The Celtics often remind everyone they’ve never lost a postseason series with their true starting five of Rajon Rondo, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Kendrick Perkins.
And that lineup will remain undefeated.
Boston traded Perkins and Nate Robinson to Oklahoma City for Jeff Green and Nenad Krstic on Thursday. It was a stunning deadline deal that undoubtedly shakes up the Eastern Conference.
With Perkins gone, and Celtics rookie backup Semih Erden traded to Cleveland in a separate deal, the C’s are dangerously thin at center.
Despite Green’s unquestioned ability at small forward, C’s president Danny Ainge must know something nobody else does — like the health of Shaquille O’Neal and Jermaine O’Neal.
Both big men have spent ample time in street clothes, with the latter O’Neal sitting for the majority of the season.
The C’s were able to win with Shaq at center while Perkins was rehabbing, but that was before The Big Shamrock went down with the Achilles injury that he’s still recovering from.
The Celtics also traded Marquis Daniels to the Sacramento Kings for cash considerations.
The move opened up a third roster spot, with hopes of the free space being filled by proven vets who can address the team’s needs.
