Hopefully KG will not be in street clothes this year.We all know the window for a world championship is shrinking by the year, so lets see how we can obtain number 18.
KEYS TO THE SEASON:
Stay healthy. With an aging team, the Celtics must stay healthy. Garnett went down last year with bone spurs in his leg causing him to miss 25 games and all of the postseason. In 2007 he missed 12 games with an oblique injury. The team already limited KG to 31 minutes per game last season, and they may continue to try and save him for the long haul. Ray Allen battled the injury bug last season after fighting through a hamstring injury that clearly hurt his shot in the playoffs. How much Doc Rivers decides to baby his starters has yet to be determined but he knows its a long season and the postseason will be a grind.
An improved bench. The additions of Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels, coupled with the resigning of Big Baby Davis and return of Eddie House gives the Celtics a very deep bench. Not only do they have a slew of players that could fill in if any of the starting five go down, but they have a set of bench guys that will allow Doc to run the ball more often. The combination of youth and experience on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball helps cover up the weaknesses exposed last year.
Rajon Rondo. Rondo is arguably the most important player on this team. He's the key to the offense and knows where everyone is at all times. He plays stellar defense, and has steadily improved in each of his three seasons. Even scarier is Rondo worked on his jumper all offseason with 11-year veteran and four time all-star guard Mark Price (career 47% shooter and 40% 3PT shooter). Shooting is the weakest part of his game, but it is obviously the most correctable. Need another reason why Rondo is the key to a world championship run.....he's playing for a contract.
Competition in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland brought in Shaq and bench players Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon. Orlando went out and got Vince Carter, Brandon Bass, and Matt Barnes. The Wizards additions of Mike Miller and Randy Foye adds talent to an already stellar lineup. Hedo Turkoglu, rookie DeMar DeRozan, and Jarret Jack highlight the Raptors additions, while Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon have gone to Detriot. With names like these switching teams it is obvious the Celtics aren't the only ones who added to their squad. Each night will be a battle for the C's and there will be a lot of tough games.
FORECAST:
The quest for banner number 18 starts now. The pieces are in place. Now comes the execution. There should be no problem weathering the storm in the Eastern Conference (
we've won 60+ games two years in a row), but we have all seen what a grind the postseason can be. Nothing will be given to the Celtics this year, they have to go out there and take it. Is it legitimately possible for Kevin Garnett to want it more than ever this year? Sounds like a recipe for success to us.
KEYS TO THE SEASON:
Stay healthy. With an aging team, the Celtics must stay healthy. Garnett went down last year with bone spurs in his leg causing him to miss 25 games and all of the postseason. In 2007 he missed 12 games with an oblique injury. The team already limited KG to 31 minutes per game last season, and they may continue to try and save him for the long haul. Ray Allen battled the injury bug last season after fighting through a hamstring injury that clearly hurt his shot in the playoffs. How much Doc Rivers decides to baby his starters has yet to be determined but he knows its a long season and the postseason will be a grind.
An improved bench. The additions of Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels, coupled with the resigning of Big Baby Davis and return of Eddie House gives the Celtics a very deep bench. Not only do they have a slew of players that could fill in if any of the starting five go down, but they have a set of bench guys that will allow Doc to run the ball more often. The combination of youth and experience on both the offensive and defensive sides of the ball helps cover up the weaknesses exposed last year.
Rajon Rondo. Rondo is arguably the most important player on this team. He's the key to the offense and knows where everyone is at all times. He plays stellar defense, and has steadily improved in each of his three seasons. Even scarier is Rondo worked on his jumper all offseason with 11-year veteran and four time all-star guard Mark Price (career 47% shooter and 40% 3PT shooter). Shooting is the weakest part of his game, but it is obviously the most correctable. Need another reason why Rondo is the key to a world championship run.....he's playing for a contract.
Competition in the Eastern Conference. Cleveland brought in Shaq and bench players Anthony Parker and Jamario Moon. Orlando went out and got Vince Carter, Brandon Bass, and Matt Barnes. The Wizards additions of Mike Miller and Randy Foye adds talent to an already stellar lineup. Hedo Turkoglu, rookie DeMar DeRozan, and Jarret Jack highlight the Raptors additions, while Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon have gone to Detriot. With names like these switching teams it is obvious the Celtics aren't the only ones who added to their squad. Each night will be a battle for the C's and there will be a lot of tough games.
FORECAST:
The quest for banner number 18 starts now. The pieces are in place. Now comes the execution. There should be no problem weathering the storm in the Eastern Conference (
we've won 60+ games two years in a row), but we have all seen what a grind the postseason can be. Nothing will be given to the Celtics this year, they have to go out there and take it. Is it legitimately possible for Kevin Garnett to want it more than ever this year? Sounds like a recipe for success to us.INSIDE BOSTON SPORTS PREDICTION:
66-16 finishing first place in the Eastern Conference.
Celtics over Lakers in 6 games for banner 18.
What's your prediction? Comment.
Celtics over Lakers in 6 games for banner 18.
What's your prediction? Comment.
GREAT analysis! I love the Celtics over the Lakers for the title in six! Baby, say it ain't so! DA
ReplyDeletedon't look over the magic, magic beat the spurs in 6
ReplyDeleteceltics over lakers in 7....kg finals mvp
ReplyDelete-fly
62-20. Sheed, Garnett, Pierce, Rondo all-stars. We coming to embarass Foron.
ReplyDeleteWhile the Celtics have notably improved the depth to their bench and have a bolstered starting lineup with KG back in the fold, look for the Lakers to continue their success and ultimately cap it off with another title. The addition of Ron Artest allows Kobe Bryant freedom on both ends of the court. Look for an increased post presence from young Andrew Bynum and for the role players such as Jordan Farmar, Sasha Vujacic, Luke Walton, and Adam Morrison to contribute more than they did in the previous season.
ReplyDeleteLakers over Cavaliers in 6 games.
celtics over grizzlies in 4
ReplyDeleteKid doesn't even have the respect to pick the Celtics in the finals.
ReplyDelete73-9
ReplyDelete- Max Dorsch