Boston Celtics: Is This the Last Hurrah for the Big Three?

On the eve of the 2011-2012 NBA season, no team has as many questions to be answered as the  Boston Celtics.

The Celtics have won a league-high 17 championships, but winning an 18th title will be a monumental task. Because of aging to its core players: Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, Boston is a team in transition.

Boston's triumvirate of Garnett, Pierce and Allen have played a total of 3,261 regular season games combined. Not to mention the playoffs and preseason, the Celtics' "Big Three" have played a lot of basketball, and it appears that "Father Time", may have finally caught up to them.

That appeared to be more evident in last season's playoffs.

The Celtics (56-26 last year) won their fourth straight Atlantic Division title. In the first round of the playoffs, Boston swept the New York Knicks in four games. However, the Celtics age would catch up to them against the Miami Heat in the second round.

Miami's trio of LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh had their way with Boston and sent the Celtics home; taking the series 4-1. Boston's playoff loss to the Heat was a disappointing end to a season with so much promise. Since their last title win in 2008, the Celtics were hoping that last season would be a year of redemption.

The Celtics lost to the Lakers in the 2010 finals, and made several offseason moves to shore up several weaknesses. Future Hall of Fame center, Shaquille O'Neal, was brought in to add beef up front. The project turned out to be a failure. O'Neal was never a factor. He appeared in 37 regular season games, and only two in the postseason. The 39-year-old giant announced his retirement during the summer.

Although the O'Neal project was a failure, it was another move made during the season that took the steam out of Boston.

On Feb. 24, the Celtics sent center Kendrick Perkins, along with Nate Robinson, to the Oklahoma City Thunder, in exchange for forward Jeff Green and Nenad Kristic. The move by Celtics' general manager Danny Ainge did not sit well with many. Even several of the Celtics' players were surprised that Perkins was traded. Perkins, who started the year on injured reserve, had come into his own as a player; giving the Celtics physical toughness and rebounding.

Boston was not the same after the trade. The team's chemistry and rotation changed afterwards, and the Celtics would finished the rest of the season (including the playoffs) with a 20-16 record. Many faithful Celtics' fans blamed Ainge for messing up the chemistry.

Now, a year later, Boston looks to return to elite status.

The biggest question entering this season: Will this season be the last hurrah for the "Big Three"?

Boston hopes that the "Big Three" will not follow in the footsteps of the Celtics famous trio of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, and Robert Parish. That trio won three titles in the 1980s (1981, 1984, and 1986). Age would eventually catch up with the three Hall of Famers. Bird retired because of chronic back problems in 1992; the next season, McHale retired; and, Parish would follow a year later.

Garnett (in his 17th year), Pierce (14th), and Allen (16th) are older, and no longer can carry the Celtics every night. The days of Garnett averaging a double double are over; last season he averaged 14.9 points a game, and 8.9 rebounds. Pierce led Boston in scoring (18.9). The sharp-shooting Allen, averaged 16.5 points.

Boston head coach Doc Rivers will have to limited the minutes of the "Big Three" during the regular season and have the trio's legs fresh for the playoffs.

One player Rivers does not have to worry about tiring out is point guard Rajon Rondo.

The 25-year-old Rondo led the NBA in assists last season (11.2). Rondo also led the team in minutes played (37.2); averaged 10.6 points a game; and was second in the league in steals (2.25).

Yes, this is officially Rondo's team now. Rondo, along with the "Big Three", are the last remnants remaining of Boston '08 title-winning team.

With O'Neal's retirement, a bigger question is: who will play center?

Kristic was not resigned over the summer, and Jermaine O'Neal, who started at center in the playoffs, is 33 years old, with aching knees. Boston will probably bring in a younger big man to help out at the center position.

Boston has the oldest starting five in the NBA; with Rondo being the only starter under 30 years of age.

Since the "Big Three" have been together, Boston, has had the luxury of having a strong bench, but now, the team's depth is in serious trouble. Green—who was drafted by the Celtics—then traded on draft day to Oklahoma City, will missed the season with a heart condition. Green's departure leaves a huge hole up front; now that Glen "Big Baby" Davis has been traded.

Davis—a favorite with the fans—was traded recently to the Orlando Magic for power forward Brandon Bass. Bass started with the Magic last season; averaging 11.2 points and 5.6 boards a game.

Backcourt depth is also a problem. With Rondo averaging over 37 minutes a game, no other point guard could relieve him last season, and Rondo's play suffered in the playoffs. Robinson's midseason trade left a big void in the backcourt. Avery Bradley will play a big role this season, but the Celtics will need to add another point guard.

Last season, the Celtics finished with the sixth best record in the league. They have the luxury of playing in the Eastern Conference. However, the Heat will be a much improved team. Chicago (a league-high 62-20), recently added veteran guard Rip Hamilton, to join last year's league MVP, Derrick Rose. And, Orlando still has center Dwight Howard.

Rivers has his work cut out this season; however, Boston will find a way to win its division and be a contender in the playoffs, but this is a team that is standing on its last legs.

With the regular season schedule shortened to 66 games (instead of 82), the Celtics may catch a break, but if it doesn't, look for Boston to move one of the "Big Three" after the season.