30 Teams In 30 Days: Boston Celtics

[CelticBalla32]

For those unfamiliar, basically what I'm doing is making decent-sized team previews, one per day in alphabetical order. Today's featured team is our very own Boston Celtics.

Teaser:

A year ago, the obvious conclusion would simply be “firepower; Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce together is scary.” And it still is, especially after taking the league by storm throughout the 2007-2008 season, but that’s not why the men in green were able to earn the franchise’s 17th title this past June. The reason that the 2008 Boston Celtics came out victorious was not because of Ray Allen’s sweet stroke, Kevin Garnett’s dream shake, or Paul Pierce’s step-back jumper. It was because of how this entire team bought into Tom Thibodeau’s defensive schemes, and displayed some of the best help defense the NBA has seen in a while (perhaps all-time). The big names of Allen, Garnett, and Pierce sold the tickets, but the defensive commitment won them the ring. As cliché as that sounds, it is truer than Paul Pierce’s nickname.

Read the Full Article Here

Tomorrow: Charlotte Bobcats


You can also check out yesterday's entry at the link below:

30 Teams In 30 Days: Atlanta Hawks

[Edgar]

Nice one
Tp for u just because this one is about Cs
I just think we need to have a little more research here
I am not talking about you I am talking about all
What are we really expecting from rookies
there are lots of arenas out there I want one herer
I want a defensive stoper that covers posey place
why after being champs we are NOT FA destination
I have a lot of doubts
I trust in this team and like u I think we are favorites unless I am proved wrong
I dont think lakers are going to beat us
I am afraid of the hornets
I am afraid of Posey covering pierce
I am ....sleepy
Good night

[Who]

CelticBalla, I just wanted to say I love the way you've broken down your previews into different sections and broken up with quality pics. Very well done, both easy + enjoyable to read.

Tony Allen is the player I'm most excited about coming into next season. Judgement day is upon us ... he'll have a great opportunity to show one way or another how talented a player he is. His season could play out in so many different directions, but if it comes together it could be great.

I too like the C's to finish top of the East, and I think they'll win 60+ games.

On the turnovers, by turnover per 100 possessions the C's were a tie for last place in the league. It seemed to get a lot better in the playoffs though. By Hollingers turnover rate stat, the C's ranked (playoffs) slightly below average and the four teams next to Boston were - San An, LA, Detroit, Cleveland - so that's fine company, no serious problems there. It'll be interesting to see whether that holds up next season or not.

[CelticBalla32]

Glad you like it, Who. Thanks for the kind words.

Good point on the turnovers.

[Champzilla]

Nice article cballa32, TP

[Redz]

The weight on Tony Allen's shoulders is indeed troublesome.  I don't think Tony will be fazed by it, but can he step up? 

Nice breakdown CB.  Good luck with the task of the other 28!

[Champzilla]

Is TA fully recovered ?

[JBcat]

Nice job CelticBalla 32.  TP.   I'm curious how you see the BBD-Powe battle for playing time will shape out.   Last year they flip flopped with getting playing time with BBD getting most of the minutes in the first half of the season and Powe really stepping up in the second half of the season.  BBD has been reported to be in Waltham all summer working out with the Celtics brass which should bode well for this season and Powe is our 5th leading scorer returning this season. 

Also I haven't heard much about Perkins this summer and I wonder how his shoulder is doing.   

[CelticBalla32]

Nice job CelticBalla 32.  TP.   I'm curious how you see the BBD-Powe battle for playing time will shape out.   Last year they flip flopped with getting playing time with BBD getting most of the minutes in the first half of the season and Powe really stepping up in the second half of the season.  BBD has been reported to be in Waltham all summer working out with the Celtics brass which should bode well for this season and Powe is our 5th leading scorer returning this season. 

Also I haven't heard much about Perkins this summer and I wonder how his shoulder is doing.   

I think a lot of the Powe-Davis debate will be decided by matchups. If we're playing a team with a bulky/wide front line, such as New York, I think Big Baby may get the nod before Leon. If we're playing softer front line, such as LA or Milwaukee, I think Powe might get his name yelled out first.

But all in all, I think that they'll both have nice years. I think we're going to see more Big Baby at center this season than we did last year, and I think they'll both get more than a fair chance at "beating the other one out."

Over time, however, the organization might have to make a decision between the two.