#6 – Boston Celtics
2011/12 Record: 39-27, lost Eastern Conference Finals
2012/13 Projected Record: 52-30, playoffs
Key Additions:
Courtney Lee – Shooting Guard
Jason Terry – Shooting Guard
Jeff Green – Small Forward (missed all last season due to health issue)
Jared Sullinger – Power Forward
Jason Collins – Center
Key Departures:
Ray Allen – Shooting Guard
Mickael Pietrus – Shooting Guard/Small Forward
Depth Chart:
Point Guard: Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley
Shooting Guard: Courtney Lee, Jason Terry
Small Forward: Paul Pierce, Jeff Green
Power Forward: Brandon Bass, Jared Sullinger
Center: Kevin Garnett, Jason Collins
The X Factor:
Kevin Garnett
Just when we all expected Kevin Garnett’s level of play to fall off a cliff, KG kept bringing it. But at age 36, his game is bound to start to deteriorating precipitously soon (right?).
Summary:
Ray Allen might be gone, but the Celtics remain the Celtics – a top team in the East. This is unquestionably Rajon Rondo’s team now, and while they are probably too old to be considered a serious championship threat, at the same time no team is going to want to run up against them in the playoffs next spring. The C’s should be able to ride this group for another season or two, and then hope one of their young big men (Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo) blossom into legitimate threats.
NBA Preseason Power Rankings
#7 – Indiana Pacers
#8 – Denver Nuggets
#9 – Brooklyn Nets
#10 – Memphis Grizzlies
#11 – Philadelphia 76ers
#12 – Minnesota Timberwolves
#13 – Dallas Mavericks
#14 – New York Knicks
#15 – Atlanta Hawks
#16 – Chicago Bulls
#17 – Utah Jazz
#18 – Golden State Warriors
#19 – Portland Trailblazers
#20 – Milwaukee Bucks
#21 – Cleveland Cavaliers
#22 – New Orleans Hornets
#23 – Washington Wizards
#24 – Toronto Raptors
#25 – Sacramento Kings
#26 – Phoenix Suns
#27 – Houston Rockets
#28 – Detroit Pistons
#29 – Orlando Magic
#30 – Charlotte Bobcats
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