LaFrentz

The uniquely versatile LaFrentz is now six years removed from being drafted third overall in 1998, ahead of the likes of Antawn Jamison, Vince Carter, Dirk Nowitzki and Paul Pierce, his running mate for three seasons at the University of Kansas.

The Pierce & LaFrentz reunion tour never got unleashed last year in Boston, where LaFrentz spent the majority of the season on the injured list following season-ending surgery in December to correct tendinitis in his right knee. Prior to the injury, LaFrentz produced an unspectacular 7.8 points and 4.6 rebounds, well below his career averages.

If LaFrentz returns with a clean bill of health, his 12 points, 7 rebounds and 2 blocks – not to mention his shooting acumen – will be a nice complement to the developing inside game of Mark Blount, who averaged more than 14 points and 10 rebounds over the final 20 games of last season. If the knee remains gimpy, LaFrentz, and the Celtics, will limp through another unproductive season.

Pierce

Last year's team was one in transition under new Executive Director of Basketball Operations Danny Ainge, who has dealt nearly everyone from the team that advanced to the Eastern Conference Finals in 2002. This year will go a long way toward determining if that was such a good idea.

Among his acquisitions, Jiri Welsch, a 6-7 guard who averaged 9.2 ppg last year, looks like a keeper. Ricky Davis is to athleticism what Paris Hilton is to overexposure, but remains a lightning rod for 'me-first' criticism. Raef LaFrentz, injured last season, is an unknown quantity. Mark Blount, re-signed to a multi-year deal this summer, was a force inside late in the season.

Via the draft, Ainge added high schooler Al Jefferson and guards Delonte West and Tony Allen. Jefferson averaged a video-game-esque 42.6 points and 18.0 rebounds per game as a high school senior.

If this smells like a youth movement, consider this. In August, the fruits of three previous trades – Chucky Atkins, Chris Mihm and Jumaine Jones – were traded to Los Angeles for 36-year-old Gary Payton and 34-year-old Rick Fox (who since retired). For good measure, Ainge signed 35-year-old Tom Gugliotta.

The lone constant is Paul Pierce. The NBA's fifth leading scorer at 23.0 ppg, he is one of a handful of NBA players capable of carrying a team.

Unfortunately, Pierce just might have to if Payton or Davis is divisive … if LaFrentz can't stay healthy … if the rookie class doesn't produce contributors … if the tank is empty for the likes Gugliotta. While things could break their way, too many questions exist to pencil the Celtics into the playoffs just yet.