It is finally starting.
Many players have been in camp for a while now.
Today is NBA Media Day for every team. It kicks off a new season with much hope, lots of promise and great expectations for the Boston Celtics.
Last year was the year of ‘what if’…as in what if KG was healthy.
The Celtics were up 3-2 in the Conference semi finals against Orlando and were leading by 10 in the second half in game 6. Then the roof caved in and Orlando won the game and beat the depleted Celtics handily (101-82) in game 7. That is now history. The days of ‘what iffing’ are over.
While there are rumors surrounding Garnett’s knee once again, most expect him to be healthy going into opening day on Oct. 27th in Cleveland against the Cavaliers.
The Celtics landed perhaps the best and most dangerous free agent available in Rasheed Wallace. He fills many of the holes that the Celtics needed filled. For the first time in the KG era, the Celtics have a superb back up at center and power forward who brings shot blocking and depth in interior defense that neither Leon Powe nor Glen Davis could.
Wallace won an NBA championship with the Pistons and went deep in the playoffs with them annually. He called off all other team visits after the Celtics sent the big artillery (Owner Wyc Grousbeck, Pres. of Basketball Ops Danny Ainge, Coach Glen Rivers, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett) to court him at his home.
The other big acquisition was a long delayed signing of versatile swingman MarquisDaniels. Daniels option was declined by the Pacers and he quickly committed to playing for the Celtics, even if they could only offer the Bi Annual Exception ($1.99 mil).
Daniels has an ‘in between’ game that should compliment the Celtics offense. As a sometimes starter, Marquis also bring solid relief off the bench for both Ray Allen and Paul Pierce.
Getting 4/5 Glen Davis back in the fold, was a big move as well. With the signing of former lottery pick Sheldon Williams, the Celtics have excellent depth in the frontline.
The issues to debate with this team heading into pre-season are fewer than last season.
Here are most of the questions:
1) Back up at point guard is adequate with Eddie House and Marquis Daniels, but a true back up point guard with NBA PG ball handling abilities is still an unfilled need.
2) Who actually starts between Kendrick Perkins and Rasheed Wallace is not known at this point. I’m not assuming it is a given that Perkins starts.
3) Exactly how Wallace will be used between the 4 and 5 is yet to be worked out.
4) Glen Davis’ role – will be it be increased, reduced, or stay about the same?
5) Rajon Rondo took some off season heat from management for the weaknesses in his game and attitude. Will that jump shot improve? How about foul shooting? Consistency on defense? Watching him grow will be fun.
6) As mentioned, Kevin Garnett is coming off his first big surgery. How will he be treated going forward? Will there be limits to his minutes early on, until he feels completely back?
7) Will there be any new twists with Ray Allen? There have been times in each of the past two years in the playoffs when opponents seemed to be able to contain him for long periods. I think that Doc and his asst. coaches might be looking at that. Some new thinking on getting Ray going might be in order.
The Celtics didn’t land that long small forward that can play big time defense against Lebron, Kobe, Carmelo, etc. How they attempt to minimize that will be interesting to watch.
9) Will the Celtics become the most T’ed up team in the league? Wallace, Perkins, and Garnett all like to engage in verbalocity. Will that become a factor that refs will use to keep them under control – especially with replacement refs being used?
This team is a well balanced team that can play both half court and uptempo ball. They are a match up problem for most teams. Defense will still determine how far they go and this team’s defense will be excellent once again.
Today, some of those questions will be addressed by media there, I am sure.
Stay tuned. I’ll bring you updates as I see them.
