Unless the Celtics bring in another center before the 2011-12 season begins, 33-year old Jermaine O’Neal looks like the starter. O’Neal played in 24 games (10 starts) for the Celtics last year and he averaged 18.0 minutes, 5.4 points, 3.7 rebounds, 0.5 assists and 1.3 blocked shots per game.  He has now played in 886 games (656 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 28.1 minutes, 14.0 points, 7.4 rebounds, 1.5 assists and 1.9 blocked shots per game.  The Celtics hope that O’Neal has something left in the gas tank.

35-year old power forward Kevin Garnett is starting to show his age a little bit, but the Celtics hope he has enough left in the gas tank to have another solid year for them in 2011-12.  Garnett played in 71 games (all starts) for the Celtics last year and he averaged 31.3 minutes, 14.9 points, 8.9 rebounds, 2.4 assists and 1.3 steals per game.  He has now played in 1,195 games (1,158 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 36.7 minutes, 19.5 points, 10.7 rebounds, 4.1 assists, 1.3 steals and 1.5 blocked shots per game.  The Celtics drafted 22-year old power forward JaJuan Johnson out of Purdue in the first round of the NBA Draft last June.  They hope that he will be able to provide Garnett a break on most nights in 2011-12.

34-year old small forward Paul Pierce keeps rolling along for the Boston Celtics.  He played in 80 games (all starts) for the Celtics last year and he averaged 34.7 minutes, 18.9 points, 5.4 rebounds, 3.3 assists and 1.0 steal per game.  Pierce has now played in 964 games (961 starts) in his career with the Celtics and he is averaging 37.0 minutes, 22.2 points, 6.1 rebounds, 3.8 assists and 1.5 steals per game.  Pierce is one of the best players in the history of the Boston Celtics and he will look to add to his legacy in 2011-12.

36-year old shooting guard Ray Allen is back for more in 2011-12 for the Celtics.  He played in 80 games (all starts) for the Celtics last year and he averaged 36.1 minutes, 16.5 points, 3.4 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.0 steal per game.  Allen shot an amazing 44.4% from three point range last year for the Celtics as his shot is still there.  Allen has now played in 1,102 games (1,099 starts) in his NBA career and he is averaging 37.0 minutes, 20.2 points, 4.3 rebounds, 3.6 assists and 1.2 steals per game.  I think he’s going to have another solid year for the Celtics.  As of right now, his backup would be rookie 2nd round pick E’Twaun Moore.  22-year old E’Twaun Moore was a solid offensive player in college, but it will be interesting to see how he handles playing in the NBA.