By: Gabe Souza, YawkeyTalkies Correspondent
It started off so promising.
A clutch opening day win over Cleveland had analysts abuzz on whether they had misjudged the Celtics’ power in the East.
A few easy wins here mixed with very few loses there had C’s fans flaunting their bragging rights up and down Mass. Ave. They could even throw it back in the face of Lakers’ fanatics – World Champion Laker fanatics. And it was all merited.
The green demolished the likes of Philadelphia, Utah, Chicago, Golden State and even Oklahoma City. With only four losses up to Christmas Day, things looked good in the Garden.
But as the yuletide spirit began to grow, so did the anxiety that the Celtics would get coal in their stocking like the had the year before against the Los Angeles Lakers, a loss that ended up derailing their postseason hopes.
Turns out the knots in fans’ stomachs were for not.
By the time Santa finished his rounds on December 25, five Celtic players had scored in double figures – including a near triple-double from Rajon Rondo – and the C’s defeated Superman’s Magic, 86-77.
A solid win. Things looked good. Championship run: still intact.
Then they lost to the perennial cellar-dweller, the Clippers. [...]

By: Dan Massar, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
Was Saturday’s loss to the Nets the worst in franchise history for the Celtics?  Channel 5 sports anchor Bob Halloran said on the air following the loss that an argument could be made that it was.  There’s no argument that it was one of the worst losses of the Pierce-Garnett-Allen era.  (I refuse to call them the Big Three anymore, that title belongs to the Bird-McHale-Parish trio that won 3 titles in the 80’s).  The Nets came into the game with a 5-52 record, by far the worst record in the league and it puts them in position to potentially become the worst team ever, the 1972-73’ 76ers hold the mark at 9-73.
But just how bad was it?  Pierce didn’t play, but the Celts still had two All Stars on the floor in Rondo and Garnett and a former All Star in Allen.  This was an embarrassing loss.  The Celtics had just been beaten by 20 by the Cavaliers on Thursday in a game they led by double digits.  Danny Ainge called the team out before the Nets game.  He especially went after the starters saying to reporters, “I think the onus is on the [...]

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
Tonight’s game had an interesting twist. Nate Robinson made his debut with the Celtics against none other than his former team the NY Knicks. Before the game Robinson said, “It’s overwhelming being part of a franchise that’s accustomed to winning.” Yeah Nate, guess you’re not used to that in New York (20-36) huh?
The Celtics also had to face a player who was their teammate and friend,
just a week ago: Eddie House, who they made a tribute to before the game, thanking him for the memories.
So, based on tonight’s game, who got the better trade? Who’s a better asset: the one who dunks or the one who drains three’s?
Neither of these players are going to elevate their new teams to the next level, or Championship team status. They’ll deepen the bench, and hopefully put some points on the board the minutes they’re in. This is especially important for the Celtics, who have endless injury problems (Pierce was out tonight and indefinitely), and who may always need one of their bench to step into bigger shoes for the time being.
Statistically in tonights game, Robinson, who hasn’t even has a full practice with the team yet, looked to be [...]

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
It has been a week of almost’s and close calls in Boston this week.
The Eagles almost upset Duke. The Blue Devils had a ten point lead at one point, but BC managed to cut it down and bring the game very much within their reach. Coming off a loss to Florida State but also a good win against Clemson a week before, the Eagles seemed to have the confidence to force an upset. The game ended 66-63, the Eagles just one missed three pointer away from beating the Blue Devils for only the third time ever. But that didn’t happen, and BC sits at ninth in the ACC.
The Celtics almost looked like their old selves and like they were going to beat the Magic, but then they just looked old. Going into halftime, the Celts were up by 11. Then the third quarter happened and the Magic outscored them 36-11 and closed out the game 96-89. More than just another loss, the Magic moved up into the Celts second place in the Eastern Conference. Just the week before, the Celts let the Magic and the Lakers take a lead out from under them, making [...]

By: Dan Massar, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
It was an incredible rollercoaster ride.  That would be a good way to describe this decade for the Boston Celtics.  The decade had plenty of ups and downs.  From the title in 2008 to the end of the failed Rick Pitino era in 2001.  This decade had it all for the Celts.  While a list of memorable moments from this past decade for Team Green would have some unpleasant memories for fans, it’s not too hard to come up with the 10 best moments of the decade either.  Most come from the last couple of years, but a few are pre-KG.  So here it is, the Top 10 Celtics Moments from the 2000’s in order of greatness from #10 to the top moment at #1.
10.Trading for Rajon Rondo in 2006 NBA Draft- This trade took some time to love, but now it has to be considered one of the best of the decade in the NBA.  Rondo has turned into one of the best point guards in the league.  He’s already won one title and could be an even bigger reason for another parade in 2010.  Rondo may turn out to be the Celtics [...]

By: Dan Massar, YawkeyTalkies Correspondent
The NBA regular season is finally here.  Our long dark national nightmare is over.  The Celtics are of course no longer the defending champions.  An injury to Kevin Garnett last season took care of any hope for another title in 2009.  The Lakers will be the ones trying on rings Tuesday night.
While that should make you queasy as a Celtics fan, there is reason to be optimistic for the upcoming season.  The big three are all healthy and Rasheed Wallace is now wearing green.  So without further ado, here are the top 5 story lines for the 2009-2010 Boston Celtics.
5. Jesus Shuttlesworth is in a contract year: Ray Allen’s contract expires after this season.  He will also turn 35 in July.  While Allen still possesses perhaps the sweetest jumper in the NBA, the mid 30’s are not a kind time for shooting guards.  The good news is Allen should be even more motivated this season so he can be rewarded with a contract at the end of the season.  He actually performed better last year than in the championship season.  He shot 95% from the free throw line and 48% from the field.  Throw in 40% [...]

By: Dan Massar, YawkeyTalkies Correspondent
Yawn.  Sorry, I was just thinking about how boring the preseason is.  The Celtics preseason has begun and now that the excitement of seeing the team back on the court has worn off, it’s hard to get too excited about preseason action.  The games don’t count in the standings and in most games the core players don’t see a lot of action.
But pre-season is a necessary Yawn-fest.  For the Celtics it’s allowing the team to get used to Rasheed Wallace and Marquis Daniels.  It’s giving Kevin Garnett a chance to get back on the floor to work out all of the rust after his injury. In Wednesdays game against Toronto, Garnett had 16 points, and 6 rebounds.  Rajon Rondo is showing that he’s ready for a big season after a tremendous performance against the Nets last Sunday in which he scored 18 points and dished out 13 assists.
The Celts have played five of eight preseason games, their next on Sunday against for a second match against the Raptors. And while scores don’t matter, it’s still nice to know that after losing in the pre-season opener to Houston, the Celts have won all of the other [...]