It has been an odd season for the Boston Celtics. Injuries continue to plague this aging team, the addition of Rasheed Wallace has yet to bear fruit and both Cleveland and Orlando have left Boston trailing.
But not rule them out just yet.
Whilst it is true that teams cannot just switch the quality play on for the playoffs, the Celtics know that it is the post-season where they will really be judged and they have plenty of proven weapons.
Rajon Rondo continues to be a revelation at the point. He has been the Celtics' star man this season and his speed and trickery give him an advantage in matchups with almost every guard in the league.
And the Big Three might be a little older but they are still outstanding talents. Though injury concerns persist for Kevin Garnett and now Paul Pierce, it seems as though Boston will enter the playoffs with a fully fit roster.
Anyone watching the Celtics against Cleveland and again in Toronto this week witnessed how dangerous Ray Allen still is as a perimeter scorer. Allen was the subject of much trade talk in February but he remains a key cog for Boston with his smooth shooting stroke and off the ball movement.
The Celtics will face either Milwaukee or Miami in the first round and their balanced attack should be too good. When the stakes are raised, expect to see the Garnett and Pierce of old resurface.
But then a showdown with the Cavaliers would potentially await in the Eastern Conference semi-finals. The teams split the regular season series but LeBron James has had a field day in recent meetings. Boston would be underdogs but any team boasting Rondo and veterans like Allen, Pierce, Garnett, Wallace and Michael Finley cannot be discounted.
The elder statesmen on the team know this could be their last swing for a ring and that will provide a little extra motivation. The Celtics are outsiders to reach the NBA Finals but do not be surprised if the playoffs bring out the best in Boston.
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