Gotta be honest here

[WeMadeIt17]

With the Roster we have and looks to be adding no big name FA, I just don't know how we will compete with the Heat this year. New York still doesn't scare me but I just don't know how we could get past the Heat. It sucks for me to say this too. I hate the Heat hell I live in south florida and all I here is how great they are. I truley believe that Chris Paul could have been that guy to carry us past the heat. Unless Rondo really steps his game up. Idk just a lot at hand right now, Danny has to agree that we cant do much with this roster as is.

[33_Larry Legend_33]

In my opinion, getting a HEALTHY Jermaine O'Neal on this team is the equivalent of adding a big name FA.  He says he hasn't felt better (knee problems and back spasms are gone).  Don't underestimate what this guy can do when healthy, which we haven's seen yet. 

[crownsy]

In my opinion, getting a HEALTHY Jermaine O'Neal on this team is the equivalent of adding a big name FA.  He says he hasn't felt better (knee problems and back spasms are gone).  Don't underestimate what this guy can do when healthy, which we haven's seen yet. 

No ones seen that for 5 years, and he gives the same [dang] interview every year before the season starts *including last year, when he talked about how great the knee felt in the pre season).

I'll believe it when he actually shows up in shape and doesn't go down injured within 20 games.

[33-00-32]

In my opinion, getting a HEALTHY Jermaine O'Neal on this team is the equivalent of adding a big name FA.  He says he hasn't felt better (knee problems and back spasms are gone).  Don't underestimate what this guy can do when healthy, which we haven's seen yet. 

No ones seen that for 5 years, and he gives the same [dang] interview every year before the season starts *including last year, when he talked about how great the knee felt in the pre season).

I'll believe it when he actually shows up in shape and doesn't go down injured within 20 games.

Ditto*

Heard it all last year and then he's hurt so bad people are talking forced retirement. I just don't see it happening.

[footey]

Heat are signing Battier, so it gets even worse.

[Q_FBE]

Well, we are getting Marquis Daniels back to back up Pierce. He was a quality starter for a good team once upon a time (See 05 Dallas). The trade rumors should inspire Rondo, let us hope he worked on his FT and can hit 72% at the line this season. KG, RA, and PP are back for one more chase. The Perdue rookies and Gilbert Brown can add good things being 5th year seniors and ready to find a contributing role.

I have a hard time believing Jeff Green won't be back. That we would match any offer he gets.

We might benefit from the Glen Davis either in a sign and trade or he comes back.

Managing minutes and getting ready for a compacted season will be a challenge for the Celtics but I still think they will compete decently in 2012.

Of course, Danny might engineer another blockbuster that none of us see coming like Rondo Plus to Phoenix for Nash Plus.

[Liam W]

In my opinion, getting a HEALTHY Jermaine O'Neal on this team is the equivalent of adding a big name FA.  He says he hasn't felt better (knee problems and back spasms are gone).  Don't underestimate what this guy can do when healthy, which we haven's seen yet. 

He said the same last season, and look what happened.

Jermaine is so washed up that he should call it quits. I mean apart from his decent play in the Playoffs against the Knicks he didnt do anything else all year

And for Danny to blow the entire MLE on him was defintley baffling considering his health record

[33-00-32]

At a minimum if DA doesn't S&T BBD for someone who can produce some baskets from the bench I think we're going to struggle pretty bad. Especially in this compacted season with the vets needing more rest time.

[Evantime34]

We will use the $3 MM MLE, maybe it won't be for a big name free agent but it will be for a guy that can help us.

Last year for the first half the Celtics were great. Some might say oh, we had Shaq, Perk and Delonte in there to help us achieve that record. Perk and Delonte were hurt so they didn't help us much to achieve the best record in the east. Shaq was helpful but Big Baby was actually the one who was playing in crunch time.

Baby and Rondo playing up to their first half level can bring us another run.

[Who]

We will use the $3 MM MLE, maybe it won't be for a big name free agent but it will be for a guy that can help us.

I am getting pretty pessimistic about what Boston can get for that mini-MLE.

[Chief Macho]

I'm sad to say I agree.   They weren't athletic enough last year to play with the Heat and it will only be worse this year.    I'm pretty miserable about this up coming season.

[Marcus13]

Yeahh, I dont think competing for the EC is a legit goal this year.  It's just a bridge season and maybe a farewell party for the veterans

[SHAQATTACK]

I hoping our vets , having been together and much NBA under their belts will make a good showing ,including O Neal for at least the first 20 25 games ...they are going to have an advantage of be fairly healthy.
  It s the last 20 games , like last year, when they become tired , and the rest of the younger teams hit stride , they ( HEAT, BULLs) are going to blow the Celtic out of the water again.

Our guys can put up a great 1-3 game effort against anybody and win, but not against the totally young superstar teams....

Basically the C's will comeout looking great, but the others will killthem by playoff time.

[LilRip]

i'm pulling for JO, but i just don't see him staying healthy regardless of what he says

[33_Larry Legend_33]

Well, I'm in the minority that's willing to give him the benefit of the doubt.  I'd like to think that all of us HOPE he's as healthy as he says is, because this "I told you so" with regard to his health (if it's bad) does none of us any good here.  I'll patiently wait and see.....