<div class="quote_poster">Quote:</div><div class="quote_post">Some guy at the Los Angeles Times wrote an article recently about the Lakers' rebuilding woes and used the Celtics as an example of a path NOT to follow. Three days later, the Celtics whipped the Lakers in Boston for some just desserts. ESPN even tried to float a rumor prior to the trading deadline that Paul Pierce was being shopped around. ESPN is the same group that claimed all of the Patriots' players hated Bill Bellichick. Well, now the Fleet Center is the TD Bank North Garden, but you find me one cab driver in Boston that doesn't just call the building "The Gaahhden" and I will buy you a pint at Cheers. Don't Look Now, But.... Pierce is still here, smiling again and Antoine Walker is back in a blockbuster deal that has the Celtics grabbing NBA headlines once more. Add to that the fact that Gary Payton, traded to Atlanta, released on waivers by the Hawks, then re-signing with the Celtics and Danny Ainge is now the proud architect of a move that is very "Red Auerbachian". Just a few short weeks ago, the Celtics were 19-22 and were staring down a stretch where they faced Indiana, Phoenix, Chicago, Houston, New Jersey and Orlando. The Celtics came back strong from a large deficit against the Suns, should have beaten the Rockets and beat everyone else in that week. Don't Look Now, But.... The crop of new young players we are seeing this year are very encouraging. Al Jefferson was definitely "moving on up" prior to injury, but his body is young and he came back strong as ever. I remember watching a couple of NBA-TV announcers just gush in their praise of Tony Allen. Ricky Davis remains one of the NBA's most exciting players to watch, LaFrentz is starting at center quite a bit lately, playing very solidly and Delonte West is emerging as a star. </div> Source Just a few quick facts and opinions on the Celtics.
