2008 Woodie Awards
They have potential, but can they make it?
Closer view on the Boston Celtics
Jason Crotty
Issue date: 12/7/04 Section: Sports
The 2004-2005 Boston Celtics have the potential to be a great basketball team. They possess a lot of pure talent; the goal will be for head coach Doc Rivers to build good team chemistry and utilize the players to the best of their ability.
As of December 2nd, Boston has a record of 6-8, and is tied for second in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference with the Philadelphia 76ers. Thus far they have faired well against good competition.
In a November 21st game against the Seattle Supersonics, who started the season off blazing at a 14-3 record, the Celtics cruised to a 102-83 victory. In a November 29th game against the Orlando Magic, Doc Rivers guided the Celts to an offensive masterpiece, as he easily defeated his former team, 117-101. The Celtics have also suffered some disappointing losses to powerful teams such as the Indiana Pacers and the San Antonio Spurs.
In spite of such losses, the Celtics are capable of beating any team they play. The current National Basketball Association is riddled by parody, and the opportunity to seize an NBA Championship next June is open to the team who is most willing to make it happen.
The Celtics roster is filled with plenty of talent and experience. The Celtics possess a perennial top scorer in team captain Paul Pierce. Pierce is a versatile guard/forward who can run the floor and provide scoring from inside and out on the court. Since his arrival to the Celtics during the 1998-1999 season, Pierce has consistently been a playmaker and leader. Still early in the season, Pierce has averaged 22.7 points a game, which ranks him among the top tier of scorers in the NBA. Pierce has been a franchise player for the Celtics for the entirety of his professional career, often hitting important shots during the regular season and playoffs. He also improved his rebounding this year, increasing his average from 6.5 per game last year to 7.3 per game this year. His role is essential to the Celtics' chances of success this season.
As of December 2nd, Boston has a record of 6-8, and is tied for second in the Atlantic Division of the Eastern Conference with the Philadelphia 76ers. Thus far they have faired well against good competition.
In a November 21st game against the Seattle Supersonics, who started the season off blazing at a 14-3 record, the Celtics cruised to a 102-83 victory. In a November 29th game against the Orlando Magic, Doc Rivers guided the Celts to an offensive masterpiece, as he easily defeated his former team, 117-101. The Celtics have also suffered some disappointing losses to powerful teams such as the Indiana Pacers and the San Antonio Spurs.
In spite of such losses, the Celtics are capable of beating any team they play. The current National Basketball Association is riddled by parody, and the opportunity to seize an NBA Championship next June is open to the team who is most willing to make it happen.
The Celtics roster is filled with plenty of talent and experience. The Celtics possess a perennial top scorer in team captain Paul Pierce. Pierce is a versatile guard/forward who can run the floor and provide scoring from inside and out on the court. Since his arrival to the Celtics during the 1998-1999 season, Pierce has consistently been a playmaker and leader. Still early in the season, Pierce has averaged 22.7 points a game, which ranks him among the top tier of scorers in the NBA. Pierce has been a franchise player for the Celtics for the entirety of his professional career, often hitting important shots during the regular season and playoffs. He also improved his rebounding this year, increasing his average from 6.5 per game last year to 7.3 per game this year. His role is essential to the Celtics' chances of success this season.