Preview: Eastern Conference Champs Boston Celtics

The next team that I will preview is the Eastern Conference Champs Boston Celtics. The Celtics lost in game 7 of the Finals last year to the Lakers. The Celtics have made their fair share of news with their off-season pickups along with many other Eastern Conference teams. Gone is Michael Finley (FA) and Brian Scalabrine (Fa) and Rasheed Wallace (Retired) and Tony Allen (Grizzlies). Newcomers include Shaq O’Neal (Cavaliers), Jermaine O’Neal (Heat), Delonte West (Cavaliers) as well as drafted players Avery Bradley (Texas), Semih Erden (Turkey), Tony Gaffney (UMASS), Luke Harangody (Notre Dame), Oliver Lafayette (Houston). The Celtics currently have 19 players on their roster which will need to be cut down to 15 before the season starts.

The biggest new this offseason for the Celtics was Doc Rivers coming back to coach 1 more year and the addition of Shaq. The big thing with the Celtics this year will be their health. They are an older team but when healthy can be dominate with Rondo, Pierce, and Garnett leading the way. If those guys can stay healthy they will be able to compete in the East and can effectively match up with the Miami Heat. They will be deep as both O’Neals and West will be coming off the bench along with Glen Davis, Nate Robinson, and Marquis Daniels. Don’t be surprised if you see Bradley compete with Nate Robinson and West for more playing time in the backcourt. I also wouldn’t be surprised if Wallace makes a comeback later in the year if the Celtics are hit with injuries.

This is how I see the Celtics depth chart rounding out before the season starts.
PG- Rondo, Robinson, Bradley
SG- Allen, West (PG Also), Wafer
SF- Pierce, Daniels
PF- Garnett, Jermaine O’Neal, Glen Davis, Harangody
C- Perkins, Shaq, Erden
---- Miami Heat Preview will be next.