Will Celtics break the East's 1st seed curse

[SFour]

I like to make this thread every season, seems like the curse is still going strong....Bucks losing in the 1st round last season was interesting .

Celtics look like they'll make it to the finals, rest of the East looks weak, and with Heat losing Butler the upset potential isn't there anymore...but who knows maybe the Knicks pull off a miracle.

2003 - #1 seed Pistons lose in ECF
2004 - #1 seed Pacers lose in ECF
2005 - #1 seed Heat lose in ECF
2006 - #1 seed Pistons lose in ECF
2007 - #1 seed Pistons lose in ECF
2008 - #1 seed Celtics win chip
2009 - #1 seed Cavaliers lose in ECF
2010 - #1 seed Cavaliers lose in 2nd round
2011 - #1 seed Bulls lose in ECF
2012 - #1 seed Bulls lose in 1st round
2013 - #1 seed Heat win chip
2014 - #1 seed Pacers loose in ECF
2015 - #1 seed Hawks lose in ECF
2016 - #1 seed Cavaliers win chip
2017 - #1 seed Celtics lose in ECF
2018 - #1 seed Raptors lose in 2nd round
2019 - #1 seed Bucks lose in ECF
2020 - #1 seed Bucks lose in 2nd round
2021 - #1 seed Sixers lose in 2nd round
2022 - #1 seed Heat lose in ECF
2023 - #1 seed Bucks lose in 1st round
2024 - #1 seed Celtics ???????

Source https://basketball.realgm.com/nba/playoffs/brackets

[jowglenn]

So what you're saying is... as long as they can make it to the finals, they'll win the chip?

[EmpireFalls]

Bron getting only 2 out of 6 one seeds from 2012-18 is embarrassing as hell in hindsight. I get there was the LeCoast thing but that’s crazy, with how weak the competition was.

On topic, Boston is a lock to win the East this year. A lock.

[SFour]

So what you're saying is... as long as they can make it to the finals, they'll win the chip?

According to the trend, yes. Making it to the finals is the easy part (unless the curse kicks in and Knicks do the unthinkable)...Celtics beating the Western team will be the real challenge.

[jkvonny]

Since 2000. A lot of #1 seed in the East were from the Central Division.

Indiana Pacers: 2000, 2004, 2014.

Detroit Pistons: 2003, 2006, 2007.

Cleveland Cavs: 2009, 2010, 2016.

Chicago Bulls: 2011, 2012.

Milwaukee Bucks: 2019, 2020, 2023.

[ChipotleWest]

Add them to the list when Porzingis comes up small.

[jkvonny]

So what you're saying is... as long as they can make it to the finals, they'll win the chip?

According to the trend, yes. Making it to the finals is the easy part (unless the curse kicks in and Knicks do the unthinkable)...Celtics beating the Western team will be the real challenge.

It was tuff luck for the early 2000s ECF winners.

2000 #1 seed Pacers (lost NBA Finals 4-2 to the Lakers)
2001 #1 seed Sixers (Lost NBA Finals 4-1 to defending champs Lakers)
2002 #1 seed Nets (Lost NBA Finals 4-0 to 2X defending champs Lakers)

Those damn Lakers.....

[Homer38]

Bron getting only 2 out of 6 one seeds from 2012-18 is embarrassing as hell in hindsight. I get there was the LeCoast thing but that’s crazy, with how weak the competition was.

On topic, Boston is a lock to win the East this year. A lock.

LBJ make 8 finals in a row in this period and he won 2 MVP and first team all-nba every year....so embarrassing

[YogurtProducer]

Bron getting only 2 out of 6 one seeds from 2012-18 is embarrassing as hell in hindsight. I get there was the LeCoast thing but that’s crazy, with how weak the competition was.

On topic, Boston is a lock to win the East this year. A lock.

LBJ make 8 finals in a row in this period and he won 2 MVP and first team all-nba every year....so embarrassing

The lengths people go to **** on bron is insane.

[Hatrick Ewing]

This is actually pretty crazy. Always thought of the NBA as a league where more often than not there is 1 dominant team coming out of every conference.

#thatsjustmyopinion
#imsohighrn

[EmpireFalls]

Bron getting only 2 out of 6 one seeds from 2012-18 is embarrassing as hell in hindsight. I get there was the LeCoast thing but that’s crazy, with how weak the competition was.

On topic, Boston is a lock to win the East this year. A lock.

LBJ make 8 finals in a row in this period and he won 2 MVP and first team all-nba every year....so embarrassing

The lengths people go to **** on bron is insane.

So the washed Celtics, the Roy Hibbert Pacers who were in free fall post ASB, the IT and Smart Celtics, and the DeRozan Lowry Raptors were just too tough over 82 games huh?

[YogurtProducer]

LBJ make 8 finals in a row in this period and he won 2 MVP and first team all-nba every year....so embarrassing

The lengths people go to **** on bron is insane.

So the washed Celtics, the Roy Hibbert Pacers who were in free fall post ASB, the IT and Smart Celtics, and the DeRozan Lowry Raptors were just too tough over 82 games huh?

Last time I checked - he beat them teams out west to win those rings

[cgf]

So what you're saying is... as long as they can make it to the finals, they'll win the chip?

According to the trend, yes. Making it to the finals is the easy part (unless the curse kicks in and Knicks do the unthinkable)...Celtics beating the Western team will be the real challenge.

*...Knicks do the improbable)

[Handlez]

No one can beat them.

Boston is a legitimate super team.

Just too talented.

[cgf]

Boston's just lucky New York didn't have OG all season or they'd be the 2 seed

[GrandTheftRondo]

Boston's just lucky New York didn't have OG all season or they'd be the 2 seed

Delusional

[SweaterBae]

Boston's just lucky New York didn't have OG all season or they'd be the 2 seed

All 40 games he would have played. *yawn*

[cgf]

Boston's just lucky New York didn't have OG all season or they'd be the 2 seed

Delusional

It’s just math

E:
In case it wasn't clear, my tongue was firmly in my cheek. Just a joke about our 20-3 record with OG pacing for a 71 win season.

[Myth]

I would be surprised if they don’t make the Finals. Easiest path in the East in years and the Celtics were far superior all season. Bucks are probably the biggest threat, but both Lillard and Giannis have had recent injury concerns plus they haven’t been the same since getting Doc. Embiid’s return feels too recent. I think Heat are toast without Butler. Knicks are the only 50 win team besides the Celtics, but they are banged up too and missing key starters. Only way Celtics lose is if they mentally can’t handle some push back from inferior teams, but they are experienced enough that it would be pretty embarrassing to have such a mental collapse.

[shi-woo]

Yeah it's looking like it now with Embiid, Giannis, and now Jimmy all hurt. Those 3 players and their teams have been the Top of the East along with the Celtics since 2017 it seems. Strait battles year in and year out. Celtic's won't take their foots of their throats knowing they're wounded.

New York is still getting slept on though. They have the defense, and even though they are still a new Eastern contender, their guys have all been playing together for years, and in big games too. OG obviously played for that Raps team, you have the Nova trio who love playing together, and a bunch of other solid veterans who are ready to play their part.

I don't think they'll do it, but wouldn't consider it a massive upset all things considered. I would expect the Knicks to play solid at home, and it would come down to if they could steal one on the road. If they can, it's a series and they have a chance. If not, Celtics eat good waiting for Denver/LA/DAL

Don't under rate this Knicks team yall, they replacing the Heat in the Top 4 Eastern contenders from here on out