Can Garnett’s Celtics win the east and beat Bryant’s Lakers in the NBA Finals?

October 03 09

Every day until the regular season begins, HoopsVibe the Blog will ask and answer an important question facing each of the NBA’s thirty teams. Weigh-in with thoughts on our Key Questions feature in the comment box below.

Today’s team: Boston Celtics.

Key Question: If Kevin Garnett stays healthy, can the Boston Celtics win the Eastern Conference and beat Kobe Bryant’s Los Angeles Lakers in the NBA Finals?

(Author’s note: with respect to the Cleveland Cavaliers and San Antonio Spurs, the defending champion Lakers also had a strong off-season. For now, they have to be early favorites to win the Western Conference and repeat in 2010).

The Quick Answer: If Garnett makes a full recovery from last year’s knee troubles, then yes, the Celtics are very much in the running for the 2010 NBA Title.

Under coach Doc River, Boston is at their best playing air-tight defense and shutting down opposing offenses. The green-and-white’s ability to ‘get-stops’ gives them a chance to win every game and makes them a formidable foe on the road.

Clearly, ‘The Big Ticket’ is the straw that stirs the Celtics’ defensive drink. He anchors Rivers’ schemes, fosters a mentality of weakside help, and holds others accountable. Last year, when Garnett was out, Boston’s defense suffered and they lost their identity as a defensive power. The main priority in 2010 is keeping the former MVP off injured reserve and on-court.

Over the summer, the club upgraded their post spots in case Garnett can’t stay healthy. Glen Davis, fresh off inking his new contract, and young Kendrick Perkins will continue to progress, while former lottery Shelden Williams was brought in to add depth.

The big move was signing versatile Rasheed Wallace during free agency. With a strong skill-set and basketball I.Q., he could start and, for stretches of games, serve as the first option on offense. However, with Wallace’s unselfish attitude, he’d also be open to coming off-the-bench as a change-of-pace scorer.

The perimeter positions are certainly covered. Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo form one of the NBA’s best backcourts; Paul Pierce, a Hall of Fame three-man, leads with his tremendous scoring and great confidence.

Much will be expected of reserves Marquis Daniels and Eddie House. Daniels, a free agent pick-up, must use his athleticism to provide energy. House, a shooting guard in a point guard’s body, has to excel as Rondo’s primary back-up.

Prediction: 1st or 2nd in the Eastern Conference and challenging for a championship.

Sound off: where do you see the Celtics finishing in 2010? Let us know in the comment box below. Want more of this ’Key Questions’ feature? Then check out Oly’s HoopsVibe The Blog archive and follow him on Twitter. Photo courtesy of Bold Willie.

17 Comments: Can Garnett’s Celtics win the east and beat Bryant’s Lakers in (...)

Posted by
ZOLBAM
on 10.16.2009

LAKERS ALL DAY BABY. F! BOSTON.I REMEMBER WHEN THE CELTICS WERE THE WHITE TEAM TO LIKE AND THE LAKERS WERE THE URBAN TEAM.WHAT?DID WE FORGET? .

Posted by
aaaaa
on 10.14.2009

Bobcats for LIFE! .

Posted by
Tom
on 10.7.2009

The Celtics have the best starting 5 in the Nba and now one of the best deepest talented benches.They have versatile players who can play multiple positions which will cause match up problems for all other contenders.How will Clevelands Shaq and Orlandos Dwight Howard be effective whewn Rasheed pulls them away from the hoop?How will LA’s soft Gasol, Odom and Bynum deal with the monster, physical, line up of Perk, Garnet, Rasheed , Davis and Williams?The Celtcis have built a great deep club and are stacked title # 18 is coming and nobody can stop them! .

Posted by
PC
on 10.5.2009

How can anyone say P.P won’t be in the HOF.. There is no doubt! And, my main question, is a healthy KG better than a healthy motivated Shaq with LBJ? .

Posted by
b-dogg
on 10.5.2009

with kobe not having to waste energy guarding pierce or allen, due to artest, he will score at will in the finals. lakers all day! .

Posted by
dominic
on 10.4.2009

one of the deepest benches in the the league will be backing up one of the best starting 5 in the league.if healthy they will win the ECF. the best defense just got alot tougher. .

Posted by
Big Daddy
on 10.4.2009

Not really a Celtics fan but...a healthy Celtics team will beat any other healthy team in a 7 game series hands down. The back up point guard position is not an issue. The C’s have a few really good ball handlers that can bring the ball up and initiate the offense when Rondo is on the bench. The second unit on this team is as good or better than several of the starting lineups in the league. This team is stacked...and the chemistry is there. Too many wild cards for the other contenders. Who knows how Shaq and Lebron will get along...besides Shaq will just clog up the lane limiting Lebron’s driving ability. Delonte West brings some serious distractions and Mo chokes under pressure (see Playoff series vs. Magic). Artest is a complete nutcase and ball hog...not likely to work out too well and LA is probably in a worse position than Boston as far as the pg position goes . Shannon Brown is good but Farmar is no better than House on D and is nowhere near the offensive threat. Fisher has obviouly lost a few steps. On top of that LA is only 7-8 players deep.Orlando should look fairly decent this year but I believe Carter will be a defensive liability. I think the loss of Hedo will hurt them more than the addition of Carter will help. The C’s now have the height and skilled personel to match up with the lineup that gave them problems last year.Anyhow, go Denver. .

Posted by

on 10.4.2009

The celtics are getting done in2010! KG is the best leader in pro sports! .

Posted by
O.Sandor
on 10.4.2009

Hi French MVP ... Thanks for reading and contributing. We all have our opinions. And you are entitled to yours!

I believe providing facts are necessary to reinforce points and support an argument. Just me. Again, you are entitled to your thoughts.

Thanks. peace. .

Posted by
French MVP
on 10.4.2009

Oly please be creative ! Most of your articles suck suck and suck ! No argumentation, you need to dig deeper ! You ’re just posting articles repeating facts everybody already knows or could have written, ask John NGuyen for some help ! Even if his artciles sometimes suck the man tries to bring something in terms of analysis, reflexion, criticism, ... Peace .

Posted by

on 10.3.2009

Pierce is no hall of famer. Without Garnett he couldn’t get his team close to the playoffs.I dont think the Celtics have a chance in their own division. Cavs and Magics are the teams to beat .

Posted by

on 10.3.2009

screw the lakers?screw them celtics! .

Posted by

on 10.3.2009

Yeah, it’s a given Pierce makes the Hall of Fame. .

Posted by

on 10.3.2009

He is a Hall of Fame worthy player. Screw those Laker haters!! .

Posted by
O.Sandor
on 10.3.2009

Hi Carlito, Thanks for reading and your comment.

I assume you are making reference to Pierce? The Truth will be in the Hall of Fame. I can only guess you don’t like what you PERCEIVE to be his faking an injury in the NBA Finals and other stuff?

I’m not touching that reference at all. Pierce is a longtime All-Star, Finals MVP, has made all NBA teams, is a clutch player, and also has the Boston media market behind him.

He’s already in the Hall of Fame based on his first eleven years or so. And I have a feeling more accolades that will only further his cause are on the way.

Hi no name poster: You are right. Boston’s core are older that L.A., Cleveland, and Orlando’s core, but they aren’t old. Allen is the oldest, but his conditioning helps. With the added depth up front and on the perimeter, Coach Doc Rivers can monitor their minutes. They have a good two or three years left and will be in the mix for an NBA Title. Personally, I think they are better than Orlando; L.A. and Cleveland is a harder call.

Thanks for both your comments. Readers, get at me on Carlito’s post: is Pierce a Hall of Famer? I say yes (see above). Tell me your views. .

Posted by
Carlito
on 10.3.2009

The drama queen, Hall of Fame? his far from it .

Posted by

on 10.3.2009

Boston’s backup PG spot will be an issue.Also, the core is getting old. LA,CLE, or ORL have the best shot at an NBA Title. .

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	About Oly Sandor
Daily take on NBA Oly Sandor is an NBA analyst and sports journalist based out of Vancouver, Canada.After years of the free-lance game, Oly Sandor is bringing his unique brand of NBA analysis exclusively to (...) More

Can Garnett’s Celtics win the east and beat Bryant’s Lakers in the NBA Finals?

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