By: Dan Massar, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
What’s up Doc?
That’s what Celtics fans wanted to know soon after the NBA Finals ended and attention turned to whether Doc Rivers would be on the bench in Boston next season.  That question was answered last week as Rivers announced he would be back coaching the Celtics next season.  All of Boston felt relief.
Then Paul Pierce opted out of the final year of his contract.  This wasn’t a huge surprise and there wasn’t much reason to be concerned that Pierce would leave Boston, but it was great news for Celtics fans when reports surfaced in the last few days that Pierce and the Celts had agreed on a 4 year deal in the $60 million range.
Two of the biggest questions regarding the Celtics offseason had been answered; Doc and Pierce are going to be at The Garden in 2010-2011.  Now two big questions remain for the Celtics.  The first is will Ray Allen be wearing green next season?  The chances seem good especially with both Doc and Pierce coming back.  Both men must think that there’s a good chance Allen is also coming back otherwise it may have been a more difficult decision for them [...]

By: Dan Massar, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
It’s the most wonderful time of the year! The NBA Playoffs are finally here.  After a long regular season of ups and downs for the Celtics, the real journey now begins.  It was a season that started with great promise.  A 23-5 start had fans thinking it was 2008 again.
But instead they went 27-27 the rest of the season.  Ouch.  50 wins for Team Green, a far cry from the 70 Rasheed Wallace thought they had a chance to win back.
No worries though Celtics fans.  It’s a new season now.  The Celtics will either turn their game on or continue their inconsistent play and get knocked out early.  Ok, I guess there is reason to worry.  Without further ado, lets break down this first round matchup with the Heat.
The Celtics beat Miami all three times they met this season.  One of those was a classic game that the Celts won in OT after forcing the extra session on a Rajon Rondo layup at the buzzer off a lob pass from Paul Pierce. The Celtics won the other two games by 5 and 7 and both were highly competitive into the final minute.  So while the [...]

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor
What’s the talkie saying about Boston sports today?
Celtics still injured. Dock Rivers said that KG will still be out for the next 10-14 days, but more likely ten, due to not being able to keep Garnett still. KG got kicked twice last month causing his repaired knee to hyperextend. Apparently it was almost impossible to get Garnett to stop physical activity entirely (love the dedication) but the rest has done him good and he should hopefully come back strong.
Replacing KG was Rasheed Wallace, now also hurt. Wallace sat out Monday with a hurt foot and could be out for up to a week. So, now replacing him is Brian Scalabine. The fantastic four are down to a Trying Two. The Celts are 3-4 since KG’s injury but sit at a respectable third place in the league behind LA and Cleveland. Let’s hope they get healthy fast. They play the Nets tonight.
Pat’s Draft Picks. The only good thing about the Patriots losing to the Ravens is that they get a better first-round draft pick. They will now pick 22nd. They also have three second-round picks. Hopefully Belichick takes full advantage of this, because we could sure use [...]

By: Dan Massar, YawkeyTalkies Staff Writer
Rasheed Wallace has been a starter his entire career. He’s always been one of the top players on his team and a dynamic force on both ends of the court. In Boston he no longer can claim a spot in the starting lineup of his team, however, Wallace has adapted well to his role off the bench for the Celtics.
As expected, he has provided a great spark both offensively and defensively. The 35-year-old seems quite content to come off the pine and play 20 to 25 minutes a night. He had his best effort of the season last week against the 76ers when he poured in 20 points, hitting 6 three-pointers.
However, his apparent addiction to the three point shot has been alarming. Last Friday night as I was watching the game against the Suns, my brother sent me a tongue-in-cheek text message asking, “has Rasheed attempted a two-pointer all year yet?”

By: Jess Lander, YawkeyTalkies Editor in Chief
The Big Three outdid the highly anticipated Duo of LeBron James and Shaquille O’Neil on the Cavs’ turf in the NBA season opener Tuesday night. The Celts put an end to their 11-game losing streak in Cleveland by defeating them 95-89, a big difference from the 31-point Boston massacre on their last meeting.
What could possibly be the reason for the turn around?
Sorry Shaq, but there was someone more important than you on your Cleveland debut because KG is back.
All hints of a season-ending injury gone. Celtics fan’s biggest worry, gone. If last night’s game against a fellow title contender indicated anything, it’s that 2010 can very likely be the 2008 remix.
Garnett added 13 points and ten rebounds to the mix behind the other two musketeers, Paul Pierce with 23 points and 11 rebounds, and Ray Allen with 16 points and ten assists. The possible new inductee to make the power three into an unstoppable four, is Rasheed Wallace who put up 12 points on his own debut.
Superhuman James outscored each with 38 points of his own, including sinking four from outside the three, and eight assists. But just like last season, his effort alone [...]

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 [...]