Point Guard: Kenny Anderson wasn’t a Celtic for all that long and he never hit the potential one expected of him coming out of Georgia Tech, but his role as facilitator of that 2002 Celtics squad was instrumental in their run to the Eastern Conference Finals. Like Rondo, Anderson was never known for the range on his jumpshot, but Kenny was able to keep defenses honest and open up the offense for O’Brien’s shooters on the wings.

Shooting Guard: Not a lot of great choices here… Wally Szczerbiak, Tony Allen, and Delonte West all end up with honorable mention status as the prize goes to Tyree Ricardo Davis. Lovingly referred to as “Ricky D” by my sister in law, Ricky was a mercurial talent who had a penchant for shooting again and again, often without abandon. Yet, when focused Ricky Davis was as good of a complement as Paul Pierce had in the pre-2008 days as any other player. Davis could handle the ball, defend, and distribute the ball, but again the emphasis is on “could.” Unfortunately Ricky was also a malignant source in the locker room, forced Jim O’Brien to resign, and likely gave Doc Rivers enough heartburn that Wally Szczerbiak became a reasonable alternative.

Small Forward: This is likely the toughest of all choices for the second team. Between Eric Williams and James Posey you have a pair of tough as nails defenders who succeeded off of their guile and grit rather than athletic prowess. The nod here goes to the Prince of Newark. Posey’s  defensive abilities were probably hyped to a much greater degree than reality indicated, but he was a leader for the 2008 Celtics reserves that was desperately missing in 2009. Eric Williams completed a handful of stints as a Celtic, but his role as the defensive wing stopper opposite Pierce in 2002 was key to their success. Adding a three point threat to his inside post moves, made the 6-8 Williams a handful for undersized small forwards.

Power Forward: Antoine Walker gets the nod here. Toine is the single most frustrating athlete of my lifetime, so he had to have earned his spot here to get a look from me. Walker entered the league on one of the worst teams in NBA history as they made a valiant attempt to get Tim Duncan in the draft, but once again the Celtics were on the wrong side of luck. Still, the C’s drafted Chauncey Billups, Walker’s former Kentucky teammate, Ron Mercer, and then Paul Pierce the following year; things should have been looking up for the Celtics were it not for Rick Pitino. Yet, regardless of Pitino’s inability to build a winner in the NBA, Walker let his conditioning and focus slide and ruined what might have been a near limitless future as an NBA superstar. Instead it was Pierce’s arrival on the NBA scene that pushed the Celtics to the fore in 2002 and with Antoine as his wingman, the two led the Celtics to suprising success not long after Pitino’s farewell press conference to be…

Center: Al Jefferson was my binky. I wanted nothing more than to see Big Al succeed as a Celtic and lead the team back to glory with Paul Pierce. Jefferson’s bevy of low post moves, shot blocking prowess, and improved ability to draw charges on the defensive end helped bring about the aforementioned glory… only not on the terms I had suspected. Without Al Jefferson, there is no Kevin Garnett in Boston. Big Al struggled through a series of injuries that set back the former Mississippi high school star from his development as a player, but Jefferson persevered and finished the 2007 season with 16 ppg., 11 rpg., and 1.5 bpg. Truly the makings of an all star career… only those all star appearences would come in Minnesota.

Bench Slot #1: While many many guards ran through Boston as Danny Ainge attempted to find the right fit as the team's point guard only one has left many Celtics fans longing for his return. Some may say this has more to do with being one of the funniest players ever to play in the NBA, but I like to think it has more to do with his smooth stroke from long range and the ferocity with which he attacked nearly every possession. Delonte West isn't going to make anyone forget Bob Cousy, or even Dennis Johnson, but his intensity and fearless abandon made many Celtics games during some very bad seasons a whole lot more enjoyable. Though it is unfortunate his success now in the NBA usually comes at the Celtics' expense, being a member of the rival Cavaliers, most fans respect Delonte for what he did for the city and the team. It should also go without saying that Delonte's battle with his personal demons is of much more concern as he tries to get his life back on track as the decade ends. Let us all hope Delonte finds some peace in 2010.

Bench Slot #2: A lot of short timers in the running for this spot with James Posey, Rasheed Wallace, Rodney Rogers, Leon Powe, and Glen Davis in the mix for the final spot. As much as I hate to say it, I have to give the nod to Glen Davis. Big Baby came to Boston much like the player he is now, some two and a half years ago. A rotund ball of energy whose girth gives even the biggest of big men trouble in jostling from the low block, and a emotionally immature player who has actually cried as a result of KG's scorn and missed two months of action due to an off the court fist fight. Yet, Davis has such strong physical gifts it would be difficult to ignore his role as a key contributor for the Celtics after Kevin Garnett went down last season. Davis' ever improving jumpshot had grown by such leaps and bounds over the 2009 season that was once reviled by CSL hosts and callers alike became cause for celebration after the game winner against the Magic in Orlando during the playoffs. Such is the mercurial nature of Big Baby.

Check back with me tomorrow as we roll out first team honors and the individual awards including the coveted Celtics Stuff Live Player of the Decade.