Boston Celtics With Four All-Stars: Top Play For Each Celtics Player This Season
Head coach Doc Rivers is all smiles through 55 games of the season, with the Boston Celtics currently owning the best record in the Eastern conference at 39-14.
A statement win against the second-best Miami Heat Sunday gave the Celtics a 0.5 game edge in the Conference standings, and more importantly, a 3-0 season series sweep.
More than anything, the 85-82 win on Sunday was symbolic of how much of the season has gone for this Celtics team. They continue to get the job done with whoever can suit up, as injuries have been a problem from the beginning of the season.
In the victory, the Celtics only played eight players, while Celtics star Paul Pierce was forced to play 40 minutes despite suffering from a foot injury. Yet even still, they overcame a fairly healthy Heat team and filled in the voids. Glen "Big Baby" Davis played an important role, scoring 16 points and grabbing four boards in the win.
Along with the East's best record, they also boast four NBA All-Star players this seasons, with Garnett, Pierce, Allen, and Rondo all making the reserves for the East team in Sunday's game.
Regardless of injuries, the Celtics still find themselves in the number one spot, thanks to the step-up play of the team's bench players and consistency of the Big Three's play this season.
Join B/R and myself as we go through the top plays for each Celtics' players this season.
13. Marquis Daniels
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If there is something that championship teams need, it's role players that can step in and do what a coach asks of them.
Marquis Daniels is arguably one of the more effective bench players for the Boston Celtics, in that he does what he needs to do and does it well.
Rivers brings him on to play defense on opposing team's better scorers, give the team a guard post-player, and use active hands in passing lanes. This season, up until his potential season ending spinal cord injury, Daniels has done just that.
He is anything but a numbers type of player. Daniels has averaged 19 minutes a game this season and played in all the team's game prior to the injury suffered against Orlando. He averages a mere 5.5 points per game and shoots 49 percent on the season.
Daniels' best game this season game against the Houston Rockets, in a game which the Celtics came up short at home 108-102. In the game, Daniels had 19 points, seven rebounds, and two steals in just 24 minutes of play.
12. Von Wafer
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If there's something to know about the guy, it's that offense is his strong suit.
Whether it's shooting the three-ball, driving the lane, or getting the ball to the rim, he's a strong player to bring off the bench for the Rivers and company.
Not to mention he can fly.
11. Luke Harangody
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Despite playing behind a plethora of bodies in the front court, Harangody has managed to play well when given the opportunity.
At times, he has shown spurts of potential, and may prove to be a solid role player in the near future.
At home against Toronto January 7th, Harangody was a man on a mission. In a mere 27 minutes of play, Harangody was able to contribute big. His 11 rebounds led the team and his 17 points were a team second-best, and helped lead the Celtics to a 122-102 victory.
The 122 points against the Raptors was the most scored by the Celtics all season.
10. Semih Erden
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When it comes to throwing the ball down, Semih Erden has proven to be quite tentative at times, not always taking it to the rim with authority.
Talk about a dunk.
Against Washington, Erden decided to step up to the plate, throwing down a dunk over the Wizards' big Javale McGee. Glen Davis should also be given some credit, for his pass was difficult to say the least.
Poked in the eye and all, Erden was not to be stopped on his way to the bucket.
On a side note, McGee will be in this year's 2011 NBA Slam-Dunk Contest.
9. Shaquille ONeal
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In early August, the Celtics decided to roll the dice on acquiring on the best big men in NBA history in Shaquille O'Neal. Despite some injury problems, the original "Superman" is yet to be slowed down by any sort of Kryptonite.
This season, in just a hair over 20 minutes a game, Shaq is averaging 9.3 points, 4.9 rebounds, and 1.2 blocks.
Not half bad for an 18 year veteran turning 39 this March.
Against the New Jersey Nets in 32 minutes of play, O'Neal posted 25 points on nine of 10 shooting and 11 rebounds. Although it came against New Jersey, the big fella certainly came to play.
8. Kevin Garnett:
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As you can see, Garnett was loving his play January 17th against the Magic, as he should have been.
After missing nine straight games due to a muscle sprain, Garnett was back and playing in top form, despite the time missed. Exceeding expectations, his 19 points and 8 rebounds gave the Celtics the edge in a 109-106 victory at TD Garden on MLK Day.
His impressive comeback was summed up best in the game's closing seconds.
7. Jermaine O'Neal
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This season has been a season of struggles for Jermaine O'Neal.
Despite suffering from injury for most of the season, he has been playing well short of expectations since joining the Boston Celtics.
If there's one thing he's doing right, it's blocking shots. His 1.2 blocks per game lead the Celtics, as his ability to block shots is certainly not in question.
6. Kendrick Perkins
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With a plethora of injuries suffered this season, it's about time Kendrick Perkins was inserted back into the rotation.
Since tearing his ACL in last year's NBA Finals against the Lakers, Perkins has missed the majority of the 2010-2011 season.
In 10 games back, he's averaging 7.7 points and 8.2 rebounds, numbers that the Celtics can be more than content with.
In their win against Miami last Sunday, Perkins had arguably his best game since his return in late January. He would finish with 15 points on four of eight shooting and grab six rebounds in the much needed 85-82 victory over the Heat.
5. Nate Robinson
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While Nate Robinson has proven himself as a consistent go-to-guy off the bench, he's also a guy you can count on for a few laughs.
Despite his positive play this season, one of the most "memorable" moments this season was his dunk on Shaquille O'Neal at practice.
4. Paul Pierce
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In his last six games, Paul Pierce has struggled to say the least. "The Truth" is shooting 13.6 percent from distance and 36.5 percent from the field in the six game stretch.
It's tough to watch.
Overall however, Pierce has been a proven go-to-guy for the Celtics this season. His 18.6 points per game lead the team and he will defend his three-point title at the 2011 NBA All-Star Weekend on Saturday.
For Pierce, there are two moments that need mention this season.
The victory came January 30th, just seven games ago.
If there's one play that Pierce must be recognized for, it's his one-handed slam over two Raptors at Toronto January 2nd.
3. Glen Davis
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From baby to man, Glen Davis is on a mission to prove his nickname, "Big Baby," an unfitting one.
Davis is arguably one of the more convincing reasons as to how the Celtics are still a number one seed, despite all of their injury issues. He has stepped in, in place of Garnett and both O'Neals at different points this season, and gotten the job done.
While Garnett was out, Davis was much of the reason why the Celtics were still able to win ball games. Against San Antonio, Big Baby delivered from all angles, scoring 23 points on 10 of 18 shooting from the field.
It was a much needed win for the Celtics, given the possibilty the two teams will meet in the NBA Finals. The win helps give the Celtics an edge, if there is a tiebreaker, for homecourt in the finals.
This would not be complete without his best moment of the season...
I promise you will get a kick out this one if you haven't already seen this. I'm pretty sure he forgot to eat his wheaties Sunday.
2. Rajon Rondo
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Rajon Rondo has been as good as it gets for the Celtics, averaging career-high numbers in steals, field goal percentage, and assists.
His play this season has been recognized around the league, making a case as arguably one of the top five point guards in the league. Averaging 12.3 assists per game on the season, he leads the league, and would tie for the 14th highest average in league history with John Stockton's 12.3 that he posted 1994-1995 season.
Rondo's 2.36 steals per game is second to Hornets All-Star point guard Chris Paul's league-leading 2.52.
In arguably his best performance of the year, Rondo recorded a triple-double at home against the New York Knicks, recording a career-high 24 assists in the 105-101 win. His triple-double featured 10 points and 10 rebounds as well.
1. Ray Allen
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Lights were flashing at all angles as the first quarter came to an end against the L.A. Lakers in TD Garden. The stadium rose to their feet and gave Ray Allen a round of applause, as history was made on a special night in league history.
With two three-pointers made in the first quarter, Allen passed Reggie Miller's mark of 2560 total three-pointers made. A pull-up three-pointer off of a fast break dish from Rondo would be the play to seal the deal.
At the end of the quarter, Allen would eventually embrace with his family and Reggie Miller himself, who fittingly was calling the game on TNT. It was a moment that was not only appreciated by Ray Allen and the Celtics, but that would be recognized by all across the league.
Breaking the record February 10th was an accomplishment that will stand out not only this season, but for his entire career.
Luis Batlle is a Featured Columnist for the Boston Celtics and has been writing for B/R since December 2010.
