National Basketball Association

Big Three are on rim of all-time greatness

Published May. 31, 2010 8:19 p.m. ET

foxsports

Times were even tougher for Allen, a classic jump shooter who piled up big numbers and early vacations while working in Milwaukee and Seattle. Over those 12 seasons, Allen reached the postseason a whopping four times, suiting up for (like the pre-Big Three Pierce) 37 playoff games.

Together, Pierce, Garnett and Allen have powered the Celtics through enough postseason tip-offs to satisfy fans in most normal NBA cities. With at least four more games to go this season, Pierce has played in 57 playoff games the last three seasons, 20 more than he worked previously.

Allen has played in the same 57 games, with the same 20-game difference, while Garnett, who missed the 2009 playoffs with a knee injury, has been in 42. That's just five shy of the number he posted over eight quick playoff appearances in Minnesota.

So it has taken the Big Three considerable time, effort and hardship to climb the mountain of Celtics history. This journey probably makes the end result feel even sweeter. The expectation of Boston fans may accelerate the pressure, but there's always pressure at this level of competitive sports. If anything, the scrutiny of Celtics fans makes the players and coaches more accountable.

Being accountable certainly comes in handy when you're preaching team defense ... and using it as a means to defeat Bryant, the dreaded Lakers and the threat of not attaining Celtics relevance.