NBA Predictions 2011: Can the Boston Celtics Still Compete for a Championship?
The Boston Celtics are a team with multiple surefire Hall of Famers and other well known players; Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo and Jermaine O'Neal to name a few. The problem is all of these players, aside from Rondo, are near the end of their careers. Ray Allen is 36, Paul Pierce is 34, Kevin Garnett is 35 and Jermaine O'Neal is 33. Pierce, Allen and Garnett are all still effective when healthy, while O'Neal is a few years removed from consistently being able to contribute.
Rondo is the only major contributor still on the upswing of his career. The problem with Rondo is the trade rumors that have involved him earlier in the year. Rondo was the subject of a trade to the Hornets in an attempt to get Chris Paul, but that trade appeared to be nixed due to Paul's unwillingness to sign long term with the Celtics. How Rondo took the news of nearly being traded could go a long way to show how effective he is. Will he be able to put it behind him and continue to compete at the same level? Or will he hold a grudge that will affect his ability on the court?
The key to the Celtics competing this season will be health and winning enough games early in order to rest the older players down the stretch and have something in the tank when the playoffs begin. Health may have already become a problem with the Celtics, as Pierce is suffering from a heel bruise. I would not think that would be a long term problem, but it could also be the first injury in a string of injuries as older players tend to recover slower and are more prone to injuries.
This year, the season will only be 66 games, but it will be a season with a lot of back to back and even back to back to back games. Playing 66 games in a shorter span of time will wear on the Celtics old legs and could ultimately doom them. If injuries do strike and ruin what could be the last chance before the window of opportunity closes for this particular group of players what do the Celtics do? Do they once again look to trade Rondo?
