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Ray Allen served himself, and in doing so has also served the Celtics. While his nominal replacement, Jason Terry, is only two years younger, Allen’s departure also encouraged Danny Ainge to acquire Courtney Lee. Lee is in entering the prime (turning 28 during training camp) of his career. With the infusion of new blood in the form of Lee, Green, and four rookies on board, Celtics’ fans may finally feel like the changing of the guard, both literal and figurative, has begun.

Dateline: September 4, 2012––26 days until the start of training camp!

There is still a leavening dose of seasoned vets. Dooling returns, and Terry and Jason Collins have had their over-thirty experience added. Still, in balance, the roster has taken a decided turn toward youth. Of the players almost certain to receive the bulk of the minutes, six of the nine are not the mid-thirties warriors on which the Celtics have relied in recent years. In January of this past year, those numbers were reversed with only three of the top nine in their prime or younger. If Jared Sullinger can carve out playing time, then the likely 10-man rotation will feature some lively legs at every position.

This is a welcome development for anyone whose heart has caught in their throat with every player slow to get up after a collision, who sighed with resignation as our grizzled vets drag ever more slowly up and down the court as the game wears on, and watched the Celtics with hands on knees tugging their shorts while awaiting a free throw. Perhaps this is the season when energy becomes an asset rather than the liability of an empty tank.

The flip side of this equation is that the aging stars might be able to be rationed out so as to maximize their contributions. Fatigue is so debilitating in so many ways, some obvious, many others far from apparent. We can only hope that this year not only will the spirit be willing but the body will be able.