Season Grades for Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and Rest of the Boston Celtics

The 2012 Boston Celtics' season was divided between a mediocre first half and a fantastic finish.  Likely the last season of the Big Three of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, the team is poised for a final playoff run.

The season saw stars with a rebound season, a point guard cement his status as an elite passer and young guns establish themselves as NBA players.

Here is the regular season report card for the 2012 Boston Celtics.

Jermaine O'Neal

O'Neal's season was cut short by a wrist injury, but the Celtics played much better since he left the team.  The team's ill-will toward him is seen by the fact that he doesn't sit on the bench during games.

Using the mid-level exception, O'Neal was a waste in his two seasons in Boston, as injuries prevented him from seeing the court.  His minutes have been given to more engaged players like Greg Stiemsma and Ryan Hollins.

Grade: F

Marquis Daniels

Daniels signing in the offseason was a feel good story after his 2011 season ended with a frightening neck injury.  Unfortunately, Daniels wasn't the player he was before the injury and struggled to make the rotation.

The tone for his season was set on Christmas Day against the Knicks when he was whistled for a phantom call against Carmelo Anthony.  He never found a rhythm and was replaced early in the season by Mickael Pietrus.

Don't expect to see Daniels get much action in the playoffs, barring injury or a blowout.

Grade: D

Greg Stiemsma

Give Danny Ainge credit for finding a D-League player that can protect the rim like Stiemsma does.  Celtics fans knew they had something when he blocked six shots in his first game.  He exceeded all expectations to become a valuable player.

While his playing time was sporadic sometimes, he was always ready when Rivers called his name.  His offense grew during the season, as he showed off a reliable 15-foot jumper.

The addition of Ryan Hollins might cut into Stiemsma's playoff minutes, but he will certainly be in high demand during the offseason as a free agent.

Grade: B+

Mickael Pietrus

Signed after the Suns released him, Pietrus is the role player the team has searched for since James Posey left.  With his versatility to play both the 2 and 3 positions, Pietrus allows the Celtics to go small with Pierce at the 4 during crunch time and match up with quicker teams.

His energy was key in the Celtics midseason turnaround.  

He only shot 38 percent on the season and also had to recover from a vicious concussion.

Grade: B-

Ray Allen

Allen had another magnificent shooting season, as he scored 14.2 points per game on 45 percent from the field.  He again made crunch time shots to bail the team out of tough situations.

Bone spurs in his right ankle, however, make his playoff status uncertain.  If he can return, it will be off the bench, since Avery Bradley has solidified himself as a starter.

Allen adjusted well to the bench role and got more shots with the second-unit.  His health will be critical to the Celtics' playoff chances.

Grade: B

Brandon Bass

The offseason trade of Glen Davis for Bass worked wonders for the Celtics.  Bass moved into the starting lineup when Garnett became the center and has a deadly mid-range jump shot.

Scoring 12.6 points per game, Bass is critical to the Celtics' offense by spreading the defense.

He is slightly undersized and his defense and rebounding numbers reflect it.

Grade: B

Avery Bradley

Bradley transformed his game during the season.  Still an elite defensive player, he refined the mechanics of his jump shot and moved into the starting lineup after Allen's injury.  He has scored more than 15 points per game since becoming a starter.

His greatest strength is his defense, as he pressures the ball handler similarly to former Celtic Tony Allen.

During his rookie season, he appeared lost offensively, so his transition to a reliable scorer is remarkable.

Grade: B+

Kevin Garnett

Since his move to center at the end of February, Garnett and the Celtics took off.  The Celtics went 21-10 in games he played and he averaged 17.6 points and 8.9 rebounds per game.

More importantly, Garnett is still the team's heart and soul and leads by example.

After resting down the stretch, expect to see a fresh Garnett for the playoffs, as he is playing his best basketball since his 2009 knee injury.

Grade: A-

Paul Pierce

The Captain had a terrific season once he worked his way into shape.  At the start of the season, things looked bleak while he struggled with his shooting and conditioning.

Pierce worked through his struggles and led the team with 19.5 points per game and provided key late-game shots.  He turned in his best performance against the New York Knicks on April 17 when he dropped 43 points on just 19 shots.

With Pierce playing well, the Celtics have to be considered contenders in the Eastern Conference.

Grade: A-

Rajon Rondo

The team's best player for the entire season, Rondo shook off trade rumors to lead the league in assists with 11.7 per game.  His passing was phenomenal during the last two months of the season and averaged 13.4 assists per game.

While his shooting is still a problem, his defense and drives to the basket allow him to control games.

The Celtics are Rondo's team and will only go as far as he can take them in the playoffs.

Grade: A

Coach Doc Rivers

With trade rumors swirling and the team under .500, Rivers maintained control of the locker room and the team responded.  Few other coaches could have salvaged this season.

From moving Garnett to center and Bradley into the starting five, Rivers' moves have been consistently correct.

While he is a players coach, he wasn't afraid to call out the players when they lacked focus and the players respect him for that.

Grade: A