2008–09 Boston Celtics season

The 2008–09 Boston Celtics season was the 63rd season of the Boston Celtics in the National Basketball Association (NBA). They started the season as defending NBA champions, where they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers in the 2008 NBA Finals, winning their seventeenth NBA championship, as well as marking their ninth series victory over the Lakers in the NBA Finals. The Celtics started the season 27–2, which surpassed a mark set by the 1966–67 Philadelphia 76ers for the best two-loss start in NBA history.[1] This run also included a 19-game winning streak, which improved a Celtics franchise record set in 1981–82.[1] However, the Celtics lost seven out of the following nine games, and eventually finished with a 62–20 record.

2008–09 Boston Celtics season
Division champions
Head coachDoc Rivers
General managerDanny Ainge
OwnersWycliffe Grousbeck
Stephen Pagliuca
H. Irving Grousbeck
ArenaTD Banknorth Garden
Results
Record62–20 (.756)
PlaceDivision: 1st (Atlantic)
Conference: 2nd (Eastern)
Playoff finishConference Semifinals
(Lost to Magic 3–4)
Stats @ Basketball-Reference.com
Local media
TelevisionCSN New England
RadioWEEI

The team's star power forward Kevin Garnett suffered a season-ending injury in February.[2] Without Garnett, they lost to the Orlando Magic in the Conference Semifinals in seven games, eliminating them from the playoffs. The Magic would go on to the NBA Finals, their second NBA Finals appearance, only to lose to the Los Angeles Lakers in five games.

Key dates
  • June 26: The 2008 NBA draft took place in New York City.
  • July 1: The free agency period started.
  • October 8: The pre-season started with a game against the Philadelphia 76ers.
  • October 28: The regular season started with a game against the Cleveland Cavaliers, which Boston won 90–85.
  • December 11: Recorded the best season start in franchise history, starting at 21–2.[3]
  • December 23: Recorded the longest winning streak in franchise history at 19, and the best season start in NBA history with 27–2.[4]

Summary

NBA Draft 2008
Main article: 2008 NBA draft

On June 26, the Celtics selected shooting guard J. R. Giddens with the 30th and center Semih Erden with the 60th overall picks in the 2008 NBA draft, and traded cash considerations in exchange for small forward Bill Walker, who had been selected by the Washington Wizards with the 47th overall pick.[5] Giddens had worked out with the Celtics before the draft for three days, and received praises from head coach Doc Rivers, who thought he could fight for minutes on the team right away.[5] He was already familiar with future teammates Leon Powe and Kendrick Perkins, who were his teammates at the 2003 McDonald's High School All-American Game. Walker was considered a lottery pick,[6] but suffered the third knee injury in his career during a workout at the Golden State Warriors facility on June 15.[7] However, he remained in the draft despite the injury,[8] and was expected to have minor surgery in July that would keep him out for three to four weeks.[9][10] Erden was not expected to join the roster this season, and was seen by general manager Danny Ainge as their first-round pick in 2009.[11]

Free agency

The Celtics headed into the off-season with several free agents and tried to gather a group to repeat as the NBA Champions, with a key decision on unrestricted free agent James Posey,[11] who, in a widely anticipated move,[12] opted out of the second and final year of his contract with the Celtics on June 30,[13] but stated that he wanted to return to the Celtics on a new contract.[12] P.J. Brown, who made key contributions during the 2008 NBA Playoffs, was leaning towards retirement,[14] and the status of restricted free agent Tony Allen remained uncertain after the first-round selection of J. R. Giddens, who was seen as a possible replacement.[11] Later it was revealed that the Celtics did not extend a qualifying offer to Allen, making him an unrestricted free agent.[15] The Celtics also hoped to keep unrestricted free agent Eddie House, and decisions were to be made on unrestricted free agents Sam Cassell and Scot Pollard.[16]

The Celtics were interested in small forward Corey Maggette as a replacement for James Posey, but Maggette signed with the Golden State Warriors on a much higher contract than the Celtics were able to offer, which added to the urgency to re-sign Posey.[17] On July 11, the Celtics addressed their need for a backup center by signing Patrick O'Bryant to a 2-year, $3 million contract,[18] after he had an impressive workout with the team a week earlier,[19] and consequently ruled out the return of Scot Pollard and P.J. Brown.[18] Eventually, James Posey signed with the New Orleans Hornets on July 16, since the Celtics were reluctant to offer him more than a three-year deal at the mid-level exception.[20][21] Compensating for the loss of Posey,[22] the Celtics re-signed Tony Allen to a 2-year, $5 million contract, and were also able to re-sign Eddie House to a 2-year, $5.6 million contract, using the mid-level exception only on House.[23]

On August 22, the Celtics signed small forward Darius Miles, who was forced to sit out the previous two seasons due to microfracture surgery on his right knee and thought to have a career-ending injury,[24] to a non-guaranteed contract,[25] and expected him to fight for a roster spot at training camp.[26] He worked out twice with the team and impressed with his health and attitude,[26] but would sit out the first ten games of the regular season for violating the league's substance abuse policy if he made the roster.[27][28] This signing ultimately put the roster up to the league maximum of 15 players, of which 14 players had fully guaranteed contracts. On September 29, the first day of training camp, Sam Cassell re-signed with the team, which put the roster one player over the maximum.[29] On October 20, Miles was waived, a move which finalized the roster for the start of the season.[30] On February 27, Stephon Marbury signed with the Celtics. In the following season he was offered a one year contract for the veteran's minimum for $1.3 million but declined the contract.[31]

Draft picks
Main article: 2008 NBA draft
Round Pick Player Position Nationality College/Team
1 30 J. R. Giddens SG  United States New Mexico
2 60 Semih Erden C  Turkey Fenerbahçe Ülker

Roster
Roster listing
Boston Celtics roster
PlayersCoaches
Pos.No.NameHeightWeightDOB (YYYY-MM-DD)From
G 20 Allen, Ray 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1975-07-20 Connecticut
G 42 Allen, Tony 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 213 lb (97 kg) 1982-01-11 Oklahoma State
F 11 Davis, Glen 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 289 lb (131 kg) 1986-01-1 LSU
F/C 5 Garnett, Kevin  6 ft 11 in (2.11 m) 253 lb (115 kg) 1976-05-19 Farragut
G 4 Giddens, J. R. 6 ft 5 in (1.96 m) 215 lb (98 kg) 1985-02-13 New Mexico
G 50 House, Eddie 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 175 lb (79 kg) 1978-04-15 Arizona State
G 8 Marbury, Stephon 6 ft 2 in (1.88 m) 205 lb (93 kg) 1977-02-20 Georgia Tech
C 7 Moore, Mikki 7 ft 0 in (2.13 m) 225 lb (102 kg) 1975-04-11 Nebraska
C 43 Perkins, Kendrick 6 ft 10 in (2.08 m) 280 lb (127 kg) 1984-11-10 CJOHS
G/F 34 Pierce, Paul (C) 6 ft 7 in (2.01 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1977-10-13 Kansas
F 0 Powe, Leon  6 ft 8 in (2.03 m) 240 lb (109 kg) 1984-01-22 California
G 13 Pruitt, Gabe 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) 170 lb (77 kg) 1986-04-19 Southern California
G 9 Rondo, Rajon 6 ft 1 in (1.85 m) 171 lb (78 kg) 1986-02-22 Kentucky
F 44 Scalabrine, Brian 6 ft 9 in (2.06 m) 235 lb (107 kg) 1978-03-18 Southern California
F 12 Walker, Bill 6 ft 6 in (1.98 m) 220 lb (100 kg) 1988-09-10 Kansas State
Head coach
Assistant coach(es)
Legend
  • (C) Team captain
  • (DP) Unsigned draft pick
  • (FA) Free agent
  • (S) Suspended
  • Injured

Regular season

Standings
Atlantic Division W L PCT GB Home Road Div
y-Boston Celtics6220.756—35–627–1415–1
x-Philadelphia 76ers4141.5002124–1717–246–10
New Jersey Nets3448.4152819–2215–268–8
Toronto Raptors3349.4022918–2315–266–10
New York Knicks3250.3903020–2112–295–11
# Eastern Conference
Team W L PCT GB
1 z-Cleveland Cavaliers6616.805—
2 y-Boston Celtics6220.7564
3 y-Orlando Magic5923.7207
4 x-Atlanta Hawks4735.57319
5 x-Miami Heat4339.52423
6 x-Philadelphia 76ers4141.50025
7 x-Chicago Bulls4141.50025
8 x-Detroit Pistons3943.48826
9 Indiana Pacers3646.43930
10 Charlotte Bobcats3547.42731
11 New Jersey Nets3448.41532
12 Milwaukee Bucks3448.41532
13 Toronto Raptors3349.40233
14 New York Knicks3250.39034
15 Washington Wizards1963.23247

Record vs. opponents
2008-09 NBA Records
Team ATL BOS CHA CHI CLE DAL DEN DET GSW HOU IND LAC LAL MEM MIA MIL MIN NJN NOH NYK OKC ORL PHI PHO POR SAC SAS TOR UTA WAS
Atlanta —0–43–13–01–31–11–13–01–11–13–11–11–11–13–13–12–01–32–01–22–01–31–20–21–12–00–23–11–14–0
Boston 4–0—2–12–12–22–01–13–11–11–13–11–10–22–03–12–12–04–02–03–12–02–24–02–01–12–01–14–01–13–0
Charlotte 1–31–2—2–10–30–20–21–31–10–22–22–02–02–01–31–31–11–21–12–21–10–43–11–11–12–00–22–22–03–1
Chicago 0–31–21–2—1–31–11–13–12–01–12–22–00–21–11–33–10–23–12–02–11–11–32–22–00–22–00–21–32–03–1
Cleveland 3–12–23–03–1—2–02–03–12–01–13–12–00–22–03–14–02–03–01–14–02–01–23–12–02–02–02–03–02–02–2
Dallas 1–10–22–01–10–2—0–42–02–12–22–03–10–32–22–01–14–01–11–32–02–11–12–03–13–03–12–22–02–22–0
Denver 1–11–12–01–10–24–0—0–22–11–31–14–01–33–02–01–14–01–12–22–04–01–12–01–22–23–12–12–02–22–0
Detroit 0–31–33–11–31–30–22–0–2–00–22–22–01–11–11–33–11–12–20–22–21–13–01–20–20–22–01–13–00–23–1
Golden State 1–11–11–10–20–21–21–20–2—0–41–13–10–40–30–21–12–22–02–21–12–20–21–11–32–12–20–41–12–21–1
Houston 1–11–12–01–11–12–23–12–04–0—0–23–10–42–22–01–14–02–03–11–13–02–00–22–12–13–02–21–12–21–1
Indiana 1–31–32–22–21–30–21–12–21–12–0—1–11–11–12–12–21–12–10–21–22–01–32–21–10–22–00–22–20–22–1
L.A. Clippers 1–11–10–20–20–21–30–40–21–31–31–1—0–41–21–11–11–21–10–32–03–10–20–20–41–31–30–40–20–31–1
L.A. Lakers 1–12–00–22–02–03–03–11–14–04–01–14–0—4–01–12–04–02–03–12–03–00–21–13–12–23–12–12–02–12–0
Memphis 1–10–21–11–10–22–20–31–13–02–21–12–10–4—1–11–10–30–21–30–21–31–10–21–30–42–20–41–10–42–0
Miami 1–31–33–13–11–30–20–23–12–00–21–21–11–11–1—2–11–13–10–22–12–01–32–22–00–22–01–11–22–04–0
Milwaukee 1–31–23–11–30–41–11–11–31–11–12–21–10–21–11–2—0–22–20–23–12–01–30–30–20–22–02–02–21–13–0
Minnesota 0–20–21–12–00–20–40–41–12–20–41–12–10—43—01–12–0—1–11–21–12–20–21–11–20–41–30–40–21–30–2
New Jersey 3–10–42–11–30–31–11–12–20–20–21–21–10–22–01–32–21–1—0–22–21–11–24–01–10–22–00–22–21–12–2
New Orleans 0–20–21–10–21–13–12–22–02–21–32–03–01–33–12–02–02–12–0—0–24–01–12–02–12–23–12–22–00–32–0
New York 2–11–32–21–20–40–20–22–21–11–12–10–20–22–01–21–31–12–22–0—1–11–30–41–10–21–11–12–21–13–1
Oklahoma City 0–20–21–11–10–21–20–41–12–20–30–21–30–33–10–20–22–21–10–41–1–0–21–10–41–32–12–21–11–31–1
Orlando 3–12–24–03–12–11–11–10–32–00–23–12–02–01–13–13–12–02–11–13–12–0–3–01–11–12–02–02–22–04–0
Philadelphia 2–10–41–32–21–30–20–22–11–12–02–22–01–12–02–23–01–10–40–24–01–10—3–1–12–02–01–12–20–24–0
Phoenix 2–00–21–10–20–21–32–12–03–11–21–14–01–33–10–22–02–11–11–21–14–01–11–1–2–23–11–32–02–22–0
Portland 1–11–11–12–00–20–32–22–01–21–22–03–12–24–02–02–04–02–02–22–03–11–10–22—2–3–03–12–02–22–0
Sacramento 0–20–20–20–20–21–31–30–22–20–30–23–11–32–20–20–23–10–21–31–11–20–20–21–30–3–0–30–20–40–2
San Antonio 2–01–12–02–00–22–21–21–14–02–22–04–01–24–01–10–24–02–02–21–12–20–21–13–11–33–0–1–13–02–0
Toronto 1–30–42–23–10–30–20–20–31–11–12–22–00–21–12–12–22–02–20–22–21–12–22–20–20–22–01–1—0–22–1
Utah 1–11–11–10–22–22–22–22–02–22–22–01–21–24–00–21–13–11–13–01–13–10–22–02–22–24–00–32–0—1–1
Washington 0–40–31–31–32–20–20–21–31–11–11–21–10–20–20–40–32–02–20–21–31–10–40–40–20–22–00–21–21–1—

Game log
2008–09 game log
Total: 62–20 (Home: 35–6; Road: 27–14)
October: 2–0 (Home: 2–0; Road: 0–0)
November: 14–2 (Home: 7–1; Road: 7–1)
December: 12–3 (Home: 8–0; Road: 4–3)
January: 11–4 (Home: 6–1; Road: 5–3)
February: 8–4 (Home: 2–2; Road: 6–2)
March: 9–6 (Home: 5–2; Road: 4–4)
April: 6–1 (Home: 5–0; Road: 1–1)
2008–09 season schedule

Playoffs

Game log
2009 playoff game log
First Round: 4–3 (Home: 3–1; Road: 1–2)
Conference Semifinals : 3–4 (Home: 2–2; Road: 1–2)
2009 playoff schedule

Player statistics
Legend
  GP Games played   GS  Games started  MPG  Minutes per game
 FG%  Field-goal percentage  3P%  3-point field-goal percentage  FT%  Free-throw percentage
 RPG  Rebounds per game  APG  Assists per game  SPG  Steals per game
 BPG  Blocks per game  PPG  Points per game Source: [32]

Regular season
NBA roster statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Ray Allen 797936.4.480.409.9523.52.80.870.1618.2
Tony Allen 46219.3.482.222.7252.31.41.170.507.8
Glen Davis 761621.5.442.400.7304.00.90.700.257.0
Kevin Garnett 575731.1.531.250.8418.52.51.111.1915.8
J. R. Giddens 601.3.667.000.0000.50.00.170.000.7
Eddie House 81018.3.445.444.7921.91.10.750.098.5
Stephon Marbury 23418.0.342.240.4621.23.30.430.133.8
Mikki Moore* 24019.0.600.000.7374.41.00.170.214.8
Patrick O'Bryant* 2604.2.516.000.6671.30.30.120.311.5
Kendrick Perkins 767629.6.577.000.6008.11.30.291.978.5
Paul Pierce 818137.5.457.391.8305.63.60.990.3320.5
Leon Powe 70717.5.524.000.6894.90.70.340.547.7
Gabe Pruitt 4707.8.307.292.8100.90.80.320.062.0
Rajon Rondo 808033.0.505.313.6425.28.21.860.1411.9
Michael Rapaport 39812.9.421.393.8891.30.50.180.263.5
Bill Walker 2907.4.621.000.6961.00.40.210.073.0

*Statistics with the Boston Celtics

Playoffs
NBA roster statistics
Player GP GS MPG FG% 3FG% FT% RPG APG SPG BPG PPG
Ray Allen 141440.4.403.350.9483.92.61.070.3618.3
Tony Allen 1006.0.500.0001.0000.90.30.200.000.9
Glen Davis 141436.4.491.000.7105.61.81.290.5715.8
Eddie House 14016.6.519.486.9091.40.90.790.007.7
Stephon Marbury 14011.9.303.2501.0000.91.80.070.003.7
Mikki Moore 1006.6.500.000.8331.50.40.200.501.5
Kendrick Perkins 141436.6.575.000.66711.61.40.432.6411.9
Paul Pierce 141439.7.430.333.8425.83.11.070.3621.0
Leon Powe 2012.0.429.000.6674.50.00.000.005.0
Gabe Pruitt 402.8.000.000.0000.00.50.000.250.0
Rajon Rondo 141441.2.417.250.6579.79.82.500.2116.9
Brian Scalabrine 12020.5.423.4481.0002.21.00.170.425.1
Bill Walker 402.5.000.0001.0000.00.00.500.000.5

Salaries
Player Salary
Kevin Garnett $24,751,934
Ray Allen $18,388,430
Paul Pierce $18,077,903
Kendrick Perkins $4,578,880
Brian Scalabrine $3,206,897
Eddie House $2,650,000
Tony Allen $2,500,000
Rajon Rondo $1,315,080
J.R. Giddens $957,120
Leon Powe $797,581
Glen Davis $711,517
Gabe Pruitt $711,517
Bill Walker $542,114

Awards, records and milestones

Awards

Week/Month
  • Head coach Doc Rivers was named Eastern Conference Coach of the Month for games played in October and November.[33][34]

All-Star

Season

Records

Milestones

Injuries and surgeries

Transactions

Trades
June 26, 2008
 To Boston Celtics
The 47th pick in the 2008 NBA draft (Bill Walker)		 To Washington Wizards
Cash considerations
February 17, 2009
To Boston Celtics
Conditional 2nd-round draft pick and cash considerations		 To Los Angeles Clippers
Sam Cassell[50]
February 19, 2009
To Boston Celtics
Conditional 2nd-round draft pick from Sacramento		 To Portland Trail Blazers
Patrick O'Bryant[51]

Free agents

References
  1. "Celtics Make It 19 Straight. Lakers Await". The New York Times. December 24, 2008.
  2. "Celtics vs. Jazz - Game Recap - February 19, 2009 - ESPN". ESPN.com. Retrieved June 14, 2019.
  3. Big 3 carry streaking Celtics to 13th straight win, Associated Press, December 11, 2008
  4. Celts now 27-2 after winning 19th straight game, Associated Press, December 23, 2008.
  5. Julian Benbow, Taking a shot with J.R., The Boston Globe, June 27, 2008.
  6. Mark Murphy, Danny Ainge again busy late, Boston Herald, June 27, 2008.
  7. Gary Parrish, K-State's Walker injures knee in draft workout Archived July 9, 2012, at Archive.today, CBSSports.com, June 16, 2008.
  8. Walker stays in draft, despite knee; UCLA's Mbah a Moute, too, ESPN.com, June 16, 2008.
  9. Marc J. Spears, Walker looking to trade in his run of bad luck, The Boston Globe, June 29, 2008.
  10. Marc J. Spears, Walker to have surgery, The Boston Globe, July 1, 2008.
  11. Steve Bulpett, Celts drafting offseason plan, Boston Herald, June 28, 2008.
  12. Chris Forsberg, Posey to opt out today, The Boston Globe, June 30, 2008.
  13. Marc J. Spears, Posey out; offer to Allen?, The Boston Globe, June 30, 2008.
  14. Marc J. Spears, Ainge braces for free agency, The Boston Globe, June 25, 2008.
  15. Marc J. Spears, Posey is Celtics' top target, The Boston Globe, July 1, 2008.
  16. Marc J. Spears, Might 'The Birdman' cometh?, The Boston Globe, June 29, 2008.
  17. Marc J. Spears, Posey officially on market, The Boston Globe, July 9, 2008.
  18. Marc J. Spears, Celtics get their 'big', The Boston Globe, July 12, 2008.
  19. Steve Bulpett, C's make big move, Boston Herald, July 12, 2008.
  20. Marc J. Spears, Posey bolts Celtics for Hornets, The Boston Globe, July 17, 2008.
  21. Marc Stein, Posey agrees to four-year deal with Hornets, ESPN.com, July 16, 2008.
  22. Frank Dell'Apa, Allen will be ready to jump in, The Boston Globe, July 24, 2008.
  23. Frank Dell'Apa, Celtics rebound, re-sign Allen, House, Boston Globe, July 22, 2008.
  24. Miles, thought to have career-ending injury, signs with Celtics, ESPN.com, August 22, 2008.
  25. Marc J. Spears, Celtics bring in Miles, The Boston Globe, August 22, 2008.
  26. Celtics sign Darius Miles, Boston Herald, August 22, 2008.
  27. Ian Thomsen, A onetime phenom, Miles trying for unprecedented comeback, Sports Illustrated, July 17, 2008.
  28. Marc Stein, Warriors want Williams, Miles wants in, Smith wants out, ESPN.com, July 19, 2008.
  29. Frank Dell'Apa, Repeat performance would suit Cassell, The Boston Globe, September 30, 2008.
  30. Gary Dzen, Celtics waive Miles, The Boston Globe, October 20, 2008.
  31. Berman, Marc (October 16, 2009). "Marbury rips Knicks, coach, says he'll sit out season". nypost.com.
  32. "Roster and Statistics". Basketball-Reference.
  33. Rivers, Jackson garner Coach of Month honors Archived December 5, 2008, at the Wayback Machine, NBA.com, December 1, 2008.
  34. Rivers Named NBA Eastern Conference Coach of the Month, Celtics.com, December 1, 2008.
  35. http://www.philstar.com/Article.aspx?articleId=442842&publicationSubCategoryId=200%5B%5D
  36. Celtics start slow, rebound to coast by Bucks, Associated Press, November 7, 2008.
  37. Frank Dell'Apa, The Truth hurts, The Boston Globe, November 11, 2008.
  38. Rondo's triple-double lifts Celts to 10th straight win, Associated Press, December 3, 2008.
  39. Celts bounce back from back-to-back losses with rout, Associated Press, December 28, 2008.
  40. James dazzles on both ends to prolong Celts' struggles, Associated Press, January 9, 2009.
  41. Pierce, Celtics beat Raptors in overtime, Associated Press, January 12, 2009.
  42. Garnett becomes youngest to reach 1,000 games, leads Celtics past Bulls, Associated Press, October 31, 2008.
  43. Frank Dell'Apa, Rondo's deal is extended, The Boston Globe, November 1, 2008.
  44. Allen's 35 helps Celts beat Pacers in OT, extend win streak, Associated Press, December 7, 2008.
  45. Wafer hits 3 to push Rockets past reeling Celtics, Associated Press, January 7, 2009.
  46. Career Leaders and Records for Points, Basketball-Reference
  47. Mark Murphy, Celtics Notebook: Giddens goes home; no offer for Maggette; Perkins surgery, Boston Herald, July 2, 2008.
  48. Monique Walker, Operation Green, The Boston Globe, July 3, 2008.
  49. Steve Bulpett, Pierce's knee OK, Boston Herald, July 12, 2008.
  50. http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/extras/celtics_blog/2009/02/ainge_confirms.html
  51. http://www.nba.com/celtics/news/press021909-obryant-trade.html
  52. "NBA.com: July 2008 Transactions". Archived from the original on July 10, 2009. Retrieved August 15, 2008.
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