Boston Celtics: 30 Teams in 30 Days

2008 Statistics

Finished 62-20, Won Atlantic Division, second in Eastern Conference

Postseason

First Round: Beat Chicago Bulls 4-3

Semifinals: Lost to Orlando Magic 4-3

Key Additions

Rasheed Wallace via free agency, Lester Hudson via draft

Key Losses

None as of yet.

A team decimated by injuries last year is now back and better than ever after regaining its health and adding another all-star to its already phenomenal club. The 2008 NBA champion Boston Celtics are legitimate contenders once again, and are back to make a serious title run.

The Celtics pulled off another sensational regular season winning 62 games even though they lost their emotional leader and all-star power forward Kevin Garnett halfway through the season. Garnett is set to return healthy after sitting out the postseason after a knee sprain ended his season early.

Boston also welcomed in another veteran in Rasheed Wallace to the team. Wallace's inconsistency and deteriorating play last year caused a rift between him and the Detroit Pistons organization causing Wallace to be left on free agency for the Celtics to scoop him up. He had his lowest numbers since his rookie year in 1995, this past season he averaged 12 points on a career low 41% shooting, and put up seven rebounds a game as well.

Paul Pierce will continue to be the team leader. He had another great year averaging 20 points, six rebounds and four assists per game. He will be joined in the starting lineup once again by shooting specialist Ray Allen. Allen was inconsistent through this past postseason, he put up points of 51, 30, and 28, but also had games where he put up eight, five, and four. Allen still has one of the sweetest touches in the league, but his age might be starting to show as he just turned 34 this past July.

Doc Rivers will once again be in control of the team as head coach and with a healthy squad under his watch now, he could be contending for his second ring and another consideration for coach of the year.

The number of veterans on this talented Boston team does raise a number of questions though. For starters, could there be such thing as too many veterans on the same team? As seen last year, health was an issue for the team and it was the main reason for its early postseason exit. The entire starting lineup besides Rajon Rondo is over 31 years old, and issues could arise within the next few seasons due to the lack of young talent on the team. The team appears to be playing only for the present and not looking to much towards the future.

Nonetheless, a healthy Celtics team is arguably the best team in the NBA and could be the favorite for the title this upcoming 2009-'10 season.

Two of the biggest positives to come out of Boston's season last year was the team's few young players. Rajon Rondo and Glen Davis had breakout seasons and were a key component of the team's success. Rondo averaged 12 points, eight assists, and five rebounds per game last year and came up huge throughout the postseason. Rondo recorded three triple-doubles and proved himself as a viable point guard that could lead the team when the veteran's depart within the next few seasons.

When Garnett went down with his season ending injury, doubts arose among the NBA community that Davis could fill even part of KG's shoes. Davis did not fill them, but he did the next best thing. Davis had five 20-point games in the postseason, including a buzzer beating winner against the Orlando Magic. Davis is a restricted free agent and the Celtics are at a standstill right now with no extension signed yet. Davis, if he signs, and Rondo could be the future for the Celtics, but they will need help in the future.

Starting center Kendrick Perkins had probably the best year of his six year career when he averaged eight points, eight rebounds, and two blocks per game. His defensive performance was captivating as well in the postseason when he caused a number of problems for Magic center Dwight Howard. Perkins has been a starter for the past four seasons, and will be competing with Rasheed Wallace for the center position.

The team has not lost anyone yet for the 2009-'10 season, but seldom used Gabe Pruitt has been signed onto waivers, Mikki Moore is still a free agent, and Stephon Marbury is currently losing his mind on Twitter.

The Celtics are one of the three powerhouses of the East, and if the team can stay healthy, another championship is definetley on the horizon.

Projected Starting Lineup

PG-Rajon Rondo

SG-Ray Allen

SF-Paul Pierce

PF-Kevin Garnett

C-Kendrick Perkins/Rasheed Wallace

This is part two of a thirty day series of 2009-'10 season previews of each NBA team. My profile will contain every other team that has been previewed before.