38-year old center Shaquille O’Neal has looked like his old self in his last three games, averaging 25.0 minutes, 18.0 points, 10.3 rebounds, 1.0 assist and 1.0 steal per game.  Overall, the “Big Shamrock” has played in 11 games (all starts) in which he is averaging 22.7 minutes, 12.3 points, 7.0 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game.  Shaq Daddy is trying to lay claim to the starting job at center while Jermaine O’Neal & Kendrick Perkins are out of action.

33-year old Paul Pierce, 35-year old Ray Allen and 34-year old Kevin Garnett are all still playing at a very high level so far this year for the Boston Celtics. Pierce has started 10 games for the Celtics so far this year and he is averaging 37.5 minutes, 21.0 points, 5.4 rebounds and 2.8 assists per game. Pierce is still the best all around offensive player for the Celtics not named Rondo. Ray Allen has also given the Celtics a nice boost this year as he is averaging 39.7 minutes, 18.8 points, 3.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists per game. He is still the best shooter the Celtics have to offer from long range. Kevin Garnett is still the enforcer under the basket for the Celtics. He has also played in all 10 games for the Celtics this year and he is averaging 34.8 minutes, 15.4 points, 10.4 rebounds, 1.9 assists and 1.8 blocked shots per game. Doc Rivers is going to want to start watching the minutes for the Big Three because he doesn’t want to burn them out as the NBA season is a very long one.

24-year old center Semih Erden has been getting a few minutes so far this year because the O’Neal’s have been banged up. Erden has played in 7 games for the Celtics so far this year and he is averaging 10.4 minutes, 3.1 points, 2.1 rebounds and 0.6 assists per game. He looks like a decent #3 center for the Celtics but his P.T. will come and go depending on the health of the guys in front of him on the depth chart. 23-year old forward Luke Harangody has only played in 1 game for the Celtics so far this year and he has played only 3 minutes but he made them count getting 4 points. Harangody is even further down the depth chart than Erden so I don’t see him getting much P.T. any time soon.

The Celtics have a lot of injuries along the front line to start the year so they needed someone off the bench to step up. 24-year old power forward Glen “Big Baby” Davis has answered the call. He has played in all 6 games (0 starts) for the Celtics so far this year and he is averaging 30.2 minutes, 13.7 points, 4.7 rebounds and 0.7 assists per game. He is also shooting 57.1% from the floor so his shooting looks improved this year. I think Davis has grown up over last summer as he realized he let the Celtics down a little bit last season due to his off the court issues.

The Celtics shot 51.2% from the floor last night and that helped them overcome the fact that they were outrebounded 43-31 in this game. Ray Allen led the way for the Celtics last night with 25 points, 3 rebounds, 3 assists and 2 steals. Kevin Garnett was outstanding near the basket in this game as he finished up with 16 points, 10 rebounds, 4 assists and 3 steals. Big Baby Davis also was solid last night with 15 points, 3 rebounds, 1 steal and 1 blocked shot. Jermaine O’Neal (12 points), Paul Pierce (10 points) and Rajon Rondo (10 points) also pitched in for the Celtics offensively last night. The Celtics are now 5-1 on the year.

The Celtics played well when it really counted last night to earn a tough home victory over the Bucks. Paul Pierce led the way for the Celtics last night with 28 points, 5 rebounds, 4 assists and 1 steal. Ray Allen was also solid last night with 23 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists and 2 steals. Rajon Rondo stuffed the stat sheet once again with 17 points, 8 rebounds, 15 assists, 3 steals and 1 blocked shot last night. Kevin Garnett (13 points) and Glen “Big Baby” Davis (14 points) also pitched in offensively for the Celtics last night. The Celtics are now 4-1 on the year.

The Celtics shot 51.9% from the floor last night as the dominated the Pistons in Detroit. Kevin Garnett filled up the stat sheet for the Celtics last night with 22 points, 6 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 steal and 2 blocked shots to lead the way last night. Paul Pierce (21 points, 5 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 blocked shot) and Ray Allen (16 points, 4 rebounds, 3 assists and 1 blocked shot) also had solid games for the Celtics last night. Rajon Rondo had another very efficient night for the Celtics against the Pistons as he finished up with 9 points, 3 rebounds, 17 assists and 4 steals. The Celtics are now 3-1 on the year.

24-year old point guard Rajon Rondo has hit the ground running this year. Rondo has started 3 games for the Celtics so far this year and he is averaging 41.7 minutes, 10.7 points, 6.3 rebounds, 16.7 assists and 2.0 steals so far this year. Rondo continues to make everyone on the Celtics whole team better, as he would rather create an easy basket with a pass than putting up his own shots. Rondo is also a great rebounder and defender for his size and he brings those skills every single night to the Celtics.