The Celtics open their 65th NBA season under much anxiety over having to play 66 games over 124 days and then if they are lucky and good, they go through a grueling 25 game or so campaign in search of their 18th championship.

Apparently the season will open with out Paul Pierce who has been the face of the Celtics franchise. I refuse to annoint this to Rondo before Pierce retires.

I am reading about the Celtics trying to acquire Pietrus who will be bought out the Phoenix Suns (who appear to be much improved and are expected to compete with both Los Angelos teams for the Pacific Division title). He would be a welcome addition and we could have a potential 2nd unit of: Wilcox, Bass, Pietrus, Marquis Daniels, and Keyon Dooling. Should this bunch gell, the Celtics will be just fine and be able to handle the grind.

So here are my expectations going forth for each key member of the Boston Celtics:

Wyc Grousebeck - to pay the bills
Danny Ainge -  continue to look to make incremental improvements for the team. Hopefully, he won't have to make a fire sale.
Doc Rivers - Manage minutes of his roster. Play a 10 man rotation.
Rajon Rondo - Career season at PG, improved mid range game and free throw shooting
Ray Allen - 3 point FG's while playing defense
Paul Pierce - shake off his foot injury and continue to play at Allstar level
Kevin Garnett - Defense, Rebounding, Shot Blocking, Scoring at an Allstar level.
Jermaine O'Neal - Defense Rebounding, some scoring while playing twice as many minutes as last year.
Keyon Dooling - Backup PG duties bringing his talents to bear
Marquis Daniels - Scoring and defense to back up Ray Allen
Micheal Pietrus or Sasha Pavlicic - same thing backing up Pierce
Brandon Bass and JJJ - Defense, Rebounding, Energy and ATTITUDE backing up KG
Chris Wilcox - Be the unsung 6th man award winner backing up Jermaine O'Neal

A lot depends on the Celtics health, obviously as the mediots at ESPN predict the Celtics will take a step back. Bob Ryan does not count out the Celtics despite the loss of Jeff Green. Really, Jermaine O'Neal and Chris Wilcox should be able to outdo what Perkins and Glen Davis (He will drive away Dwight Howard with his selfishness) gave us last year.

With KG, Brandon Bass, and JJJ the Celtics have much better athletic potential at the Power Forward spot than the last two years. Rebounding and Defense will be improved.

At Small Forward, concerns about Paul Pierce's heel and the loss of Jeff Green has the Celtics scrambling a bit. I am concerned that the Celtics will lose ground at this matchup as they have to compete against the Lebrons, and Carmelos of this league. We need a healthy Paul Pierce here or this will probably be a disappointing campaign.

I like the shooting guard position with Ray Allen, Marquis Daniels (might be the starting SF for a while), and Rookie Etaun Moore. Avery Bradley could be an energy player, too.

Point Guard play of Rajon Rondo and Keyon Dooling will be key for Celtics success this year.

I expect the Celtics to run a bit more using the two units and try to wear the teams out early and get off to a fast start against lesser teams at home in January and February (The schedule is tilted this year). March and the first two weeks of April look quite brutal indeed.

Celtics win 43 and lose 23 and I hope it wins the Atlantic Division this year. They will make the playoffs and compete in the 2nd round. Beyond that is simply a bit much to expect at this time. Don't be discouraged and cry to the blog for a blow up of this team. You won't get my support on blowing this pig up for quite a while.

Now muster up and root for your Celtics.....

33:33:33 to the tip-off of the 2012 NBA season.

Merry Christmas from the Q