Celtics in Position to Make History; NBA Preview

In "A Bronx Tale," one of the all-time classic movies, the local mob bar is infiltrated by a motorcycle gang. The mob boss, Sonny, politely attempts to coerce the bikers to go along their way. When they refuse to comply, Sonny slowly walked over to the entrance, locked the door, and uttered the following statement in a calm voice. "Now you's can't leave." With that line, the bikers lost all of their bravado and take the beating that they were hoping to deliver. If the rest of the NBA is paying attention, they will prepare to endure a season like the bikers did in "A Bronx Tale." The Celtics return all five starters from their 2008 championship team and two of their best reserves from that same team. They may have defended that title last year if not for the season-ending knee injury suffered by Kevin Garnett. To that roster, they have added Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels, giving Boston the depth to return to the top of the NBA. Joining Garnett and Wallace in the frontcourt are Kendrick Perkins and Glen "Big Baby" Davis. Perkins and Big Baby have youth on their side but also have championship experience. Shelden Williams and Brian Scalabrine provide depth. In the backcourt, the C's are equally loaded with talent. Paul Pierce and Ray Allen will one day join Garnett (and possibly Wallace) in the Hall of Fame. Rajon Rondo is one of the best young point guards in the league. Eddie House will join Daniels in providing excellent depth. The Celtics may receive some additional help from youngsters J.R. Giddens, Bill Walker, and Lester Hudson. Hudson is my pick to help. He has shown a knack for getting to the basket in the preseason and could be a nice compliment to Rondo. With such a collection of talent, the Celtics are the favorite to win the 2010 championship. They will be challenged in the Eastern Conference by the Cavaliers and from the West by the Lakers and Spurs but in the end, if they stay relatively healthy, the Celtics will win the 18th championship in franchise history. They could even threaten the 1996 Bulls record setting 72-win season. As for the rest of the league... All-NBA 1st Team Dwight Howard, Magic, Center Tim Duncan, Spurs, Forward LeBron James, Cavaliers, Forward Kobe Bryant, Lakers, Guard Dwayne Wade, Heat, Guard All-NBA 2nd Team Shaquille O'Neal, Cavaliers, Center Kevin Garnett, Celtics, Forward Kevin Durant, Thunder, Forward Brandon Roy, Blazers, Guard Chris Paul, Hornets, Guard All-NBA 3rd Team Amare Stoudemire, Suns, Center Carmelo Anthony, Nuggets, Forward Dirk Nowitzki, Mavericks, Forward Joe Johnson, Hawks, Guard Deron Williams, Jazz, Guard MVP: Kobe Bryant, Lakers Defensive Player of the Year: Dwight Howard, Magic 6th Man: Rasheed Wallace, Celtics Rookie of the Year: Blake Griffin, Clippers Coach of the Year: Larry Brown, Bobcats Eastern Conference Standings 15. Indiana Pacers 14. Milwaukee Bucks 13. New Jersey Nets 12. Chicago Bulls 11. New York Knicks 10. Toronto Raptors 9. Washington Wizards 8. Charlotte Bobcats 7. Philadelphia 76ers 6. Miami Heat 5. Detroit Pistons 4. Atlanta Hawks 3. Orlando Magic 2. Cleveland Cavaliers 1. Boston Celtics Western Conference Standings 15. Sacramento Kings 14. Memphis Grizzlies 13. Minnesota Timberwolves 12. New Orleans Hornets 11. Phoenix Suns 10. Oklahoma City Thunder 9. Houston Rockets 8. Golden State Warriors 7. Portland Trailblazers 6. L.A. Clippers 5. Dallas Mavericks 4. Utah Jazz 3. Denver Nuggets 2. San Antonio Spurs 1. L.A. Lakers Eastern Conference Finals Celtics over Cavaliers Western Conference Finals Spurs over Lakers 2010 NBA Finals Celtics over Spurs