Maybe I have become to much of an optimist, perhaps I am taking my "Keep It Positive 07" montra a little to far or maybe I am just flat out derranged but I really think the Boston Celtics at 12-27 entering tonights game against the San Antonio Spurs who they have not beaten since Tim Duncan was playing for Wake Forest, are in a wonderful position for the future. Between Paul Pierce, Wally Szcerbiak, Tony Allen, Brian Scalabrine and Delonte West who returned this past weekend missing extended time with injuries the team has fallen fast in the standings. But with the increased playing time and production from Ryan Gomes, Rajon Rondo, Gerald Green and Al Jefferson the Celtics youth is getting plenty of game experience.

Then there is this years draft which promises to be one of the best we have seen in sometime headlined by big men Greg Oden from Ohio State and Kevin Durant from Texas. Now there is a long way to go in this season and Captain Pierce will be back at some point but if the Celtics can continue to develop their youth and get one of these bigs they are going to be a team on the rise in 07-08. Many speculated that unless Danny AInge A) Makes a deal to bring in a veteran BIG and B) Fires Doc Rivers that his days in Boston may be numbered. I strongly disagree. I am very hot and cold on Coach Rivers. I have called for his head in the past and I have given him the benefit of the doubt in the past. He does have a very challenging job in terms of developing all of the young talent as he has 4 players who did not go to college on his roster, a roster that has undergone a major overhaul over the last couple of seasons. Ainge has publicly said Rivers will not be dismissed this season and I think that is the right move on Danny's part. Doc really does like the team and while his in game management has been questioned appropriately I feel he is doing a solid job of developing the younger players. I also must give him a lot of credit for the emmergence of Tony Allen before Tony went down for the season. He believed in Tony after his slow start and placed him in the starting lineup next to Pierce before Paul went down. Allen flourished and his injury clearly shook up Doc and the rest of the green. That shows how close these guys have become. This is a close knit team that is growing and developing together.

We are not positive what the future will hold for the Green but these young Celtics are battling each and every night. If Red can assist us with some luck with the ping pong balls this spring, Tony Allen can recover and our youth can continue at its current pase then the Green, the Garden and Celtic Pride will be in good shape for years to come. Stayin Positive in 07.