article link BOSTON, Aug. 31 (AP)-- The Boston Celtics added veteran NBA coach Tom Thibodeau, known as a defensive specialist, to their coaching staff Thursday. In his 17 seasons as an assistant, the last four in Houston, Thibodeau has helped his teams finish in the NBA's top 10 in team defense 14 times. He helped the Rockets rank in the top five in the NBA in scoring defense and field goal percentage defense in all four years he was with the team. He also has coached with the Minnesota Timberwolves, New York Knicks, Seattle SuperSonics, San Antonio Spurs and Philadelphia 76ers. His hiring in Boston is a homecoming for the New Britain, Conn., native, who played four years at Salem (Mass.) State, then coached at his alma mater for four years, including one as head coach, before joining Harvard's staff in 1985. He got his first NBA job in 1989 with the expansion Timberwolves. "I've admired Tom as a coach for a long time. It's good to have him on my side,'' Celtics coach Doc Rivers said. The team did not announce terms of the deal.
THey're a lock to win the title now. THey're easily my pick to win it all. Defense wins. And they can relax in the East. Boston Celtics = 07-08 NBA Champions. Book it.
Seriously. Thibodeau is a great pick up for them. And certainly they look very strong in the East despite their lack of depth, but Champions? I'm pretty sure that even if they do come out of the East, they'll be destroyed by whichever team comes from the West.
It might be a little premature to call them Champions, but I don't think they'll get destroyed by whichever team comes out from the West. We're talking about 3 Superstar players that for pound-for-pound could each hold their own against the best player at their position. They're my favorite for the Championship going into the season. If they can get some decent PG play, KG/Pierce/Allen will take care of the rest. And if Thibodeau can get them to play %50 of the defense we've played under him, they will be awfully tough to beat.
