NBA News 2010: Can the Celtics Eke Out Another Finals Appearance with Their Old Roster?

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Despite pushing the Lakers to Game 7 last season, we must keep last year in the past when examining this coming season. The Celtics effectively swapped Rasheed Wallace and Tony Allen with Shaquille O'Neal, Jermaine O'Neal and Delonte West, and thus, their team chemistry will be an experiment in-the-making entering training camp. 

More importantly, the Celtics' Big Three of Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett isn't getting any younger (they're 32, 35 and 34 years old, respectively). Throw in a 31-year-old Jermaine O'Neal and a 38-year-old Shaq, and you've got the starting lineup of the 2020 Seniors' League All-Star team. Can all of those All-Star appearances and miles on the legs combine to form one more championship effort for Boston?

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NBA News 2010: Who Has the Best Bench in the League?

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Still, for teams battling injuries, there's nothing that helps more than having legitimate depth at each position. The Portland Trail Blazers managed to stay relevant last season despite constant injury trouble because of the depth they had; now, with everyone back healthy, Portland's bench will be one of the best in the league.  

When Kendrick Perkins comes back in February, the Celtics could also contend for the best bench in the league honor.  Shrek and Donkey will be joined by Shaquille O'Neal and Jermaine O'Neal, two former $100 million big men; Marquis Daniels, who's a year removed from averaging 13.6 points and 31.5 minutes per game for Indiana; and Delonte West, a defensively-minded guard who started his career back with Boston in 2004.

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