Celtics Fall?

It’s been a year since I last wrote an article with regard to Boston Celtics. Now that the playoff is getting closer, we will be talking a lot how the Celts would fair this year. We all know the Celtics made a huge run in the playoffs last year and they are 1 win away from getting their 18^th championship. But the LA Lakers went in their way and pushed them back to earth in one of the historic NBA Finals 7 game series.

The Boston Celtics lost some key players on the offseason. Rasheed Wallace the ever reliable frontcourt defender announced his retirement and Tony Allen their wing defender signed with Memphis Grizzlies to get more playing time. But with these developments, the Celts made a counter upgrade by boosting up their roster by adding the 2 O’Neals (Shaq and Jermaine) in the middle to compete with Lakers' big, plus Delonte West for Rajon’s backup in the point guard position. Because of these adjustments, the Celtics made themselves once again one of the favorites to win the title this year.

The Boston Celtics surprised the league by their quick jelling with the system. They are one of the hottest teams from the very start. By the way, Kendrick Perkins was still sidelined due to knee injury that he suffered in the finals last year plus the in and outs of the O’Neal’s, West and never ending Rajon Rondo ankle injury. It’s very clear that the Celtics did not have a chance to play with a complete/healthy roster, but they still managed to compete with power house teams and remain on top of the standings.

Come February trade deadline, Celtics shocked the entire league by sending Kendrick Perkins and Nate Robinsons to Oklahoma Thunder in exchange for Jeff Green and Nenad Krystic. This put a lot of questions to NBA fanatics, why Danny Ainge pull the trigger? Many NBA analysts said that this trade is a no brainer, no brainer because you just made your team an ORDINARY ONE. Boston Celtics lose their size advantage of Perk plus the energy of Nate that he can bring from the bench.

Lately, the Celtics is struggling to win games. From number 1 spot in the East, they are now down in 3rd spot and needs to win their remaining games of the season to secure home court advantage come in second round of the playoffs, and a possible showdown with Super Friends in the South Beach. Celts are 13-9 since the Perkins trade. It does not sound not so good for Boston, right? Is it because of Perkins is no longer donning Celtics uniform? My answer is a BIG NO NO NO!!!

NBA analysts and many people criticized Danny Ainge decision why he pushed the Perkins Trade. They are saying that Celtics recent struggles are due to that trade. This is totally not true. Personally, I am already fed up with these kinds of comments that were getting from our NBA analysts. I don’t know why they reacted so negatively with Perks trade. He is not the main reason why the Celts are on the slide.

Here’s my analysis with Celtics recent fall

1. Perkins is not the main reason why Celtics is not doing well lately. The spectacular playmaker Rajon Rondo is not the same player that we’ve seen in the early games of the season. He is the major reason why the Celtics are very finesse with their plays. His assists per game dropped significantly, because of his injuries throughout the season. His effectiveness in the Point Guard position suffered his team a lot.
2. Celtics Trade, the arrival of Jeff Green and Nenad Krystic made this team more promising. But unfortunately, these guys are not yet 100% fully learned the system of Doc Rivers. They don’t know yet how will they contribute to the big 4 of the Celts.
3. The injuries of the Big MAN. The 2 O’Neal’s are in and out of the season due to injuries. The Big news now is, the recent calf injury suffered by Shaq in his return from injury against the Pistons yesterday. This is a major blow for the Boston team. This will take a big hit on them come on the playoff time, because his return is uncertain. By the way, Nenand Krystic is also out due to injury.

Here’s my analysis with Perks Trade.

1. Danny Ainge pushed the trade because Boston already offered Kendrick Perkins an extension but he just ignored it. He told them that he wants to test the free agency market. It sounds that there is no guarantee that the Perks will be with the same team come next season.
2. We all know what happened with Lebron James and the Cavs. The Cavaliers waited for so long for Lebron to resign with them, but with his “The Decision” he made in New York, he opted to bring his talent in the South Beach which is the Miami Heat. Boston already learned that lesson, they traded away Perkins because they are unsure if Perk will resign with them. Instead of losing him in the free agency, they pulled the trade and get the services of Nenand Krystic and Jeff Green in return.
3. Jeff Green is a versatile player. He can play 3 or 4 position. He reminds me of Antawn Jamison who is a scorer, decent rebounder, good defender, has great shooting touch and can dribble the ball. While Nenand Krystic is a decent defender, rebounder, has perimeter shooting and can shoot Free Throws. This is a nice swap for Doc Rivers. Jeff Green and Nenand Krystic can spread the floor with their ability to shoot from the outside, and it will make a lot easier for Rajon and Pierce to penetrate and slash the middle.
   

Boston Celtics still remain the team to beat in the East. They just need their 4 stars to be healthy and ready come playoff time. This is the same team that shocked the whole world that nobody thought that they would reach the Finals and almost get their 18^th Championship.

Yes! Celts will be missing the toughness of Kendrick Perkins in the middle especially now that Shaq is uncertain for his return. But with their new recruits, Jeff Green and Nenad Krystic will provide instant offense and frontcourt stability for them.

I still believe the Celtics will return in the NBA Finals come in June. I am hoping that they will remain healthy all throughout the playoffs, and be ready to battle the All-Star Studded teams in Eastern Conference plus one more dance against the defending champs the LA Lakers. This will be one a hell playoffs that we will be witnessing. I can’t wait for this to happen.

Let’s Go Celtics!!!