Boston Celtics Depending on Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen

To say that the Boston Celtics made a fantastic turnaround from 2007 is an understatement, but for all of the talk and hype surrounding the trio of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen, the only thing that is definite is the trio's lack of a championship--for now. As the Celtics look to make another historic trip to the NBA Finals against the Los Angeles Lakers, there are some key notes for Boston to make their points on.

One such note is the fact that Kevin Garnett will have to somehow turn his game up. It has been repeatedly mentioned in various media outlets that Garnett goes extremely hard every night, so much so that he fails to have another level to move up to when the game elevates in intensity. Because KG seemingly can't adjust his game any higher, the only direction for him to go is down, so KG will have to either be the high-level All-Star that he's shown or pray for more help from his teammates. A side-note to Garnett is the fact that he, being the team's power forward, is really a perimeter-shooting small forward and plays accordingly even when he has the matchup advantage in size and height; center Kendrick Perkins and small forward Pierce will have to be sure to do the necessary duty in scoring in the post.

Point guard is a place where Boston will have to be especially careful with playing against the Lakers. Rajon Rondo, the team's second-year starting point guard, is still learning but has shown himself to be competent enough run the team, but with opposing Laker players who have experience handling the ball, Rondo's ability to run the team might be negated by the precision with which the Lakers' triangle offense allows in execution in scoring the ball. Outside of Rondo, Sam Cassell (who has had a terrible 2008 postseason), Eddie House (a shooting guard uncomfortable with primary handling duties) and Pierce are the others who handle the ball, but none of them qualifies as supremely effective ball-carriers at the top of the key, so Rondo will have to take special care in making every possession count for his team.

Head coach Doc Rivers will have to make sure not to make any drastic changes and to be aware of what his bench is made up of. As the Lakers continue to seem to be the preliminary victors based on the quality of their bench, Boston isn't without their weapons. Leon Powe and Glen "Big Baby" Davis are a great tandem of power players that can effectively defend the post and score in spurts, even though they are undersized for the power forward and center spots. Doc must keep P.J. Brown in tow to play off of Garnett when he's on the floor, and swingman James Posey is a necessity in winning ball games; House must not have his minutes limited, either, despite the fact that he is not a true point guard to backup Rondo.

If Garnett can dominate in the post, while Pierce and Allen can reliably provide the scoring on the wings; if Rondo continues to grow in his comfort level in the limelight and Doc can keep a consistent rotation; if Powe, Big Baby and Brown be positive sparks of energy, and House and Posey can be the wonders that they were in the regular season, the city of Boston can say hello to another mark in the history of the Celtic franchise.