Are the Celtics the Best Team in the NBA?

Boston is off to a great start.

Not that it wasn’t expected, but who knew that the Celts would hold the Charlotte Bobcats to a total of 59 points in the C’s home opener. This came right after the Celtics spoiled the Cavaliers season and home opener as well. Then last night the Celtics took down the young Bulls squad 118-90, barely breaking a sweat.

It’s scary how well this C’s team is doing.

People have been talking about how LA has brought in Ron Artest, and how Cleveland should be fueled up on enough Diesel power to win a ring this year, but most people do not talk as much about this Celtics team, whose main acquisition was Rasheed Wallace. Without a doubt, this wasn’t as big as a Shaq or Vince Carter deal.

Even though I say this,  I have one question.

Are the Celtics the best team in the NBA?

Here is a good point in support that they may be: the C’s are blowing out their opponents. They are averaging 101.7 PPG and giving their opponents an average of 79.3 PPG, a difference of 20+ points.

To me, this is staggering, because supposedly the Celtics were supposed to have a slow/rocky start. Glen Davis would be out, KG has not been on the court long enough to shake his rust off, and Doc still needed to find a way to incorporate his new additions:

• PF Shelden Williams
• PF Rasheed Wallace
• PG Marquis Daniels

No doubt, the Celts are showing us they are still a force to be reckoned with, but let’s take an in-depth look.

Cavaliers 10/27

The season opener.

Cavs fans and Celtics fans alike were waiting for this one. Heck, all NBA fans were, and it showed as TNT has it’s largest NBA audience in their history of showing the game. But back to the point.

The Cavs were coming in with all the confidence in the world, as the media had been feeding the world that the Cavs are the beasts of the east. But that night, Boston had other thoughts.

The Celtics did not start off the way they had hoped, as the Cavs seemed to be running the tables early, and finished the first quarter with a 21-28 lead over Boston. Then, it all went downhill.

Boston finished the half well, scoring 31 points in the second quarter and only allowing Cleveland a meek 17 points.

This proved to be the decider, as the Celts held off Cleveland in the final two quarters  by going blow for blow.

Final: BOS- 95 CLE-89

-Paul Pierce finished 23 points, and 11 rebounds

-Kevin Garnett added 13, 10 rebounds and 3 blocks

-Ray Allen put in 16, 2 rebounds and 3 steals and assists

and let’s not forget about the new face..

-Rasheed Wallace had 12 points, 3 rebounds and 2 blocks off the bench

A great boost of confidence for Boston, as they hold off the Cavs, even though having allowed LeBron to drop 38.

Bobcats 10/29

Time for the C’s home opener, and lucky for them they faced a non-playoff Bobcats team (insert NBA preseason Power ranking link)

Not really much to say about this one other than the fact that it was a damn embarrassment for the Bobcats.

The Celtics ran circles around Charlotte in nearly every aspect.

Defensively the C’s allowed Gerald Wallace, whom is Charlotte’s number one option, a team high 10 points. 10 POINTS!? Are you serious? Cmon Larry Brown, I think you can run your squad better than that!

Then the Bobcats were shooting up bricks from three, as they were 0-10 from the three point line. I’m no genius at math, but I believe that is 0%.

Then the Bobcats FG% was 31%. Absolutely disgusting! But don’t worry Charlotte, not your fault. The Celtics are just an amazingly good defensive team.

Let’s take a look at the score quarter by quarter:

Q1- Boston -22 Charlotte- 12

Q2- Boston -20 Charlotte- 18

(That is the closest Charlotte gets)

Q3- Boston -25 Charlotte- 10

(OUCH!)

Q4- Boston -25 Charlotte- 18

Poor Charlotte, but hey you tried right?

Final: BOS-92 CHA-59 (ew)

-KG had 10, Pierce had 16, Ray had 18

Chicago 10/30

A rematch of last year’s stunning first round playoff series.

But it wasn’t anything like last year..at all.

This was purely an offensive showcase for Boston. Chicago didn’t play badly either, even thought they lost. But you have to give this Bulls team credit, especially considering their best player is a second year player.

The game was intriguing in the beginning, as the Bulls were able to hang in there, as they ended the first quarter 21-17.

But from then  Boston poured it on, dropping 29 in the second quarter. The third was Paul Pierces quarter, as he dropped 20 of his 22 in the third.

Simply amazing!

In total, the C’s put  38 in the third,  and then the Boston  bench assisted in putting up 30 in the fourth.

Defensively, Boston did a nice job on the perimeter, as they help Chicago to 13% from downtown.

Not the showcase from last year, but was a good game for those of us who didn’t have anything to do on Friday night.

Final: BOS – 118 CHI – 90

-Paul Pierce put in 22 points, 8 rebounds, 4 assists, and 3 steals

-Allen dropped 20, and dished out 3 assists

-KG gave 16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists and a steal

-Eddie House put in 22 off the bench.

Conclusively, Boston is playing great ball, and should continue that way, as their upcoming games are rather easy.

11/1 – New Orleans at Boston

11/3 – Boston at Philadelphia

11/4 – Boston at Minnesota

In the end, Boston has a complete team. They have leadership, veteran skills, three point shooting, post play, athleticism…everything!

Next time you call Cleveland or Orlando the beast of the east, don’t forget the 2008 NBA Champions, whom in my mind, have simply gotten better!

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* – Kevin Garnett photo credit: Getty Images

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