10 things about the upcoming season

[Gant]

1) The "A" Division

Can the league form a new division for this season? Here's the proposal: Start a new division comprised of Boston, San Antonio, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Orlando. With apologies to the Okafor-fortified Hornets, these five teams are the only ones that have a chance at a title. Watching the shifting standings of the "Big A" would be a lot more entertaining than closely monitoring the New York/New Jersey battle for metro bragging rights in the Atlantic.


2) One Important Body Part

I'm talking about Kevin Garnett's knee. Other than a highly optimistic second hand tweet from Jared Dudley there has been no update on THE KNEE. The last information was Garnett would be allowed to get on the court and really test THE KNEE in late August. That means we really don't know anything for certain yet.

If THE KNEE is good, everything falls into place. If not Shelden Williams gets regular court time and you can imagine what might follow.


3) A Cautious Start

Even if THE KNEE is healthy, Garnett's probably going to be brought along slowly. No one goes from stepping on the court for the first time in late August after a six month layoff and knee surgery to playing max minutes in early November.

There might be no back to backs early. There might be limited minutes sort of like we saw during KG's short-lived comeback attempt in the spring. Whatever happens the Celtics will have the big guy working his way back with at least SOME caution.

Now I'm not being negative, just asking. As of this moment there's no reason to think Garnett will not be going full blast as the season goes on.


4) Early Big Man Rotation

What this means is: more Baby, some Shelden, and Perk 'n Rasheed getting their full ration of minutes early on.

Or maybe not- maybe I'm wrong. Maybe Garnett does burst out of the gate. The point is, we won't know until he's actually on the floor.


5) That Pesky Back Up Point Guard Situation

Is it Eddie House again? How come Danny could conjure up two hall of famers by trading players from a team that lost 18 straight but three off-seasons later he still hasn't yet found a real second point guard? I love Eddie, but it's not Eddie again is it? Is It Marquis Daniels? Is it Lester Hudson? Is it Iverson or Marbury or Jason Williams or some other half to fully crazed veteran who's lost his way?


6) The Sleek New Baby

Even with the acquisition of Rasheed and Daniels no one is more intriguing that the new look Glen Big Small Fast Jumping Baby Davis. If you can remember back to last training camp, Baby was huge. He was out of shape and his play suffered. Only when he worked his way into condition by mid-season did his game kick in.

This year though he looks like he took advantage of the cash-for clunkers incentive to trade in the old bod for a fancy new one. He will be quicker. He will jump higher. He will fill roles never before attempted by anyone who has lifted Shaquille O'Neal off the ground.


7) That Back Up 3

Marquis Daniels is coming. He can ably back up Ray Allen or he can ably back up Paul Pierce, but he cannot ably back up Ray Allen and Paul Pierce at the same time.

Who is the other back up wing? Tony Allen: no. Scalabrine: no. JR Giddens: maybe. Bill Walker: maybe. Someone else? There's some minutes available.

Fast Skinny Baby? Hmmm?


8) Rondo

Rondo got spot minutes the first half of his rookie year. By the second half he was starting and made big-leap-number-one as his shooting percentage dramatically improved.

In Rondo's second year he became the starting point guard on a championship team, was the best player on the court in clinching game, and one of the youngest guys ever to accomplish such feats.

Last season he developed into one of the better point guards in the league and was the Celtics' best post season performer.

This year... is there a reason to think that this year he won't make another considerable improvement? And if he does what does that make him?

...the best point guard in the East.


9) Room to Roam

Ok, say THE KNEE is healthy (and it should be. I was just raising the question above.) ...then we get to see a very unusual on-court dynamic: a team that can place two very tall sharpshooting big men on the perimeter without losing rebounding. This is combined with extremely aggressive smaller men who are great drivers.

What happens?

The middle is open- regularly wide and clear open. There are no defensive giants clogging the paint; they're running out to cover the long ball.

The defense gets two choices: Give Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace and Ray Allen wide open shots OR give Pierce and Rondo one on one coverage with no big body behind them. This is what will happen all the time.

I salivate, therefore I am.


10) Finishing Line Up

Kevin Garnett, Rasheed Wallace, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo.

Oh my. That's not just the "A" division champions, that's the NBA champions.

[LenBiasBaller]

I have been talking about #10 for a while now. I can't wait for Rondo to go Ape-sh** with all those shooters on the floor.

[TheOGJabroni]

Great post Gant. The things that really jumped out at me (though I know I have thought about the same things before) are numbers 5 and 8 on your list especially. It is amazing we cannot somehow find a decent backup PG. I understand we had a lot more prospects to work with to form the Big 3 we know and love, but it's amazing to think that he can't find some team out there trying to get rid of their backup PG.

I am so stoked to see what Rondo does this year. His game has improved considerably every year. Last year, he basically did so with LESS talent around him than his first year as a full time starter (lost Posey, big minutes to Scal, Big 3 older). This year he will have MORE talent around him than ever before (Sheed - perfect outside big that can make Rondo's game flourish, Baby is thinner and going to be a dangerous weapon now that we know he has a reliable jumper, and Daniels is a filthy rich man's TA). I think with all these outside shooters we can expect big jumps in his numbers and productivity.

[chas0x01]

This is basically a contract season for Rondo. I have to believe he's gonna take his game to brand new heights. Both Davis and Rondo should take some pretty impressive giant steps forward, and Perks might also show some improvements.
What's up with KG's knee? I thought he had bone spurs and they were removed. I know bone spurs can come back, but they can be treated non-surgically, I believe, if you stay on top of it. Is this a major issue, cuz it doesn't seem to be?

[Gant]

Everything we've heard about THE KNEE has been great. But reportedly Garnett hasn't been on a court yet fully testing it and until he does no one can know with absolute certainty how he'll react. They have him on a recovery schedule.

We should hear more within a few weeks.

[coach mang]

da rest da association needs to stop da debatin

and just git to hatin

N.B.A.

just walk away

and we give ye safe passage

just walk away and we can stop the violence

N.B.A.

just walk away...

if ye insist on actually playing these games...

[chas0x01]

The Shining..

[JSABleedsGreen]

Gant, indeed it was a good post....a little too long....i was starting to fall asleep around point #7, lol. Anyways well just a couple of thoughts that ran through my mind as I read your post.

1)I think we can add Dallas to the A list. They brought back everyone and they added Shawn Marion and Tim Thomas (he's not great but he's not a bad bench player with Kidd running the break). The second team, is Portland too young to be added to this list? If BOS, LA, SA, ORL, CLE & DAL are all in the A+ division, is POR in the A- division? They are good on the tip of the borderline of being great. They added Andre Miller and they are a year older. Just a thought.

2)The Celts didn't have a backup PG in 2008. House was the backup, then they added Cassell with 25 games to go....but he hardly played in the playoffs. So in reality they went with one true PG. When the Celtics add Daniels they can spot him for some minutes at the PG position with House. If Daniels is out at the same time as Rondo, They can collectively bring the ball up between Ray, Pierce and House. It can be done, break the ball pressure with a little team passing.

3) I think if I'm Rondo this is my mindset, get my @ss in the gym and work on that jumper. There isn't gonna be a lot space down there to drive with those tree's (Garnett, Wallace, Perk & Shelden) in the way. I think Rondo is going to average even more assists this year because he has so many weapons. I think he'll realize that in order for his defender to stay true from doubling down or doubling away he's going to need that shot consistenly. Let's be real for a moment, you give Rondo a legitimate jumpshot and suddenly becomes top 2 PG with the possibilty of of being the top PG.

4) I like Sheed off the bench. I think Perk and KG work well together. Perk is the enforcer you need in there. You have him bang around with the big boys like Shaq and Dwight and then you bring Sheed and stretch those big fellas (tired from banging down low with Perk) out to the 3pt line, they'll be too tired to even hang with Sheed. OMG it's ridiculous how good the Celts can be this year. Even a comibation of Daniels, House, Paul/Ray, Baby and Sheed is deadly and fellas.....that's the second unit. At worst maybe you can spell Paul/Ray with a little Walker. That's still nasty.

As I start to think of the second unit, let's face it people....the Celtics are the best team. Not just a fan but a realist. Daniels as a backup? Sheed as a backup? Big Baby arguably a starter on another team....wow.....that just spells banner 18 to me.

[TheOGJabroni]

Gant, indeed it was a good post....a little too long....i was starting to fall asleep around point #7, lol. Anyways well just a couple of thoughts that ran through my mind as I read your post.

1)I think we can add Dallas to the A list. They brought back everyone and they added Shawn Marion and Tim Thomas (he's not great but he's not a bad bench player with Kidd running the break). The second team, is Portland too young to be added to this list? If BOS, LA, SA, ORL, CLE & DAL are all in the A+ division, is POR in the A- division? They are good on the tip of the borderline of being great. They added Andre Miller and they are a year older. Just a thought.

2)The Celts didn't have a backup PG in 2008. House was the backup, then they added Cassell with 25 games to go....but he hardly played in the playoffs. So in reality they went with one true PG. When the Celtics add Daniels they can spot him for some minutes at the PG position with House. If Daniels is out at the same time as Rondo, They can collectively bring the ball up between Ray, Pierce and House. It can be done, break the ball pressure with a little team passing.

3) I think if I'm Rondo this is my mindset, get my @ss in the gym and work on that jumper. There isn't gonna be a lot space down there to drive with those tree's (Garnett, Wallace, Perk & Shelden) in the way. I think Rondo is going to average even more assists this year because he has so many weapons. I think he'll realize that in order for his defender to stay true from doubling down or doubling away he's going to need that shot consistenly. Let's be real for a moment, you give Rondo a legitimate jumpshot and suddenly becomes top 2 PG with the possibilty of of being the top PG.

4) I like Sheed off the bench. I think Perk and KG work well together. Perk is the enforcer you need in there. You have him bang around with the big boys like Shaq and Dwight and then you bring Sheed and stretch those big fellas (tired from banging down low with Perk) out to the 3pt line, they'll be too tired to even hang with Sheed. OMG it's ridiculous how good the Celts can be this year. Even a comibation of Daniels, House, Paul/Ray, Baby and Sheed is deadly and fellas.....that's the second unit. At worst maybe you can spell Paul/Ray with a little Walker. That's still nasty.

As I start to think of the second unit, let's face it people....the Celtics are the best team. Not just a fan but a realist. Daniels as a backup? Sheed as a backup? Big Baby arguably a starter on another team....wow.....that just spells banner 18 to me.

1. No Dallas on the list. Portland, MAYBE.

2. Agreed.

3. KG and Garnett can shoot, so the fact that they are "trees" will not prevent Rondo from driving. Perk will be down low but that is a non-issue seeing that Rondo has played with Perk for a few years now and it has never been a problem. Shelden, will be a DNP much of the time once we are fully healthy and rolling. But yes, I do agree he should work on his J, just not for those reasons.

4. Once again, agreed. And welcome to the board.

[JSABleedsGreen]

1. No Dallas on the list. Portland, MAYBE.

2. Agreed.

3. KG and Garnett can shoot, so the fact that they are "trees" will not prevent Rondo from driving. Perk will be down low but that is a non-issue seeing that Rondo has played with Perk for a few years now and it has never been a problem. Shelden, will be a DNP much of the time once we are fully healthy and rolling. But yes, I do agree he should work on his J, just not for those reasons.

4. Once again, agreed. And welcome to the board.

1) Now that I think about it, I think they lost a lot when they lost Bass. They have no legitimate power big man because Dampier is a bum.

3) you are right about it not being too crowded down there but there will be at least one big bosy down there to avoid. Either Perk, KG or Wallace.....because let's face it....even when KG and Wallace play together it would be absurd to have them play both outside, you need a presence inside.

4) Thanks been reading all your comments for 2 years finally decided to join the convo.

I've got one more thing. Do you guys think Pierce should post up a little more now that he's getting older? IMO he should, specially if he's in there with KG and Sheed. Now i'm not saying have hime post all the time but run some plays with him in the post. He's strong and long and is a good finisher either to the hoop or that little step away fade away on the right side of floor. Sorry fellas i'm an avid hoops player myself and love the potential of this team. There are no weakness on paper as far as I can see.

[ryaningf]

I've got one more thing. Do you guys think Pierce should post up a little more now that he's getting older? IMO he should, specially if he's in there with KG and Sheed. Now i'm not saying have hime post all the time but run some plays with him in the post. He's strong and long and is a good finisher either to the hoop or that little step away fade away on the right side of floor. Sorry fellas i'm an avid hoops player myself and love the potential of this team. There are no weakness on paper as far as I can see.

Yeah, it would be great to see Pierce more in the post as he ages. I'm not sure if there are any plans to do so, however, and I think this has been an area of exploitation that has been underutilized in the past. As long as his first step is good enough to get separation, he'll probably use that as his primary offensive weapon, along with the step back jumper.

[Gant]

Regarding the Celtics playing KG and Wallace on the perimeter. This will happen as the game calls for it.

The first thing Doc crooned about after getting Rasheed was how it would help the defense (and this is going to be a MAGNIFICENT defense). The second thing he said is how much Rondo is going to benefit by Wallace pulling the center out of the lane.

It's all adjustable as the situation dictates, but this is a helluva versatile roster that you can do a lot of things with.

[darrendaye]

Gant, great read as always. Hit nail on head with Rondo. Though, to your point on a bunch of slashing wings, well, Rondo gets a good percentage of his shots on drives and converted at over 60% of his inside shots last season. If that continues and he can draw more contact, he may earn that $10+ contract. However, beyond Rondo, I don't think any other veteran wing qualifies as a slasher other than Tony Allen. Paul Pierce has taken jump shots 70% and 73% of the time the past two seasons. Daniels, 70% and 59% from outside. Daniels had a 62% shooting percentage inside too in 2008/09. Last year's ratio hopefully is more what we see this year. And good friend TA, shot 50% and 39% from outside respectively and last year converted over 62% from inside. TA also has the added bonus of getting to the FT line frequently.

FYI Rondo shot outside only 43% in 2008/09 and 56% in 2007/08. Stats according to http://www.82games.com

Touching on the Pierce posting up comment, I would be giddy to see it more incorporated in the offense. As he ages, he is not attacking the rim as he did on younger legs. He also took a step back last season on converting his inside shots, finishing only 55% of the time, he shot over 61% the season before. But I have always envisioned Pierce finding a home as an Adrian Dantley type scorer as he slowed down. Though we have not seen a good deal of Pierce posting up the past three seasons, he does have an aptitude to play in the box against smaller opponents. I would love to see Pierce back to 40% inside.

[return2glory]

Great post Gant. The key is going to be KG's health and the team's overall health.

I don't see any of our players playing more than 35 minutes a game other than maybe Rondo. We need to keep KG, Ray, and Paul fresh. We now have that luxury with the additons of Sheed and Daniels.

The backup PG position is not an issue to me, but for a lot of people, it is. We won the championship in 2008 without a true backup PG. Like another poster said, we added Sam I Am, but he didn't play that much. The great Bulls teams one many titles without a true PG on their entire roster. Rondo, House, Daniels, hopefully Hudson, and even TA can play the point.

[Cyclical]

My questions for the season, apart from KG's knee, which I'm worried about, and who's the first guard off the bench, are:

A) How will Baby play with bench players around him? He's not going to be on the floor with many starters any longer which means he won't be open as much and won't get the good passes and spacing as much as late last season. Will he adjust?

B) Will Rondo really improve that jumper? It seems to be mental with him. He makes most of the ones he takes with a second left on the clock, yet misses wide open ones 12 seconds into a possession. Some players never overcome that. Still love him...

C) Will Sheed be as effective on the offensive end as people think? I know he'll give us some good D, but he hasn't looked good to me on offense in about 3 years. I remain a skeptic. People talk about him like he's the great savior, the Rasheed Wallace from 2004, but honestly he hasn't shown much in a few years now. I hope he proves me wrong. I really do.

[Gant]

My questions for the season, apart from KG's knee, which I'm worried about, and who's the first guard off the bench, are:

A) How will Baby play with bench players around him? He's not going to be on the floor with many starters any longer which means he won't be open as much and won't get the good passes and spacing as much as late last season. Will he adjust?

B) Will Rondo really improve that jumper? It seems to be mental with him. He makes most of the ones he takes with a second left on the clock, yet misses wide open ones 12 seconds into a possession. Some players never overcome that. Still love him...

C) Will Sheed be as effective on the offensive end as people think? I know he'll give us some good D, but he hasn't looked good to me on offense in about 3 years. I remain a skeptic. People talk about him like he's the great savior, the Rasheed Wallace from 2004, but honestly he hasn't shown much in a few years now. I hope he proves me wrong. I really do.

Rasheed's TS% and eFg have been very stable for a number of years, but he did considerably drop off overall last year.

I think he got in a bad state with the Chauncey trade and it affected his effort and his results. Alongside Garnett I would expect Rasheed to totally bounce back in attitude, effort, and production.

You do mention Baby playing with the second unit as a concern, and that is true (although last year's second unit was chronically screwed up due to injuries so I expect the new sleek Baby will do just fine). The flip side is Rasheed playing against second unit guys will probably help.

[GuyClinch]

Meh. Rondo killed us against the Orlando. A real student of the game would know that. He was forced into being a scorer and it hurt not only Rondo but the entire teams production. I don't know how anyone could think he was so great in the post season.

Dont' get me wrong though with KG and Rasheed to carry some of the offensive load the C's should be in much better shape..

[ParticleMan]

The great thing about this team is that we can be even better. We've got 6 mil in expiring deals to play with at the trade deadline. No more trolling the waiver wire for half-insane washed-up retreads. We can actually bring in a quality player to fill a need if we want to.

[Banks2Pierce]

I saw you try to sneak in that Baby at the 3 at times idea...you old sly dog, you.

I don't care about that backup point slot...Daniels and House are a great backcourt tandem because their strengths and weaknesses fit together like a puzzle piece. I also still like Hudson, but it's tough to tell if he is in the team's plans.

Walker will be ready for the rotation this year. Heck, I thought he was ready last year, but this year I think he can even be an asset off of the bench.

Great post Gant. Also agree that Portland is a possible candidate for that last slot in the A League.

[Kefa461]

It's all about......The Knee.......if it's ok and I trust it is........and we have health........ so until then