The 2008 Boston Celtics were one of the more impressive Championship teams of the last decade in the NBA.  They had a very successful regular season (66-16), and followed that up by winning the NBA Title in six games over the Lakers.  Some might point out that they struggled in their first and second round series against the Hawks and Cavs, both going 7 games, but then one has to realize that they pretty much took control of very very good LA and Detroit teams after game 3 in both those series.  The 08 playoffs may have been one of the deepest in over a decade, especially in the Eastern Conference. Many thought the Celtics were still young enough to repeat in 09, but slight roster turnover, plus a knee injury to Kevin Garnett derailed their chances.  Entering the 2010 playoffs, many thought the Celtics were just biding their time, and might be able to a series to other teams that finished ahead of them in the standings.  Now, they look like the best team in the entire playoffs. They actually seem to be a better team than the one that won a title a couple years ago.

Let’s take a look at the rosters position-by-position and see which playoff team actually better.

Starters

PF 08 Kevin Garnett vs 10 Kevin Garnett-

There is no doubt that the 08 version of Garnett is better than the one playing now. KG had not suffered the knee injury that he is still recovering from at this time.  The explosion at the rim is missing, and he is less willing to play in the post offensively.  He has slipped slightly on the defensive end, and I really mean slightly.  His perimeter game hasn’t changed since 08, and is still pretty effective with a 18ft jump shot.  His interior passing, and high basketball IQ are still as good as ever. However, he can no longer dominate a game offensively like he could a couple years ago.

Edge: 08 Celtics

SF: 08 Paul Pierce vs 10 Paul Pierce -

Paul Pierce was a defensive stalwart in 2008.  He played the best defense on LeBron James that year than anyone ever has in the playoffs.  He didn’t stop LeBron, nobody can do that, but he definitely contained him, and made him play less efficiently than he was used to.  It would seem as if Pierce isn’t playing as well on offense as he did in 08, but that wouldn’t be completely true.  Boston does have more help on offense this season, which we will get to in a moment, but Pierce is still pretty close to his averages from the 08 postseason, and recently has started to catch fire.  He has absolutely abused the Magic in the first 2 games of the Eastern Conference Finals.  Pierce still played pretty decent defense on James in their 2nd round, but James is a much better player than he was 2 years ago, and Pierce is now 33.

Edge: 08 Pierce

C: 08 Kendrick Perkins vs 10 Kendrick Perkins

The first of 2 huuuuuge differences between the teams.  This years version of Perkins is actually not doing much more than he did on offense in 08, but his defense his light years ahead of 2 years ago.  Perkins has already recorded 29 blocks in 13 postseason games, and he had 32 in 25 games in 2008.  Perkins has been asked to matchup on Shaquille O’Neal and Dwight Howard this postseason, and has done a very good job in limiting them from getting the ball deep in the paint, where they are both very effective.   Perkins provides just enough offense when asked, and if he was asked to do more on the offensive end, he can provide.  He has shown that he is very reliable in the paint.

Edge: 10 Perkins

SG: 08 Ray Allen vs 10 Ray Allen-

2008 was a very strange playoffs for Ray Allen.  He was dealing with issues of the court, that may have impacted his concentration on the task at hand at times.  The first 2 1/2 rounds of the playoff in 08 were just all kinds of awfulness for Ray.  He was able to get to the FT line to put his point totals higher, but his shooting was way off his season averages.  This year, Allen is much more efficient from the field, and able to create space in the paint by stretching out defenses with his lethal outside touch. Defensively, Allen has improved each season while in Boston, and does a very good job on anyone he needs to guard.

Edge: 10 Ray Allen

PG 08 Rajon Rondo vs 10 Rajon Rondo –

Not even close. Rondo was still learning and being asked to manage the game and not turn it over in 2008.   He would miss long stretches of the game because he was so incredibly ineffective on offense.  The Celtics went out and signed Sam Cassel late in the year as insurance because Rondo couldn’t be trusted.  Now Rondo could be argued as not only the most important player on the team, but possibly the best player.  Though he hasn’t developed a lethal perimeter game most coaches would like to see out of their starting PG, he has an unbelievable ability to get in the paint and score driving the basketball.  He also initiates the offense much more than he ever has.  He has shown us triple doubles this postseason, and high scoring games. His long wingspan helps him to shutdown opposing guards, and grab double-digit rebounds.  He is a completely different player than he was in 08.   Rondo struggled to shoot over 40% two years ago, and only averaged 10 ppg.  He his now flirting with 50% from the field and 18ppg.  The Celtics are never playing 4 on 5 on offense with Rondo out there now.

Edge: 10 Rondo

Bench:

08 Eddie House, Sam Cassel, PJ Brown, James Posey and Leon Powe vs 10 Rasheed Wallace, Tony Allen, Glen Davis and Michael Finley.

Boston played with an incredibly deep bench in 2008.  Each member gave quality minutes and was better offensively than the 2010 group.   James Posey was the defensive stopper on the 08 team, but collectively, this years team is by far a better group of defenders.  Tony Allen plays the role of Posey this season, but is limited offensively at times.  Posey could stretch the defense with 3-point shooting, just as Eddie House could.  Allen is very good at getting to the rim, but struggles to finish.  PJ Brown brought veteran leadership and smart play off the bench and great defense in the post a couple seasons ago, but Rasheed Wallace is all that plus more.  Wallace is able to frustrate any post player he is matched up on, as one noticed in game 1 of the Eastern Conference Finals.  Sheed also has the ability to get streaky from 3 at times, and is always a danger from beyond the arc.  Finley isn’t asked to do much on this team, and is really just there to give the guards a breather.  Glen Davis has been up and down in this years playoffs, definitely not as effective as he was a  year ago on offense, but still playing great interior defense.

Edge: Push

Coaching:  08 Doc Rivers vs 10 Rivers

Rivers was along for the ride in 08 as his teams Big 3 talent carried the team to a title.  This year, Rivers has has actually done a great job making adjustment and having game plans, especially against the Cavs and the Magic. At times he was criticized in the past for this substitution patterns, but he has been flawless this postseason.

Edge: 10 Rivers

Overall: when you break it down scientifically (sarcasm) it becomes quite obvious that the team that has yet to win a title is the better team.

Dave K

Dave K is the Founder and Editor-in-Chief of The Victory Formation. He can be reached at dkippe@gmail.com

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