Things haven't been too good lately for our C's.Overall I still believe we will be okay, only if some minor things are solved. First things first, although the Lakers won today, the Celtics played a really good game, and I actually felt they played better most of the way through; besides the first quarter and the last minutes of the 4th, we had all the momentum going our way. Kobe played poorly because of excellent team defense, even though he made a few tough shots at the end (including the game winner.) But at the end of the day, we still lost , and that's all that matters in the W-L column. Besides today's game though, I believe what has really frustrated everyone and has people second guessing the Celtics is the 4 whoopings the Hawks gave us. And the fact is, without a few things happening, this team may face an early playoff exit. These things are smaller though than some of the drastic trades people have been suggesting.

The Big 3/ Our Team Core

Most important, I believe our starting 5 should remain intact, and I think that's exactly what's going to happen, despite cries on here that Ray Allen should be traded. First off, looking at our original Big 3 of Allen, Pierce, and Garnett; I don't think there are any worries about Paul, obviously with his usual all star type season. The big concern is regarding Allen and KG. It is true KG hasn't been his old self. For the Celtics to get to the Finals, KG is going to have to get that spring back in his step, and I believe it he will recover and be back soon to 100%. The same thing was thought about Duncan for the past two years-he faced injuries and appeared to be declining. He may not be in his prime, but he is again playing at an all star level, one that I think KG will be back to as the year goes on. He actually hit some big shots at the end of the game today vs. the Lakers, but didn't get the ball much again. As for Ray Allen, I guess he is being criticized the most. The fact of the matter is, Ray's roll on this team has always been as a shooter. He is going through a slump now, as he was last year, and I heard all of the same criticisms. But he showed his worth in the playoffs torching the Bulls. Even in the Big 3's first year, Allen saw his numbers drop from his regular numbers because he accepted his new role on this team, which is to shoot. I see him as a Reggie Miller, who was an effective player all the way to 40. Ray fits in perfectly with our team, and we shouldn't mess with the chemistry; which I believe Danny won't do anyway-if a trade happens, it will be for a bench player. And anyway, whatever star power he has lost is being made up for by the emerging one of Rondo. One question  that does come to my mind is if Doc's overplaying of the big 3 last season  because our lack of a bench come back to haunt them this year with the injuries.

Our Bench

I think there are two positions we need to address for our bench, one being a backup PG and the other a SF/wing. I've read over and over that "we don't need a backup pg, house and daniels are enough." Again, it is interesting to look back at last year to see what was said. The same thing was believed on here last year. But the need became apparent later in the year, when the team made a desperate move to pick up Marbury. And I was dissapointed to hear the same thing again this year. House is not a PG. Daniels can handle the ball, but when we first got him I thought he would be our Posey replacement. But either way, he's not a legitimate PG backup either. As in the game vs the Lakers today, the team couldn't do anything when Rondo went to the bench, and turned the ball over on back to back possesions in the 4th quarter. We need another PG-I felt someone like Rafer Alston would have been perfect. But any pg of his type will be perfect. Another thing I believe we are missing is an athletic wing that can come in the game, play D, and make some buckets. The truth is, that has been said here over and over, was that the loss of James Posey was big. And while some people downplayed his importance, I think Posey was to us in that Horry was to the Lakers in their 3 peat days. And would they have won alot of those big games without Horry? I dont think so. We have never brought in a true Posey replacement. House and Tony Allen are both undersized. Giddens and Walker don't play. If you compare our roster to the Lakers, they are 2-3 players deep at every position. While we have a few good bench players, we still have some holes and aren't as deep and complete a team. One name to just throw out?  How about Terrence Williams of the Nets. HE was frustrated this year for a lack of minutes. Maybe we could give them Giddens, Walker, or whoever to make the salary fit. He is an athlethic player, can score, and has potential to be a great defender. Because I think our core has gotten older, we could use more of a scoring option of the bench than what Posey was. Williams wouldn't have the veteran swagger and clutch shot ability, but he's just a name Im throwing out. We need someone along those lines. As for Sheed? I think he  could go two ways for us. Will he bring that stagnant, arrogant attitude that made the Pistons lazy these past few years? I feel like with him, we may have lost some physical toughness and heart, and instead are complaining more. Or things will turn out postive. Sheed is a playoff player, and a great player to have coming off the bench.He could be good for us, more so down the line.  While he will pick up technicals like always, I think in the end he will be a positive for us, and come up big.