Will the Celtics be championship contenders next season?

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Pierce still looks like he's playing at his top level. Allen is still very effective. Rondo, Perkins and Davis all look significantly better than last season. The only question is whether Garnett can come back at somewhat full strength. I think the Lakers better win it all this year, because the Celtics may be the team to beat next year. The Garnett injury allowed Davis to get the minutes to improve his game and Rondo has turned into a top 5 PG. Davis has developed a very nice jumper and he can finish with either hand when he's near the rim. Great 2nd round pick by Ainge.

I predict the Celtics will beat the Magic and give the Cavs a 6 game series in the next round- and this is a team that has Bryan Scalabrine as its first big man coming off the bench.

[TripletDaddy]

If KG can heal, I don't see why they won't be in the mix. They are still very good. Yes, they will be a year older, but they still have an open window.

The question re: the Lakers is which players get shipped out if they lose this year? And how does that affect the team?

Cleveland should be good again next season.

And the Nuggets seemed to have found an identity this year. Chauncey should have received more MVP consideration. He completely changed that team.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

If KG can heal, I don't see why they won't be in the mix. They are still very good. Yes, they will be a year older, but they still have an open window.

The question re: the Lakers is which players get shipped out if they lose this year? And how does that affect the team?

Cleveland should be good again next season.

And the Nuggets seemed to have found an identity this year. Chauncey should have received more MVP consideration. He completely changed that team.

Between Allen, Pierce and Garnett, Pierce clearly has the most tread left. He's three seasons younger than Garnett and two younger than Allen. His game is as good now as its ever been. I think they can squeeze another serious title run out of this team next year.

After that, they need to build around Rondo, Davis, Perkins and Pierce. I don't think you can coax more than another championship year out of Garnett and he would have some serious trade value. Problem is, Garnett brings a lot more to a team than just his play on the court. Everyone works harder with Garnett on the team, even if he's injured as is clearly evident this postseason. But with the free agent extravaganza coming in 2010, the Celtics need to be in a position to possibly grab one and that means they may have to cut the cord with both Allen and Garnett. With Rondo, Pierce, Davis and Perkins they may be an attractive spot for one of the free agents that cares about winning. There's no way LeBron goes to Boston. He's either going to LA or New York. Wade is a distinct possibility. Wade-Pierce-Rondo would set up a nice rivalry with the LeBron-Gasol-Bynum Lakers.

If the Lakers don't win it all this year, Kupchak will be secretly hoping that Kobe opts out this year or next. With the Rockets, Cavs, Nuggets and potentially the Celtics being better next year, LA's title hopes won't be any better than they were this year.

[TripletDaddy]

Between Allen, Pierce and Garnett, Pierce clearly has the most tread left. He's three seasons younger than Garnett and two younger than Allen. His game is as good now as its ever been. I think they can squeeze another serious title run out of this team next year.

After that, they need to build around Rondo, Davis, Perkins and Pierce. I don't think you can coax more than another championship year out of Garnett and he would have some serious trade value. Problem is, Garnett brings a lot more to a team than just his play on the court. Everyone works harder with Garnett on the team, even if he's injured as is clearly evident this postseason. But with the free agent extravaganza coming in 2010, the Celtics need to be in a position to possibly grab one and that means they may have to cut the cord with both Allen and Garnett. With Rondo, Pierce, Davis and Perkins they may be an attractive spot for one of the free agents that cares about winning. There's no way LeBron goes to Boston. He's either going to LA or New York. Wade is a distinct possibility. Wade-Pierce-Rondo would set up a nice rivalry with the LeBron-Gasol-Bynum Lakers.

If the Lakers don't win it all this year, Kupchak will be secretly hoping that Kobe opts out this year or next. With the Rockets, Cavs, Nuggets and potentially the Celtics being better next year, LA's title hopes won't be any better than they were this year.

Allen has plenty of life left. As an outside shooter, he doesn't bang much. He just hoists up shot after shot.

As you said before, the big question is KG. He needs to be healthy. Without a healthy KG in the regular season, the Celtics do not get the 2 seed. Hopefully he does come back solid. I like KG. He would have been a great Laker.

I would be more concerned with Wade's health. Isn't he a gimp? I keep expecting both of his knees to blow up at any second.

[Color Me Badd Fan]

Allen has plenty of life left. As an outside shooter, he doesn't bang much. He just hoists up shot after shot.

As you said before, the big question is KG. He needs to be healthy. Without a healthy KG in the regular season, the Celtics do not get the 2 seed. Hopefully he does come back solid. I like KG. He would have been a great Laker.

I would be more concerned with Wade's health. Isn't he a gimp? I keep expecting both of his knees to blow up at any second.

LeBron is the HUGE catch next year not only because he's so damn good, but also because he'll have at least 7 prime years left in him. Wade will probably have around 3-4 because of the injury issues. I think Wade is the second best player in the league and actually not too far off of LeBron and there's a wider gap between him and #3 (Kobe). I still think a team would be crazy to be scared off by Wade's injury bug. He was pretty healthy this year and just had an unreal year.