Insider Special: Best and Worst ~ Celtics

[Weez]

Best Case Scenario

The Celtics will secure home-court advantage for the first round in the East playoffs if the following three things happen.

1. The Celtics do what they say, and run. Playing up-tempo will get the Celtics better shot selection and hopefully move Antoine Walker closer to the hoop and away from the 3-point line. The ball will still be in the hands of Walker and Paul Pierce, even though the Celtics drafted Marcus Banks and brought in free agent Mike James to play the point. Banks and James are there to get Pierce and Walker as many easy buckets on the break as possible.

2. Get something, anything from Vin Baker. The transformation is pretty remarkable, really. Last season, Vin Baker could barely get off the floor. This preseason, he's leaping in the lane like the kid who quietly became an All-Star in Milwaukee. With Tony Battie's problematic right knee, Baker's contributions will be even more important to Boston's hopes of returning to the East's elite.

3. Get back to Coach O'Brien's basics. Jim O'Brien got the Celtics to do what Rick Pitino couldn't: get them to play defense (with help from defensive guru [censored] Harter). And they made a surprising run to the 2002 East finals because of the improved team D. If the C's can reestablish that commitment, they can separate themselves from the morass of mediocrity in the East.

Worst Case Scenario

Pierce and Walker should be enough to get the Celtics into the postseason. But it'll be one round and out if these three things happen.

1. Tony Delk starts. If Tony Delk remains in the lineup as the starting point guard, then two things have occurred: 1) Banks isn't ready to run the offense and 2) James, despite his splendid training camp, didn't pan out. It would behoove the Celtics to bring Delk off the bench or play him at shooting guard, a position even he admitted makes him feel more comfortable.

2. Wal-tah keeps getting Tommy points. Yeah, yeah, Tommy Heinsohn loves Walter McCarty. But if the Celtics' broadcaster is raving about him, that means the team is getting nothing at small forward from Brown or Jumaine Jones. The C's are better off with McCarty being the fan favorite.

3. The stopping and popping doesn't stop. The Fleet Center faithful still groan when Walker passes up the drive for one of his 600 threes he's averaged the past three years. And his ability to hit from long range has gotten worse, dropping from .367 to .344 to .323. (Pierce shot just .302 on threes last season, by the way.) In theory, the plan to get out and run, and a physically fit Walker -- thanks to an offseason with MJ's trainer -- should put an end to the mindless gunning. But let's wait and see.

Joe Lago is the NBA editor at ESPN.com.