Boston Shakeup

Danny Ainge made a very bold move at the NBA trade deadline last week. The Celtics GM decided to trade the team's starting center, Kendrick Perkins, an integral piece of Boston's chemistry and defense, to Oklahoma City for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic. Boston also moved back-up Nate Robinson in the trade.

Teams across the league were very active at the deadline this year, including 20 of the 30 teams being involved in some kind of trade or acquisition. Carmelo Anthony to the Knicks was the biggest name to move but the Celtics' was the most surprising.

Perkins provided the force in the paint

Doc Rivers and Boston fans were quick to point out over the past three seasons, which featured a title in 2008 and another Finals appearance last year, that its "original starting five" (Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett and Perkins) had never lost a playoff series. That's what is so puzzling about the move. That starting five will remain undefeated.

Perkins is recovering from a torn ACL, suffered in game six of the Finals last June, and played in 12 games this season. He recently strained an MCL prior to the trade and will miss the next week or so. Maybe Ainge and the Celtics know more about his knee than the rest of us. Maybe that's what caused the move. Maybe it Perkins' upcoming extension that Boston knew it wasn't going to pay. Regardless, it brings up whether or not Boston can now beat some of the league's bigger front courts, like the Lakers. The Thunder aren't concerned with his knee; they quickly inked Perkins to a four-year, $34 million extension.

Perkins' interior defense, widely regarded as the league's best one-on-one post defender, was critical to the success of the Celtics versus the Lakers and its trio of 7-footers. If Perkins hadn't gone down last year the Celtics may have been able to hand the Lakers its second Finals loss in three years. That didn't happen and now they must relay on a very limited and aging Shaquille O'Neal to supply the minutes, defense and rebounding during this year's playoff run.

Shaq hasn't played since Feb. 1 and is averaging 9.3 points and 4.9 rebounds in about 20 minutes per game. Right now he's "rehabbing" and his return is uncertain. He'll, no doubt, be giving plenty of time to heal up and recharge for an important role in the playoffs. Glen Davis will be counted on in crunch-time, much as he was in 2009 when KG went down. The Celtics were unable to get by Orlando that year.

Krstic will provide a big body but won't produce much in the middle. Green is a nice player but plays the 3 or 4 position, doesn't provide much in interior defense and can be inconsistent. Picking up Green is a good move for the future of the Celtics but will it help this year? Boston's other off-season acquisition, Jermaine O'Neal, is even more uncertain than Shaq. He hasn't played since Jan. 10 and is recovering from a knee injury "in hopes" of returning for the playoff run.

Prior to the Perkins deal, Boston was the front-runner for the title again this year. With the new look, I'm not so sure. They face two much improved teams that weren't a factor last year, Miami and Chicago, and Orlando will provide plenty of problems for them as well in the Eastern Conference. We can no longer assume Boston is the favorite in the East. If they are able to get past those three teams and make the Finals, how will they be able to match up with a team like the Lakers? They always had the edge on LA due to its physical-style of defense provided by Perkins. Now it's a whole new ball game.

The move Ainge made was aggressive and questionable. The veteran staff and roster will provide the backbone they need to once again hoist the O'Brien Trophy but can they do it without Perkins in the middle?