Mr. Roarke uttered these memorable words weekly as he and his miniature sidekick, Tattoo, would welcome visitors off of their hydroplane and onto Fantasy Island. Similarly, Celtics fans nationwide are currently pinching themselves, awaiting their complimentary leis and shamrock beverages, as Boston ushers in a new and promising era. By landing both Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett this off-season, Danny Ainge may have already locked up G.M. of the Year.
However, let us all not drink the green Kool-Aid just yet. While the Fleet Center‘s future is certainly more promising than in seasons past, the Celtics are still far away from locking up the Eastern Conference, never mind an NBA title. Championships are not won on paper; several factors still stand in the way of the Celtics raising the O’Brien Trophy. The lack of a quality point guard both offensively and defensively, limited cap space, lack of a quality defensive presence on the interior, a strengthened Eastern conference and very possibly their head coach could all deter the Celtics from hoisting their 17th championship banner.
Who’s Bringing up the Ball?: Recent rumors have pointed toward the signing of veteran point guard, Brevin Knight. But can Ainge get him to sign for peanuts, knowing he’ll still have to land another big man? And are Knight and Rajon Rondo, a second year point guard who averaged four assists and two turnovers last year, enough to be the Celtics floor generals and dictate the tempo of the ballgame? And if not Knight, who? They won’t need much scoring out of this position, but they will need quality decision-making, limited turnovers and solid defense.
Who’s Defending the Point?: The last five NBA champions have all had one thing in common: a quality ball-handler in the clutch. Tony Parker won last year’s Finals MVP Award and has run the point for San Antonio’s last three titles. Dwayne Wade handled most of the crunch time point guard duties during Miami’s championship run. And Chauncey Billups won the Finals MVP for the Pistons in 2004. Whoever runs the floor for Boston will have to contend with tough point guard play. In a recent article, Bill Simmons compared the signing of these three superstars to the Rockets’ Barkley-Drexler-Olajuwon experiment. He appropriately pointed out that their point guard, Matt Maloney, was routinely broken down in the playoffs by John Stockton, leading to the Rockets being ousted prior to the Finals. The modern NBA has seen the emergence of Deron Williams, Chris Paul and T.J. Ford. In the Atlantic Division, the Celtics will regularly have to defend Ford, Jason Kidd, and Garnett’s former teammate, Stephon Marbury. If Boston is fortunate enough to get to the Finals, they’ll likely have to defend against Parker or two-time MVP, Steve Nash, both of whom are perfectly capable of breaking down a quality defender, never mind a mediocre one. If Danny Ainge fails to land a somewhat competent point guard who can mesh with this team and play on both ends of the floor, this experiment may all be for naught.
Cap Space: With Garnett, Allen and Pierce, the Celtics have all but expended their available salary. Management will have to be very creative under the cap. Anyone they acquire, and there are still key roster spots to fill, will have to put their egos aside and sign for close to the league minimum. I foresee Ray, Paul and KG picking up many dinner tabs in their immediate futures.
Age and Health: Adrenaline, drive and determination are essential to winning an NBA title. Unfortunately, so are minutes from the big guns. Both Ray Allen and Paul Pierce missed major playing time last year due to injury. Pierce played in 47 games and Allen suited up for 55. Tony Allen, who may also split time at 1- and 2-guard position, only played 33 games last season. The Big Three will all have to stay healthy for the Celtics to achieve their dream of a title. The coaching staff must effectively manage their minutes to ensure they’re all 100% come playoff time.
Coaching: Doc Rivers currently holds a 102-144 coaching record with the Celtics. While he has been saddled with mediocre teams in both Boston and Orlando, he is still under .500 for his career. The last 17 NBA championships have been commandeered by the coaching elite. During this period, only five men have led their teams to titles: Gregg Popovich, Pat Riley, Larry Brown, Phil Jackson and Rudy Tomjanovich. Can you really see Doc Rivers' name in this category? Ainge did the right thing by signing Rivers to a long-term extension to avoid any questions about his future with the team. However, expectations are extremely high. And if Doc cannot get the job done with these players, Celtic ownership can and will find someone who can. By that time, though, will it be too late?
The Diesel: While the center position in the league is not what it once was, the Miami Heat still boast a certain big man named Shaquille O’Neal. While Shaq is on the waning end of his career and will most likely not play a full season, he is still an undeniable presence. In a four-game series, who will cover an inspired Shaquille O’Neal looking for one last shot at a title? Kendrick Perkins? Glenn Davis? The tallest guy on the Celtics roster is free agent Michael Olowokandi. Need I say more? The Celtics must add a body, like PJ Brown or Kevin Willis, someone to absorb some fouls when they have to… and they’ll have to.
Eastern Rebirth: Compared to the Western Conference, the East, commonly referred to as the ‘junior varsity,’ has been the laughing stock of the league in recent years. That will not be the case this year. Chicago’s roster is stout. Detroit will be looking to make another run. Toronto will ensure they’re not a one-hit wonder. The Nets return their big three. Orlando has re-tooled. The Knicks may contend. And Cleveland still has a player named LeBron James who’s already tasted the NBA Finals and assuredly wants a return trip. To paraphrase Dikembe Mutombo, the Celtics will not have “a walk in the cake.”
The Celtics were the second worst team in the league last year. They have clearly made dramatic improvements and generated enough of a buzz to remove Tim Donaghy from the NBA headlines. The acquisition of both Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen undoubtedly makes Boston instant contenders. But those three by themselves do not a championship make. Unless Danny Ainge and Celtics ownership face the remaining issues at hand, Boston may just fall short of its goal.
Very nice write up Rev. I agree with you 100% and might add that a seasons schedule against the east will be a new experience for both Allen and Garnett. If anything, the style of phyiscal basketball is different in the east. Again nice write.
Thanks, pump. Bluegrass will be on here shortly to explain how a Celtic championship is a foregone conclusion, but I think there are other factors that need to be addressed before we, in the words of Denny Green, go ahead and crown 'em.
While I don't think the Celtics will win it all, they will majorly improve. The team last year didn't even look like they wanted to be with each other. I didn't look like they bothered to win. But now, with allen and KG, they should have crowds cheering them and they should be motivated.
Who would drink green Kool-Aid anyway, it tastes terrible.
Detroit, the Fleet Center should boast a constant sell-out crowd. I think it always did anyway. And fans should flock to see this team on the road. It's a team I'd pay to see.
Very nice write. I cant wait to see how the three of 'em share the ball. Will Rajon Rando and Kendrick Perkins get any shot attempts? Basketball is the soprts where Egos are largest and will all 3 be able to supress their egos for the greater goal? You would think the answer is yes but a certain team in Denver says otherwise.
Plus, chemistry is huge in basketball and it may take a year or two for the three of them to learn how to play together. Rarely does a team rise from the ashes after just one offseason. I dont see that Celtics bucking that trend.
Excellent write up and I can't find anything to statisically disagree with you on but don't you just got this gut feel that you and I could start with them (well OK you and a goat maybe?) and they gotta play for the East finals.
Loan & Chitown, I thought about putting team chemistry as one of the factors impeding their path to a championship, but I do think these three are professional enough to work together and keep their eyes on the prize. What I DO think will be a problem, however, is how the supporting cast will gel with the Big Three.
Just for the record, it's the "TD Banknorth Garden" now not the "FleetCenter."
There are plenty of questions but I think the Cavs had more last year. Granted they had Eric Snow to be sort of a veteran presence at point but beyond that not much. The East isn't THAT much better so I could easily see the Celts getting in to the Finals.
Beating the Western Conference team that they have to face there...that's a different story.
I'm actually going to agree with you on this one. I usually share BG's opinion (remember: I'm a UK homer), but I can't see them finishing any higher than 3rd seed in the East behind CHI & DET.
Rev' Rhythm
Does this now make Ainge now the most astute and admired GM in the NBA ? Especially after so many years of mediocrity at his behest. All of a sudden they'll be treating him like some sort of deity in the Boston area. But they'll remain back page news below that of the Pats and Red Sox on the sports pages. Until they win something it won't mean a damn thing !
Ha...I already agree with BGL and haven't read hers yet. I have been drinking so much koolaid I have a green ring around my mouth. The Celtics don't have a PG, OK, but they got Pierce and KG and Allen, and we WILL win the EAST. My vote goes to BGL, unread.
Rev' Rhythm
I tend to agree with your assessment but I do believe that they'll both go if the experiment proves to be a failure. He's been there long enough and this is the first thing that he's actually done soemthing of note that one believes might just work.
They still have Doc as the coach, as Mean mentioned. While he did take a team of scrubs to the playoffs and was named coach of the year, what has he done after that?
If the nba was a 3 on 3 league they may be the favorites.
lol sorry bg i have not read yours yet but i'm gonna have to agree with rev on this one ..
besides kg nobody on the celtics plays defense ..last time i checked defense still wins games and more importantly chips ..and no not potato chips .. nba titles .. their bench will be scarce and if even one of the 3 go's down that will be all she wrote and with pierce and allen commin off off season surgeries thats a very very good possiablity .. rivers will be the non x factor he dosnt have the skills to use ray - ray and kg to the best of their ablity ..
the east has improved ny will go further then boston this year .. and if they happen to meet in the playoffs .. i would take ny in 6
in conclusion the trade was good for boston in the short term .. very bad long term .. boston will be the new miami
Agreed Rev. We can't say for certain that they will be the absolute best. None of those three have reached the finals and their bench is shaky, not to mention center and point guard. Maybe they will take a run at Troy Hudson, and they may have to. Besides, Tony Allen's leg probably hasn't healed to it's full capacity yet.
They aren't a championship team in my opinion. Just a playoff team.
Miracle, funny that you mention that. That one Orlando team he had with Darrell Armstrong, I think it was just before they landed McGrady, was probably his best coaching performance. Since then, it's been pretty blah.
You had me convinced right up until the point where you said "the Knicks may contend".
The Celtics definitely are in a position to contend. They still have a lot to prove though. Like you said, the emergence of a solid point guard will be crucial. Rondo may find success with this group, but that remains to be seen.
I don't think this situation is quite as overhyped as the Olajuwon-Drexler-Barkley experiment. Rondo has tons more potential than Mr. Matt Maloney. And the Big 3 probably has more years of prime left.
But like I said, if it involves BGL removing the sundress...I agree with your take 100%. Otherwise, I think you are both partially correct.
Some Boston writer was on ESPN earlier, and he said that he refuses to call the coach "Doc". Because the word Doc implies Doctor, which is usually reserved for an educated man that excels at his profession. Until then, it's just plain ole' Glenn Rivers.
Overall, I'd put them a notch below Chicago and Detroit. Until they prove otherwise.
The Lakers won a title with Kobe and Shaq, but failed to do so with Kobe-Shaq-Malone-Payton...4 Hall of Famers. Superstar power doesn't always lead to a title.
Turn-ons: Gator national championships ; Sushi; NBA Playoffs; A Tribe Called Quest; Women; Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels; Women who drink Jack Daniels while eating sushi; Women who dream of more Gator national championships while eating sushi and drinking Jack Daniels during basketball season, The Red Zone Report
Turn-offs: Waking up early; The inevitable media coverage Bobby Bowden will get when he finally retires; Drama; Prejudice; Chicken liver; Work of any sort
