Last Season: Celtics had the second best record in the East at 62-20. Even without Garnett in the playoffs, the Celtics battled the Magic, the eventual Eastern Champs, to seven games in the Conference Semifinals.

Acquisitions: F Rasheed Wallace, G-F Marquis Daniels, F Shelden Williams, G Lester Hudson

Departures: F Leon Powe, C Mikki Moore, G Stephon Marbury

Starting Five: F Paul Pierce, F Kevin Garnett, C Kendrick Perkins, G Ray Allen, G Rajon Rondo

Bench Mob: Marquis Daniels, Tony Allen, Glenn Davis, Eddie House, Shelden Williams

Over the Hill: Ray Allen – Still will be very productive but a bit of a defensive liability. Luckily he has some big bodies he can turn to in the post and Rajon Rondo can defend the more athletic guard.

Ready to Break Out: Kendrick Perkins - He has been one of the unsung heroes of the Celtics for a few years now. The big man is one of their best defensive players. He causes havoc in the lane with his size and ability to redirect shots. If he can continue to improve his offensive game he can be one of the best centers in the league.

Most Interesting Man in the World: Shelden Williams IS married to Candace Parker but I’m going with KG. The man eats peanut butter and jelly sandwiches pretty much before every game. If you haven't had a PB&J for awhile you're missing out. But what makes him so interesting is his intensity which apparently is no act. Kendrick Perkins said, "When he's on the court, he's not acting. That's him all day long. He really is zoned out. That's Kevin Garnett." Can you imagine him being that intense off the court? I think Garnett and Tom Cruise combined equal the rest of the world's intensity.

Outlook: It's the same as it was last year - health. Ray Allen's 34, Paul Pierce is 31, newly acquired Rasheed Wallace is 35, and Kevin Garnett is 33 and is coming off a season where he only played 57 games due to a knee injury. Even Eddie House is now 31. But they have a few young guys who are getting better and better. Along with Kendrick Perkins who I mentioned earlier, Rajon Rondo will be running the point and the Celtics were able to re-sign Glen "Big Baby" Davis who can plug up some holes in the paint. There's no doubt the Celtics have the talent but it's a matter of making it to late April healthy. If that means sacrificing the one or two-seed in the East by giving some players games off, it would be well-worth it. Glad I'm not the one that has to tell Garnett to sit this one out.

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