Paul Pierce believes that when healthy, the Celtics are the team to beat in the NBA.

"Before the season even started last year, I was asked, 'What is going to stop y'all from winning it all?' " Pierce told Yahoo! Sports. "The first thing I said was, 'If we're healthy, we're going to win it all.' And I'm going to say it again: 'If we are healthy, we are going to win it all.'

"I honestly believe that. I think we're the best team in the NBA, healthy."

Kevin Garnett missed 25 games last season, including the playoffs, because of a knee injury that required offseason surgery.