Are the Boston Celtics in Trouble for the Playoffs?

Are we witnessing the death of an NBA wunderkind? Has Danny Ainge pulled one move too many?

The great Boston Celtics team as we have known them for the past three years are clearly not the same. I hate to be so critical about such a proud veteran group, but there are a number of reasons why the Leprechauns won’t get the pot of gold this year.

The most evident reason may be the trading of Kendrick Perkins.

The gamble to grab youth by trading for Jeff Green is a bad bet. I can see the reasoning behind it, but as I’ve said before, square pegs just do not fit in round circles. Jeff Green looks as out of place on this Celtics team as a toe looks on a hand.

Clearly, Perkins is missed and without him, the Celtics' defense isn't anchored.

Once the initial defensive stop occurs, the team has trouble getting the rebound, which in turn produces extra shot attempts for the opposition. So far, the trade gamble has become a bad bet on the books and with a “gimpy” Shaquille O’Neal, the gaping hole in the middle is becoming a creator.

Danny Ainge needs to request a “mulligan” on this move. At least, when the scoring droughts would occur when Perkins was on the team, they were able to stop the other team from scoring. Now, the paint defense is shaky at best.

Ray Allen is too predictable. Players who are guarding Ray today are not worried about Jesus Shuttlesworth.

The basically play him for the jumper and that is that.

It is extremely evident that Ray has become a one-dimensional player. No pumps fake, no swing-through move, no creativity—no wonder he can be guarded by a nobody.

I understand he is an aging veteran, but he was a 20-plus per game scorer at one time, and you don’t accomplish this without some creativity. Should Ray incorporate a swing through move or a pump fake into his arsenal, defenders running at him would do so with a little more caution.

Going into the playoffs, the Celts will need a consistent Ray and not a Jesus in sandals.

Defensive rebounding is an aching Achilles' Heel pain. The inability to box out live bodies will ultimately be the downfall of their run into June. Many of the teams who the Celts will have to face have such players whose sole job is to keep the ball alive and create extra possessions—Chicago’s Joakim Noah and Miami’s Joel Anthony for example.

Until Doc Rivers’ bunch can find a way to secure defensive rebounds, the odds that they will go “fishing” early is increased exponentially.

Superman, Shaq, The Diesel or The “Jolly Green Giant”: Which identity will show up during the second season? Has the Celtics' Superman become Clark Kent permanently?

We know we won’t see the Shaq Attack that was prevalent in Orlando or The Diesel that dominated his way to three rings in Los Angeles, but if he can muster up enough in the tank to become the Big Leprechaun who can clog the middle for 25-plus minutes, then the others can pick up the slack.

If he continues to stay on the sideline, then his time in Beantown will be a bust.

Doc Rivers—Is he a full-time coach and part-time father? Is he mentally drained with the ups and downs of this veteran team or is he dreading the fact that he is unable to be around his son, Austin, who is the top high-schooler in the nation?

The inconsistency of this year’s team versus the focused team that won the title is a definite concern to him. His frustrations are more with effort and focus. At this point of the year, team chemistry and overall attitudes are just as important as health. Will Doc be able to raise the stakes for the team and get their maximum effort?

We’ll see.

The Celtics have the best chance to dethrone the Lakers. Any team can be beat on any given night. The league is that good. But when the stakes are high and the challenge requires you to pull from a reservoir of experience to win on the road, the Celtics are abundantly blessed in that arena.

So now, we wait for the second season to begin and see if the little green guys can work their magic.

Ilee Coleman [e-mail]