Boston Celtics Offseason Review: A Championship Runs Through It

Boston has never been a place that made star players want to suit up for them.  Its perceived history has made them keep their distance.  That is why it was important that Doc Rivers not walk away when he had the opportunity.  It made it equally important that he stood up for Rajon Rondo because of the rumors behind the departure of former Celtic sniper Ray Allen, as detailed by Sports Illustrated's Chris Mannix (h/t WEEI).

But business is business and the Boston Celtics kept the ultimate goal of a championship in mind and moved on. Rondo's play dictated that any chance at banner No. 18 begins and ends with him for now.

Doc's reaction tempered the possible backlash and it is because of that the Celtics were able to have a somewhat successful offseason. Beginning with the draft, we will talk about the 2012-13 roster and which players are projected to make an impact on the 2012-13 run to banner No. 18. 

21st 2012 Draft Pick: Jared "The Grip" Sullinger

The more scouts looked at his game, the more they saw things that could not be fixed.  The Celtics saw the skills he had that could not be taught. 

Sullinger's hands and ability to think the game makes him a great fit on a team that prides itself on its high basketball IQ.  The coach, its new pairing of the Big Three, Celtic management and pride demands it. The naysayers that have dogged him at every stop of his basketball journey have inspired him in spite of it.

The Eastern Conference does not have a lot of quality power forwards that he will have to go up against.  Amar'e Stoudemire is a shell of himself, and David West does not function well without a Chris Paul-type point guard to feed him the ball.  Jared's lateral quickness will be put to the test guarding Chris Bosh. 

Sullingers' mid-range game compensates for his lack of length, allowing him to draw bigger defenders out of the paint.  His Wes Unseld-like skills are the impetus for his NBA dreams; his ability to rebound as an undersized four may keep him there.  He may be battling Brandon Bass for minutes by the All-Star break.

22nd 2012 Draft Pick: Fab "They Call Me Mr. Melo"

If the Boston Celtics thought they could slow the learning curve for this raw talent, the recent addition of Andrew Bynum to the Philadelphia 76ers may have altered their plans.  Bynum presents a different problem than Roy Hibbert, whose personality does not allow him to demand the ball.  The former Los Angeles Laker has been chomping at the bit to be the man and with two championships under his belt, he brings a wealth of experience.

Boston will need this former soccer player's defensive skills more than ever.  His size alone will be able to bother Bynum but his inexperience may get him in foul trouble.  If he continues to display the work ethic that transformed his body and enabled him to be the 22nd pick in the draft by the Celtics, he may just make Green Teamers forget about Gregg Steimsma.

51st 2012 Draft Pick: Kris " I've Got Game Too" Joseph

It seems appropriate that E'Twan Moore provides the backdrop for Kris Joseph.  Like Moore and Jajuan Johnson, the Celtics took a flyer on two more teammates.  Fab Melo and Kris Joseph replaced the now departed duo who were never able to crack the bench rotation.  

As a first-round draft pick, Melo's place is secure.  But somehow, through his play in summer league, Joseph made it through to training camp invitee.  He is a second-round pick with first-round talent.

He comes from a place where hockey rules and basketball is not to be taken seriously.  Somehow, he ended up being a part of a Jim Boeheim nationally ranked Syracuse team and is on a make-good contract for the Boston Celtics.  

His small forward skills are raw but you can see some Paul Pierce attributes in his game, more so than Jeff Green.  There is no other small forward with size other than Green that is a threat to his playing time.  He has the natural tenacity to elevate his aggression throughout the game, whereas Uncle Jeff has to be prodded to use his more explosive skills.  

Often times, it isn't the more talented player that becomes successful but the one that has the hunger to be be driven.  Kris Joseph may start the "trade Jeff Green" rumors if he can meet those expectations.

Boston's Own Free Agent: Brandon Bass

No one would blame Brandon Bass if he had taken his successful run with the Celtics and parlayed it into a more lucrative contract elsewhere.  His demeanor and game made Glen Davis an afterthought; Davis' behavior in Orlando made Danny look like a genius with the one-for-one trade.  Davis is now left on an Orlando team without hope of seeing the playoffs in his prime.

Bass, on the other hand, saw what it took to be a championship contender and is willing to work hard for the team.  His mid-range game helped balance the floor and his rebounding skills gives the team second-chance opportunities.  

It also didn't hurt that there is no immediate threat to his starting position unless Jared Sullinger's talent just screams, "Start me," through training camp and preseason.  The starting position is his to lose and he has the added bonus of knowing he will be in the playoffs as long as Doc and Rondo are around. 

Free Agent Jason "The Jet" Terry Lands in Boston

Not since James Posey has the Celtics made a free-agent acquisition for their bench that can affect the locker room and team play.  Terry is willing and able to accept his role as the sixth man because in the end, it is all about the championship chips.

He has one already from his Dallas days and is banking on Celtic mystique and pride for another.  He cannot replace Ray Allen, but he doesn't have too.  His skill sets will allow the offense to be less predictable and adds an element of athleticism that Ray didn't have.  It will also save the wear and tear on Rondo and give the bench stability.

Like Bass, Terry was able to get the money he wanted and vie for a championship.

Free Agent Courtney Lee: A Pleasant Surprise

Courtney Lee was part of the Dwight Howard-led Orlando team that made it to the 2010 NBA Finals. It seems like a lifetime ago and Lee is glad to have the chance to get back to the NBA promised land. He is the anti-O.J. "hold the" Mayo who balked at becoming part of such a storied franchise.  

I can't help but think that Tony Allen had a part in souring Mayo on the Green.  Danny Ainge did not handle Tony's free agency very well and it hurt the team in the long run.  Allen left for Memphis for the same money because of his hurt feelings. 

By all accounts, Lee is a better fit because of his defensive skills.  He also will not demand the ball like O.J., which in turn, will make for a more balanced second unit.

Free Agent: "Uncle" Jeff Green Coming Home

When the Boston Celtics swapped Jeff Green in the 2007 draft for Ray Allen and a championship, all was well. Green went on to be part of a young, up-and-coming Thunder team.  The 2010 season saw the Oklahoma Thunder and the Boston Celtics become dance partners once more.  Kendrick Perkins and various sundry parts for Jeff Green seemed like a no-brainer.  

Green has yet to play a full season as a Celtic and has decided to stay with the team who saw him through his most trying times.  He made the most of his time off by graduating from Georgetown University.  He has accomplished the two most important goals of his young life—earning his degree and a return to health that enables him to continue his NBA career.  

Uncle Jeff should return with a greater appreciation and unleash his skills at a more active level.  If he does that, Boston may have its next star to surround Rondo with, and may win another championship before KG retires.

Free Agent Chris Wilcox: Unfinished Business

Chris Wilcox was the second player on the 2012 Celtics roster that was struck by a heart ailment.  They now have the dubious distinction of having three players (Reggie Lewis R.I.P.) who have had heart ailments.  Green and Wilcox pulled through and have been cleared medically to resume their careers.

Wilcox was just finding his groove when he was told the news; he and Rondo had started to build a simpatico relationship. The Celtic front-line was decimated. Jermaine O'Neal was once again suffering from one of his myriad of injuries.

Wilcox's work in the trenches will take some of the pressure off of Kevin Garnett and be the necessary buffer for Jared Sullinger while he learns the NBA game.

Other Free Agent Signings and Danny Ainge

Danny Ainge has made his best moves this offseason since the 2007-08 championship drive.  I dare say that this bench is even better than the one that helped raise banner No. 17.  

Jason Terry is a more skilled player than James Posey and a more proven commodity.  Terry also fills the role Sam Cassell was unable to do that year and Wilcox and rookie Jared Sullinger are a more talented duo than P.J. Brown. 

This roster boasts players 6-10 that can actually play some NBA minutes, which bodes well for Paul Pierce and Garnett.  Doc Rivers will want to lighten the load on PP and KG because of what he sees on paper.  

Ainge and Doc feel they now have the right mix of youth and veteran leadership to prevent the same kind of collapse from last season's run. As of writing this, Jeff Green's contract is still not finalized but it seems like a done deal.

The addition of Bynum may further drive them down the contender ladder through the eyes of the media, but as long as KG brings the energy, his lunch pail and Celtic Pride, they cannot be discounted.