They had gotten to that point by sticking to the formula that has worked since 2008: work through Rondo, Pierce, Allen, and Garnett on offense and play lock-down defense.
Stars will be stars, but it was the supporting cast that really got the Celtics to the top of the Eastern Conference. This had included bench players like Glen Davis and Nate Robinson, an ensemble that had allowed the Big 4 to get necessary rest and keep them fresh for intense stretches of action in the last five minutes of games.
None was more important to this cast than center Kendrick Perkins. A tough-as-nails big man who wasn't afraid to bang bodies with stars like Dwight Howard and Pau Gasol, Perkins was respected and feared across the league as a Celtic.
That is why, on February 24th, when the Celtics traded Perkins and Nate Robinson to the Thunder for forward Jeff Green and center Nenad Krstic, the heart and soul of this team was ripped out.Granted, there were logistical reasons for the move. At the end of the season, Perkins was set to be an unrestricted free agent and the Celtics had concerns about their ability to resign him. He has since signed an extension with Oklahoma City. Also, after Perkins' knee injury in Game 6 of last year's Finals, there was speculation that he could be injury-prone for the rest of his career.
Speculation aside, Perkins was important to this Celtics team because he allowed the other star players to play their style of game without fear. They could take risks defensively because Big Perk was always down near the basket to back them up. On the offensive end, he was a fundamental rebounder who extended possessions and let the stars go to work.
Since the trade, the Celtics are 9-6 and my concerns are aplenty heading toward the playoffs.
With Derrick Rose and the Bulls looking tough to beat, the Celtics could have used an enforcer like Perkins down low to give D-Rose something to think about when he drives into the lane. Yes, Green adds versatility as a swing forward and Krstic adds depth to a group of big men who are aging and injury-prone, but, ultimately, it is Perkins' tenacity that will be missed the most.
If the season ended today, the Celtics would play the Knicks in the first round of the playoffs. That would be a favorable match-up because the Knicks can't guard a lawn chair defensively, but against many other Eastern Conference teams, the Celtics' lack of defensive aggressiveness and toughness could spell trouble.
An upstart team like Philadelphia, who has beaten Boston since the Perkins deal, could give the aging Celtics fits defensively with their athleticism and versatility.
I will go out on a limb and say it now: The Celtics will not make it to the Eastern Conference Finals.
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