Why are the Celtics getting respect? This isn't supposed to happen! http://www.insidehoops.com/rankings-east-091504.shtml" target="_blank"> http://www.insidehoops.com/rankings-east-091504.shtml</a> <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">4. BOSTON CELTICS Starting five: C Mark Blount, PF Al Jefferson (probably Raef Lafrentz to start with), SF Paul Pierce, SG Ricky Davis, PG Marcus Banks (could be Delonte West by season?s end) Key bench contributors: G Jiri Welsch, G Delonte West, whichever of Jefferson or LaFrentz doesn?t start Mark Blount had some huge games late last year. He should develop into a solid, double-double type center this season. The Celtics had a great draft, and Al Jefferson could prove it by starting by season?s end. Deltonte West is a tough guard who loves defense, and can probably beat out Marcus Banks for the starting spot. This, of course, is assuming that Gary Payton doesn?t end up wearing Celtic green. If Payton does play for the Celtics, it?ll be huge for them. Tony Allen will make some noise, but probably won?t get his chance to do it just yet. Paul Pierce, now with a team that hasn?t been completely dismantled anytime recently, should show much steadier production, and team chemistry as a whole should be greatly improved. Ricky Davis has been reported to be working hard as of late in an effort to prove himself worthy of the starting shooting guard spot. Talent-wise, there?s no reason Davis shouldn?t be starting for Boston. They?ve put him to the test, and he?s finally responding in the right way. It should be a good season for Davis. A lot of people may wonder why the Celtics are ranked this high (or the Knicks at 5th, for that matter). For one, they play team defense, and they do it well. Second, they?ve added defensive-minded players to improve a concept they?re already strong with. Third, this is the eastern conference. After the first few teams, everything is pretty much wide open. An injury or a breakout season could shift the seedings of as many as six or seven teams. </div>
I'm not shocked. Paul Pierce is only getting better...and I have a feeling that Al Jefferson will be a great addition to the Celtics. Blount is no bum either...he's doing pretty well...he just needs to add some muscle and rid his body of some fat, that's all. He's a good shot-blocker and rebounder, and improving on offense alot. Who knows how good Delonte will be, but Banks may keep his starting role as long as he keeps working hard (although the Celtics were trading him off). But...are these guys counting out Gary Payton??? To my knowledge, he's still a Celtic isn't he?
Yeah, it does make a mention of him... <div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">This, of course, is assuming that Gary Payton doesn?t end up wearing Celtic green. If Payton does play for the Celtics, it?ll be huge for them. </div>
<div class="quote_poster">Quoting 44Thrilla:</div><div class="quote_post">Yeah, it does make a mention of him...</div> Haha, okay...I don't know how I skipped over that part
I think they've probably discounted the role that Tony Allen will likely play this year, although you can't fault them that much for that, I guess.
