Do Danny Ainge's Boston Celtics Have Enough to Contend in 2012?

The Boston Celtics have endured some very hard luck over the past three seasons.

After winning the title during the 2007-08 campaign, Boston looked like it was on track to do so again in 2008-09, but Kevin Garnett injured his knee and missed the playoffs, and the C's went down in the second round to the Orlando Magic.

The following year, now former center Kendrick Perkins tore his ACL in game six of the Finals against the Lakers. He obviously missed game seven, and Boston lost the series.

Then, this past season, Shaquille O'Neal was not healthy for the postseason, and in game three of the Celtics' second round series against Miami, Rajon Rondo gruesomely dislocated his elbow.

He returned in that game and then played in games four and five, but his effectiveness was clearly limited as the Heat took the series.

I completely understand that injuries are a part of the game and that nearly every team has them, but one can make an argument that Boston would have won at least two more championships after '08 had it remained a healthy squad.

Now, the Celtics are an aging team in a very tough Eastern Conference that includes the likes of Miami, Chicago and the newest team on the rise, the Knicks.

So, has general manager Danny Ainge done enough to put this team back into title contention for 2012?

Honestly, it's very tough to say, particularly because we do not know what effect the shortened season will have on Boston.

I see it going one of two ways. Either having 16 games shaved off of their schedule will keep the Celtics fresh for the playoffs, or the fact that the C's will have to play more games per week will take a toll on their older legs.

That said, I like some of the moves Ainge has made in the offseason.

I thought he made a great deal in signing-and-trading Glen Davis to Orlando for Brandon Bass. Yes, Davis did have his moments in Boston, but he was absolutely horrendous in the playoffs last season, and it really seemed as if he wore out his welcome.

Bass is certainly a more skilled player, and the fact that he shot nearly a full seven percentage points better from the floor (51.5% to 44.8%) than "Big Baby" is obviously important.

The Celtics did not stop there, though, as they also added Chris Wilcox for some more size up front and brought back Marquis Daniels, a wing man who will provide them with a solid perimeter defender off the bench.

They also traded for Milwaukee guard Keyon Dooling, who will end up replacing the departed Delonte West, who recently signed with Dallas.

Of course, the key to Boston's season is how effective Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will be come playoff time.

I fully expect Doc Rivers to limit their minutes during the regular season, and with some of the new additions Ainge has made, he has flexibility to do that.

Another important factor for the C's will be the play of Jeff Green. Green came over in Boston's trade with Oklahoma City last season, a trade that sent Perkins and Nate Robinson packing, much to the chagrin of the Celtics' players and their fans.

Green was nothing more than mediocre for Rivers' squad, but in his defense, he was learning a new system.

Now that he has some experience there, I anticipate that the 25-year-old Georgetown product will put together a solid 2012 and potentially contend for the Sixth Man of the Year award.

There really isn't much more Ainge can do with the roster at this point. He doesn't have much money to work with, and just about all of the free agents who can consistently contribute have been snatched off the market.

He tried to bring in David West in a sign-and-trade with New Orleans, but West decided to sign with Indiana at the last minute.

It would be nice to see the front office try and make a move for a center, because at the moment, Jermaine O'Neal is the only true center on Boston's roster. Ainge will really have to pull something out of his hat for that, though.

After the Celtics fell to Miami (and I truly believe they would have beaten the Heat if they were healthy, and I am not alone in that regard) I said that I had a feeling they had one last run in them.

For Garnett, Pierce and Allen, this is it, and they understand that. It's not a case of whether or not they have the will or determination; it's a case of whether or not they can physically do it.

Rajon Rondo, who has been the subject of many trade rumors this offseason, will likely need to carry even more of the load this time around—the older the Big Three gets, the more rest the trio will need.

Rondo was negatively affected by the Perkins trade last year, but hopefully for the C's, he has shaken off the loss of his good friend and is ready to return to form.

Boston may also need lifts from youngsters such as second-year guard Avery Bradley and the pair of Purdue rookies, JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore.

Any contributions those three guys can give the team would be gigantic, and I actually expect Johnson in particular, who is a very talented forward, to play a significant role for the Celtics this season.

They may be old, and some might even say that they're decrepit, but I think these Boston Celtics can make one last run at a title.

Let's face it; the Heat are not invincible, the Bulls—as incredible as Derrick Rose is—have some holes, and the Knicks are just not a very good defensive team, which will hurt them in a seven game series.

The Celtics can beat any of those teams.

The next time you watch a Celtic game, take a look at the eyes of Garnett. And Pierce. And Allen. And even Rivers.

They have never looked hungrier. Can that hunger ultimately lead to another banner for the league's most historic franchise? Why don't you ask Garnett. Or Pierce. Or Allen. Or Rivers.

I can guarantee you that they will all say "yes."