I hate to say it, but it is autumn: the Patriots have a strangle-hold on the AFC East, the Bruins already have a strangle-hold on last place, Theo Epstein is planning Thanksgiving at the Lugo residence, and the Celtics are, believe it or not, finishing up the exhibition season. Here are the the Starting Five (Five Pertinent Questions Regarding the Celtics):
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1. Who is running this spa?
Paul Pierce is out with an infected finger? From a paper-cut? Delonte West was out with an infected toe earlier in the pre-season. Did Paul Pierce get the infection passed to him? Is he running a pedicure business in the locker room? Red Sox manager Terry Francona has an infected foot as well, which is keeping him from managing the touring MLB team in Japan. That should teach him to go to the 3P (Paul Pierce Pedicures) Foot Shack.
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2. Is THIS the year for Big Al?
What is great about this year is that Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge have dialed down the expectations for Big Al. In fact, Big Perk looks like the future star right now. Tentatively, Big Al is coming off the bench to spell Big Perk or Theo Ratliff at center when the Celtics play small-ball, or to relieve Ryan Gomes at power forward and give the Celtics two big guys down low when they need to bang some bodies. Jefferson can concentrate on his role instead of saving the franchise. Al can pull down rebounds and outlet to Rajon Rondo or Sebastian Telfair to lead the break, block some shots, and be a low-post scoring option.
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3. Do the Celtics have a real live point guard this season?
YES, but with an asterisk. As good as Telfair and Rondo have looked, both are barely old enough to buy alcohol, let alone take the burden of running an NBA team. Having two real point guards at least gives Doc the option of going with the hot hand. At times, both have looked great. At times, both have looked lost. With Delonte West coming off the bench and giving some life and energy out of the two guard spot, the Celtics depth gets a serious boost.
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4. Will Paul Pierce ever get a title?
Sure, but not in 2006-7. This team has incredible young depth. It will take time to sort through it, but let me ask you this: how good would this team be if Pitino never traded Chauncey Billops and the front court was Ron Mercer at SG, Billops at PG, and Pierce and a couple of big guys? Good enough to win 40+ games, which puts them ahead of the Celtics teams of the past few teams. My point (yes, I actually have one) is that these players need time to learn. Sorry, but polished players coming out of college is just not part of the equation anymore. A Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, etc come every couple of years, there are not seven or eight coming out every year. The patience will pay off: just be patient!
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5. How many games will this team win?
I think this is a 40 to 50 win team. If Rondo and Telfair are above average, Theo Ratliff still has some hop left, and Wally Szczerbiak stays healthy, closer to 50. Any major injuries, and closer to 40. Good enough to make the playoffs and out a scare into a top seed in the first round, that is for sure.
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* * *
1. Who is running this spa?
Paul Pierce is out with an infected finger? From a paper-cut? Delonte West was out with an infected toe earlier in the pre-season. Did Paul Pierce get the infection passed to him? Is he running a pedicure business in the locker room? Red Sox manager Terry Francona has an infected foot as well, which is keeping him from managing the touring MLB team in Japan. That should teach him to go to the 3P (Paul Pierce Pedicures) Foot Shack.
* * *
2. Is THIS the year for Big Al?
What is great about this year is that Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge have dialed down the expectations for Big Al. In fact, Big Perk looks like the future star right now. Tentatively, Big Al is coming off the bench to spell Big Perk or Theo Ratliff at center when the Celtics play small-ball, or to relieve Ryan Gomes at power forward and give the Celtics two big guys down low when they need to bang some bodies. Jefferson can concentrate on his role instead of saving the franchise. Al can pull down rebounds and outlet to Rajon Rondo or Sebastian Telfair to lead the break, block some shots, and be a low-post scoring option.
* * *
3. Do the Celtics have a real live point guard this season?
YES, but with an asterisk. As good as Telfair and Rondo have looked, both are barely old enough to buy alcohol, let alone take the burden of running an NBA team. Having two real point guards at least gives Doc the option of going with the hot hand. At times, both have looked great. At times, both have looked lost. With Delonte West coming off the bench and giving some life and energy out of the two guard spot, the Celtics depth gets a serious boost.
* * *
4. Will Paul Pierce ever get a title?
Sure, but not in 2006-7. This team has incredible young depth. It will take time to sort through it, but let me ask you this: how good would this team be if Pitino never traded Chauncey Billops and the front court was Ron Mercer at SG, Billops at PG, and Pierce and a couple of big guys? Good enough to win 40+ games, which puts them ahead of the Celtics teams of the past few teams. My point (yes, I actually have one) is that these players need time to learn. Sorry, but polished players coming out of college is just not part of the equation anymore. A Tim Duncan, LeBron James, Dwayne Wade, etc come every couple of years, there are not seven or eight coming out every year. The patience will pay off: just be patient!
* * *
5. How many games will this team win?
I think this is a 40 to 50 win team. If Rondo and Telfair are above average, Theo Ratliff still has some hop left, and Wally Szczerbiak stays healthy, closer to 50. Any major injuries, and closer to 40. Good enough to make the playoffs and out a scare into a top seed in the first round, that is for sure.
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