The NBA's Most Storied Franchise (Boston Celtics)

Member Name: TheChosen1

Product:	Boston Celtics
Date:	21/04/09 (140 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Has three hall of fame quality players

Disadvantages: Relatively shallow bench.

About the Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics is one of the most storied franchises in NBA history with an unprecedented seventeen championships. They also have the most number of numbers retired and have dozens of hall of famers. The Celtics have won championships every decade until the nineties came wherein they won nothing.

Boston has had a series of unfortunate events that led to this mediocrity. The original big three got old and disbanded. Len Bias and Reggie Lewis who were expected to bolster the big three and extend their lifespan died. The team lost out big time in the Tim Duncan lottery also.

The year 2006 Red Auerbach died. Auerbach has been the architect of every Celtic championship. This year also began one of the worst seasons in franchise history as they finished 24-58 and had an eighteen game losing streak during that same season.

The 2007-2008 season was a turnaround season. The franchise acquired Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett for blockbuster trades which involved draft picks and young talent. This season ended up with Boston having the biggest single season turnaround in league history. This was capped off by championship number seventeen.

Current Roster

Paul Pierce
Ray Allen
Kevin Garnett
Rajon Rondo
Kendrick Perkins
Eddie House
Tony Allen
Leon Powe
Glen Davis
Mikki Moore
Brian Scalabrine
Bill Walker
Stephon Marbury
Gabe Pruitt
J.R. Giddens

Key Additions: Mikki Moore and Stephon Marbury

Key Losses: James Posey, PJ Brown and Sam Cassell

What the Celtics should have done in the season

-They should have been more active in the preseason and snagged Corey Magette but banked too much on James Posey resigning and ended up with neither player. Corey would have been a very good sixth man. He could have been an instant twelve to fifteen points off the bench. He was willing to sign below his market value too.

-They should have traded Gabe Pruitt, Tony Allen and Brian Scalabrine. Gabe is a D-League talent who should be shipped as he does not possess enough point guard skills to be a reliable back-up. Tony is a nice talent but oft injured. Brian could shoot threes but does not do enough to justify $3M in salaries as he does not rebound nor block shots considering his size.

-They should have signed Joe Smith and Drew Gooden. These two may not be All-Star quality but are a worthy edition to the bench. They could have traded Gabe Pruitt, Tony Allen or Brian Scalabrine for second round picks to free roster spots. This also prevent the opposition from getting them.

-Bill Walker should see more playing time. I have seen this fellow play during the preseason and he is a lottery quality talent but merely had his stock suffer due to a knee injury. He could have been a very good weapon off the bench.

Strengths:

-Boston has Hall of Fame caliber talent in the big three (Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen).

-Boston is one of the best defensive teams in the NBA.

-Boston has very good team chemistry and teamwork. People are willing to forego stats for wins.

-Boston has very good long range bombers in Ray Allen, Eddie House and Paul Pierce.

Weakness:

-Boston does not have a high quality center in the league of Yao Ming or Shaquille O' Neil. Kedrick Perkins is tough and serviceable but is undersized.

-Boston does not have a very solid bench as compared to teams like the Los Angeles Lakers.

-Until they were able to acquire Marbury, the team was very thin at point guard.

Outlook

As long as the team retains its chemistry and barring injuries to key players, Boston will definitely retain its title. The team has very good defense and plays like a very cohesive unit. To add to this, the big three is simply unstoppable. Me and my friend played simulations using NBA Live 2009 and it was very hard to beat Boston because it had three exceptionally good players that needed double coverage. Garnett is a presence in the post and could shoot midrange jumpers. Paul Pierce could slash through for an easy deuce or bomb away from the three point line. Ray Allen is the deadliest shooter since Reggie Miller. Just give him six inches and he will kill you.

The biggest challenges that Boston could face in the east are Cleveland and Orlando. So long as they could contain Lebron James and Dwight Howard, they would be fine. In the west, San Antonio and Los Angeles (the Lakers not the Clippers) seem to be the biggest obstacles to a repeat. I believe Boston could also beat them as the core of last year's championship team is intact. Another thing to consider is that it is an odd year and San Antonio wins in odd numbered years (1999, 2003, 2005, 2007).

The key to repeating is that everyone important remains healthy (Sorry Scalabrine). It is also key that Doc Rivers keeps the Big Three fresh through properly rotating them. The playoffs is a long grind and if not used properly, the triumvirate may run out of gas before completing their quest.
Players I would be playing extensively aide from the starters would be Leon Powe, Eddie House and Stephon Marbury. Leon Powe has been amazing in last year's playoffs and in the past few games. He is a mobile big man who could score. Eddie House and Stephon Marbury could spell Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. This would keep them fresh.

So long as they play their cards right, Boston could be hoisting number eighteen pretty soon. If they do not make it this year, they still have a two to three year window with the Big Three to gain a championship. This year's team is still stacked so I would not be betting against them.

© TheChosen1. Review is published in other sites under the same name

-Previously published in Ciao
-Roster and team inofrmation sourced from Celtics.com

Summary: This is a review of the 2009 Boston Celtics.