Boston Celtics - Early Season Returns

The Celtics have gotten off to a solid 6-2 start and lead the rather weak Atlantic Division.  They suffered a bad loss at Cleveland in their second game but the other loss was at Dallas, certainly respectable.  They also have a couple of really good wins - Miami on opening night and at Oklahoma City.

Before the season I predicted the Celtics would finish 51-31.

Photo source: St. Groove

Team Stats
Offensive Rating (points per 100 possessions): 104.4 (20th in the NBA) [107.7 in 2009]
Defensive Rating (points allowed per 100 possessions): 98.8 (3rd) [103.8 in 2009]
Rating Differential: 5.6 [3.9 in 2009]
Points Scored per Game: 97.9 (20th) [99.2 in 2009]
Points Allowed per Game: 92.6 (5th) [95.6 in 2009]
Pace (possessions per game): 91.3 [91.6 in 2009]

Player Stats

Rajon Rondo
Offensive Rating: 107 (111 in 2009)
Defensive Rating: 96 (103)
PER: 20.7 (19.1)

Ray Allen
Offensive Rating: 107 (115)
Defensive Rating: 96 (108)
PER: 14.0 (15.2)

Paul Pierce
Offensive Rating: 113 (114)
Defensive Rating: 101 (105)
PER: 17.8 (18.2)

Kevin Garnett
Offensive Rating: 94 (112)
Defensive Rating: 93 (101)
PER: 15.8 (19.4)

Glen Davis
Offensive Rating: 120 (103)
Defensive Rating: 100 (106)
PER: 15.4 (11.5)

Shaquille O'Neal
Offensive Rating: 104 (104)
Defensive Rating: 101 (102)
PER: 13.7 (17.9)

Marquis Daniels
Offensive Rating: 116 (102)
Defensive Rating: 98 (107)
PER: 16.0 (9.6)

Jermaine O'Neal
Offensive Rating: 91 (108)
Defensive Rating: 97 (103)
PER: 9.1 (17.9)

Nate Robinson
Offensive Rating: 80 (104)
Defensive Rating: 105 (104)
PER: 2.4 (13.9)

Boston has excelled on the defensive end of the floor so far in 2010.  They've improved their Defensive Rating by five points over 2009-10.  The improvement is especially noticeable when Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen are on the floor.  Both have a Defensive Rating of 96.  Rondo improved from 103 and Allen from 108 last season.

Concerning for the Celtics is the drop in PER from the Big Three.  Paul Pierce's drop is a minimal 0.4 but Allen's is a more substantial 1.2 and Kevin Garnett's is a worrisome 3.6.  Garnett's field goal and free throw shooting percentages have dropped significantly over last season.  So has his assists rate even though he's playing more minutes.

The two O'Neal acquisitions have been somewhat of a letdown.  This is especially true for Jermaine whose PER has nearly been cut in half.  His shooting percentages have fallen even worse than Garnett's.

On the other hand, Glen Davis and Marquis Daniels have put in some excellent minutes off the bench.  Davis has a 20-point differential in his Offensive and Defensive Ratings while Daniels has an 18-point differential. 

Nate Robinson has struggled to provide productive minutes.  His 2.4 PER and -25 differential are atrocious.  Of course, he can't seem to throw the ball in the ocean.

What have you seen from the Celtics that you've liked or not liked so far this season?  What do you think they need to focus on to keep improving and earn a high seed in the playoffs?  Let me know your thoughts by posting a comment below.