Vote: Will the Celtics Win Another Championship Within the Next Three Years?

by NESN Staff on Sat, Jun 30, 2012 at 12:32PM

The news that Kevin Garnett is returning to Boston has Celtics fans immediately thinking that it may be title time again.

Garnett is reportedly signing a two-year deal with the Celtics, with a third year a possibility.

Garnett showed over the second half of last season that he can still bring it and carry the C's deep into the playoffs. Now, with the Celtics adding young talent in the draft and hopefully re-signing a few key free agents, Boston could be in great shape again to vie for another championship.

Pitfalls await, of course. In every season since the Celtics took the 2008 title, their playoff hopes have been derailed by injury. In 2009, they fell to the Orlando Magic as Garnett missed the entire postseason with a knee injury. In 2010, they went all the way to the Finals again, but Kendrick Perkins' balky knee was too much to overcome. In 2011, Rajon Rondo's elbow injury led to a five-game dismantling at the hands of the Miami Heat This past year, Ray Allen fought through bone spurs in his ankle, and Avery Bradley was out for most of the playoffs after dislocating his shoulder.

So, health may be a big question for the C's heading into next season, but having Garnett erases plenty of other problems. In Garnett, the Celtics have a former league MVP, a 14-time All-Star and a nine-time All-Defensive First Team player, not to mention the group's inspirational leader and a guy who knows how to help young players develop.

Will that be enough? Will having Garnett back help Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and the rest of the Celtics' young core find greatness?

Will the Celtics win another championship within the next three years?