Barring any unforeseen injury, the Celtics should dominate the Eastern Conference for the entire season, cruise to its best record, and easily beat the "other" team that rises to the top of the conference. I'll take San Antonio over them in the Finals (4-2), but Boston should be able to challenge for the NBA Crown in 2009 Finals, and there's one reason why. Okay, there are actually three reasons why, two of which you probably don't know...

The first reason is easy... “The Kid,” "The Big Ticket," “KG,” call him what you will. Kevin Garnett IS the most skilled 7-Footer in the history of the National Basketball Association. That's not to say he's the best 7-footer ever, that honor would have to go to one of the Lakers' legendary big men (pick one). However, never before has the league seen a 7 footer that is capable of dominating a game in every facet the way Garnett is. EVERY night, he is capable of recording a quadruple double, a threat to record a triple double, and a shoe-in for a double double. He came directly from high school and within 2 years, brought the perennial sub 30 win Timberwolves to their first ever playoffs in 1997. What also impresses me about Garnett is that he is the ONLY player in NBA History to average 20 points, 10 boards, and 5 assists per game for 6 consecutive seasons. Had the Timberwolves had the management the Spurs have, and were able to surround him with adequate help, everyone would be talking about KG being the greatest Power Forward ever, as opposed to Tim Duncan. The one year KG had a supporting cast in Sprewell and Cassell; he brought the franchise within 6 wins of an NBA Championship. The reason he has not won big is simply because of questionable management and the lack of a supporting cast. Now that he has that, what do you think is going to happen?

The second reason why the Celtics will win the East is a guy that stands about 6'2", is an excellent jump shooter, a mild mannered gentleman, and a basketball genius. His name is Glenn Rivers. You can call him "Doc." The coach of the Celtics is one of the most underrated and underappreciated coaches in the league. The former Coach of the year knows how to motivate his players, and led the mediocre Orlando Magic to a ridiculous 170-158 (.518) record in his 4 full years as their head coach. After T-Mac decided he wanted to move on, and the Magic began the 2003-2004 season dropping 10 of their first 11, Rivers was fired. In his three full seasons with the Celtics, his record of 102-144 (.415) is not terrible for a team that has been rebuilding. Now, after rebuilding the fort, it's time to enjoy the shelter. This guy didn't win Coach of the Year in 2000 for nothing. If Doc was able to keep T-Mac motivated enough to make the Playoffs, knowing the Magic were not good enough to compete against the league's elite for an NBA Crown, I have no doubt he will have any issue motivating Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and co. to think big and try to bring Boston their 17th NBA Championship.

The third reason why the Celtics will win the East is a pretty simple one: Team Defense. Currently, the Celtics are first in the league in points allowed, with 87.14, and point differential, with 17.14. They also lead the league FG% allowed, standing at .389. They rank 6th in 3P% allowed, but also first in Assists allowed. Opponents are grabbing only 38 rebounds a game against them, which again, is first in the league. They currently rank 9th in blocks per game, but (again) first in steals per game.

While the Celtics have the best trio the Eastern Conference has seen since Jordan, Pippen, and whoever, it's not their offensive prowess that will propel them to the top of the conference. Heck, just ask San Antonio, Detroit, Miami, and even Phil Jackson why they've won Championships, and then ask Phoenix and Dallas why they haven't.

Sure, it's possible that Kevin Garnett and co. will collapse. It's possible that Ray Allen and Paul Pierce, consumed by their egos, will begin to argue over who gets the open 3 pointer. Hey, it's probably even possible that the rest of the NBA will figure out how to beat the Celtics.

But with Kevin Garnett, "Doc" Rivers, and good team defense, I just don't see that happening.

Record Predictions

Regular Season: 64-18

Playoffs: 14-8 (Losing to the Spurs in 6)