Today I wanted to talk about a team flying under the radar. A squad off to a good start yet has gone largely without the media's attention. Since no one else is writing about them, I'm making it my duty to highlight the Boston Celtics. OK, so ESPN has a page setup comparing them with the 72-10 1995-96 Chicago Bulls, so I'll remove my tongue from my cheek now. Entering the season, there wasn't a team I was more curious about than the Celtics. I pretty much panned the Kevin Garnett trade at the time, suggesting that Al Jefferson is 10 years younger and has the upside to be the better player within the next 3-4 years. Moreover, Boston's roster appeared to have an Eastern Conference Champs ceiling, almost certain to get swept by whoever came out of the West. Four weeks into the season, I'm willing to concede that this blockbuster deal might be the rare one that has both teams coming out winners, and certainly if I'm a Boston fan, I'm thrilled with it, regardless of the long-term ramifications.

The Eastern Conference presented a unique opportunity this season, as a team that finished dead last, 29 games back with a .293 winning percentage last year, could conceivably make the finals this season after a couple of offseason acquisitions. Reluctantly, I picked the Celtics to win the Eastern Conference in my season preview. Not only am I happy I did so, but I'm also rethinking my old stance of the West beating them as a foregone conclusion. Now, these weren't your average "offseason acquisitions" mind you. I don't need to tell you the resumes of the "Big Three," but I do feel most may have underestimated how perfect of a fit they are together. Paul Pierce is the slasher and penetrator, Ray Allen the spot up shooter and Garnett the dominating big man with uncanny passing ability. All three veterans have much to prove, are super motivated and seemingly unselfish, which starts with Garnett – the most selfless superstar in the history of sports.

But what is this team's ceiling? Right now, we are looking at 13-game sample, albeit an impressive one. The C's average margin of victory is 10.6 points, and the team has played terrific defensively. Depth is a glaring weakness, but basketball is by far the most individual sport there is. Unlike baseball and football, two superstars can and have won titles with only role players aboard. This team has three. Additionally, the other starters play possibly the two most unimportant positions on the floor; now, a dominant center is obviously a difference maker, but there's been about two of those over the past 20 years. The combination of Erick Dampier and DeSagana Diop is probably one of the five best centers in the NBA today. And as far as point guard is concerned, does it really matter who brings the ball up the court?

Don't get me wrong, I'm not anointing this team with anything yet, but they have certainly made the early season more interesting. The Big Three have a mean age of 31, so it still remains to be seen how these veterans' legs hold up over the course of a long season. If one of them succumbs to injury, all bets are off, and this looks like a good, not great team. The Bulls' 72 wins record is safe, but Boston has a legitimate chance of winning it all this season.