Finally, this is the year for Celtics

[TinmanZBoy]

Not only they are the best team in regular season by a mile…. They are also relatively healthier than other teams…. This is their year

[UcanUwill]

I still trust Denver more, still think Boston will have it harder in the East than how it's being painted for them.

[HoopsterJones]

This may be their best opportunity at a championship for the Celtics with this core. Next year or the year after are not guaranteed to be this healthy or playing at this high of level.

[The-Stallion70]

It really is theirs to lose this year.

When Tatum got hurt in the game 7 against against Miami last year and couldn't handle the offensive load any more and the C's found out that Jaylen Brown couldn't carry them in Tatum's absence, they went out and addressed the need for a guy who can create shots in the halfcourt and got KP while also addressing the need for interior defense.

I still can't believe they went and replaced Smart with Jrue Holiday, a guy who's almost as good as a defender and is a better overall player anyway.

"Oh we lost the heart of the team"

Yea but you replaced him with another all star so..

[Charlesareed]

If they don’t win it all this season then it’s time to trade Jaylen brown

[Special_Puppy]

I still trust Denver more, still think Boston will have it harder in the East than how it's being painted for them.

Their path is easy compared to the Nuggets.

[OfficialRef]

They have probably the easiest path to the finals I've ever seen. Going up against fodder teams and teams riddled with injuries is pretty much a guarantee only one series in their run is the only thing they have to prepare for...

[NY2k1]

They have probably the easiest path to the finals I've ever seen. Going up against fodder teams and teams riddled with injuries is pretty much a guarantee only one series in their run is the only thing they have to prepare for...

The Knicks with a healthy Julius Randle would have given them a run for their money. As it stands, they still potentially might, but not having that 2nd star opposite Brunson to take the scoring load off of will likely be the main difference maker if a Knicks/Celtics ECF happens.

[tamaraw08]

They have probably the easiest path to the finals I've ever seen. Going up against fodder teams and teams riddled with injuries is pretty much a guarantee only one series in their run is the only thing they have to prepare for...

Not probably..Absolutely Easiest path is o the finals.
Bucks and Heat have been bad even before the injuries of their best player, and what other teams post a threat? Knicks, Cavs? Pacers?
Maybe Sixers? If Embiid don’t go soft when it matters most.

[ReddoverKobe]

It really is theirs to lose this year.

When Tatum got hurt in the game 7 against against Miami last year and couldn't handle the offensive load any more and the C's found out that Jaylen Brown couldn't carry them in Tatum's absence, they went out and addressed the need for a guy who can create shots in the halfcourt and got KP while also addressing the need for interior defense.

I still can't believe they went and replaced Smart with Jrue Holiday, a guy who's almost as good as a defender and is a better overall player anyway.

"Oh we lost the heart of the team"

Yea but you replaced him with another all star so..

Jrue is a much better defender.

[GiannisAnte34]

the Celtics really should at a minimum make the Finals, the East is in shambles while they remain healthy

[mpoo_sin]

Not only they are the best team in regular season by a mile…. They are also relatively healthier than other teams…. This is their year

Best record does not equal best team!
Boston was feasting in the east while DEN DAL and OKC had to grind it out in the West.

[LeBronSpaghetti]

They have perhaps the easiest path to the finals of any team in NBA history. Especially so now that Jimmy is out.

[Harry Garris]

They have perhaps the easiest path to the finals of any team in NBA history. Especially so now that Jimmy is out.

I think you're underrating how bad the eastern conference was in the early 2000s. I mean yeah the east this year is filled with a bunch of mediocre teams, but it's nothing like it was 20 years ago.

[Fantaxp7]

It really is theirs to lose this year.

When Tatum got hurt in the game 7 against against Miami last year and couldn't handle the offensive load any more and the C's found out that Jaylen Brown couldn't carry them in Tatum's absence, they went out and addressed the need for a guy who can create shots in the halfcourt and got KP while also addressing the need for interior defense.

I still can't believe they went and replaced Smart with Jrue Holiday, a guy who's almost as good as a defender and is a better overall player anyway.

"Oh we lost the heart of the team"

Yea but you replaced him with another all star so..

Jrue is a much better defender.

It's so weird and great having had both players. I'll say this, Smart's peak defense was greater, but that was a couple of years ago. Jrue's defense is fantastic but what I prefer about him over Smart is that he is more consistent and on both sides of the floor. Smart would have a game or two with great highlight defensive plays then sorta back off a bit....same with his offense...more off days with his offense lol.

I think we'd have a similar record this year with Smart if he was healthy but I still prefer Jrue for the consistency.

I thought about this the other day, there hasn't been a game this year where I thought "If Smart were still on this team...". Not a knock on Smart or anything just kinda crazy how well Jrue filled his spot so well.

[durden_tyler]

They have probably the easiest path to the finals I've ever seen. Going up against fodder teams and teams riddled with injuries is pretty much a guarantee only one series in their run is the only thing they have to prepare for...

Almost always the case playing in the East.

[LeBronSpaghetti]

They have perhaps the easiest path to the finals of any team in NBA history. Especially so now that Jimmy is out.

I think you're underrating how bad the eastern conference was in the early 2000s. I mean yeah the east this year is filled with a bunch of mediocre teams, but it's nothing like it was 20 years ago.

Perhaps. But with Butler, Giannis, and Randle out, that’s literally taking away the best or second best player on the three teams that could’ve potentially challenged the Celtics. I wouldn’t be surprised if they went into the finals with only one or two losses.

[The-Stallion70]

It really is theirs to lose this year.

When Tatum got hurt in the game 7 against against Miami last year and couldn't handle the offensive load any more and the C's found out that Jaylen Brown couldn't carry them in Tatum's absence, they went out and addressed the need for a guy who can create shots in the halfcourt and got KP while also addressing the need for interior defense.

I still can't believe they went and replaced Smart with Jrue Holiday, a guy who's almost as good as a defender and is a better overall player anyway.

"Oh we lost the heart of the team"

Yea but you replaced him with another all star so..

Jrue is a much better defender.

Jrue is not guarding Embiid in the playoffs any time soon.

[Rendei]

They definitely have the best team, but the playoffs are a grind. If they can avoid injuries during their run then I'd expect them to win it. That's a big "if" though. They'll probably have to deal with the Heat in round 1.

[Frank Dux]

It would be a pretty disastrous result if they don’t win it all this year. They should be able to sweep their way through the East with all those injuries.