The Celtics selected shooting guard J.R. Giddens in the first round of the NBA Draft. If this doesn’t light a fire under Tony Allen nothing will. Giddens is a very polished 23-year old who probably is ready to play right now. He will have a good shot to beat out Tony Allen for the right to back up Ray Allen next year. Giddens is 6’5″, 215 pounds so he is big enough to get to the basket. Giddens played in 122 games (111 starts) in his college career at New Mexico and Kansas. He averaged 13.3 points, 5.7 rebounds and 1.9 assists per game in college. This was a good pick for a team that doesn’t have many weaknesses.

The Celtics worked hard in this game as they out-rebounded the Pistons 42-25 and they also shot 50.7% from the floor. Kevin Garnett led the way for the Celtics with 33 points, 7 rebounds and 2 assists. Ray Allen had one of his best games of the season finishing with 29 points, 3 rebounds and 2 assists. Kendrick Perkins was a beast in the paint with 18 points, 16 rebounds, 2 steals and 2 blocked shots. Paul Pierce also had a decent game with 16 points, 5 rebounds and 6 assists. The Celtics were up 3-2 in this series after this win.

The Celtics drafted combo guard Gabe Pruitt in the 2nd round of the NBA Draft. Pruitt has a lot of game to offer the Celtics despite being a little on the small side at 170 pounds on a 6’4″ frame. Pruitt played in 80 games at USC and he averaged 13.8 points, 3.1 rebounds, 3.5 assists and 2.0 steals per game. He also is a decent shooter as he hit 43.3% from the floor, 39.3% from three point range and 77.8% from the free throw line. Pruitt should work his way into the rotation as a rookie.

You could just see the smile on Paul Pierce’s face when the Celtics announced that they acquired Ray Allen and forward Glen Davis from the Sonics for Jeff Green, Wally Szczerbiak and Delonte West. Ray Allen is one of the best players in the NBA and he will make them a better team from Day #1. He will also make Paul Pierce a better player because no one will be able to double team him anymore or they will pay the price. Allen played in 55 games (all starts) for the Sonics and he averaged 40.3 minutes, 26.4 points, 4.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 1.5 steals per game. He also shot allright last season as he hit 43.8% from the floor, 37.2% from three point range and 90.3% from the free throw line. Allen was banged up most of the season for the Sonics so he will be really ready to roll if he can stay healthy for the Celtics. He has now played in 790 games (786 starts) in his NBA career and he averaged 37.5 minutes, 21.5 points, 4.6 rebounds, 3.9 assists and 1.3 steals per game. He has shot 44.6% from the floor, 39.7% from three point range and 88.8% from the free throw line over his NBA career.

Glen Davis is a 6’9″, 289 pound power forward out of LSU. The Celtics will have a steal if “Big Baby” can keep his weight under control because he is a player. Davis played in 95 games at LSU and he average 16.7 points, 9.6 rebounds, 1.5 assists, 1.1 steals and 1.2 blocks per game. Davis his 49.6% from the floor, 31% from three point range and 69.4% from the free throw line. Look for Davis to be a backup as a rookie and a starter in the future if he can keep his weight under control.

The Celtics might regret trading forward Jeff Green in the long run but they won’t miss Delonte West or Wally Szczerbiak. This was a good trade for the Celtics who wanted to fix them team for this season and adding Ray Allen will definately do just that.