Today marks the start of both the 2009-10 NBA season and the 2009-10 Boston Celtics Championship run. With the addition of Rasheed Wallace to Boston’s under-rated bench, the Celtics look to make it two in three years and double the number of rings for the Big Four.
Boston Celtics 09-10 Predictions
We compiled predictions from the four writers here at Sports Fan 4 and posted them below (note: these predictions were made before Glen Davis broke his thumb). Across the board, we think the Celtics will win 65+ games and go deep into the playoffs. Here’s hoping we’re right!
- Eddie Skrzyniarz: 65-17
#1 Division | #1 Conference | Playoffs: Finals - Josh Gans: 66-16
#1 Division | #2 Conference | Playoffs: Champions - Adam Pieniazek: 73-9
#1 Division | #1 Conference | Playoffs: Champions - Matt Simonini: 68-14
#1 Division | #2 Conference | Playoffs: Finals
Well, Rasheed Wallace already jumped the gun and predicted 72 wins for the C’s this year. As much as I want to suspend my belief and back ‘Sheed, I just don’t see that happening, even with a healthy Kevin Garnett. Now speaking of KG, I have my doubts that he will remain healthy for an entire season. The C’s played lackluster defense for most of the playoffs last season in large part due to the absence of their floor leader. As much as I love Glen Davis, he is nowhere near the high caliber player of a KG, thus leading to the C’s early exit from the playoffs.
While KG has been playing with great intensity during the preseason, he is still running gingerly on that surgically repaired knee. The fate of the C’s rests on KG’s health because the Eastern Conference has become stronger at the top in the offseason. With the Cavaliers addition of Shaq and the Magic acquiring Vince Carter via trade, both teams have become even more formidable opponents.
While the free agent signing of Rasheed Wallace strengthens the bench, I feel somehow that his stupid technicals will cost a game or two down the line for the C’s. This is the tale of two Celtics. If KG stays healthy the entire season, they will win 65 games with a #1 seed, make it to the Finals, and beat the San Antonio Spurs in six games. If KG isn’t healthy, they win 56 games with a #3 seed and they will lose to the Magic in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
Rajon Rondo, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins. What other team in the NBA can post a Conference All-Star team in every game. Health is going to be a concern with KG coming off of knee surgery and Ray Allen missing a few pre-season games. The bench is also going to be a factor with Rasheed Wallace, Glen “Big Baby” Davis, Automatic Eddie House, Tony Allen and the never forgotten Brian Scalabrine. We have depth just like we have for the past two years, but I am going to miss Leon Powe big time.
The Cavaliers will give us a very tough game with Shaq added to their line-up, but we’ll face the Lakers in the finals and see who has the better, deeper team this season.
Though the Cleveland Cavaliers got much better this season, the Celtics improved just enough for me to consider them the best team in the Eastern Conference, and possibly the whole league. With Rasheed Wallace joining the squad, our bench improves considerably. In my opinion, our bench was rather good already, now with Glen “No Longer a Big Baby” Davis, Bill Walker, Eddie “Bringing Down The” House, Marquis Daniels and ‘Sheed making a solid second team, the Celtics should be able to rest the Big Four more often and be healthier and better prepared for the post season.
I’ll take the role of the homer and one-up Rasheed’s prediction and say the Celtics will utilize the combined veteran leadership and skill set of the Big Three, the constantly improving young talent, and the new and improved bench to break the Bull’s record and set a new NBA record for most regular season wins at 73. These Celtics will go on to meet the Cavs in the Conference Finals, taking them to the limit and moving on to beat the Spurs in the finals in five games.
Here we go, it’s that time of the year again. Fall is in full swing and the NBA season is starting up again. The Boston Celtics are coming back this season after losing in the first round of the playoffs to the Orlando Magic last season. Not only is the team coming back but the big three is back together and ready for another full season. I’m looking for Garnett to come out and play extremely well this year after missing a good portion of last season with a knee injury. The entire team appears ready to make a run through the playoffs.
Looking forward to this season the Eastern Conference is going to be just as tough to work through as it has in the past few seasons. The Celtics appear ready to step up and face the challenge that the Eastern Conference presents. With KG, Pierce, Rondo and Allen back together and on top of their games I feel the Celtics will be in the playoffs and looking to make another run at putting banner #18 in the rafters.
