Look beyond the sterling 9-2 record and watch the ebb and flow of the games played and you know there’s something amiss with the Celtics.  The defense that we know and love appears to be there for the most part, as the team is near the top in defensive field goal percentage (1st at 39.6%) and points allowed (3rd at 89.7 pts/g) just like last year.  But what appears to be lacking most is the offensive punch the team had last year.  The Celtics are only scoring 93.5 pts/g compared to 102.9 pts/g thus far last year – a whopping 9 point difference.  So instead of leading the league with a whopping 14 point scoring differential last year, they have a less impressive 4 point average margin of victory.  And you were wondering why your nails are shorter this November than they were last November?

So since this is Boston and we fans are more often inconsolable than not, we ask the tough questions.  What’s up with the downturn in the offense?  Is it the bench?  Do they miss James Posey?  Did they need to go back to Rome for training camp?  You expect me to know the answers to these hypothetical questions?  Well I’ll try. . . .

While there are many differences between Doc Rivers and Mike Woodson, there are a few similarities, at least by own thinking. Doc Rivers gives us a few thoughts on Mike Woodson and the Hawks. I add a few thoughts of my own after.

"Awww. I don’t know. When you make it to the play-offs, if they lost in 4 or 5….they’d have been a much better team the next year. Just getting in, kinds of turns your hunger on.

The fact that they didn’t break their team up….and that’s what teams usually do, they make it and then they make theses changes…uhh…I thought was huge for them. Because you have the same cast coming back. They just have grown."

 Do you see Mike Woodson being in a similar position as you were with all the young talent, and this is a chance to vindicate himself?

 “Well I love Mike. I just hope he doesn’t have the same year I did last year! (laughter)

Having said that. I’ve always thought Mike’s been terrific. And he’s had so many young guys and now those young guys are starting to get older and they’ve added the veterans…you know…Murray and Evans…with Bibby and Joe Johnson. They’re growing up. And now the young guys are starting to buy into what Mike’s been saying for 5 years. You can see it. You see it in their defensive urgency.

In this week’s edition of "Celtics Now" presented by Arbella Insurance, host Michael Holley brings you a very entertaining edition of "Holleywould". Subjects include making Rajon Rondo’s wrap around move mandatory, and Leon Powe playing a role on Michael’s NBA team anyday.

Also, check out these videos from this week’s edition of "Celtics Now" presented by Arbella Insurance.

Doc Rivers Mic’d Up at Practice

The Shamrock Golf Classic - Big Baby, Dickerson and Tanguay attempt to golf

Online Media Pass - A fan asks Eddie House this week’s question

Panel Discussion Part 1 - Guests Cedric Maxwell, Marc Spears and superfan Marty Joyce discuss Doc Rivers standing as a head coach in the league

Panel Discussion Part 2 - Guests Cedric Maxwell, Marc Spears and superfan Marty Joyce discuss the NBA All-Star Game

Greg Dickerson and Mike Gorman recap last night’s impressive win for the Celtics in Houston. 

The Dino Radja Experience: A weekly tribute to the Croatian legend and the team he left behind .

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 The Dino Radja Experience: 10/31 [17:59m]: Play Now | Download

Comcast SportsNet.com and Wicked Good Sports bring you our 17th annual NBA Preview from our Celtics broadcast and online team. These previews are much more fun when your team is the clear favorite across the board.

2008/09 NBA PREDICTIONS
Eastern Conference Finals	Boston vs Cleveland	Boston vs Philadelphia	Boston vs Toronto
Western Conference Finals	Portland vs LA Lakers	Utah vs LA Lakers	Utah vs LA Lakers
NBA Finals	Boston beats LA Lakers	Boston beats Utah	Boston beats LA Lakers
NBA MVP	LeBron James	Kevin Garnett	Kobe Bryant
NBA Coach of Year	Doc Rivers	Mo Cheeks	Nate McMillan
NBA Rookie of the Year	Greg Oden	Greg Oden	Michael Beasley
Celtics MVP	Kevin Garnett	Paul Pierce	Kevin Garnett
Celtics Most Improved	Tony Allen	Gabe Pruitt	Leon Powe
Eastern Conference Finals	Boston vs Toronto	Boston vs Orlando	Boston vs Cleveland
Western Conference Finals	Portland vs LA Lakers	New Orleans vs LA Lakers	New Orleans vs LA Lakers
NBA Finals	Boston beats LA Lakers	Boston beats LA Lakers	Boston beats LA Lakers
NBA MVP	Kevin Garnett	Chris Paul	Chris Paul
NBA Coach of Year	Doc Rivers	Maurice Cheeks	Jerry Sloan
NBA Rookie of the Year	Greg Oden	Greg Oden	OJ Mayo
Celtics MVP	Paul Pierce	Rajon Rondo	Paul Pierce

Gary Tanguay catches up with Paul Pierce at the Modell’s Sporting Goods in the Fresh Pond Mall to talk about his summer as a champion, the upcoming season, and even some tips on fatherhood for new Dad Greg Dickerson.

Danny Ainge sits down with Gary Tanguay to talk about the loss of James Posey to the Hornets and some possible other free agent targets in the coming weeks.

Usually it is difficult for me to sit through the ESPY’s without rolling my eyes numerous times at the lame jokes while watching ESPN desperately try to make this the biggest thing going every year, but I might have to watch on Sunday.

Celtics Captain and NBA Finals MVP Paul Pierce spoke with Michael Felger at his annual summer basketball camp at Basketball City in Boston. "The Truth" talks about settling down from the events of the past year, James Posey or Corey Magette, and his admiration for head coach Doc Rivers.

Just when the fuzziness has worn off for everyone with the Sox having a rough week, here is something to check out and turn your day around.

Bill Walker / Getty Images" class="imgcaption floatr" style="float: right;" />Your World Champion Boston Celtics (man it is fun writing that) entered the 08 NBA Draft a lot differently than what they went through just one year ago. In 2007, Celtics fans were trying to overcome the bad-bounce-of-the-lottery-balls-again headache hangover…this year, a 17th Banner "it was all worth it" hangover. The C’s took a gamble selecting JR Giddens with the 30th pick of the Draft, and another chance on trading for Kansas St’s Bill Walker in Round 2. Both players have a ton of potential and should have been much higher picks without their respective baggage. It has been reported that Giddens hasn’t been the best teammate and his been involved in off the court problems. Supposedly, he has grown up a lot in the past year. Walker was a lottery pick coming out of high school, but knee injuries have scared many NBA teams off. The Walker pick can be somewhat compared to the Leon Powe pick for the C’s in 2006, and that seemed to work out pretty well.

If Giddens can grow up a bit more, which should be easier with the Celtics veteran team, he could step in fairly soon and be a contributor off the bench. He is 23 years-old, which means he his older than Glen Davis, Gabe Pruitt, and Rajon Rondo. You really can’t say enough for what 4 years of school does for rookies.

Check out Comcast SportsNet’s exclusive interview with NBA Executive of the Year Danny Ainge with Greg Dickerson on draft night at the TD Banknorth Garden.

Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinsohn host an exclusive presentation with the entire team before the "Rolling Rally". The players are introduced for the final time this season at the Garden, and Mike and Tommy talk to some of the players about winning banner 17.

Glen "Big Baby" Davis talks with Greg Dickerson about his plans once he boards one of the Duck boats for the Rolling Rally.

Celtics legend John Havlicek speaks with Greg Dickerson before boarding the Duck boat about his past memories when he won championships.

Greg talks with "Planet Pollard" before the Rolling Rally begins.

Eddie House joins Greg Dickerson upon arriving at the Garden outside the Celtics locker room.

Greg grabs Doc Rivers as he arrives at the Garden to talk about the "Rolling Rally" and the last couple of days as an NBA Champion. Look out for some other pretty important guys popping into the interview, like Kevin Garnett and Finals MVP Paul Pierce.

Check out the newest podcast from Rich Levine as Banner 17 is celebrated. Rich is once again joined by Nick Altschuler from the Improper Bostonian, and Celtics Sideline Reporter Greg Dickerson. If you have a question for "The Dino Radja Experience", email us at dinoradjaexperience@gmail.com.

Comcast SportsNet brought you Pre and Postgame for every Celtics game this season, and has been your home for Celtics basketball for 27 years. We capped off a championship season as Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Doc Rivers and the rest of the Celtics blew out the Lakers to capture title #17. Check out some of the videos from the raucous celebration following the Game 6 blowout.

Legendary broadcast duo Mike Gorman and Tommy Heinsohn speak with the man who put this team together, Danny Ainge, followed by Finals MVP Paul Pierce, and backup guard Eddie House.

Celtics Head Coach Doc Rivers joins Mike & Tommy on the floor to celebrate his first title.

Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck talks with Mike & Tommy after the game on the parquet.

Kevin Garnett cannot contain his happiness in the locker room with Greg Dickerson.

Check out the scene as the entire team celebrates in the locker room.

Gary Tanguay and Donny Marshall wrap up our coverage in the studio, and Mike and Greg deliver their final thoughts from the Garden after a remarkable season.

Celtics center Kendrick Perkins talks about his first ring in the NBA.