They also were first in the league in opponent turnover rate and in three-point percentage defense.

The defensive philosophy isn't that complicated. Within the framework of the NBA's rule regarding excessive lane loitering, the Celtics' weak-side defenders cheat over to the middle early and often. With Allen and Pierce doing a much better job of on-ball defense than anyone anticipated, Bryant and LeBron James were coaxed to drive into crowded help areas. The viability of kick-outs was minimized by smart and swift rotations that can happen when teams work on this stuff in camp (right, Mike D'Antoni?)

Anyway, with an entire offseason to watch video and ponder attack methods, NBA coaches may go at Boston with skip passes and back screens to pin the recovering help-side defender as he attempts to close-out the shooter. It seems rather elementary, but we really didn't see that flair screen and skip pass during last year's playoffs.

OK, so that handles a few possessions. Thibodeau and head coach Doc Rivers certainly will make immediate adjustments if that becomes a problem. A way to exploit Boston's style of defense (often referred to as Pack Line in high school and college) for the long term is to adopt a drive-and-kick philosophy that's all the rage at basketball's lower levels.

With the world's best dribble-penetration practitioners working in the NBA and league rules that prevent defenders from mugging ballhandlers, this seems like a natural evolution. Although the Cs did well defending the ball last season, it was easier for Rondo and Pierce to prevent dribble penetration because help-side commitments limited the attack options of the players they were guarding. A complete spread-offense philosophy and drive-kick tactics make it much more difficult for help defenders to be factors.

But NBA coaches, who often micromanage possessions, would have to advocate exaggerated spacing and trust role players to optimize the subsequent open looks.

Isolation and screen-roll — the staples of NBA offense — have difficulty thriving against a defense as compacted and faithful to structure as Boston's. Until their opponents break free from the offensive tyranny of set plays, the best bet is to station the player Garnett is guarding above the free-throw line extended.

That would, at least, limit the Celtics' longest and most active help-side defender in his efforts to patrol the lane.

And it just might save Boston the trouble of planning another parade.