I Told You So! (Kinda) - the 2011-12 Boston Celtics

Back in October when the NBA lockout was still prevalent, I was asked to write a season preview for the good folks at celticsblog.com. At the time, I wasn't sure there would even be a season. Now, here we are at the tail end of a condensed season and teams are jockeying for playoff position. With 2-3 games remaining for most teams, it's time to evaluate how my predictions went.

Heading into free agency, the Celtics were already over the salary cap with only six players under contract. I stressed the importance of resigning Glen "Big Baby" Davis, acquiring athleticism on the perimeter, and finding a serviceable center. I was certain that Danny Ainge would have to look outside of the organization to fill all of his needs; I couldn't have been more wrong.

Big Baby Davis was quickly shipped out of town for the (seemingly) eerily similar Brandon Bass. To everyone's surprise he turned out to be a deadly mid-range shooter, solid rebounder, and competent defender. His impact on this season's squad can't be understated.

Bass' emergence gave Doc Rivers the flexibility to move Kevin Garnett to the starting center position (that and the injury plague to the original 5's). I honestly thought KG was done on the offensive end. He was limited to his long jumper and truly appeared to be a step slow. Although, playing against opposing centers gave him new life. Now, he is the quicker player in most matchups, and that only accompanies the fact that he has the length to guard the majority of them.

Behind Pierce and Ray, the Celtics prospects on the wing looked dismal. Ainge brought in Mickael Pietrus on the veteran minimum and he proved to be a solid addition. He provided his typical staunch defense on the perimeter and sank key treys for the bench unit. Pietrus even meshed well enough with the team to make some spot starts during Ray's absence. That brings us to the biggest surprise of all...

Second-year guard, Avery Bradley looked to be a bust. Over the first 10 games of the season, he shot enough bricks to build a house. Of course with the lack of depth in the backcourt, and the vets missing so many games, he finally got his chance for big minutes. Suddenly his college scouting report came true, and he started sinking mid-range jumpers and pestering all opposing guards with his full court defense.

The Celtics are locked into the 4th seed for the playoffs, have clinched the Atlantic division, and will face Atlanta in round one. Impressive wins over the past two months have even made analysts take them serious as contenders. Somehow, they were able to overcome the early adversity of this lockout season and find the recipe for success. Let this be proof that the ingredients were always here.

I Vote: Rondo

I support Rajon Rondo. While the feisty young point guard of the Boston Celtics is being shopped for Chris Paul, I stand as one of the few people that still want him in green. Sure, it may sound irrational, but I'm certain that it came across the same way when my admiration for Rondo began.

He was one of the few survivors of Boston's ugliest season. When Danny Ainge traded just about every other piece on the squad, he deemed Rondo untouchable. This after a season when the team lost 18 straight and finished 24-58. He got some chances to start, and put up some respectable stats, but nothing outrageous. One would assume that perennial All-Star, Paul Pierce would be the only immovable piece, but Ainge saw something in the young guard that few others did.

The following year the Big 3 arrived, and amidst chatter that he was the weak link on the squad, Rondo ran the offense well enough to win a championship in 2008. On multiple occasions I had to convince people, "Rondo's good" or "Rondo's okay". I understand that a point guard's job is much like a quarterback's: manage the game and don't screw it up. They need not be spectacular, just try not to be a detriment.

Over the next several seasons, championship ring in hand, Rondo emerged as an All-Star, dazzling audiences with his playmaking ability, speed, and aggressive defense. The young kid had confidence, and a slew of endorsements to prove it. In the playoffs, his game seems to elevate, as he has bordered on a triple-double average in several series. That type of impact is unheard of for a guard his size, but Rajon is clearly special.

Here we are, in the fall of 2011 and Rondo is the best young piece that an aging Celtics roster has. Now Ainge is looking to trade that away for a half year rental on the weak knee of Chris Paul? Free agents don't exactly gravitate to Boston, and they've got Rajon under contract for a few more years. This team drafted him, crafted him, and has allowed his hustle to be the face of the franchise.

Don't let that go Danny, not the guy that has shown fearlessness against all of today's greats, be it Kobe, Wade, or CP3 himself. This guy is a true Celtic, and I wouldn't have it any other way.