Boston Three-Party Looking to No. 18

The 2007-2008 Boston Celtics came, saw and conquered for a championship, the franchise's 17th title in the league's 62nd season. The three main players, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, avoided "The Big Three" trio label, somewhat, but soon made good on the clever moniker "The Boston Three Party", a play on the city of Boston's infamous Boston Tea Party clash from a couple of centuries back. But like every Tea/Three Party, someone or something has to jump ship, and while a couple of key players have gone free from the Celtics' ship of glory, they are poised to make another return to Titletown.

Age is a concern, as Garnett and Allen will be moving closer toward their mid-30s in 2009 at ages 33 and 34, but their conditioning habits have been great enough to keep them well, aside from Allen's ankles needing close care. James Posey and P.J. Brown, the key contributors from the Celtic bench in 2008, have moved on to New Orleans, one to play ball with the Hornets and the other back into retirement. Pierce will 32 in 2009, and somehow by sheer will has made his conditioning even more of a priority last season and in the offseason, almost ensuring an even more effective P-Squared.

What stands out even more beyond the big trio of stars is the experience that the reserves gained from the 2008 championship season, and their projected increased production for the near future. Former rookie big men Glen "Big Baby" Davis and Leon Powe come to mind, as the big bodies were energizers for the Garnett-Kendrick Perkins starting tandem, and actually put up great games in scoring and rebounding throughout--they will be more comfortable and able to play larger minutes, further ensuring that Garnett will be able to rest more often. Tony Allen will have a greater role as well, being the spark plug necessary to defend the perimeter tough and penetrate to the basket with ease. Having spent a full season as at point guard, Eddie House, 30, will be even more efficient as a ballhandler, shedding his rep as a one-trick-pony as a scorer only; House may even give the Celtics cause to release veteran Sam Cassell from his unguaranteed contract (as he played miserably in the 2008 Playoffs).

Boston has a number of newcomers that are looking to make an impact as well. J.R. Giddens escaped the turmoil of his at-times troubled college career at Kansas and New Mexico and will most likely be an understudy of Ray Allen, as a young shooter/slasher. Darius Miles, once one of the NBA's most famous players out of high school, will be looking to make an impact on the team coming back from a career-threatening knee injury, as he plays with his idol in Garnett. Patrick O'Bryant was the ninth pick in the 2006 Draft and as a true center, could end up fulfilling his potential as a useful backup to Perkins. Gabriel Pruitt, while actually a rookie in 2007-2008, will be given a chance to contribute at point guard behind rising star Rajon Rondo. Last but not least, Bill Walker, a former high school star teammate of O.J. Mayo, may be a dark horse major contributor for the Celtics, as he attempts to prove to the 29 other NBA teams that he was worthy of a first-round selection; his athleticism and expanding jump shot range will help him.

If the Boston Three Party can be consistently very good and Rondo and Co. keep making strides on the floor as great court support, Boston may end up winning consecutive titles for the first time since 2002, when the Los Angeles Lakers were crowned with their third championship in a row.