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Boston Tea Party
How quickly things change. A year ago, the Boston Celtics (24-58) were cellar-dwellars in the NBA's Atlantic Division, finishing with the 2nd worst record in the league. This season, they enter tonight's game against the Sacramento Kings with the league's best record at 22-3. Credit goes to Celts GM, Danny Ainge, for making the roster moves that have led to this season's revival that has made this franchise and it's fans proud once again.
Although they finished with the 2nd worst record last season, Boston wound up with the 5th pick in the NBA lottery. Losing the opportunity to draft either Kevin Durant or Greg Oden, Ainge went to work swinging deals to instantly rebuild the team. His first move was to trade that 5th pick along with Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West to Seattle for guard, Ray Allen and the 35th overall pick. Ainge then turned around and made the largest trade for a single player in league history by acquiring Kevin Garnett from Minnesota for Al Jefferson, Ryan Gomes, Theo Ratliff, Gerald Green, Sebastian Telfair, Boston's 2009 first-round draft pick (top three protected), the return of Minnesota's conditional first-round draft pick previously obtained in the 2006 Ricky Davis-Wally Szczerbiak trade and cash considerations. Not satisfied and with his roster depleted after these trades, Ainge signed Eddie House, Scot Pollard, and James Posey who have all filled their roles thus far. He also drafted Gabe Pruitt with their 32nd pick as well as Glen "Big Baby" Davis with the 35th pick acquired from Seattle.
The result of all of these moves is a 22-3 record which places Boston in elite company in regards to best starts in NBA history. The record setting 95-96 Chicago Bulls led by Michael Jordan went 72-10 after getting off to a 23-2 start. While it's unlikely Boston will be able to maintain that pace and threaten that Bulls record, the collection of talent that Ainge acquired has vaulted the Celtics back to being the beast from the east. The three-headed monster of Pierce, Garnett, and Allan have given most teams much more than they can handle and are a legitimate threat to win the title.
Somewhere, Red Auerbach is puffing away on his cigar with a mischievous grin on his face.
Comments
Boston is where it is at
Boston is where it is at right now! I can't remember a city that has dominated the NBA, the NFL, and MLB at the same time. Ainge was getting criticized by many folks in the offseason...and then he made that magical trade for Garnett & then Allen.
I do wonder if these veterans will get tired when the Playoffs start. I could see them fading a bit at the end. That being said, they certainly look like the class of the Eastern Conference.
I like Boston vs. Phoenix in the Finals...I guess we'll see!
All that AND they finally
All that AND they finally finished the 'Big Dig'. Life for Boston fans these days are pretty good. Their depth could very well hurt them later on like you say. I don't know if the Celts have anything left for Ainge to trade but something tells me that he isn't done yet.