All be the first to admit that this blog’s coverage of the Celtics has been slacking this year – sure the Patriots kept us entertained for longer than expected, but it’s simply that much more difficult to write with any sort of vigor about a team that I don’t feel has any chance of winning a championship. Apparently Jeff Van Gundy agrees with me (no I’m not bragging about this), as he stated on-air yesterday that the Celtics would “need everything to go incredibly right, including major injuries to multiple other teams” in order to put a championship run together. That said, I watched more of yesterday’s Celtics-Bulls game than just about any other C’s game I’ve watched this season. This game confirmed two points I’ve been hammering home all year:

1) The Boston Celtics aren’t good enough – Sure, the Celtics got what many are calling a “signature” win yesterday, 95-91 over the Bulls. But the Bulls were without reigning NBA MVP Derrick Rose, and there’s no question that with Rose this game isn’t a victory; hell it’s not even close. The Bulls aren’t even the cream or the crop in the NBA this year, and we can’t contend with them if they are healthy. Your move Danny Ainge.

2) Rajon Rondo is a baller – There’s no one on the planet more sick of the Derrick Rose hype than Rajon Rondo. I’m the first to admit that Rose is a better player, and anyone that tells you otherwise is a fool. But that said, Rondo is still underappreciated. Sure, everyone knocks him for his shooting, which I agree is unacceptably bad. But his quickness and ability to finish around the basket are on par with Rose, and his passing is even better than Rose’s. Yesterday’s triple-double (the 9th of his career) was a perfect example – 30 points, 15 assists, and 10 boards with Derrick Rose watching from the front row.

I’m sick of hearing all the “trade Rondo, you’ll get something for him” noise coming out of Boston. Hell with that, trade the rest of the big three. You might not get as much in return, but all three of those guys can help a team that’s close win an NBA championship. Keep Rondo, bring in Dwight? It won’t happen, but let’s at least talk logically. Why would you trade the best young player on your team?