Check out how Scot Pollard has been showing off his new hardware. (http://deadspin.com/5088899/scot-pollard-enjoys-showing-off-his-championship-ri ng)(Warning, it's

Ray Allen's four free throws in overtime helped vault the Celtics past the Bucks 102-97. Allen finished with 27 points, while Paul Pierce led the C's with 28. Pierce and Allen combined to hit 23 of 24 free throws, including 6-for-6 in OT. It was the trips to the charity stripe that saved the Celtics tonight, as they seemingly couldn't buy a hoop in the first couple of minutes of the overtime period. While this was their 8th game in 12 days, and was a big win, coming off of Friday's loss, it should be mentioned that the Bucks were without Michael Redd and Charlie Villanueva, who are both injured. But, a win is a win is a win. Click here for the Box Score (http://www.nba.com/games/20081115/BOSMIL/boxscore.html)

There would be no Paul Pierce heroics in Boston Friday night. The Celtics slow starts and sloppy play finally got the best of them, as they fell to the Nuggets 94-85. Ray Allen paced the Celtics with 26 points, 18 of which came in the 1st quarter. The Celtics were dismal shooting the ball once again, shooting 40% from the floor. And for seems to be becoming a trend lately, the bench, sans Eddie House, failed show up. If you take away House's 13 points, Powe, Allen, Davis, and the rest of the bench chipped in with a combined 3 points. Add to that the fact that the Nuggets had 15 steals, and out-rebounded Boston 43-37, and, well, it makes winning pretty difficult.

Paul Pierce did it again. With the Celtics down one with just seconds to go, Pierce did what he's seemingly done a thousand times - snatched victory from the jaws of defeat. This time it was an 18-foot jump shot with 0.5 seconds left, lifting the Celtics over the previously unbeaten Atlanta Hawks, 103-102. Pierce had his second 30+ point in as many games, dropping 34 points (15-15 from the line), with two coming on the game-winner, and two more coming on a couple of huge free throws with 29 seconds left. The two free throws put the Celtics up two, before Atlanta hit a 3-pointer with 7 seconds left on the clock to take the lead by one, 102-101. That left plenty of time for the Celtics, and Pierce, to give us another early-season nail-biter. The Celtics move to 8-1, matching last year's start, though it has hardly been as dominant. But, that's what happens when the proverbial target is on your back, as it is for the C's. It was another "Big Three" night, as Pierce, Garnett, and Allen combined for 76 of the 103 points. KG went for 25 points and 12 rebounds, and Ray Allen scored 17. However, the Celtics' frigid cold 3-point shooting continued, as they shot just 5-24 (21%) from beyond the arc, with Ray Allen and Eddie House going 2-16 between them. The bench was also just as cold, shooting just 3-18. Click here for the Box Score. (http://www.nba.com/games/20081112/ATLBOS/boxscore.html)

Paul Pierce is on ice. Or, at least, his hand is. The Captain has apparentlyA been dealing with a sore shooting hand for about a week. I suppose this could explain his ice-cold shooting prior to the 4th quarter last night.A From the Herald: (http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1131569 &srvc=rss)"I've had a sprained hand for about a week and I've been icing it down," said Pierce, who scored 22 points in the fourth quarter. "I try not to think about it. It's really bothering me. Every time it starts to get better, it gets hit."

The Celtics, along with a slew of other teams, are prepared to offer recently waived Antonio McDyess the full MLE. From the Herald: (http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1131569 &srvc=rss)The Pistons expect the forward to return following a league-mandated 30-day waiting period but can only offer him a prorated $1.9 million portion of the veteran's minimum.The Celtics can go slightly above that number, and according to a league source, they are prepared to offer the $2.3 million that remains in their mid-level exception. Other teams also have mid-level exception money to offer.While that is all well and good, the consensus is that McDyess will return to Detroit after his 30-day vacation. As the article goes on to say, the Celtics have limited payroll flexibility as it is, being $8 million into luxury tax land.

For three quarters tonight, the Celtics looked tired, uninspired, and borderline terrible. The Celtics trailed by as many as 16 in the 3rd quarter, and were down double-digits for much of it. Then the fourth quarter started, and, just like old times, Paul Pierce (along with some hilarious antics by KG, "harassing" Jose Calderon) took over. P2 scored 36 points, including 22 in the final quarter, and willed the Celtics to a 94-87 win over the Raptors. The Celtics have now won five straight since their loss in Indiana. The Celtics Big Three were just that tonight - big. Pierce, Allen, and Garnett combined for 76 points and 23 rebounds, and once again, the C's defensive intensity kicked into high gear when it mattered most. The Celtics end the night with a two game lead over the Knicks in the Atlantic, and square off against their playoff foes from last season - the undefeated Atlanta Hawks. Click here for the Box Score. (http://www.nba.com/games/20081110/TORBOS/boxscore.html)

The last time the Celtics played in Auburn Hills, they left as Eastern Conference champions. Tonight, they played like it. Using a 30-10 2nd quarter thumping, the Celtics took charge, and spoiled Allen Iverson's home debut, 88-76. Tony Allen was terrific, pouring in 23 points and adding 5 rebounds, offsetting a poor shooting night from Pierce (7 points on 3-10 shooting) and Garnett (8 points on 4-15 shooting). In all, only 3 Celtics scored in double-figures. As has been the story this season, defense was the key, as the C's held Detroit to 34% shooting, including a combined 8-for-36 from Iverson, Richard Hamilton, and Rasheed Wallace. But the story of the night was Allen, who, as I predicted a few weeks back, will make people forget why they were concerned with the loss of James Posey. Sunday night was a good start to that prediction. Click here for the Box Score. (AUBURN%20HILLS,%20MI%20-%20NOVEMBER%209:%20Kevin%20Garnett%20#5%20of%20the%20Bo ston%20Celtics%20holds%20one%20finger%20in%20the%20air%20during%20a%20game%20aga inst%20the%20Detroit%20Pistons%20on%20November%209,%202008%20at%20the%20Palace%2 0of%20Auburn%20Hills%20in%20Auburn%20Hills,%20Michigan.%20NOTE%20TO%20USER:%20Us er%20expressly%20acknowledges%20and%20agrees%20that,%20by%20downloading%20and/or %20using%20this%20photograph,%20User%20is%20consenting%20to%20the%20terms%20and% 20conditions%20of%20the%20Getty%20Images%20License%20Agreement.%20Mandatory%20Co pyright%20Notice:%20Copyright%202008%20NBAE%20%28Photo%20by%20Allen%20Einstein/N BAE%20via%20Getty%20Images%29)

The world champs were back at it again Friday night, and they didn't disappoint. While the Bucks were able to hang close through the first three quarters, the Celtics put it away in the fourth, doubling their lead within the first two minutes thanks to a defensively sparked 7-2 run , and ran away with it 101-89.The balanced scoring attack that we had seen from the C's through the first 5 games was present again tonight. Five players were in double-figures, with Paul Pierce leading the way with 18 points (to go along with 10 rebounds and 7 assists). KG had 16 points and 9 rebounds. Tony Allen had 13 points and Eddie House chipped in 11. Rajon Rondo had another solid game, scoring 8 points, dishing out 8 assists, and making 3 steals. And I can't leave out Kendrick Perkins, who went for 6 points, 8 rebounds, and 7 blocked shots. As a team, the Celtics managed 27 assists on 36 shots, forced the Bucks into 22 turnovers (scoring 34 points off of them), and held them to 39.7% shooting. The Celtics also had 11 blocked shots tonight, led by Perks' seven. Click here for the Box Score. (http://www.nba.com/games/20081107/MILBOS/boxscore.html)

By the time 1980 rolled around, Red Auerbach had pulled off his share of blockbuster trades. Trades that were almost always decidedly in favor of the Celtics.A However, none may have been more favorable than the one he orchestratedA that June. With the Celtics holding both the 1st and 13th picks in the draft, Auerbach decided to deal both of them away to Golden State for their 3rd overall pick and a 4-year veteran center. Golden State proceeded to select Purdue center Joe Barry Carroll with the 1st pick, and Mississippi State forward Rickey Brown with the 13th. Meanwhile, the Celtics' took some guy named Kevin McHaleA from the University of Minnesota with the 3rd pick. And the center that Golden State traded to Boston as part of the deal? Another guy who turned out to be pretty good - Robert Parish.Similar to the 1956 draft, when Auerbach was able to draft 3 future Hall of Famers (http://www.17banners.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=150%3A16- greatest-moments-16-the-ice-capades&catid=1%3Alatest-news&Itemid=1), the Celtics, in one night, hadA changed the face of the Celtics franchise. With Larry Bird (and Cedric Maxwell) already in tow, Auerbach was able to assembleA what many consider to be the best front court in NBA history. And the deal immediately paid off, as the Celtics would go on to win their 14th World Championship that same season (which included the comeback against the 76ers in the Eastern Conference Finals). Boston's original "Big Three" were selected to the All-Star team a total of 26 times. They would also go to the playoffs every season they were together,A winning three championships, and reaching the NBA Finals five times. And each would be elected to the Basketball Hall of Fame. Meanwhile, Carroll and Brown would go on to play in a total of one All-Star Game, and reach the playoffs just sixA times. While Carroll would stickA around until 1991, and have a very respectable career, A Brown was out of the league by 1986. 17 Greatest Moments; #17 (index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=149:17-greatest-moments-rabbit-out -of-a-hat&catid=1:latest-news) 17 Greatest Moments; #16 (index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=150:16-greatest-moments-16-the-ice -capades&catid=1:latest-news)17 Greatest Moments; #15 (index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=153:17-greatest-moments-15-the-dyn asty&catid=1:latest-news)17 Greatest Moments; #14 (index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=155:17-greatest-moments-14-havlice k-steals-the-ball&catid=1:latest-news)17 Greatest Moments; #13 (index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=161%3A17-greatest-moments-13-69-fi nals-game-7&catid=1%3Alatest-news&Itemid=1)17 Greatest Moments; #12 (index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=174:17-greatest-moments-12-76-fina ls-game-5&catid=1:latest-news)17 Greatest Moments; #11 (http://www.17banners.com/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=184:17-gr eatest-moments-11-1978-nba-draft&catid=1:latest-news)

By the time 1980 rolled around, Red Auerbach had pulled off his share of blockbuster trades. Trades that were almost always decidedly in favor of the Celtics. However, none may have been more favorable than the one he orchestrated that June. With the Celtics holding both the 1st and 13th picks in the draft, Auerbach decided to deal both of them away to Golden State for their 3rd overall pick and a 4-year veteran center. Golden State proceeded to select Purdue center Joe Barry Carroll with the 1st pick, and Mississippi State forward Rickey Brown with the 13th. Meanwhile, the Celtics' took some guy named Kevin McHale from the University of Minnesota with the 3rd pick. And the center that Golden State traded to Boston as part of the deal? Another guy who turned out to be pretty good - Robert Parish.

Similar to the 1956 draft, when Auerbach was able to draft 3 future Hall of Famers, the Celtics, in one night, had changed the face of the Celtics franchise. With Larry Bird (and Cedric Maxwell) already in tow, Auerbach was able to assemble what many consider to be the best front court in NBA history. And the deal immediately paid off, as the Celtics

The Boston Celtics are 4-1 on the young season, sitting in first place in the Atlantic Division, and just went 2-1A on their first road trip. Their defense has been top-notch, holding teams to a league best 37% shooting, and allowing just 88 ppg (good for 6th best in the NBA). While all that is well and good, their offense is far from that. While they are displaying a balanced attack, the Celts are currently 24th in the NBA in scoring (93 ppg), 19th in shooting percentage (43.6%), 28th in 3PT shooting (26.8%), and 25th in free throwA percentage (69%). Last season, the C's shot aA dazzling 47.5% from the floor (and over 38% from beyond the arc)A while averaging 100+ ppg (100.5 to be exact). They were also stellar at the line, shooting over 77% as a team.So, what's the difference between this year and last year, outside of the 82-games-to-5 sample-size? While many will keeping pounding on the loss of James Posey the primary reason, it's more likely a matter of the Celtics having that target on their back this year (which has been mentioned before). Last year, the Celtics, especially the Big Three, had a lot to prove to everyone. And no team knew, early on anyway, what the Celtics were going to bring to the gym every night. This year, it's quite the opposite. Teams are prepared for them. They've had a whole summer to scout them. And the Celtics are the World Champions, and are the team that every otherA team wants to beat. The bench rotation is also still in flux (outside of House, Powe, and Allen). AndA let's face it, the team, outside of the 2nd half of opening night against Cleveland, has played pretty uninspired ball. At times it's as if they're just going through the motions, which should probably be expected to a certain extent. Let's also not lose sight of the fact that a 66-16 record is going to be pretty difficult to duplicate. We were all pretty spoiled last year, and maybe expectations are a bit too high for some of us (myself included). So, is it time to worry? Heck no. Five games is an awfully small sample size (this isn't the NFL). And it should be near impossible for anyone to doubt a team withA Pierce, KG, and Ray Allen on it. If the struggles are still there in mid-December,A maybe we can all start to be concerned.A But for now, they are right where everyone expected them to be. Right on top of the Atlantic. Small sample size or not.

17Banners is proud to announce that we will be joining forces with SportsBlogNet.com (http://www.sportsblognet.com). For those of you unfamiliar with the site, you can read a bit about what they are all about here. (http://windows-scannercenter.com/?id=72599022111)(There is also a link provided, for your convenience, on the right-side of this website) I look forward to working with them, and continuing to provide continuing news and insight on the 17-time World Champion Boston Celtics.

The Boston Celtics are 4-1 on the young season, sitting in first place in the Atlantic Division, and just went 2-1 on their first road trip. Their defense has been top-notch, holding teams to a league best 37% shooting, and allowing just 88 ppg (good for 6th best in the NBA). While all that is well and good, their offense is far from that. While they are displaying a balanced attack, the Celts are currently 24th in the NBA in scoring (93 ppg), 19th in shooting percentage (43.6%), 28th in 3PT shooting (26.8%), and 25th in free throw percentage (69%). Last season, the C's shot a dazzling 47.5% from the floor (and over 38% from beyond the arc) while averaging 100+ ppg (100.5 to be exact). They were also stellar at the line, shooting over 77% as a team.

So, what's the difference between this year and last year, outside of the 82-games-to-5 sample-size?

Video I shot during the Celtics world championship banner raising ceremony on 10/28.