The Great Arms Race

Tracking the player movements in the NBA is really quite an interesting exercise. Unlike European football, most of the good and great players are known, even those who have never played in the NBA.

It's a little like building a jigsaw puzzle - except that you don't know what the final puzzle looks like or even what shape it is, and you don't have all the pieces that fit, and you can go out and buy more pieces.

All in all, it makes it easier for discussions and speculation as it's very rare for a good player not to have his strengths and weaknesses and temperament and motivation and what not recorded and analysed by the teams. Very unlike football where Sir Alex can go out and buy an Obertan and have most United fans going "Who ?"

That simply doesn't happen in the NBA where most of the leading contenders have made significant additions to their players' rosters as they bid to win the 2010 NBA title. In many cases you can ask "Have they become better ? Or worse ?", and the answer wouldn't be clear. Suffice to say that many teams have taken the leap in a bid to win an NBA title. And sparked a rash of discussions at water coolers in the USA as a result.

And what of the Celtics' response ? Well ...

The NBA's leading team in getting Technicals (basketball's version of football's yellow card) last season just went out and signed the NBA's leading player in getting Technicals for multiple seasons. No issues with his personality meshing with the team then. He'll fit right in.

Having said that, Rasheed's skills and defence and length will add a totally new dimension to this Celtics team. Nobody's ever disputed his playing ability, just his temperament. The Celtics are just hoping that between the Big 3 and Rasheed's desire to win another NBA title, that his temperament holds up.

There are still a lot of holes in the roster that need to be filled with quality players but that's been the situation for Danny Ainge the past 2 years. At least, the biggest pieces for a title run have been assembled and are healthy.

It looks like another fun season ahead.