Before we embark upon the postseason, it is worth one more look back on how far this team has come in one short year. Here’s a tale of the tape.

Wins in 06-07: 24
Wins in 07-08: 66

Defensive ranking 06-07: 24th (opp. FG 46.8%)
Defensive ranking 07-08: 1st (opp. FG 41.88%)

06-07 High point: Gerald Green wins dunk contest
07-08 High point: It just keeps getting better

06-07 Low point: 18 game losing streak
07-08 Low point: 3 game losing streak

April 2007 Storyline: Tanking for lottery balls
April 2008 Storyline: Resting stars for postseason

Doc Rivers status in April 2007: Hot seat
Doc Rivers status in April 2008: Coach of the Year candidate

Danny Ainge status in April 2007: Last chance summer
Danny Ainge status in April 2008: Leading Executive of the Year candidate

Paul Pierce status in April 2007: Pondering future outside of Boston
Paul Pierce status in April 2008: Pondering his place is Celtics history

Rajon Rondo status in April 2007: Solid rookie season; very shaky jumpshot
Rajon Rondo status in April 2008: One of the best young players in the league

It’s that time of year again.  Time to hand out the hardware to the Celtics.  Sure, you know KG is the MVP, Posey is the 6^th man, and Big Baby is the Rookie of the Year.  But what about some more obscure awards?

Unsung Coach: Clifford Ray

All the credit for the defense goes to Tom Thibbodeau and the rest of the credit goes to Doc, but how about the big man’s coach?  Heading into the season, the frontcourt depth behind the starters included Brian Scalabrine, a broken down Scot Pollard, and two undersized power forwards with little to no NBA experience.  Leon Powe and Big Baby Davis have grown up fast under the watchful eyes of Coach Ray.  He also deserves some praise for bringing along Perkins the last few years, and developing Big Al Jefferson to the point where he could be traded for KG.  Give it up for the big man.

Best Player Blog: Rajon Rondo

The Celtics once again exceeded expectations and beat both the Spurs and Rockets to begin a brutal West coast trip. Here are some assorted thoughts from the last week or so.

De-Fense

As usual, the secret to the Celtics’ success has been defense. Tracy McGrady was impressed. “I’ve never seen defense like that. If they play defense like that night in and night out, then the NBA is in trouble because that defense was at its finest.” (Boston Globe)

Most of the credit has gone to Kevin Garnett, but don’t overlook the man with the plan, Assistant Coach Tom Thibodeau. Doc has given him free reign on the defensive side of the ball and the players have all bought in to the system and the team concept. Tom’s contract is up at the end of the year, and we can only hope that he doesn’t get a head coaching position somewhere. I’d like to see him patrolling the sidelines in Boston for quite some time.

March Madness?

You’ve seen the commercials. By now you should know the drill. CSN is running a promotion poll to decide which Celtics player should be named this year’s 6th Star. (By voting you could win playoff tickets or a $300 gift certificate to Sullivan Tire and Auto Service) I thought it might be fun to break down some of the candidates for the award and discuss it here.

First of all, here are the guidelines we’re given for choosing a deserving winner. “Vote for the player that has exceeded expectations and that best defines Celtics pride.” To clarify, “6th Star” should not be confused with “6th Man. ” The winner can be a starter (and has been in the past). On the other hand, I think we can eliminate Pierce, Garnett, and Ray Allen, simply because we expected them to be great.

I would assume that the part about “Celtics pride” is to ensure that only players with heart and a great attitude win the award. (Note: Mark Blount won the award in 2004 – before he signed his contract extension and then unofficially retired without telling anyone)

Sam Cassell and PJ Brown haven’t been around long enough to warrant consideration. Scot Pollard, Gabe Pruitt, and even Brian Scalabrine wouldn’t seem to have played enough to be seriously considered either. But that still leaves quite a list of eligible players. Let’s look at each of them.

Eddie House

House was one of the first free agents to hitch their wagon to the Celtics train after the KG trade. He was listed as a backup point guard, and while he filled that role in name, few would argue that his true position is that of shooting guard. His quick trigger has helped the team establish an outside threat, but I think that is what he was brought in for. In other words, expectations met, not exceeded.

My candle burns at both ends;
It will not last the night;
But ah, my foes, and oh, my friends–
It gives a lovely light!

– Edna St. Vincent Millay

Enjoy it while it lasts. That is what keeps running through my mind when I think about this Celtics team. This is far and away the best Celtics team since the original Big Three last played together. After beating the Pistons, they might be the best team in the NBA. For fans, it seems like just yesterday that we were sobbing over ping pong balls. Months into the season, I’m still pinching myself at our good fortune.

But how long can it last? How many shots at the golden ring do we get with three stars over 30? What future have we sacrificed in order to enjoy the present? As the Miami Heat have proven, as quickly as it comes together, it can fall apart just as fast. I want to enjoy the present for all it is worth, but I can’t help but look forward towards an uncertain future.

The three major Boston area sports teams have enjoyed quite a run of success recently. Since the turn of the century, the Red Sox have two World Series wins and the Pats have 3 Super Bowl wins (out of 4 appearances). Lately, even the Celtics have gotten into the act, leading the NBA in wins (41) at the All Star break. As fans we have every right to be proud of the teams we follow with as much passion and devotion as any fanbase in the country.

However, the price of all that success is a growing sentiment of animosity from fans of other teams. The rest of the country is flat-out sick of hearing about Boston and they are already lumping us in with the fans of Duke, the Cowboys, and yes even the Yankees. Call it jealousy if you like. Blame the East coast media bias. Blame Bill Belichick. Blame Bill Simmons if it makes you feel better. But the fact is much of the country hates us.

In the span of two weeks, Pau Gasol, Shaquille O’Neal, and Jason Kidd* have all been traded to the Western Conference. (*This trade has been held up by Devean George, but most still believe it will eventually go through.) Many pundits assume that the latest two deals were made by the Suns and Mavs to counter the Lakers’ big move. That may be true in part, but I see a bigger picture catalyst to all these deals. Teams are witnessing the success the Celtics have had in blending three star players together and that has emboldened GMs to roll the dice and seek out that same winning strategy.

GMs like to copycat styles and strategies that work. A few years ago it was the Suns run-and-gun style. Before that it was ugly-defense-ball. Right now, the Celtics 3 stars strategy is working. But will that game plan translate to other teams and other journeyman superstars (Shaq and Kidd will each be on their 4th team)?