Boston Celtics
2007-2008
* 66-16, First in Atlantic Division
* Won NBA Finals
Returning Players:
* G: Ray Allen
* F: Glen Davis
* F: Kevin Garnett
* C: Kendrick Perkins
* F: Paul Pierce
* F: Leon Powe
* G: Gabe Pruitt
* G: Rajon Rondo
* G: Brian Scalabrine
Free Agents:
* G: Tony Allen (Restricted)
* F-C: P.J. Brown
* G: Sam Cassell
* G: Eddie House
* C-F: Scot Pollard
Options:
* F: James Posey (Player)
Needs:
* Scoring
* Bench Depth
Analysis:
Thanks to a couple of blockbuster deals last summer and the No. 1 defense in the league, the Celtics made the best regular season turnaround in NBA history, going from 24 wins in 2006-07 to 66 in 2007-08. But the wins didn't come so easy in the postseason, as the Celtics struggled away from the TD Banknorth Garden. Ray Allen went through a shooting slump at the wrong time, the bench did not give them much and they had trouble putting up points in the fourth quarter.
Still, the Celtics are on the brink of their first trip to the NBA Finals since 1987 and they should have another year or two at the top of the Eastern Conference with this core group.
From The Media:
"The Celtics had an opportunity to display a killer instinct it seems they sometimes lack. It's no coincidence each of Boston's series this postseason has gone seven. As talented and gritty as Boston is the Celtics have yet to show they know how to put their high tops on the throat and apply pressure."
-- Mike Freeman, CBSSports.com