As the Celtics took the court for five-on-five work during a recent open practice in Lowell, one spectator recognized that it would be starters versus reserves and opined to no one in particular that the match-up just didn't seem fair. You can understand his point. The Big Three of Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Paul Pierce have combined for 29 All-Star game appearances. In the interest of competitive balance, it would seem splitting up that talent might foster a better pickup game.

But a funny thing happened. The reserves wearing white jerseys took over the drills. Rasheed Wallace drilled a 3-pointer from the wing and Eddie House soon followed with another. Marquis Daniels got his hand in the passing lane and went coast-to-coast for a layup. The starters in green would regroup, but it was clear that these drills aren't as lopsided as one might expect at first glance. And that's not particularly good news for the Celtics' opponents during the upcoming 2009-10 season.

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There will be no shortage of story lines to follow and write about this season. But this one may be at the top for me. Exactly how good will the bench be this year? Will the starters come out and hold their own in the first six to eight minutes, and then watch as the bench comes in, all fired-up, and promptly proceed to increase the lead?

I wouldn't rule this out. I'm getting the feeling that E.House is very hungry. Marquis Daniels wants a ring, and, no less important, is playing for a contract next summer. Big Baby seems intent on impacting games immediately and in a variety of ways, while Sheed is a Man for All Seasons--just tell him what you need, and he'll do it.