Ready, Set, Go

With the addition of Jeff Green (above) as well as Nenad Krstic, Troy Murphy, Sasha Pavlovic and Carlos Arroyo, the new-look Celtics look like the team to beat come playoff time. 

For the past week and a half, the Boston Celtics have been in the midst of a chaotic and unexpected transformation.

In the waning moments leading up to the NBA Trade Deadline on February 24th, Danny Ainge made the most shocking move of any General Manager by trading away long-time fan favorite Kendrick Perkins. The move was so shocking because ever since that glorious summer in 2007 when Ainge landed Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, the one constant with the Celtics' magnificent rebirth was continuity and unrivaled chemistry. For nearly four years, anytime Celts fans flipped on Comcast Sports Net to watch Mike and Tommy call the game, you knew the starting five would be Pierce, KG, Ray, Perk and Rondo.

Then, just like that, Perk was gone. Head coach Doc Rivers likened his departure to Oklahoma City to losing a family member. Suddenly, a huge piece of the core starting five that had never lost a playoff series together was lost.

But then a funny thing happened.

While fans were clamoring for Ainge's head and clueless talking heads like Dan Shaughnessy and Chris Broussard belittled the move as idiotic and uncalled for, the new-look Celts haven't missed a beat. In fact, they've looked even better than before.

Since trading Perkins, the Celts are a perfect 5-0 (they did lose to Denver the night of the deadline but Green and Krstic had not joined the team yet). Krstic, seemingly overlooked and designated as a complimentary piece in the trade, has fit in flawlessly as the Celtics starting center. He has been surprisingly phenomenal, showing great hands, good low post moves, above average defense and superb court vision for a big man.

In addition, the centerpiece of the deal, Green, has shown flashes of brilliance. In his first couple games in a Boston uniform, Green looked overmatched and timid playing with the Big Three, afraid to make a mistake in their legendary presence. However, Green has quickly fold his niche and added another dimension to the team, providing Paul Pierce with an athletic, offensively versatile and defensively stout backup. With the recent leg injury to Glen Davis, Green has been thrust into a larger role and delivered. In 27 minutes off the bench Friday night, Green poured in 21 points in the Celts 107-103 victory over the Warriors.

As a result of finally having a capable backup, Pierce has seen his minutes decrease and his production increase. Just recently, Pierce was named the Eastern Conference's Player of the Week. In four games, Pierce led the Celts to a flawless 4-0 record while also averaging 21.8 points and 8.0 boards.

At 46-15, the Celtics hold a three game lead over the Bulls for the top seed in the East and a four game lead over the Heat.

And, with 21 games remaining in the regular season, the new-look Green have more than enough time to continue to mesh and find ways to best employ their new additions. While Krstic and Green have fit in seamlessly, newly acquired big man Troy Murphy still needs some time to find his legs after playing sparingly this season. In Sunday night's 89-83 win over Milwaukee, another new Celtic made his debut Green. In 12 minutes off the bench, Sasha Pavlovic drained a key three pointer and played great defense, recording two steals. Ainge's latest addition, veteran point guard Carlos Arroyo (bought out by the Heat after starting over 40 games this season) is set to make his Celtics debut later this week.

While the sting of losing Perk hurts, the new-look Celtics look to be in great position to raise Banner 18 in June. At the deadline, Ainge added much needed depth, youth, versatility and experience. With Shaquille O' Neal inching closer and closer to a return, the Celtics starting five come playoff time should see Shaq centering the familiar foursome of Rondo, Allen, Pierce and Garnett. Although we loved them, no more Semih, Nate, Marquis and Luke off the bench. In a supreme upgrade, now Rivers can rely on Green, Davis, Krstic and Delonte West headlining the second unit while also having the luxury of mixing in Murphy, Pavlovic, Arroyo and hopefully Jermaine O' Neal.

Sounds like the team to beat to me.