2010-11 Season Previews: Boston Celtics

No, I can't believe this actually happened either.

The NBA Season is fast upon us, so its time for the Pick and Scroll to begin previewing each team. We're going to go in order from worst previous record to best. We're on the Celtics, the defending Eastern Conference Champions.  Can they do it again, or has Father Time finally caught up to this bunch?

2009-10 Record: 50-32
Additions: Shaquille O'Neal (FA), Avery Bradley (Draft), Jermaine O'Neal (FA), Semih Erden (Draft), Luke Harangody (Draft), Delonte West (FA)
Subtractions: Rasheed Wallace, Tony Allen, Brian Scalabrine, Shelden Williams, Michael Finley, Olivier Lafayette, Tony Gaffney

A lot of people (myself included), were ready to call the Celtics finished last year after a disappointing regular season where their age really began to show.  Boston wasn't done yet though, coming into the playoffs with a passion, and knocking out some of the best teams and players in the league (Heat, Cavs, Magic) to get back to the NBA Finals, and taking the Lakers to the always awesome 7 games, and only losing by 4 with their starting center sidelined.  It was a great run by the Celtics, and thanks to the moves they made this summer, likely not their last.

Losing Kendrick Perkins sucked big time, and he's going to be out for much of this season.  The Celtics managed to increase their big man depth by signing both O'Neals.  Jermaine had a renaissance season last year for the Heat, and Shaq, while not dominant anymore, can still hang in there.  Semih Erden is a nice young Center with some potential on both ends of the court as well, and playing with this group of veterans should help his development quite a lot.

The Celtics also managed to get a couple more nice rookies to increase their depth.  Avery Bradley was a steal with the 19th pick, probably being the best defender in the entire draft.  Luke Harangody was a nice pickup in the Second Round, having a very nice Summer League.

Delonte West, despite his mental issues, is a good fit for this Celtics squad, especially with the loss of Tony Allen.  Unlike Allen, West also provides an offensive punch to go with his defensive capabilities.

Kevin Garnett apparently looks like his old self as well, which is huge news for Celtics fans if true, and if he can maintain it all year.  Garnett was still able to provide that elite defense, but if he can get his offense back to that 2007 level, Boston's title chances improve immensely.

It's easy to forget, but the Big Three isn't the biggest thing for Boston anymore.  That honor belongs to Rajon Rondo, a dynamic young guard who can distribute, defend, and lead this team to victory.  He is well on his way to joining the NBA's elite, and if Boston wins another title, Rondo will be a major, if not the biggest, reason why.

So with increased depth and hopefully better health, the Celtics should still be considered among the favorites to win the East and the Title.  If they do make it out of the new top-heavy East, I like their chances in a rematch against the Lakers, or whoever else comes out of the West.

Projected Win Range: 52-55