Last season, the
Boston Celtics had the single greatest turnaround in a season in NBA history: going from Eastern Conference doormats to the league's best record, winning the Atlantic Division title, 66 games, and, most importantly, the NBA Finals.
However, most NBA fans already know that. Now, I can bore you all, stating how great the "Boston Three Party" of All-Stars
Kevin Garnett,
Ray Allen, and 2008 Finals MVP
Paul Pierce are. That should be common knowledge. If that's not to you, I suggest watching a ton of NBA TV and ESPN Classic.
You see, the
Boston Celtics can and quite possibly will repeat as NBA champions, but not just due to their three All-Stars or coach Doc Rivers. Rather, it's their young studs people should pay attention to.
Those young players include (in no particular order) Tony Allen, rookie J.R. Giddens,
Kendrick Perkins,
Rajon Rondo, Glen "Big Baby" Davis, and Leon "Powe my God!" Powe. They make up a young nucleus for the future, and the Celtics incredibly deep.
Forget
James Posey's significant defensive contributions. Let me tell you something you don't already know.
While these young men mentioned above are not prolific scorers (with the exception of Giddens in college, with 16.3 points per game), they did show flashes of brilliance throughout the regular season and, at times, the postseason.
Guard Tony Allen was particularly productive the season prior to the acquisitions of Garnett and
Ray Allen, scoring over 11 points per game. In the event the All-Star Allen was injured, the young guard could step in and at least do a serviceable job.
As far as guards go,
Rajon Rondo certainly proved his worth last postseason, which included a 16 assist performance in Game Two of the NBA Finals. As far as I'm concerned, the only reason Rondo doesn't score more is due to the fact that he plays with three Future Hall-of-Famers. Enough said.
If you think Rondo has a bright future, don't look past big man
Kendrick Perkins, whose stellar play went beyond the box score. At just 23 years old, there is still a ton of basketball for this man to play. Unfortunately, Perkins is out for the time being with an injured shoulder.
As big of a void as Perkins would leave if he wasn't 100 percent at the beginning of the season, the Celtics do have a backup plan.
That plan is the man they call Powe. Powe is not only a self-made man, but a 6'8" monster waiting to be unleashed; as evident in that same Game Two of the NBA Finals, scoring 21 points in just 15 minutes of play. Along with Powe, the Celtics also have Patrick O'Bryant, a 22-year-old 7'0" former lottery pick they brought in during the offseason.
"Big Baby" Davis was a standout at LSU and can certainly get better with time. Add to that second-year guard
Gabe Pruitt, Giddens, and fellow athletically gifted rookie Bill Walker, and you have a young nucleus for the present....and future.
Add these young ingredients up with
Sam Cassell,
Darius Miles,
Eddie House, and, most of all, the Big Three, and you have the makings of an incredibly deep team that has championship experience.
What about the Wizards? They look good, but without
Gilbert Arenas, they won't make much noise in the postseason. Could the Cavaliers could be a threat? It might be an insurmountable task for King James to carry the team to another NBA Finals berth.
Is Detroit still a contender? Certainly they are, but not enough of a contender to get past the Eastern Conference Finals.
The Eastern Conference is the Celtics' to lose. With a combination of a very good coach, three future Hall-of-Famers, a strong bench, and a young, but talented group of players waiting in the shadows, the
Boston Celtics have a team that can stand toe-to-toe with the best the Western Conference has to offer: no matter who stands in their way.
The Celtics did the improbable last season. Stay tuned for the encore...