"When the credits finally rolled on the small soap opera that was Doc Rivers's offseason decision to return as Celtics coach, he was faced with tending to business. One of the team's top priorities was adding reinforcements.

If last season taught Rivers anything, it was that the Celtics need as many bodies as possible to get through the regular season. At one point or another, every member of the starting five went down with an injury; backups became starters, intended rotations became pipe dreams. The Celtics managed to win 50 games even though they essentially rested key players in the final weeks of the season.

This season is only a month old, and they're finding themselves in the same position. Jermaine O'Neal hasn't played in more than two weeks. Rajon Rondo just returned from a strained hamstring, playing at less than 100 percent Friday night against the Raptors. Delonte West is out indefinitely with a broken wrist."