NBA Trades: Breaking Down the Boston Celtics' New Starting Lineup

The Boston Celtics really made a stir at the NBA trade deadline.

The biggest move they made was trading center Kendrick Perkins to Oklahoma City for forward Jeff Green.

Perkins was a valuable member of the Celtics and their starting lineup, so things are going to look a bit different now that he is gone.

The Celtics still have one of the best starting lineups in the league, but they might have to step up their game if they want to continue their push for an NBA championship.

Let’s take a look at the Celtics and break down the starting five after the trades.

PG Rajon Rondo

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 25: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics dives for the loose ball after he was fouled by Anthony Parker of the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 25, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowle

Rajon Rondo is the catalyst of this basketball team.

Sure, you have the “Big Three” in all of their splendor and glory, but if we’re going to be honest, it is Rondo who keeps this team going.

He is averaging a stellar 12.2 assists per game.

He is the best pure point guard in the league, and as long as he is in the starting lineup anybody else you plug in with him will be better for it.

Breakdown

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 24: Rajon Rondo #9 of the Boston Celtics reacts as his team faces the Denver Nuggets during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on February 24, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downl

As long as Rondo keeps playing unselfish basketball and keeps being the ultimate facilitator that he is, the Celtics are going to remain the No.1 seed in the East.

He makes it easier for the “Big Three” to be the “Big Three." But don’t be naive—he knows how to get his own, too.

I don’t see Rondo missing a step, even after the lineup shakeup.

 

G Ray Allen

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 28: Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics handles the ball during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on January 28, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Celtics 88-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly ac

Is Ray Allen starting to decline as a player the older he gets?

Sure. But to be fair, you can say that for anybody.

He is in year 14 as a pro and is averaging 17.2 points per game.

I’d take that in my starting lineup.

Breakdown

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CHARLOTTE, NC - DECEMBER 11: Ray Allen #20 of the Boston Celtics calls a play against the Charlotte Bobcats during their game at Time Warner Cable Arena on December 11, 2010 in Charlotte, North Carolina. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agre

The thing that separates Allen from everybody else is his pure shooting touch. As a basketball player, your athleticism might start failing you, but your shot will always be smooth.

Allen is still one of the most dangerous shooters in the league, and when he gets hot you better watch out.

Doc Rivers is going to want to start getting Allen some minutes on the bench in order to make sure he is rested up for the playoffs. Even so, I think we are going to see Ray Allen really step up and perhaps have the best second half of his career.

SF Paul Pierce

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PHOENIX, AZ - JANUARY 28: Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics during the NBA game against the Phoenix Suns at US Airways Center on January 28, 2011 in Phoenix, Arizona. The Suns defeated the Celtics 88-71. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges an

Pierce is the captain of this basketball team and a perennial All-Star.

He is averaging 18.9 points per game, five rebounds and 3.2 assists.

He is one of the better all-around players in the league and has been a staple for the Celtics organization.

Breakdown

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 21: Andrei Kirilenko #47 of the Utah Jazz tries to keep the ball as Paul Pierce #34 of the Boston Celtics jumps to block on January 21, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and ag

Paul Pierce is going to have to be the guy to step up for the Celtics.

There is some discontent in the locker room over the recent trades, so Pierce is going to have to emotionally rally his teammates together and get them back on the same page.

He is also going to have to take it up a notch on the court.

He’s going to have to be a better rebounder, defender and might even need to take more of an initiative to look for his offensive game.

The Celtics are going to need him to be a superstar from here on out.

 

F Glen Davis

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LOS ANGELES, CA - JUNE 15: Glen Davis #11 of the Boston Celtics warms up before taking on the Los Angeles Lakers in Game Six of the 2010 NBA Finals at Staples Center on June 15, 2010 in Los Angeles, California. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

Davis is one of the better role players in the NBA and has really excelled coming off of the Celtics bench for the past few years.

He is the definition of a hustle player, but he also has enough skill to hold his own on the block.

He is averaging 11.7 points and 5.3 rebounds a game.

Breakdown

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BOSTON, MA - JANUARY 10: Glen Davis #11 of the Boston Celtics passes the ball after he knocked it away from Patrick Patterson of he Houston Rockets on January 10, 2011 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges

It’s time for “Big Baby” to step up and let us know if he can be a consistent starter in the NBA.

He will be getting more minutes, so his conditioning will be tested, but he is also going to have to hold his own against the opposing team's best players.

Davis is going to have to play a huge role on defense. If he can match up well than the Celtics can avoid having to double team, which will allow Kevin Garnett to clean up on the help side.

 

F Kevin Garnett

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 24: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics reacts to a call as they face the Denver Nuggets during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on February 24, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Celtics 89-75. NOTE TO USER: User e

Obviously, Garnett has been one of the best forwards in the NBA for years now and he will be a Hall of Famer when all is said and done.

He is a beast on both the offensive and defensive end of the court, but he may have his greatest impact with the energy that he brings to the game and his team.

He is averaging 15 points and 9.1 rebounds a game this season.

Breakdown

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DENVER, CO - FEBRUARY 24: Kevin Garnett #5 of the Boston Celtics pauses as he awaits a free throw against the Denver Nuggets during NBA action at the Pepsi Center on February 24, 2011 in Denver, Colorado. The Nuggets defeated the Celtics 89-75. NOTE TO U

Now that Kendrick Perkins is gone, Garnett is going to have to step up his production on the offensive end. He'll also have to help out Glen Davis on the defensive side of the ball.

He’s going to have to keep himself healthy and get enough rest for a playoff push.

Kevin Garnett is the heartbeat of this team.

He’s going to have to start pushing a little bit harder now.