Celtics Add Troy Murphy

The loudest argument against the Celtics trades from last week is that they sacrificed too much of their size in giving up two centers (Kendrick Perkins and Semih Erden) for a small forward (Jeff Green) and a center (Nenad Krstic). That argument was tempered a bit today when Troy Murphy - who had his contract bought out by the Golden State Warriors on Sunday - announced he was signing with the Celtics. The 6-11 Murphy adds rebounding and shooting to the Boston front court and provides additional insurance if either (or both) Shaquille O'Neal or Jermaine O'Neal are unable to stay healthy in the playoffs. The Murphy signing reminds me of Boston's addition of P.J. Brown during the stretch run before the 2008 playoffs. Brown brought a veteran big man to the Celtics who played good defense, helped on the boards, and knocked down open jump shots. His clutch shooting against the Cavaliers in Game 7 of the Eastern Semi-Finals helped pave the way to the 2008 championship. Murphy's ability to step out and make three-pointers (he is a career 39% shooter from behind the arc) will help space the floor on offense and his rebounding skills (8.5 per game over his ten-year career) will help offset the loss of Perkins. The Celtics are still rumored to be involved with recent buy-outs Corey Brewer and Rasaul Butler, who would provide additional depth behind Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. Danny Ainge was rumored to be in love with Brewer, a Florida product who won consecutive national championships with the Gators in 2006 and 2007, heading into the 2007 NBA Draft but instead picked Green, who was then traded to Seattle as a part of a package for Ray Allen. Even if Ainge is done dealing, the Celtics rotation has been bolstered enough to make them the prohibitive favorites to win the 2011 NBA championship. The following depth chart - which includes Shaq but omits Jermaine O'Neal (he has to prove he his healthy before he can be counted on to contribute) - gives Doc Rivers great flexibility at every position besides point guard (because of questions surrounding Delonte West's ability to stay healthy). 5: Shaquille O'Neal, Troy Murphy, Nenad Krstic (Jermaine O'Neal) 4: Kevin Garnett, Glen Davis, Troy Murphy, Jeff Green 3: Paul Pierce, Jeff Green 2: Ray Allen, Delonte West, Von Wafer 1: Rajon Rondo, Delonte West, Avery Bradley This type of depth allows Rivers a variety of options in the Celtics quest to capture the franchise's 18th NBA title. He can go big (Shaq, Murphy, Garnett, Pierce/Allen, Rondo/Allen) because of Murphy and Garnett's ability to hit jump shots and Garnett's defense. He can go small (Garnett, Green, Pierce, Allen, Rondo) because of Green's ability to defend inside (similar to James Posey's flexibility in 2008). The other contenders - Miami, New York, Chicago, Orlando, Los Angeles, Oklahoma City, San Antonio, and Dallas - are all at a competitive disadvantage now. The road to the title certainly runs through Boston.