The Boston Celtics have opened the season undefeated.  They have utilized a much improved bench, super hot shooting, and suffocating defense to win there first five contests.  None of the Celtics oppenents have cracked 100 points and only the Chicago Bulls scored 90.  The Cleveland Cavaliers scored only 89, the New Orleans Hornets managed only 87, the Charlotte Bobcats 59 (Yes read that again in 48 minutes, and with a 24 second shot clock, an NBA team only scored 59 points), and last night the Philadelpha 76ers scored 74 points.

At the start of the season Coach Doc Rivers and Rasheed Wallace both said this team had a chance to be the greatest defensive team ever.  Coach Rivers even used the 1986 Super Bowl Champion Chicago Bears for an analogy.  

What makes the Celtics defense so special? 

First, it is the schemes created by Coach Tom Thibodeau.  He has the players convinced that his game plan and in game adjustments will work, and that they have the best system in place to stop all comers.  Coach Thibodeau ensures, before every game, the players are thoroughly briefed on the upcoming opponent and that they know every tendency.  During the game Coach Thibodeau adjusts the defensive rotations based on the flow of the game and who is shooting well for the other team.     

Second, the team has committed to playing defense.  Before the addition of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen, Paul Pierce was never a force on the defensive end.  Now he rebounds fiercely, aggressively defends his man, and is becoming more and more adept at rotating in help defense.  Ray Allen never played defense before coming to Boston.  This commitment comes from a mindset created by Garnett and Coach Rivers.  Each has instilled in the team a desire to play defense and an urgency on that end of the floor.  They know, in order to win; they must play great defense.  

Third, the Celtics length.  KG, Rasheed Wallace, Kendrick Perkins and Sheldon Williams are all long, active and mobile frontcourt defenders.  Each are superb at swatting away shots, but are also physical post defenders who can be left one-on-one with most post players.  This allows the Celtics to not have to double team the post and lock down opponents perimeter threats.  Also, KG and Wallace are outstanding communicators.  They direct the defense and ensure everyone is where they should in every situation.

Fourh, is the outstanding ball pressure by Rajon Rondo.  He earns his new contract every night getting inside the jerseys of the Leagues top Point Guards.  His ability to make the opposition waist valuable seconds from the shot clock just to get in position to start an offensive set allows the defense to really lock-in every possession.  Rondo gets his fair share of steals and deflections but his best attribute is that his pestering defense makes the other team uncomfortable and out of rhythm.

The Celtics defense is tough, physical and very aggressive.  They try to create turnovers and force the opposition into taking bad shots.  As long as everyone continues to put forth effort and focus this defense will have a chance to go down as one of the best ever.