Can The Celtics Win It All Now?
By id_pop
@id_pop (293)
Philippines
September 17, 2007 1:11pm CST
We all know about the new players (Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen). We also know about the couple of key players they retained (Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo). So, the question now is: what now?
The Celtics need more people to fill their roster, obviously, after what they had to give up to the Timberwolves in exchange for Garnett. They need another point guard, preferably one that's more experienced and a better ball distributor (seriously, that's all a point guard in a team like this would need to do well) than Rondo. They need a veteran inside presence to complement Garnett. Now's not time to look for young talent to grow with the three superstars: the Celtics must have a win-now attitude with their stars getting older with each game that'll pass.
So we, NBA fans, ask: can the Celtics win it all now?
If that question asks whether the Celtics can win it all with their current roster, I would have to say no, not quite. Until they find the rest of the puzzle pieces they're missing (however small these pieces are), they can't win it all. They've got the sorriest bench in the league right now, I think, if just because of the number of other players waiting there to replace the starters.
Other teams such as the defending champions San Antonio Spurs, the Phoenix Suns, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Chicago Bulls all are set for championship seasons this year, and they have all been playing together for quite a number of seasons. They will have better chemistry and teamwork, and that will spell the difference with the newly-formed Boston Celtics. Garnett and company will have to work on that soon, if not now.
So yes, I guess the Celtics can win it all, but not now. Not until they get the bench that would be willing to take huge pay cuts to support their three superstars. Not until they develop Rondo well enough to get the ball to any of their three stars. Not until they find the chemistry they would need to beat the other teams.
Not until then, but I have a feeling "then" will come around soon.
11 responses
@tina031786 (38)
• United States
19 Oct 07
I would say they are definitely a championship candidate, but there is still doubt of getting championship. They have to pass many strong teams, such as Denver, Piston, Mav, Sun, and last season's champion Spurs. Mostly the west teams will be the threat to them. An unknown threat will be injury, that may happen anytime. But afterall, if their three big stars stay healthy the entire season. They will definitely get into playoff and be furious in the championship games.
1 person likes this
@id_pop (293)
• Philippines
28 Oct 07
I personally won't include the Denver Nuggets in the same sentence as the Pistons, Suns, Spurs, and Mavericks. I think that their three main pieces - namely Carmelo Anthony, Allen Iverson, and Marcus Camby - just aren't enough to call them along the league's elite teams. Kenyon Martin's not reliable at all given his proneness to injury, and their new acquisition, Chucky Atkins, already is out at least for the first month and a half due to a groin strain.
Boston's three, on the other hand, are more durable players, with Ray Allen I think being the most prone to injury, but that's speaking on relative terms. He isn't at all going to be a Baron Davis or a Kenyon Martin type of player when it comes to resistance to injury. He should be able to play at least 70 games next season since he won't be handling the ball as much in Boston as he previously had in Seattle where he was the only scoring option aside from Rashard Lewis.
Kevin Garnett's as tough as NBA players come, and we can all expect a solid season this year from him. He's the type of player who's mature enough to know how to deal with injuries. That goes for Paul Pierce, as well.
@cdcale (89)
• Singapore
27 Sep 07
I think the trio wont win in their first year playing together, but probably will get their championship within the next few years. they need some time to get a few more supporting players and some time to play together. I'm not sure one year is enough, so I think two, maybe three years will allow them to become champions
@Keller3738 (49)
• China
27 Sep 07
I don't agree with you completely, in my opinion, Huston rocket is the champions in the few future years.
@id_pop (293)
• Philippines
30 Oct 07
Keller3738, I don't think there's any way I can get myself to agree with you. The Houston Rockets may be poised for a title run this season, but only as a dark horse candidate. In a few years, you say? Perhaps, if they get lucky enough to get more players to add to their McGrady-Yao tag-team (or if they decide to break it up and trade one or both of their centerpieces for a younger superstar). The thing with the Rockets is that while they now have the depth they've been lacking the previous seasons, they don't have reliable leaders whom they can expect to come in night in and night out without worrying about the perennial threat of injury.
@id_pop (293)
• Philippines
4 Mar 08
I don't think that would be the case here. That particular set of players from the Houston Rockets are more like the Shaquille O'Neal, Kobe Bryant, Karl Malone, and Gary Payton kind of tandem that should have won the championship but never did; well, come to think of it, if this Boston squad doesn't get the gold this season or the next, they'd be more like the said Los Angeles Lakers squad than the Rockets team you mentioned.
@NBABlogger (249)
• Philippines
1 Oct 07
Well, based on their potential starting 5, it will still be a not-so-good season for Boston as it will leave role- playing problems in some positions. For example, the PF-C positions. With KG now manning the 4-slot, Al Jefferson could be forced to play center or be playing off-the-bench and with another ex-T'wolf, Michael Olowokandi starting at center. Meanwhile, at the point guard spot, Delonte West's departure will surely leave a big hole. Rajon Rondo is just a sophomore, while former high-school sensation Sebastian Telfair is still struggling in his first season as a Celtic. Another problem will be the off-guard. Though Kevin will reunite with Olowokandi and Wally Sczerbiak, Sczerbiak will be likely to come off-the-couch again as Ray Allen will take the starting SG spot. The Celtics could go as far as the quarterfinals (Conference Semis). Possible Final 4: Washington (if the "Big 3" will stay healthy), Chicago, Dallas, San Antonio.
@id_pop (293)
• Philippines
4 Oct 07
Wait, let me get a few things clear. Al Jefferson is no longer with the Celtics, as he was part of the deal that sent Kevin Garnett to Boston.
Michael Olowokandi? He's no longer active on any team in the NBA. But for argument's sake, if he and Jefferson were still with the Celtics, it'd be the latter starting for the team, not the ancient Olowokandi.
That said, it's probably going to be Kendrick Perkins starting at center, with Garnett occasionally taking over the position whenever the need arises. Boston seemed open to that idea, and it's not hard to see why, with all the things Garnett could do.
And a couple more corrections. Sebastian Telfair? He's with the Timberwolves, last I heard. Let me check. Yeah, he's with them. Projected to split time with Randy Foye at the point guard position. And Wally Szczerbiak? He's been long gone, and he's now with the Seattle Supersonics. He's going to start at shooting guard this season thanks to the space left by Ray Allen. He'll be part of Seattle's one-two punch with Kevin Durant until Jeff Green is ready to take on a Pippen-esque role to Durant's Jordan.
@kingvince (52)
• Philippines
29 Oct 07
i don't think the celtics ca n win th championship even though they have 3 great players...maybe they can be east champion at most....i still believe that the teams to beat are in the west division
@id_pop (293)
• Philippines
4 Mar 08
They do have a chance, if anything. The Western Conference has gotten a lot stronger since the trade deadline and the best teams there got even better with reinforcements in the form of Jason Kidd (Dallas Mavericks), Pau Gasol (Los Angeles Lakers), Shaquille O'Neal (debatable, Phoenix Suns), Kurt Thomas (San Antonio Spurs), and Kyle Korver (Utah Jazz). These teams (and the New Orleans Hornets) all have legitimate claims to the Western Conference championship and subsequently the NBA championship, and would start a great series with the Boston Celtics.
That said, I think the Celtics can have one of the better second units in the Eastern Conference if their three veterans (count Sam Cassell in if he signs up with the Celtics in the coming days) can teach them some of their tricks of the trade. That kind of improvement on the part of the Boston bench will benefit them greatly in a series with the best of the Western Conference, a benefit they will really need with the depth in all of those western teams I mentioned.
@id_pop (293)
• Philippines
11 Jun 08
Well, they are already in the NBA Finals, and the only thing better than that is winning it all as champions. They're facing tough competition from Kobe Bryant and company, but being up two games to one right now in the series, they are in good shape to win it all, after all.
I think that the fourth game in the series would be one of the - if not the one - most critical games in their playoffs match-up; if Boston wins, they will only be one game away from the championship, and if they lose, they will have to rely on their homecourt advantage in case the series continue to seven games. Either way, they hold the aces here; to squander the series lead now would be a huge blow for them not only this season but the next, as well.
@slavezero (833)
• Philippines
27 Sep 07
yes i also believe that the celtics will not be able to win the championship this coming season. your right chemistry will be huge factor to the teams development. other things to consider are of course the point guard spot, rondo is a good team player but passing will not be enough he must be able to shoot the ball so the defenders will put some attention to him not only to the big 3 (pierce, allen , garnett), other factor is also the bench their current lineup i think doesn't have a player that will provide a spark off the bench.
i think next season (2008-2009) the celtics will definitely become a super powerhouse team if they can provide a solution to teams weaknesses.
as for this coming season i will go the spurs, mavericks, suns, cleveland, nets, and pistons to battle for the championship.
@elmiko (6630)
• United States
24 Apr 08
The Celtics can win it all. They can shoot inside and outside. Even if their having a not that good of a shooting night they can score alot with free throws. The only weakness I think of about this team is they don't play as a whole team. The spurs play as a whole team. The spurs would be the celtics most difficult challenge.
@mang_jose (22)
• Philippines
7 Nov 07
I definitely agree with you that the Celtics fans will have to wait for at least a year before it can capture a championship by the triad of Garnett, Allen, and Pierce. Team building and success won't be done overnight.
@rookiekan (882)
• China
5 Nov 07
i believe that they cant win the title because they need to be a integral and basketball is not a sports that one star or two stars could work it out .if they are an integral like spurs one day ,they will have the chance to get the title ..but it's not this season i think ~~
