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Coach: Doc Rivers (Career 216-205, 7th season)

Last season: 45-37. Finished first in the Atlantic division, eliminated 4-3 by Indiana in the first round of the playoffs

Projected Starters: G: Delonte West, G: Tony Allen (injured), F: Paul Pierce, F: Al Jefferson, C: Raef LaFrentz

Key Reserves: G: Dan Dickau, G: Ricky Davis, G: Gerald Green, F: Ryan Gomes, F: Justin Reed, F: Brian Scalabrine, C: Mark Blount, C: Kendrick Perkins

New Faces: Scalabrine, Borchardt, Dickau, Green, Gomes, Bynum

Key Departures: Gary Payton, Antoine Walker

Strengths: This team won the atlantic last season and were an above .500 team before Antoine Walker returned to Boston and helped with a playoff charge. Paul Pierce is a premier swingman in the NBA and will be the Celtics main provider of scoring. Pierce is the glue on this side: a clutch 4th quarter player, highly efficient in getting to the line and he provides passing and rebounding from the SG/SF position. Ricky Davis provides nice backup scoring to Pierce and all-around hustle that has been appreciated by Celtics fans. If Al Jefferson continues his development the Celtics will eventually have a star on their hands. Reports are that LaFrentz is in fine form and Blount has prepared well this offseason. Ryan Gomes had a solid summer league opening and by all accounts is going to be a contributor as a rookie. Gerald Green fell into the Celtics lap in the draft, showed flashes of his game at the Las Vegas summer league and will be a valuable player in years to come. Playing in the atlantic will also be an advantage for the Celtics.

Weaknesses: This is a team in rebuilding mode and is focused on the future. Players such as Green and Gomes have a great opportunity to be valuable members of the organisation, though typically a two or three year window will be required, especially in the case of Green who comes straight out of high school. The Celtics inside needs more presence; Blount, LaFrentz, Jefferson and Perkins only combined for 19 rpg last season - not enough for an NBA front line. The point guard slot is solid but unspectacular and will give no backcourt in the league sleepless nights. Either West, Dickau or Banks need to step up and lay claim to this position. Will Bynum also has a guaranteed contract but should not unseat any of the forementioned guards. Filling Walker's rebounding and scoring numbers and Payton's leadership will not be easy despite neither of these players having exceptional playoff series last year. Tony Allen's inavailablility, due to post-knee surgery rehab, will place Davis in the starting lineup and deplete the bench of some much needed offensive punch.

Look out for: This could be a tumultuous season for the C's. If Pierce buys into River's system, then the Celtics have an all star calibre leader and will make some noise in the Atlantic. Pierce trades have been rampant all offseason and there will be more rumors floated if the star player and coach butt heads. Tony Allen is recovering from an injury. His recovery related to this incident may linger over his head like a dark cloud if rehabilitation is delayed for any reason. If Al Jefferson continues his development the Celtics will have an big interior player they have been lacking and a future star to be a great complement to Pierce. If Pierce and Davis get on a roll this team could cause a lot of headaches for opposing eastern teams and should enjoy a role of spoiler while developing their young talents, especially Green.

Prediction: Considering the Celtics are in the Atlantic division, which is weaker by comparison to the other east divisions, look for the Celtics to win around 33-40 games and fighting for one of the last playoff positions. This team will still win some games despite being in a rebuilding mode and should not yet be expecting to win division titles or playoff series in the revitalised eastern conference. Ricky Davis will be a strong contender for sixth man of the year if he continues to come off the bench.

Eric Fontana is a freelance basketball writer living in Melbourne, Australia.

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