A quick look at how we’ve improved

We've gone through a bit of a metamorphosis this summer.  I was toying around with the roster and decide to take a quick look at just how we've upgraded at certain positions.  Here's a simple look at it

• 
  2008-'09 ————– 2009-'10
  Rondo —————– Rondo –> even
  Pierce —————– Pierce –> even
  Ray  ——————– Ray  –> even
  Perk ——————- Perk –> even
  KG ———————- KG –> even
  House —————– House –> even
  Davis —————— Davis –> even
  T.Allen —————- T.Allen –>even
  Scalabrine ———- Scalabrine –>even
  Marbury ————- Daniels –>upgrade
  Powe —————— 'Sheed –> upgrade
  Moore —————- Williams –> slight upgrade
  Pruitt —————- Hudson* –> even/potential upgrade
  Giddens ———— Giddens –> even /potential upgrade
  Walker ————  Walker –> even/potential upgrade
  

*unsigned

First thing that stands out is the Marbury – Daniels upgrade.  Daniels is an upgrade over Marbury because he fills a more pressing need: get Pierce rest.  But it stands out as the only new player that doesn't match the position of an outgoing player.  That leaves us with that hole at back-up point that everyone keeps talking about.

The other thing that stands out is the Lester Hudson asterisk.  He's still not signed, and we're currently at 14 guys under contract.  Will Hudson win a spot come training camp?  Will the Celtics follow through on prior intimations that Giddens or Walker will be released? 

Even if the roster stands as it is, Hudson, Giddens and Walker are all potential upgrades (even over themselves) because any productive playing time from any of these guys is an upgrade over what the Celtics got last year from those 3 spots.  

So the Celtics have 9 spots on their roster where they can reasonably expect equal performance from last year.  They have 2 spots which are clear upgrades and where the team can expect significantly improved performance.  At 1 spot, they can expect to maybe get something where last year they got nothing.  And any production from the remaining 3 spots is gravy. 

Overall, a very good offseason.  One can argue we're one spot away (back up pg) from having the best off-season in the league.