Boston Celtics, San Antonio Spurs Gear Up for One Last Title Run

The San Antonio Spurs and the Boston Celtics are gearing up for what could be their last shot at another championship. With their recent trades and signings, both teams give you the sense that it is championship or bust.

With the signing of the mercurial Rasheed Wallace, Boston adds a 6'11" power forward with three-point range and not a selfish bone in him, but he is also the same guy who will be 35 by the start of the season, and if you haven't heard, he has a bit of an attitude.

In its current predicament, Boston had to make this move. Assuming the Lakers re-sign Lamar Odom, a front court of Kevin Garnett, Kendrick Perkins, and Wallace can match-up with the world champs.

Wallace will join Boston's 30-and-over club that features Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Garnett, and Eddie House just to name a few; so the Celtic window is closing fast and they will get even older if Grant Hill joins them.

I believe Wallace was also brought in for insurance in case Garnett goes down to injury again, after being one of the league's most durable players in his first 12 seasons, Garnett has missed parts of the last two seasons, including this entire postseason.

Garnett has also surpassed the 1,000-game plateau, which is the time players start breaking down physically.

The Celtics are still in need of a back-up point guard considering Stephon Marbury moronically turned down an opportunity to re-sign with them; they also need to do some fence mending with Rajon Rondo.

The Celtics tried to move Rondo to the Detroit Pistons for Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince, and Rodney Stuckey but the deal fell through. I do not know why the Celtics would do this based on how Rondo played in the postseason; I do know an unhappy Rondo does not equal a championship come next June.

I was a little surprised when the Spurs picked up Richard Jefferson, considering he has two years left on his contract. It told me Tim Duncan is that much closer to the end of his career, and the Spurs know this. San Antonio has been one of the most financially responsible teams in the league; this was a solid but desperate move.

Despite the offensive boost that Jefferson will give them, the Spurs need help in the front court; they could use a center for rebounding and defensive purposes and to also take the pressure off Duncan.

For these two proud franchises, time is certainly not on their side.