Will Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, & Boston Celtics Enjoy Playoff Glory?

The AM Take Presents a quick-hit playoff preview for the Boston Celtics ….

Record: 63-16, 1st in the Eastern Conference.

Strengths: Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce’s swagger have transformed the organization’s apathetic culture. Losing is now blasphemy. The lottery trips to New Jersey are over; winning is all that matters. Simply put, the Celtics will go as far as The Big Three’s desire takes them.

They win through airtight defense. It’s not flashy, just man-to-man marking with a commitment to helping each other by rotating. Their trademark ‘D’ gives them a shot at winning every night. After all, who can forget the green-and-white sweeping the Texas triangle against Dallas, Houston, and San Antonio?

Last summer, Doc Rivers was unfairly tagged a liability. The personable coach supposedly lacked the tactical skills to handle three superstars. Rivers, of course, has excelled. His strategies have worked and The Big Three listen to him.

P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell have changed the second-unit. The soft-spoken Brown provides defensive depth, while Sam-I-am can close fourth quarters like yesterday’s game versus Atlanta.

Weaknesses: With Cassell aboard as the backup point guard, there’s no obvious Achilles heal. Some critics nitpick The Big Three for not having played in an NBA Finals. Like I said, nitpicking.

 X-Factor: James Posey. The lanky wing’s defense and three-point range helped Miami capture their 2006 championship. Boston needs Posey to produce.

Status: NBA Title contender. Perhaps, Red Auerbach will puff another victory cigar from that great Boston Garden in the sky.

Do you see the Celtics as title contenders? Get at us in the comment box with your thoughts. And come back to HoopsVibe The Blog as we drop more quick hit playoff previews. Image courtesy of photographer Jesse Haley’s on-line portfolio.