A few years ago, there would have been little reason to ask this question. The Celtics won a title in 2008 on the strength of their ability to crash the boards — Kevin Garnett was an absolute beast, Kendrick Perkins was young and hungry, and Paul Pierce and James Posey were each among the best small forwards in the NBA on the glass.
But those were the glory days for these Celtics, and we've since seen a sharp decline in the C's rebounding numbers.
Boston grabbed 3,445 total rebounds in the 2007-08 season, which is right around league average — but then you consider that the team ranked fourth in the league in team field-goal percentage, and there weren't a lot of missed shots to capitalize on. Considering the opportunities they got, the Celtics were rebounding gods.
In 2008-09, the Celtics pulled down 3,455 boards, ninth in the league.
This past season, that number fell to 3,165, second to last in the NBA, leading only the hapless Golden State Warriors. Rebounding quickly went from a definite strength for the Celtics to a glaring weakness. Look at the statistical categories that ruled the NBA Finals this spring, for example: Rebounds. Second-chance points. Points in the paint. A couple of years ago, these areas were no problem, but they've since lost that interior toughness that helps make a championship team.
It's plain to see why. Garnett has seen his knees grow weaker and his numbers shrink dramatically. Perkins has been solid, but hasn't quite broken through and become a top NBA center on the glass. Pierce has been banged up every which way and isn't near the rebounder he once was. Posey, Leon Powe and P.J. Brown are all long gone.
The Celtics have three chances to turn things around next season:
1. Rajon Rondo will be their saving grace. With his length, his athleticism and his incredible hustle, he's going to be one of the NBA's best rebounding guards.
2. Jermaine O'Neal will look to surpass all expectations and become a monster on the boards.
3. Luke Harangody could do more than just make the Celtics' roster — he could be a big-time contributor, especially on the glass. People say Harangody is a poor man's Brian Scalabrine, but look again. If you could see the way Harangody has rebounded in summer league this July, you'd call Scal a poor man's Harangody.
That's about all the C's have. In all honesty, things aren't likely to get better in Boston — Perk is hurt, Garnett keeps aging, and the Celtics are in need of one or two more big men that can play some D and grab some boards. The puzzle hasn't yet been put together.
If the rebounding isn't working for the Celtics next season, they'll have to find another way. The best teams always do.
The C's will have to make every rebound count. They'll have to work hard to close possessions out defensively. They'll need a good transition game. They'll need an efficient offense that can not only score the ball but also take care of it.
The Celtics just ran into an NBA Finals where every game was decided by the grit stats — points in the paint, second-chance scoring and the numbers on the glass. Of course, they lost those Finals.
If only they had a way to rebound from that.
They'll look for it this winter.
NESN.com will answer one Celtics question every day in July.
Saturday, July 24: Will the Celtics stay healthy?
Monday, July 26: Will the Celtics stop blowing second-half leads?
