2007-2008 in Review
Record: 66-16
Eastern Conference Seed: 1
Playoff Results: Won NBA Finals vs. LAL (4-2)
Summer Of 2008
Key Additions: Patrick O’Bryant (via free agency), Darius Miles (via free agency), J.R. Giddens (via draft), Bill Walker (via draft).
Key Losses: James Posey (via free agency), P.J. Brown (via retirement), Sam Cassell (???).
It was but 12 months ago that basketball junkies across the nation were questioning the strength of Boston’s bench.
“Do they have enough behind the superstar trio? Will the supporting cast ruin any type of success that this team has a chance of attaining?”
Months later, the naysayers were silenced. However, they were not killed off, and may very well return this fall, as sixth man James Posey elected to decline his player option and sign a lucrative four-year contract with the New Orleans Hornets this summer.
Well aware of the fact that the loss of Posey’s toughness, length, defensive ability, versatility, and clutch shooting cannot be replaced by a single player, Danny Ainge elected to fill the hole with a “backup small forward by committee.”
In the 2008 NBA Draft, he acquired swingmen J.R. Giddens (30th overall) and Bill Walker (via trade, 47th overall), who each have signed contracts with the club. Soon after, Ainge signed returning guard Tony Allen to a two-year deal worth $5 million total (using Bird Rights).
The savvy general manager even went as far as saying that Allen was a better defender than Posey, and is primed for a breakout year.
Then comes the wildcard—Darius Miles, who the Celtics signed to a non-guaranteed deal in late August. Miles not only has had his character questioned, but had specialists deem his damaged right knee a career-ending injury this past April.
Should Miles make the Celtics’ final roster and appear in at least 10 regular season games, the Trail Blazers would be forced to pay off the remaining $18 million of Miles’ contract, originally signed in August of 2004. First, however, Miles must serve the 10-game suspension recently issued by the league for violating the league’s anti-drug program (the drug was found out to be a diet pill).
With roughly half of the team’s mid-level exception, sharpshooter Eddie House was retained with a two-year deal—the second year containing a player option—giving the Celtics at least one reliable shooter off the bench to insert in the lineup down the stretch of ballgames.
The vacancy left by P.J. Brown's retirement called for a new backup center as well. To fill the hole, Boston turned to Golden State Warriors free agent and 2006 ninth-overall pick Patrick O’Bryant. While raw and unproven, the 22-year-old big man gives the C’s something that they hadn’t had in a while—a long, athletic seven-footer.
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3 months ago
Awesome man, I am a fan.
3 months ago
Very impressive article!
3 months ago
I am in agreement with your assessment on the state of Celts. Tony Allen is the x-factor. The y-factor is no injuries by the Three Amigos of Pierce-Garnett-Allen. Cassell will be back. Can't wait to see Banner 17 up in the rafters of the Garden! Nice article.
3 months ago
Thanks guys, I appreciate the kind words.
3 months ago
You do a great job in synthesizing all the developments that have taken place within the Celtics organization over the past few months into a cohesive, informative piece that offers a fair assessment of their chances in 2008-09.
What scares me a little are all the "risks" involved with the Celtics' recent acquisitions: Bryant (unproven at NBA level; said to have a poor work ethic); Walker (bad knees, 3 major surgeries already); Miles (bad knee and potential attitude issues); Giddens (potential off-court and attitude issues). None of these guys has a reputation for being a 'solid' player for one reason or another. On the other hand, maybe each of them can live up to their potential with guys like Tom Thibodeau, Clifford Ray, the "Big Three" and Doc leading the way.
3 months ago
I must say you know your stuff Dustin, All your posts have been helpful and potent, I'm a fan of your work keep it up bro!
from 3 months ago
Thanks, J. Lamar. I appreciate the kind words and feedback.
3 months ago
Show some love for Leon Powe! He has some of the best per-40 minute stats in the NBA, and he could be a big help off the bench.
I'm pumped for Opening Night - Section 18, Row 15 with a couple friends of mine. It'll be surreal to see Banner 17 raised to the rafters.
from 3 months ago
That's awesome, Michael. Have fun!
I currently have balcony tickets for four games: Toronto (Nov 10), Portland (Dec 5), Houston (Jan 7), and Memphis (Mar 13).
from 3 months ago
Ahhhh I'm pretty jealous about the Houston game, I think the Rockets are gonna challenge the Lakers pretty good out west.
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