Do you believe in the Celtics?

By Chad Garner

Fan Fanatic Sports Staff

Now is the time for the Celtics to start finding their groove as a team.

It's one thing to beat on the weak in the NBA, but this club needs to show they can beat the elite clubs.

If you have to play a 7-game playoff series against Cleveland, Orlando or even Atlanta, do you give the Celts the edge? No way.

It pains me to say this, but I don't see the Celts beating the Cavs or Magic in a playoff series. The Hawks, perhaps, but that young and athletic team could very easily send the C's packing.

So what's wrong with Boston?

Age has to be a factor with this club, but injuries are the biggest concern.

I honestly feel like Kevin Garnett makes this team go. When he's on, the C's are a machine. When he's missing or hobbling around because of that bum knee, the C's struggle. He's the heartbeat of the C's, bottom line.

Garnett needs to get healthy. You can't make me drink that silly juice about KG being completely healthy. There's no way in hell he's 100 percent. He gimps around the court at times, and he's always tugging at the knee brace. No way he's even close to the force on offense and defense that he was a couple years ago. Perhaps his elite days are a thing of the past? It's sad if that's the case.

Ray Allen can still flat-out shoot the ball from long range, and Paul Pierce can take over a game when he needs to. Pierce is a big-game player; he'll elevate his game in the playoffs and take every crucial shot this team needs him to take.

But it just can't be Pierce and Allen, and occasionally KG, pulling all the weight.

All good teams have other players that deliver.

Rajon Rondo is a silky-smooth point guard, but he scares me every time he shoots. Granted, he's gotten better with the jumper, but he's not even close to being a weapon on the outside. Drive, drive, drive to the bucket Rajon, and keep dishing out the assists.

Nate Robinson is a spark plug off the bench with that second unit. He was a nice pickup. Rasheed Wallace, despite shooting way too many 3s, isn't a problem with me, either. He's got his fair share of haters, but I think Wallace is the type of veteran that knows his intensity and game need to be cranked up a lot more in the postseason.

Kendrick Perkins, start cleaning up your game and please be more consistent.

This whole team needs to get focused on the home stretch of games, and be clicking when the playoffs begin.

It's going to take a full team effort to really do damage in the playoffs.

Is this team the best? No, but if they can get hot, look out. They have the guns to win it all, but they've also shown throughout the year they are not consistent enough to be considered a favorite.

But don't be that guy that counts them out just yet!