The Celtics find themselves in a 2-0 series hole, with an essential must win game tonight against the Knicks. Boston has been historically bad on offense in the first two games.

They scored just 23 points in the second half of Game 2. As if that wasn’t bad enough, the Celtics scored eight points in the fourth quarter of Game 1.

For as bad as the offense has been the past two games, the Celtics began losing this series well before Game 1 tipped off. Boston missed out on an opportunity to not only improve themselves, but weaken the New York Knicks in the process.

Kenyon Martin has averaged 6.5 points per game, 10 rebounds per game, and 3 blocks per game during this series. Now these aren’t series altering numbers, but considering the Celtics haven’t received a single point, and just five rebounds from their big men on the bench, Martin would surely help a battered Celtics.

The biggest gripe against Boston all year has been their inability to rebound the ball. Having a player that can give you double-figure rebounds consistently seems like a smart option.

So why did Danny Ainge pass on Martin? Frankly it’s inexcusable. For what could be Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett’s last playoff run, why wouldn’t you surround them with every capable weapon possible.

Martin brings a veteran presence and toughness that this team has lacked during the series. It’s not as if the Celtics even had to overpay for him. He’s making a grand total of $170,878 this season.

The former number one pick in 2000 from Cincinnati was just sitting there for the taking. Instead the Celtics decided to wait and sign D.J. White and Shavlik Randolph.

While Martin was helping his team take a strong hold in this first round, White and Randolph spent a majority of their time sitting on the bench.

Would Martin make the difference in this series? Possibly not, but he sure wouldn’t hurt Boston’s chances.

Yes the series is 2 – 0 in favor of the Knicks, but the scoreboard should really read 2.5 – 0, because the Celtics badly lost on Martin, allowing the Knicks to score big off-court win.

Jan 24, 2013; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics power forward Jared Sullinger (7) talks with Boston Celtics head coach Doc Rivers during the third quarter at TD Banknorth Garden. The New York Knicks won 89-86. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports

Not even a week after hearing about Rajon Rondo tearing his ACL, the Boston Celtics receive even more bad news, this time regarding Jared Sullinger. Sullinger had back surgery and will be shut down for the rest of the season. For Celtics fans, could this season get any worse?

Boston now has to rely upon Brandon Bass and possibly Fab Melo, who will suit up for tonight’s game against the Orlando Magic. Sullinger was a player who brought energy and rebounding, but now the Celtics will have to find someone else who can supply both. But who? Boston is one of the worst rebounding teams in the league and Sullinger was probably their best rebounder next to Kevin Garnett. So where do the Celtics go from here?

Unless Melo produces similar numbers to Sullinger, or his own in the D-League, Boston may have to look to making a trade or finding a diamond in the rough in free agency. The problem facing the Celtics however is their most valuable pieces are Rajon Rondo and Jared Sullinger, and both are out for the season. It will be interesting to see what Danny Ainge does. He can’t leave the roster untouched, especially in the shape it’s in.

If changes aren’t made, the front court is very thin as they only have Jason Collins and Brandon Bass, which now affects the minutes of play for Kevin Garnett. The Celtics now face many issues, and maybe it was possible that they’d be fine without Rondo, but with another big injury I don’t see how making it far in the playoffs is possible.

Kenyon Martin is still available, and even though most fans don’t want him, if you want the roster to stay the same, then signing him is the best option out there. Looking at where the Celtics could possibly go; either move on without making a trade or acquisition; consider the possibilities of trading whatever piece is valuable; or try finding someone in free agency. This is going to be an interesting time for the franchise. A lot of decisions have to be made by February 21st, and for Celtics fans, there may be some very unpopular moves coming within the next few weeks.

May 15, 2012; San Antonio, Texas, USA; San Antonio Spurs forward Kawhi Leonard (2, right) gets fouled while shooting against Los Angeles Clippers forward Kenyon Martin (2, left) during the second half in game one of the Western Conference semifinals of the 2012 NBA Playoffs at the AT

Many are beginning to panic with the Celtics sitting below .500 over a third of the way through the 2012-13 NBA season, but GM Danny Ainge is not panicking.

Ainge believes that Doc Rivers will “try to tweak the lineup again and do some things different.”

Ainge went on to say that he’ll “try to (remain) patient with this team as long as we can.”

Given the amount of talent on the roster, that only makes sense.  The Celtics have struggled, to be sure, but the best is yet to come.  Avery Bradley finally returned from injury, and anyone who watched the Celtics last season saw the vast improvement that came when Bradley was on the court.

His game changing defensive impact is something that transcends the stat sheet.  And the Celtics need it.

Ainge further commented that the C’s went from “being the best team in the NBA last year defensively to the 21st best team in the league right now.”

That’s disconcerting, but it is fixable.