2008 Woodie Awards
C is for championship, Celtics look to repeat
Rani Smith
Issue date: 10/1/08 Section: Sports
Two years ago, the Boston Celtics finished the regular season with the worst record in the Eastern Conference and the second worst record in the NBA, at 24-58. Last season, the team finished with a NBA best 66-16 record and went on to become world champions. The Celtics have all the momentum to be tough competitors come next season.
Since their previous title in 1986, the Celtics went through a 22 year drought, until winning their 17th championship in 2008.
In recent years, veteran and team leader Paul Pierce attempted to carry the team on his back, sticking with Boston since being drafted in 1998. He decided to stay for 2007-2008 despite missing the playoffs the past two years and 5 of 9 overall. Pierce was expected to carry mostly the entire load. In the summer of 2007, the Boston Celtics would take on a whole new look, signing veteran stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Needless to say, the rest was history; The "Big Three" led the Celtics to another World Championship. Although they did not appear in the top five among league leaders in major offensive categories (i.e., points & field goal percentage) working together, Garnett, Allen and Pierce made the entire team stronger in 2007-2008. They not only were effective individually, but made other players like Rajon Rondo, Glen "Big Baby" Davis and Kendrick Perkins better. Players like Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwayne Wade have proven that it is impossible for one player to carry an entire team and win Championships. The Celtics were successful because of what they did as a team and should continue to do the same next season.
This offseason was somewhat quiet for the Celtics, which is probably a good thing, considering their positive momentum coming off of last season. The most notable loss from the 2008 championship team was forward James Posey, who signed with the New Orleans Hornets as a free agent. Posey was a key to the Celtics championship, especially in the playoffs both offensively and particularly defensively. Usually allowing Paul Pierce a chance to rest, Posey was known for his shut-down defense and clutch three-point shooting, where he lead the team with a .398 three-point percentage in the postseason.
Since their previous title in 1986, the Celtics went through a 22 year drought, until winning their 17th championship in 2008.
In recent years, veteran and team leader Paul Pierce attempted to carry the team on his back, sticking with Boston since being drafted in 1998. He decided to stay for 2007-2008 despite missing the playoffs the past two years and 5 of 9 overall. Pierce was expected to carry mostly the entire load. In the summer of 2007, the Boston Celtics would take on a whole new look, signing veteran stars Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Needless to say, the rest was history; The "Big Three" led the Celtics to another World Championship. Although they did not appear in the top five among league leaders in major offensive categories (i.e., points & field goal percentage) working together, Garnett, Allen and Pierce made the entire team stronger in 2007-2008. They not only were effective individually, but made other players like Rajon Rondo, Glen "Big Baby" Davis and Kendrick Perkins better. Players like Lebron James, Kobe Bryant, and Dwayne Wade have proven that it is impossible for one player to carry an entire team and win Championships. The Celtics were successful because of what they did as a team and should continue to do the same next season.
This offseason was somewhat quiet for the Celtics, which is probably a good thing, considering their positive momentum coming off of last season. The most notable loss from the 2008 championship team was forward James Posey, who signed with the New Orleans Hornets as a free agent. Posey was a key to the Celtics championship, especially in the playoffs both offensively and particularly defensively. Usually allowing Paul Pierce a chance to rest, Posey was known for his shut-down defense and clutch three-point shooting, where he lead the team with a .398 three-point percentage in the postseason.
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