Boston Celtics 2012-13 NBA Preview

Kevin Garnett’s loyalty is hurting the Celtics. (Photo Credit: Mark Runyon, Basketball Schedule)

Boston Celtics

2011-12 Vitals:

39-27, 1st in Atlantic Division, 4th in Eastern Conference
91.8 PPG/89.3 OPP PPG

2012-13 Roster:

Brandon Bass – PF
Avery Bradley – SG
Dionte Christmas – SG
Jason Collins – C
Keyon Dooling – PG
Kevin Garnett – PF
Jeff Green – SF
Kris Joseph – SF
Courtney Lee – SG
Fab Melo – C
Paul Pierce – SF
Rajon Rondo – PG
Jamar Smith – PF
Jared Sullinger – PF
Jason Terry – SG
Chris Wilcox – PF

Offseason Additions:

Jason Terry, Courtney Lee, Jared Sullinger, Fab Melo, Kris Joseph, Jason Collins

Offseason Subtractions:

Ray Allen, Greg Stiemsma, JaJuan Johnson, E’Twaun Moore, Ryan Hollins, Sean Williams

Projected Starters:

PG – Rajon Rondo
SG – Courtney Lee
SF – Paul Pierce
PF – Brandon Bass
C – Kevin Garnett

Season Outlook:

The Boston Celtics have done an excellent job of re-tooling without having to rebuild. They re-signed Kevin Garnett, Jeff Green, Brandon Bass, Chris Wilcox and Keyon Dooling to return mostly the same team that pushed the Miami Heat in last year’s Eastern Conference Finals.

Ray Allen is gone but the addition of Jason Terry is as close to a wash as can be expected when replacing the most prolific three-point shooter in NBA history.

A big key is going to be the health of the stars. This Celtics team is deep for sure, but the heart and soul still lies with Rondo, Garnett and Pierce.

Best-Case Scenario:

The Celtics stay healthy and the depth allows them to stay relatively fresh moving into the playoffs. The Celtics ceiling is probably the No. 2 seed and a meeting with the Miami Heat (and subsequent exit from) the Eastern Conference Finals.

Worst-Case Scenario:

Pierce and Garnett show their age and while Rondo does his best to carry the team, he gets frustrated with the lack of help and the chip on his shoulder becomes a massive weight on the club. They’ll still make the playoffs but turmoil is not what this team needs.