another FanPost added to the front page [Note by Jeff Clark, 11/06/08 6:02 AM PST]

So we are 5 games into this young season and there probably isn't a lot one can definitively define as being something that we know for sure we will see this year but there are a few. One is tough team defense from player 1 all the way to player 9. Two, this team does not like losing and woe is the team that has to play the Celtics the next game after a tough loss because it doesn't matter how well you play, you are more than likely going down. And three, this team is exhibiting some of the best team balance I have seen in quite a few years.

There has been tons of stories and posts written regarding the Celtics' defense and killer instinct, which encompass the first two points from above but very little said about just how balanced this team is. It starts of course with "ubuntu", the team's philosophy and mantra. The team is unselfish to a fault and every player can be the star on any given night. Yet on most nights, this team has no star whatsoever. Let's take a look at the boxscores for this season to see what I mean.

The Celtics have player 5 games and on only three occasions has a player scored over 20 points, Pierce twice and Ray Allen once. The C's have had, however, 5 players hit double digits in scoring in all four of their wins and 4 players in double figures in their loss. Considering that the Celtics are 23rd in the league in scoring with only 92.8 PPG, that is no small accomplish.

Some other strange, balanced, statistical anomalies, every single one of the starters are averaging over 4.6 rebounds per game. How about there are 5 players on this team averaging more than 1 steal per game and 7 averaging over 0.8 steals per game. With the exception of Paul Pierce no player is playing over 33.3 minutes per game. Considering they have played 5 games and 2 of the games were against teams that most would rank amongst the top 5 teams in the league, I think that says a lot.

Now that's just stats and I am sure there are other teams out there that probably have similar occurrences within their stat lines but this balance is also something that is an observed trait. The C's don't force their offense in one direction through one or two players. Instead they attack the other team's weakest spot. And it doesn't matter who is on the floor for the Celtics. If Leon is out there with KG, Pierce, Ray, and Rajon but his matchup is the best, Leon is getting the ball and will continue to do so. Barring mismatches this team's offensive philosophy, like none other in the league because there are so few teams in the league that has the amount of truly gifted passers like the Celtics have in their arsenal, is too move the ball through passing, not dribbling, finding the open man for the best shot available.

That is a forgotten art nowadays as teams are constantly inventing more and more ways for one or two of their star scorers to get the ball in the most advantageous areas of the floor to shoot rather than just seeking out the best shot no matter who is shooting it, like the Celtics do.

A lot of what I see on the court is communication,confidence in each other to have each person do their job, unselfishness, and unity of purpose. It was there last year and, if anything, it has grown this year as Doc has tightened the rotation to just nine players and the players mold into one regardless of who is one the floor at any given time. I don't really see a drop off in play when the subs come in and that is especially true on the defensive end of the floor. Less so on the offensive end but that is made up with the fact that Leon, Tony, Eddie, and Baby bring so much energy. The second unit loves to offensive rebound. They love pushing you around on the block and harassing you on the perimeter. It's a great thing to watch when realizing that these are not stars that are starting but just role players thrown in their to get a job done.

I believe what we will see this year is going to be a lot of what we have already seen. Nights where 5-6 guys all score between 12 and 18 points.  Nights where 4-5 guys will all get 7-10 rebounds. Where deflections and poke aways will be everywhere and where 8 players will have at least 1 and maybe more steals in that game. Nights where the best player of the night could be any one of 9 guys. Where the best play of the night will be a defensive gem. Where the guy that deserves the game ball will only have a stat line of 16 PTS, 8 REBS, 5 ASTS, 3 STLS, 1 BLOCK,  and where that guy could be anyone on the squad.

Think. How many teams can you think of, past or present, where those were all true statements? How many teams can you think of where anyone in the top 9 men on that team could have a stat line like above and be the star that night in a winning effort? Where the stats are so abundant up and don the roster and where those stats mean so little to those players. Because what really matters to this team is the only stat that counts, what column do you check off at the end of the night, W or L?

It's truly a joy watching the defending world champions and the way they play team basketball. Red Auerbach is looking down from above smoking a fat one pondering upon how well his basketball ideals have been accepted and displayed by the big green baby that he created. He is truly proud of this team as they are the definition of what team is and should be all about in today's NBA.