Boston Celtics Warning : "KG or No KG, The Celtics Are Still the Team To Beat"

This article is in no way aimed to signify that the Celtics don’t need Kevin Garnett anymore. He still is, without doubt, one of the most important components of the well-oiled machinery called the Celtics.

When Kevin Garnett was injured, one could instantly see the impact on each and every member of the Celtics roster. They had lost a leader, a motivator and above all, an All-Star, who has been playing the best basketball since joining the Celtics in 2007.

There was widespread speculation in the NBA community regarding the impact it would have on the Celtics team—and it was not without reason. One could clearly see the difference that the absence of KG was having.

Garnett left the court, injured, in the first quarter in their loss to the Pistons. The team instantly seemed to lack the aggression and the defensive edge it generally possesses against every other team in NBA. Against Timberwolves, Love just hammered the Celtics on the board, and they did not have any answer to it.

However, tonight, the Celtics showed that they still can be the same mean machine without Garnett—and that too on the grandest stage—in the match dubbed as best of the east vs. the best of the west.

Although the Celtics allowed 103 points, it was against the best offensive team in NBA right now, who are scoring more than 110 ppg. The most important thing to consider is that they looked like a championship team tonight, which was the thing missing ever since they lost Garnett.

All the players played their roles to perfection. Though it can be said that it was all due to Rajon Rondo, who had one of his best games of his career with 12 points, 10 rebounds, six steals and an amazing 22 assists; everyone on the team had a great game.

Allen scored 31 points of a 13-16 shooting, and Davis scored 23 points which included his role in one the most important plays of the game, when he took a charge from Richard Jefferson in the fourth quarter with 1:16 left on the clock. Both the O’Neals did not have much to show on the stat sheet, but played a great game on the defensive end.

The contribution of all the players was important in the victory, but what was most important was the contribution from the Celtics big men—Big Baby and the O'Neal duo— on the defensive end, the aspect which was the hardest hit by the Garnett injury.

With this win the Celtics have made a statement: "KG or no KG—The Celtics are still the team to beat."

As a diehard Celtics fan, I would like wish Kevin Garrett to get well soon. The Celtics still need you.

Cinthia Moura Monica Potter Brittany Snow Lauren German Cindy Crawford