Yet another mediocre team in the Atlantic division, the Celtics have some of
the best young talent and depth in the Eastern Conference. The problem is that
they do not have much else aside from Paul Pierce in the present to win games.
Doc Rivers has his work cut out for him to make the playoffs in the upcoming
season, and angry Boston fans are expecting no less.
As mentioned before, Paul Pierce is the sole superstar on a team with players
mostly still searching for an identity. Pierce had a career year last season
averaging 26.8 points per game. He also was applauded for his unselfishness and
leadership roles. For the Celtics to win games, Pierce has to continue to be on
the same page as his coach and teammates.
Outside of Pierce, the Celtics will boast their roster with many recent
first-round picks. The point guard position will be the responsibility of two of
these young players, in newly acquired Sebestian Telfair and Delonte West. West
had a pretty good season last year with over 11 points and 4 rebounds and
assists a game. Meanwhile, Telfair was drafted straight out of high school and
has the pure talent to be a playmaker in the future.
At the shooting guard position veteran Wally Szczerbiak and Tony Allen will
be asked to provide a second scoring option to Pierce. Wally is a good scorer
who has always been reliable for about fifteen points a game. Meanwhile, Tony
Allen should be a good option off of the bench.
Other key players for the Celtics include big men Al Jefferson and Kendrick
Perkins. Both of these power forwards/centers have shown a lot of potential in
the past and could be entering their breakout seasons. Coaches have been very
impressed with Jefferson's weight loss over the offseason, and feel as if he can
make a huge impact on the team. Behind these two are more reliable options in
Ryan Gomes and Theo Ratliff. Ratliff in particular has been in the league for
quite some time and can be a good influence on Boston's young players.
For Boston to be successful in 2006/07, they must establish a solid rotation
(in 2005 they rotated in so many players that their play was inconsistent), and
they need Pierce to continue his stellar play from last season. It is hard to
see them making the playoffs without at least one of their young players
becoming a star.
