2009-10 Celtics > 2007-08 Celtics

The Celtics are better this year than in their championship run from 2007-08. Why, you ask? Rajon “Freaking” Rondo.

The emergence of Rondo as a “star”, and a scoring threat is the biggest difference between the Celts title run from two years ago and this year’s squad. It doesn’t take much watching to see how much better this team is compared to the title team, and people are finally starting to see it.

Dunbar may not be watching, but I am, and this is what I have noticed about the 2009-10 team, and my guarantee that they are winning the title…

1. The Rondo Factor- With Rondo emerging as a true scoring option, as well as one of the top-3 point guards in the league this year, it takes so much pressure off the “Big Three, aka the Old Balls Brigade.” Instead of running all plays through Pierce or Allen at the top of the key, the Celts can have Rondo push the tempo with his speed, and that creates better looks for Pierce and Allen, while giving Garnett more quick play opportunities, instead of him posting up with a bumb knee.

Rondo pushes the tempo in transition, and this year, he has proven that he can FINISH. In the title run a couple years ago, every Celts fans cringed every time Rondo went to the rim for a layup, knowing that the ball was going to get swatted all the way to Cape Cod by any big around the rim. This year, you expect him to make a play, and make someone look silly.

2.Defense- The defense has been the ultimate reason for the Celtic resurgence in the playoffs this year. As in 2007-08, the Celtics have relied on their defense to win games. While teams are trying to score 120+ points every night, the Celts have focused on shutting down their opponent, taking away their strength, and playing THEIR game. Well, this has turned into back-to-back series of domination, defense and pride. Pierce and Tony Allen have combined to shut down the “scorers” on the Cavs and Magic, while Garnett, Perkins and the Ghost of Rasheed Wallace have protected the paint from the Freaks… Shaq and Dwight Howard.

3. A man with a plan- Instead of just relying on Pierce, Garnett and Allen, Doc Rivers has settled into a rotation which allows for the old men to take a seat, without productivity taking a major fall off. Although it still makes me cringe to see Ray Allen, Tony Allen, Big Baby, Rasheed Wallace and Michael Finley on the floor all at once, they are actually being effective. They are playing great defense and capitalizing on the other team’s second units to help extend leads in the second quarter. If everyone keeps buying into their job and their role, then we could be seeing Garnett at midcourt yelling, “ANYTHING IS POSSIBLEEEEEEE!!!!,” as Kobe walks off the court to join Big Ben for some drinks at the nearest rape bar.
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Keys to Game 4:

1. Don’t let Rashard Lewis breath. The Celtics have done a great job limiting Lewis, and the three-point shooting in this series. You don’t want these assholes getting going. Especially J.J Redick and Lewis. Hey Redick, you’re an asshole and no one likes you.

2. Bigs stay out of foul trouble. As much as I like to see Perkins face when he gets pissed off, I want him on the floor to help shut down Dwight. Perk may be the MVP of the series so far.

3. Crowd. Score early and run the floor. Nothing gets drunk Irish Celtics fans more rowdy than A fast-break alley-oop from Rondo to Garnett followed by intense high fives from Scalabrine.

4. Paul Pierce. Show off your dick. You are the big man in beantown, and you live for these type of games. Close them out tonight, and get your boys rested up for Kobe and the Lakers. In the words of Kevin Millar, “Don’t let us win tonight.” Don’t give them a chance to breathe, because Boston can’t handle a Bruins type collapse. Go Green!