4.01.2008

Bulls Weigh In: Celtics are the Best

CHICAGO TRIBUNE
Copyright 2008
Chicago Tribune Company
Section: Sports
K.C. Johnson


"You look at the team we had coming into the season, we were probably one good player away, just having a really good, solid offensive post guy."

Of course, that type of guy, a Kevin Garnett, is one of the primary reasons the Celtics have rebounded from the Eastern Conference's worst record last season to the NBA's best this season. At 24-58, the Celtics topped only Memphis last season and already are plus-34 in the victory column this season.

"The front office got three All-Stars on the team, two more guys to put beside Paul Pierce," Gordon said of adding Garnett and Ray Allen. "Any time you make a dramatic change like that, anything's possible.

"I thought they were the best team I played against this year. Obviously the Spurs are always really good. But Boston jumped out at me because it's the first year I've seen that group together."

Interim coach Jim Boylan also tabbed the Celtics as "probably the best team in the league." Both Boylan and Gordon pointed to the Celtics' defense, which ranks first in points allowed and opponents' field-goal percentage.

In October, back when the Bulls were mentioned in the same breath as the Celtics, many league observers wondered if the Celtics' Big Three would buy in, particularly on the defensive end. Gordon did too.

"But then you watch Kevin Garnett anchor that team and the energy he brings and the way he gets everybody to play together, it's not really a surprise," Gordon said.

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