After losing to the Orlando Magic in the semifinals of the NBA Eastern Conference last season, the Boston Celtics will try to comeback and make another run for the NBA championship. What are the reasons? Well, Kevin Garnett is back! After the Big Ticket was sidelined by a knee injury in the closing games of the regular season and all games in the playoffs, the Celtics missed KG’s presence in the paint. Kendrick Perkins and Glen Davis had a hard time neutralizing Orlando’s Dwight Howard. That is why the Celts lost its playoff match with the Magic, 4-2.

In my opinion, KG is the anchor of the Celtics defense. The team lacks defensive intensity during the playoff. Defense creates offense for the team. It could have been a different story if KG was healthy during the playoff games. It could have been another duel with the Kobe Bryant and the Los Angeles Lakers for the NBA championship.

I like GM Danny Ainge’s move to recruit the aging All Star center/forward Rasheed Wallace to play alongside the Big Three of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and KG. Even at 35, Sheed still ooze with lots of basketball intensity specifically on the defensive side. According to Tim Duncan of the San Antonio Spurs, Rasheed is one heck of a defender and plays great defense against him. Rasheed also gives the Celtics another bright spot in the three-point area conversion. This guy is a hard nut to crack in draining 3s when needed.

Boston also has other defensive stalwarts in point guard Rajon Rondo, guard Tony Allen, and young center Kendrick Perkins. Rondo has blossomed into one of NBA’s defensive-minded pointguard. He plays the same defensive intensity likened to his coach Doc Rivers. Rivers is one of NBA’s most pesky defender during his playing days with Boston and the New York Knicks. It could be Doc River’s philosophy that guards must play intense defense to win the games. Tony Allen is the designated to clamp down on defense opponent’s guards and swingmen. He has played good defense against Kobe Bryant in the 2008 NBA Finals. Perkins out of high school same with Garnett has been a revelation on defense in the absence of Kevin Garnett in the regular and the playoffs. He compiled 8.2 rebounds and 2.0 blocks per game last season.

The Celts also signed another pesky guard in 6-6 Marquis Daniels. Daniels will surely alternate with Rondo at the point and provide stability in both defensive and offensive ends of Boston. He is a 12.0 ppg scorer at Indiana Pacers last season but has a knack in defense with his large frame in a guard’s position.

In offense, the Boston Celtics has so many options with Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, KG, Rasheed, Eddie House and others. All of these Celts have the capability to score every game. No problem with the team’s scoring ability.

As long as Boston Celtics will keep its players healthy and do all the dirty jobs on defense, it will be another title for the Celtics this NBA season.

Rating: 9