The Boston Celtics: Spiraling Out of Control?

The Boston Celtics have to tread carefully right now. Their mini skid has become a slide, and they've actually fallen behind the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference standings.

Sure the Men in Green are the defending league champions, but the chinks in their armor may eventually become gaping holes. The Celtics and their fans are getting a little worried, and the players have no one to blame but themselves.

Yes, believe it or not, there is such a thing as playing too hard. It sounds absurd -- I know -- but the Celtics are guilty as charged. With three older, veteran stars like Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce, you simply can't play the never-stop, always-hustle, dive-on-loose-balls-if-you-have-to style for two consecutive regular seasons. 

Pierce and Garnett are gassed; go ahead, try to deny it. Pierce has no lift on his jump shot and his attacks of the rim are in slower motion than ever. Garnett, meanwhile, is getting himself in foul trouble at times while looking a step slower defensively than we're accustomed to. Eddie House hasn't been as efficient from the perimeter as he's been in recent years, and Brian Scalabrine can't seem to provide anything when he's called upon off the pine.

It just doesn't look good right now in Beantown. Physically, Ray Allen appears to be handling Boston's season-long title defense better than his counterparts Garnett and Pierce, but he can't carry this offense on his own. Rajon Rondo can't shoot a ball into the ocean right now, and bench slasher Tony Allen looks out of sync.

What the Celtics need, is some new blood. Perhaps in the form of Stephon Marbury (which has already been discussed), or maybe even a Stephen Jackson or Corey Maggette from Golden State. Any of the three would give the Greengang a kick in the rear.

Don't be afraid to shake things up a little, Danny Ainge. It's beginning to look like a necessity...