Brendan Kelly is a student and aspiring sportswriter. His favorite sports to watch on TV are MMA, American pro football, college and pro basketball, and baseball. His favorite sport to watch in person might be baseball. It's great to be at a ballpark and see just how quickly the plays are made. He has yet to be at a pro football game in the stands, so please forgive him, football fans. He loves MMA, and used to train and compete in the sport. He just loves to watch sports and write about them. Kevin Garnett is healthy again. The Celtics' Big Three remain the most formidable trio in the NBA. Boston is ready to compete for its 18th championship banner.
This summer the team signed Rasheed Wallace, a veteran All-Star with championship experience, to make a strong frontcourt even stronger. The young, athletically gifted Rajon Rondo stepped up in KG's absence and gained valuable experience last postseason. Boston has what is arguably the deepest bench in the league after the addition of Marquise Daniels and Shelden Williams.
But they're not the only ones who made moves during the off-season.
The defending champion Los Angeles Lakers signed Ron Artest to a five-year deal worth $33 million. Artest is a well-rounded player best known for his defensive brilliance. He brings much needed toughness to the Lakers frontcourt alongside Andrew Bynum and Pau Gasol.
The trade that sent Shaquille O'Neal to Cleveland surprised not only basketball fans, but LeBron James as well. Though Shaq is past his prime at 37, he remains a force to be reckoned with in the paint. The fact that he stayed healthy and played all 82 games last season bodes well for Cleveland.
The Cavaliers had the best record in the Eastern Conference last season and James won his first MVP award. But, Cleveland had no answer for Dwight Howard and Orlando during last year's playoffs, and they needed to add another star to shine alongside LeBron. If Shaq stays healthy, the result could be Cleveland's first-ever NBA title.
Boston, Los Angeles and Cleveland are already the top contenders .All three franchises looked to bring in seasoned veterans to play supporting roles alongside their superstars.
Cleveland needed someone to take pressure off of James. Los Angeles added aggressive defense to Kobe Bryant's blistering offense, while the Celtics acquired the versatile Wallace as an answer to Howard in Orlando.
Last season. the Celtics seemed likely to repeat as champions as they were off to the hottest start in franchise history when they opened at 27-2. Their championship hopes were derailed when Garnett went down with a season-ending knee injury on Feb. 21. Young players like Rondo and Glen Davis played very well and matured throughout the season and into the playoffs. Still, they were vanquished by the Orlando Magic in game 7 of the second round.
Boston's bench is among the most effective in the league, with role players to fit every position. Eddie House is a three-point threat. Davis can play both ends of the floor. Stephon Marbury is still one of the quickest in the NBA.
The Celtics got deeper when they acquired Daniels and Williams this summer. Daniels is a swingman who can fill the gap left by the departure of James Posey one year ago. Williams brings another big and athletic body into the paint.
The Boston Celtics are eager for another ring. Paul Pierce, Garnett, and Ray Allen each have less than three years left on their contracts. They have to win championships to take their place among the great Celtics dynasties of Bill Russell, John Havlicek and Larry Bird. The Lakers and Cavaliers stand in their way in 2009-10.