2013-2014 Boston Celtics Preview

Additions: Coach Brad Stevens, Kelly Olynyk, Gerald Wallace, MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries, Keith Bogans, Donte Green, Phil Pressey, Vitor Faverani

Departures: Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jason Terry, Terrence Williams, Fab Melo, Shavlik Randolph

Projected Starting 5: Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Jeff Green, Jared Sullinger, Kelly Olynyk

The Boston Celtics. Where to start? Well, let's start with the hiring of head coach, Brad Stevens. Mr. Cinderalla. The man who coached the Butler Bulldogs to the championship game, in consecutive seasons (2010, 2011), but went on to lose to Duke and UConn. This is a huge addition to the Celtics, after dealing Doc Rivers to the Clippers. Stevens, known as the best "x's and o's" coach around the country, and a guy everybody loves, is a great fit for a possibly rebuilding Celtics squad.

Now, onto the blockbuster trade that sent two of the Big Three to the Brooklyn Nets. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Jason Terry to the Nets, in return Boston acquires Gerald Wallace, MarShon Brooks, Kris Humphries, Kris Joseph, and Keith Bogans. So, the Celtics will be without Paul Pierce for the first time since 1996, and without Kevin Garnett for the first time since 2007. It could be possible that the Celtics are aiming for a lottery selection, with a class led by highly praised prospect, Andrew Wiggins. Who is going into his freshman season with the Kansas Jayhawks.

With the roster that they have, it is possible that the Celtics could make something happen. With a young, very athletic squad, anything is possible. Behind the leadership of Rondo, scoring shouldn't be much of an issue. With Jeff Green finally healthy, and starting to look more like the guy they traded for, Sullinger healthy, contributing on the boards, with Bradley only getting better, And the rookie Kelly Olynyk, who is known for his shooting, The Celts could be in good shape. Before tearing his ACL in the double-OT game against Atlanta, Rondo was leading the league in assists (11.2), and though he missed out the rest of the season, he finished the year atop the APG leaderboard. So, he should be capable of making this team work.

Now, from the defensive standpoint, Rondo, Bradley, Green, could be quite dangerous. But with a seven-footer like Kelly Olynyk, we can't be sure how he'll fair against the rest of the centers around the league, especially within the division. Olynyk will have to defend guys like: Brook Lopez, Kevin Garnett, Tyson Chandler, Amar'e Stoudemire, Al Jefferson, just to name a few. Coming out of Gonzaga, Olynyk wasn't really known for his defense, where his speed and leaping abilities are to blame for that. But, despite Olynyk on the floor, the other four players should make amends.

The Celtics could have quite the season, or they could just be looking at a lottery pick. But, we'll just have to wait and see!

David Ortiz Breaks Hits Record For Designated Hitters

Many greats have been DH's at one point like Frank Thomas, Gary Sheffield, Eddie Murray, Harold Baines, Edgar Martinez and even Bo Jackson. All of the aforementioned vastly talented players all knew how to swing a Louisville slugger but as of today no Major League Baseball player in the entire history has more hits from the designated hitter position than Redsox slugger David “Big Papi” Ortiz. The Redsox star passed Harold Baines by hitting a double in the 2^nd inning vs the Mariners on Wendsday

  afternoon to ultimately collect his 1,689th hit and pass Baines for #1 on the DH all time hits list.

In 1973 the game of baseball and the way it was played changed forever when the Designated hitter rule was introduced in 1973. The rule clearly states that as the DH a player does not play the field or any type of defense on the diamond but rather just go up to hit a baseball and that’s it. The rule is used in the American League and the purpose it serves is basically to add an extra hitter to the bunch as opposed to the National League format of 8 position players who hit along with the pitcher.

Papi has had a storied career in Boston and a ton of big hits since he arrived. For the better part of his career he has spent his time just DHing and has done a great job over the years. When its all said and done he might go down as the greatest designated hitter to have ever played in the MLB......Congrats Papi!!!!

Celtics Need To Build Around Rajon Rondo

It's not everyday that a franchise like the Boston Celtics hires a young coach like Brad Stevens to lead them in the rebuilding process and ultimately to banner number 18 hanging at the TD Garden but that’s what has happened here. Recently the Celtics decided to part ways with franchise cornerstones Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett in a trade with the Brooklyn Nets for Gerald Wallace, Kris Humphries, Marshon Brooks and 3 future first round draft picks.

This means that Rajon Rondo is now “The Guy” on the team. Throughout the course of his career in bean town Rondo has always played his role behind the likes of Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett but now the Boston Celtics are his team and he needs to stay. People have always said Rondo is just a play maker and could never be the number 1 guy on a really good team, I for one disagree. Rajon Rondo does so many things right obviously with his passing and ability to make people better but the defensively his intensity can inspire a team this is a guy who just wants to win and now its his time to prove he can do it as the guy. He has a leaders mentality and you want that in your organization.

This biggest thing for the Celtics is getting new coach Brad Stevens and Rondo on the same page and for now that seems to be the case. Stevens in his opening press conference stated “There is no bigger fan of Rajon Rondo then me”. Sources close to Rondo say that he is looking at the situation with an open mind which is exactly what you want to hear. For now the dynamic between Stevens and Rondo is cool but we will see how long that lasts when the season starts and the Celtics lose a few games.

This is the perfect opportunity for Rondo to prove himself he always had the mindset of a leader now its time to put that to use. As the Celtics move forward they have still have a few pieces already sitting around Rondo like Jeff Green, Kris Humphries, Marshon Brooks, Avery Bradley and Brandon Bass the Celtics aren't elite but they are far from scrubs they just need to put themselves in a position to bring in another All-star player to play with Rondo. That could come in the form of one of 3 future 1^st round draft picks the Celtics received in their recent trade with the Brooklyn Nets. As a big time franchise that prides itself on excellence don't expect the Celtics to be below the elites for that long.

This isn't 2006 anymore Rondo isn't a wide eyed kid from Kentucky, this is his team now. This is a guy who when healthy is a top 5 guard in the league. The same guy who played less than half a season last year and had more Triple-Doubles then Lebron James. This is a guy who i'm sure goes to the TD Garden sees all the banners and retired numbers and wants to be up there himself. Danny Ainge get him pieces so you can get #9 to the rafters and another banner for Boston

No Backdown in Boston

The Boston Celtics are known for excellence with 17 Championships and some of the games greatest players like Larry Bird and Bill Rusell so rarely do they ever play the role of underdogs. Well tonight an Underdog is exactly what they are in their own building as they take on a Miami Heat team who has been on a historic 22 game winning streak tied for 2^nd longest in NBA history.

Heat/Celtics is always makes for some good theater but now it's even better that Guys like Jason Terry have called the Heat's Streak “Unimpressive” and Paul Pierce has also said they hope Miami loses for the rest of the year. Players on Boston are sick of ESPN's 24/7 coverage of Lebron and the Heat and rightfully so they are rivals so that's expected.

The Celtics are an organization with Pride and tradition and will not back down to the Heat under any circumstances with or without Rajon Rondo. Tonight should be a Classic. This is a chance for the New guys like Jordan Crawford, Terrence Williams to make a name for themselves on National TV as well as Jeff Green to prove he can take his game to another level. Look for a physical basketball game and for the TD Garden to be rocking.