Posted by Jessica Camerato

By Jessica Camerato
29 September 2008

At first glance this year’s Media Day was no different than the last for the Boston Celtics. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen sat at the podium and addressed a swarming herd of microphones and cameras in their training facility in Waltham. They talked about expectations, playing for a title, and the importance of staying hungry. The trio agreed there was a target on their backs.

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But then something different happened.

As Pierce and Allen answered questions, Garnett zoned out. He slowly turned his head and followed the championship banners around the gym. Then he stopped. Unlike last year, today there was a 17th banner proudly displayed in the building.

Soon the differences became more obvious.

Last season Pierce, Allen, and Garnett were giddy with the prospect of playing for a legitimate contender. After one disappointing year after another, the trio finally had a real shot to capture the trophy. This season the Big Three was all business when it came to the reality of what it takes to win it all … again. It wasn’t easy last postseason and the new-look Eastern Conference will pose challenges this year.

“You don’t get to a level and take steps backwards,” Garnett said.

Last season Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins were fish out of water starting alongside three All-Stars. Both players had spent their careers playing for a failed youth movement and neither had proven anything yet. This season the 20-somethings are just as instrumental to the team as any veteran. It is obvious that they embraced the focus and determination of their older teammates.

“It’s going to be tough for a third-year starting point guard. He doesn’t know much and he’s kind of inexperienced,” Rondo joked at his short career before turning serious. “I’m mature now. Each year as you get older you get more mature as a young person. I’m just learning a lot and I expect to get better this year.”

Last season veterans Eddie House, James Posey, and Scot Pollard came prepared to offer leadership and insight to the handful of young players. They were signed to fill in for the starters without missing a beat. This season relative unknowns like Patrick O’Bryant, J.R. Giddens, and Bill Walker came eager to impress the  championship-winners. Some of them have barely talked to their teammates, let alone figured out how to replace them off the bench.

“My first meeting [with KG] I saw him from afar,” first round draft pick Giddens said. “I tried not to look over in that direction. It’s like seeing that pretty girl you like. You know where she’s at in the room at all times.”

This season’s differences aside, there something about the Celtics that stays constant over the years.

“I feel like once you get a taste of it, you don’t want to let it go,” Pierce said of winning a championship.

There is always room for another banner in Boston.