The Celtics weren't happy about their departure from the postseason in Game 7 of the second round. The loss to Orlando didn't sit well with coach Doc Rivers, who believes the people above him in the organization need to get some things done.
"We clearly have to add to our team," Rivers said. "One regret -- the one thing I look back on this year, though you obviously can't predict injuries -- is that our real team has still not been beaten. It bothers me because now I don't know if we were good enough or not. That's the only thing -- not knowing. But I loved our team." Rivers then added, "But every team we competed against this year -- the ones at the top -- added to their team, and we didn't."
Director of basketball operations Danny Ainge might not agree with that. He thinks things could have been very different with a healthy Kevin Garnett. But he knows the team needs to be deeper behind its stars.
"Well, we definitely need to improve our front line," Ainge said.
Look for the Celtics to check out point guards and wing players as well.
"There are a lot of things I'm going to explore this summer," said Ainge. "But a lot of things are based on timing and who might be available at the right time.
"Right now we're taking a big look at the draft to see what might be there for us. We're checking to see if there are any players we might want to trade up for."
The Celtics currently hold just their second-round pick, 58th overall. Having finished with the third-best record in the NBA, they also had the 28th pick, but that has been sent to Minnesota as part of the Garnett trade.
"Overall, we've just got to get better," said Ainge. "We want to keep the nucleus together and see what we can do to improve our team."
SEASON HIGHLIGHT: The Celtics set a franchise record by winning 19 straight games between Nov. 15 and Dec. 23. The previous mark was 18, set in 1982. The wins were part of a 27-2 start that was also the best in Celtics history.
TURNING POINT: Feb. 19 in Salt Lake City. Kevin Garnett goes up to get a lob pass from Paul Pierce and comes down with a right knee strain that will allow him to play just four more games the rest of the season.
