Steve Jones

First it was the upstart Hawks in the first round and now it’s King James and his Cavaliers in the second round. Are these the first two stops for the Celtics on a road that will lead them to an NBA-record 17th championship? Boston faithful hope so but for the journey to a title not to get cut short of its ultimate goal the Celtics must erase some critical questions surrounding their quest for a title.

Making a point
Coming into this season Rajon Rondo had started all of 25 games in the NBA at point guard. Hold that thought for a moment and rewind to last summer after Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge pulled off his magic and Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen got Boston addresses, making them teammates of Paul Pierce and giving Boston a Big Three with which to play Beast of the East.

A trio of tremendous basketball talent indeed but who would run the show? Who would play the point and be in charge of deploying all this firepower in the most effective fashion? Rondo, said Ainge. Rondo, said coach Doc Rivers. Wrong choice said many around the NBA. Their claim and the first hurdle the new-look Celtics heard of was this: Boston can’t win a championship with such an inexperienced player at the point.

Don’t believe it. Rondo can lead his team to a title. Sure that’s easier said than done and no question Rondo has got to prove his doubters wrong but here’s why he can: He can pass, rebound, defend and score. Add in that he takes advantage of what is given to him, that he’s very competitive and is not a guy who comes unglued very easily and asking him to head the charge to the Promised Land is not asking too much. Rondo, who played just two seasons at Kentucky, has performed well all season long and there’s no reason to expect that to stop at any point in the playoffs. He’s not getting the credit he deserves.

Is there enough in reserve?
The Big Three are supposed to make the difference in games and in most games that will hold true. But not in every game and in the case of the playoffs not necessarily for four games out of seven in a hard-fought series. There will be times when the contributions of the supporting cast and especially the non-starters will prove crucial. Sam Cassell (13 points) helped make that clear in Boston’s four-point win over Cleveland in Game 1 of the conference semifinals.

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Boston, however, has a suspect bench, too thin and too old for my liking. Sure Cassell and P.J. Brown have been around the block but that’s really the point – this pair of 38-year-olds might be good only in short doses and both could be exposed when going against younger players. Clutch at times but creaky when it counts the most?

The other key reserves are James Posey, Leon Powe, Glen Davis and Tony Allen. None of the four come close to striking fear in opponents. Boston’s bench did not step up to the degree expected during the regular season. If Boston doesn’t win a championship a finger may be pointed towards what the Celtics got – or didn’t get -- from their collection of understudies.

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