Rich’s Take: My Boston Celtics Holiday Wishlist

Boston Celtics fans, I hope you can forgive me.

Dec 22, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Boston Celtics coach Brad Stevens before the game against the Indiana Pacers at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

I wanted to get this wish list done for Christmas Day, but between a Christmas Eve party, getting the toys ready for the kids early Christmas morning, and another party on Christmas Day, there was no way I was going to have 30 minutes to spare in front of the old writing PC.

Still, it’s not too late to capitalize on the spirit of the holidays, so today I bring to you my holiday wishlist for the 2013-2014 Boston Celtics.

Nov 23, 2013; Atlanta, GA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Rajon Rondo leaves the court after defeating the Atlanta Hawks 94-87 at Philips Arena. The Celtics won 94-87. Mandatory Credit: Kevin Liles-USA TODAY Sports

Wish List Item #1: A Healthy Rajon Rondo

This is an obvious one, I know, but allow me to explain.  As much as I want to see the Celtics get Rondo back this year and play at a higher, more consistent level than they have been, watching D-Rose go down to injury again this year has made me much less eager to see Rondo come back before the All-Star break, if at all this year.  I wish that he is smart enough to take his time, pay it safe, and come back only when he feels like he is 125% ready to play NBA basketball again.

Wish List Item #2: Jared Sullinger on the All-Star Team

This one may not be realistic – but hello: it’s a wish list.  Sullinger has been the most consistent player on the Boston Celtics so far this

Dec 22, 2013; Indianapolis, IN, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jared Sullinger (7) drives to the basket against Indiana Pacers forward David West (21) in the first half at Bankers Life Fieldhouse. Mandatory Credit: Brian Spurlock-USA TODAY Sports

season, and earned a high degree of praise from Roy Hibbert of the Indiana Pacers, who said Sullinger could become the Eastern Conference’s version of Kevin Love.  Sullinger is averaging 14 points and 7 boards a game in his sophomore season, and is going to be one of the cornerstones of the Celtics for a long time, hopefully.  I know Sully will almost certainly be playing in the rookie-sophomore game, but I would love to see his efforts get rewarded with a trip to New Orleans as an actual member of the All-Star team.

Wish List Item #3: The Celtics Pull Off a Major Trade

Rumor has it that the Boston Celtics are still interested in Omer Asik, to which I say, excellent!  The thought of watching Asik patrol the paint, swatting shots out to the players on the perimeter in order to initiate the fast break, gives me goose bumps – and Asik isn’t even the player I would like to see the Celtics try to acquire the most.  I understand the value of drafting high, and being able to grab Jabari Parker or Andrew Wiggins would be amazing – but it’s clear the Celtics are not bad enough to land a top-five draft pick this season.  Instead, Danny Ainge should try to rebuild by parlaying the assets he has into a deal that will bring a potential All-Star caliber player to TD Garden.

Wish List Item #4: Jeff Green Develops Into a Nightly Threat to Score 20+

Dec 13, 2013; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics shooting guard Jeff Green (8) controls the ball against the New York Knicks during the first half at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Mark L. Baer-USA TODAY Sports

Coach Brad Stevens was dealt a losing hand before the season began, and he has done about as good a job as any coach on planet Earth could do given the roster that he was given.  Clearly, the team is not as bad as most of us thoughts it would be, but it’s not god enough to win banner number 18.  Still, Stevens has some talent at his disposal, including the mysterious Jeff Green.  I don’t think Green is “the man” material, but he is better than some of his sub-double digit performances would suggest.  I would love to see coach Stevens find a way to get Green to be a consistent threat to average 20 points per, a challenge that I don’t feel is beyond Stevens’ capacity.  For starters, simply convincing Green to attack the rim more often than he does would put Green on the path to stability.

Well – there it is: my Boston Celtics holiday wish list!  Hope you enjoyed it, and I’m open to suggestions, so if you have a wish list item of your own, leave a comment or below or @theamazingMrS!