The short answer is yes … but I'm paid by the hour, so here's the long answer.
The Celtics are still championship contenders, but in order for them to emerge from the 2011 postseason with a trophy in their hands and a banner in the rafters, a lot of things have to go right. The C's need the perfect storm of good fortune to win banner No. 18 next June.
First of all, they need to work out a new contract with Paul Pierce, ensuring that their captain will remain in a green uniform for his 13th season. Pierce opted late Tuesday night to terminate the final year of his three-year, $59 million deal with the Celtics. In order to keep The Truth around, Danny Ainge will have to sit down with him and work out a new contract. The C's need his leadership, his experience and his versatile offensive game if they're going to have a chance. If Ainge can't work out a deal with Pierce soon, he risks losing his captain to the hectic free-agent market of this summer.
Speaking of which …
They need Ray Allen, who's also a free agent, to return to the team. Preferably, they'd get him at a reduced rate — Allen made $52 million over the course of his first three years in a Celtics uniform as part of a five-year, $80 million deal he signed back in Seattle. Allen is about to turn 35, and frankly, he's not worth that kind of money anymore. But if the C's can talk him into taking a pay cut, they'll be in good shape going forward.
They need to stay healthy. Obviously, the biggest obstacle here is Kendrick Perkins, who seriously injured his knee in Game 6 of the NBA Finals against the Lakers. He has some combination of torn ligaments in his right leg, and the C's have no idea when to expect him back.
But it's more than just Perk. Pierce and Kevin Garnett are getting on in years and both are playing with bad knees. How much longer can they keep it together? Probably at least another year, but it's hard to be sure when it comes to veterans with so much mileage.
They need Rajon Rondo to become a legitimate NBA superstar. We keep talking about it every spring — he's making strides forward, he's breaking out, he's coming into his own. But how good is he, really? Is he a top-20 player in the league today? Top 15? Ten? If the Celtics are going to emerge as champions, it's got to start with Rondo.
He's already got eye-popping numbers — last year alone, he broke the Celtics' all-time records for single-season assists and steals — and thanks to a couple of dazzling playoff runs, he's earned respect across the Association. But this is about more than individual street cred. Rondo has to step up and lead his team to a championship. He may only be 24 years old, but now is his time. He's got to seize it.
To be honest, the Celtics need lots of other things, too. They need to play better on their home floor. They need to be mentally tougher when they have a lead. They need more rebounds and fewer turnovers. They need a whole lot of skill, and a little bit of luck wouldn't hurt either.
To win a championship, the Celtics need a lot of things to go right. And over the course of the next month, we'll explore them.
NESN.com will answer one Celtics question every day in July.
Friday, July 2: Will Paul Pierce opt back in?
