Can The Celtics Repeat?

by Brendon Rosenau
Love of Sports Correspondent

One day after winning an NBA title and the Celtics where already looking ahead to next year. In terms of personnel the team is in great position.

All five starters are signed through the 2010 season and four are under the team’s control until 2011. They have three of the league’s best players at their position and, most importantly, the team is committed to defense.

The biggest loss will most likely be super-sub James Posey. Posey will likely, and deservedly, opt out of the final year of his contract and test the market. Eddie House will also be available for the masses and while the Celtics would like to keep E-House, he likely made just himself a decent amount of coin with his play in the Finals. 

Recognize that Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins are developing into better than average players.

Rondo will turn 23 next February and has already started over 100 games and 26 playoff games. His numbers in the playoffs where awesome; 10.2 points, 6.6 assists, 4.1 rebounds, 1.7 steals and 1.8 turnovers per game. Rondo had tough moments, especially on the road, but he will only get better next year and if he continues to improve his shooting.

Perkins will be 24 in November and will be entering his sixth NBA season. Perkins started 78 games last year and averaged six points and six boards. Those numbers don’t knock your socks off but Perk has shown flashes of dominance like the 18 point 16 rebound effort he dropped on the Pistons in the playoffs. Somewhere in the middle is where Perkins should find himself next year. He’s a physical force that rebounds and can score in the paint.

On the court, the main area of concern will be the bench where the Celtics will be Kate Moss thin in the backcourt. Gabe Pruitt, who spent most of the season in the D-League, could be the de-facto backup point guard. Any other player will have to come via free agency or the draft.

There is better news in the front court with Leon Powe and Glenn Davis on the bench. Powe averaged nearly eight points and four rebounds in just 14 minutes per game last year. Powe will likely see more time this season and has a nice scoring touch around the hoop. Davis was used sparingly off the bench but gives the team energy and can body up bigger opponents.

The Celtics need to bring in some bench help, especially in the form of scoring. They top priority should be to resign Posey but that could be difficult. If they lose Posey then the team will be sorely lacking in offense and defense.

The Celtics could take a look at Daniel Gibson or veteran Eddie Jones if they become available. Gibson is a three-point specialist, while Jones could be a veteran defensive presence off the bench in search for a title just like P.J. Brown was.

It’s rare that a team can return as much talent as the Celtics have with their three superstars. The bottom line is that for a defending champion the Celtics are in great shape.