Wrong ’Guaransheed’: Boston Celtics shouldn’t worry about 73 wins

Breaking NBA news mixed with analysis …

Their News: "I think we can get that Bulls record (winning 73 games). Definitely, playing with those three other guys, also combining that with the guys we have on the bench, I think we definitely can." (Rasheed Wallace, Celtics Central)

My Quick Analysis: I’m not mad at Rasheed Wallace.

I’m not mad the temperamental post went there, suggesting his Boston Celtics could challenge the 1995-96 Chicago Bulls’ hallowed record of 72 regular season wins. And I’m not mad that Wallace - after years of deferring to others in Detroit - is re-energized and prepared to publicly discuss having success in Boston.

However, I think he should reconsider his ‘Guaransheed‘. Sure, breaking the Bulls’ record would be nice, but it’s ultimately meaningless and unnecessary for the veteran Celtics. Shooting for 73 wins would likely compromise the club’s chances at a second NBA Title in three years.

Health matters. Two years ago, Boston’s Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce avoided major injuries, which was key in the club raising their seventeenth championship banner. ‘The Big Three’ stayed healthy because they got their rest.

Last year, ‘Father Time’ caught Garnett. The former MVP missed significant time during the regular season and the entire playoffs because of a knee injury. Without Garnett, their anchor on defense, the Celtics lost in the second round to the Orlando Magic.

Winning 73 games would require Allen, Garnett, and Pierce to play major minutes, even with Boston’s upgraded bench. And herein lies the risk -chasing a meaningless record for the sake of ego would exhaust ‘The Big Three’ and could lead to a devastating injury.

In a revamped Eastern Conference, rest and health could be the difference in a seven game playoff series. In fact, for the Celtics, staying injury-free is more important than home-court advantage.

With their exceptional defense and Coach Doc Rivers’ get-stops mentality, Boston can win road playoff games -but only at full strength. And this doesn’t happen if the Celtics get worn-down trying to break a regular season record.

Like I said, I’m not mad at Wallace’s declaration. I just don’t think winning 73 games just is especially important for Boston. 

Sound off: What do you think of the Celtics potentially chasing 73 wins? Get at us in the comment box below and follow Oly on HoopsVibe and Twitter. Photo courtesy of Paul Keleher.