-point, 20-assist game. Kevin Garnett has put up at least 20 points in three of the last five games. Paul Pierce went for 34 points in the team's most recent victory against the New York Knicks.

This is a Celtics team that wins games with its defense, yet as a result, it has struggled to get enough offense. These offensive improvements will be key to build upon for this team if the Celtics expect to keep up with offensive powerhouses in the East like the Philadelphia 76ers, Miami Heat and Chicago Bulls.

3. The Big Ticket Is Getting Aggresive

Kevin Garnett has been on his game for the Celtics in his last five outings, both offensively and defensively.

For the majority of the 2011-2012 season thus far, Garnett has shown a lack of aggression and has been somewhat ineffective both on the glass and in the scoring department.

Yet, his last five outings prove just how valuable the Big Ticket is.

In those five games, Garnett is averaging 20.8 points and 10.2 rebounds per game while shooting 53.3 percent from the field during the stretch. Each of these figures top his season averages of 15.2 points and 8.1 rebounds per game as well as his 50.3 percent shooting from the field.

Garnett's improvements on the glass and offensively have been vital in these last five games and will prove to be all the more essential heading into the postseason.

2. Paul Pierce Is Stepping Up His Game Offensively

Celtics forward Paul Pierce is not only the leader of this veteran ballclub, but he's also the driving force behind this star-studded offensive group.

After struggling to produce effective scoring numbers consistently in the first half of the NBA season, Pierce has finally seemed to pick up the pace for the team when the Celtics needed it most.

In his last two outings, Pierce is averaging 30.5 points and is 23-of-37 shooting from the field, including 7-of-11 from three-point range.

Talk about impressive.

The Truth will have to play at this level offensively come playoff time, as tough defense will not be enough to push this team to another NBA finals appearance.

1. The Rajon Rondo Factor

With two triple-doubles in the last three games—and the first triple-double with at least 17 points, rebounds and assists since Wilt Chamberlain did it in 1968—there is an awful lot to be excited about when it comes to PG Rajon Rondo.

The young talent's name has been in the trade rumors since the start of the NBA offseason, and it seems as if Rondo has been on a constant mission to prove doubters wrong. With his dominance displayed as of late, he has done just that.

Most recently, Rondo lit up the New York Knicks for 18 points, 17 rebounds and 20 assists. The 20 assists are the most by any player in the league this season. In the game, Rondo was able to find Paul Pierce for open shots, readily get Kevin Garnett his looks throughout the contest and control the tempo of the game.

If Rondo can play at this level going forward, there will be plenty of reason for Celtics fans to anticipate a promising playoff run. The Celtics have the experience and the right coaching to compete in the Eastern Conference.

And it will be Rondo's play that gives this team a chance.