Celtics are legit contenders

[Scarletfire81]

Still trying to figure out how this is a jinx thread. I said they are contenders, doesn’t mean they are going to finals. Just means they have a chance. They could get bounced in the second round, but they will be competitive, that’s all I’m saying.

[zeebneeb]

Celtics are not legit contenders. Unless the teams they play have a slew of injuries, they cannot beat the top teams in the league in a 7 game series.

To many holes.

[Scarletfire81]

Celtics are not legit contenders. Unless the teams they play have a slew of injuries, they cannot beat the top teams in the league in a 7 game series.

To many holes.

I mean they don’t have holes on defense, so I take it you mean offense?

[GSP]

We're the best team in the East keep sleeping!!!!

[RoyceDa59]

If say with a healthy Brown back in the line up Celtics are absolutely contenders.

They’re the only team in the East other than the Bucks who have had the same more of top players for 5+ years.

Sixers big 3 are new, Bulls are new, Heat are still somewhat new as a core.

Tatum Brown already have a couple deep playoff runs accomplished so they’ve tasted success & late rounds defeat and most likely are ready to go to the finals.

Only problem is this is the best East conference they’ve ever had to face.

[zeebneeb]

Celtics are not legit contenders. Unless the teams they play have a slew of injuries, they cannot beat the top teams in the league in a 7 game series.

To many holes.

I mean they don’t have holes on defense, so I take it you mean offense?

Essentially yes. The Celtics really lack a floor general that can dictate pace, and set players up when things get super tight in the playoffs.

Think Paul, Holiday, Irving, Lowery, Harden, Garland, Young, Ball, Curry, e.t.c.

That is a huge problem, and will only get magnified in the playoffs.

I also don't like the reliance on 35 year old Horford to play that many games, and minutes to even get to the finals.

The Celtics bench is also pretty brutal and if memory serves, it is bottom 5 in terms of scoring. The Celtics basically have two damn good players, +2 good players, surrounded by marginal players. The burden Tatum/Brown carry on offense is massive.

[Triple M]

lol, they cant beat bucks, 76ers, heat or the nets in a playoff series

bulls & celtics are pretenders

I'm sure Boston won't be favoured, but I like the chances. I think Philly fits my idea of a contender over the rest the best. The Celtics probably match up with the Sixers the best because they defend Embiid the best.

As for Chicago, I think they are legit when healthy. Remember when they were playing good defence with Ball and Curoso and top of the table. If they get healthy, I don't see why they can't beat Miami.

I don't see what separates Boston and Chicago completely in that group. If you want to give Philadelphia and Milwaukee a slight edge, I understand but do not completely exclude them.

[Scarletfire81]

Celtics are not legit contenders. Unless the teams they play have a slew of injuries, they cannot beat the top teams in the league in a 7 game series.

To many holes.

I mean they don’t have holes on defense, so I take it you mean offense?

Essentially yes. The Celtics really lack a floor general that can dictate pace, and set players up when things get super tight in the playoffs.

Think Paul, Holiday, Irving, Lowery, Harden, Garland, Young, Ball, Curry, e.t.c.

That is a huge problem, and will only get magnified in the playoffs.

I also don't like the reliance on 35 year old Horford to play that many games, and minutes to even get to the finals.

The Celtics bench is also pretty brutal and if memory serves, it is bottom 5 in terms of scoring. The Celtics basically have two damn good players, +2 good players, surrounded by marginal players. The burden Tatum/Brown carry on offense is massive.

Smart has actually been playing the best ball of his career. Derrick White, Grant Williams, & Pritchard is actually a decent bench. Grant Williams has one of the best 3pt percentages in the NBA. Seems like you haven’t even been paying attention and are just going off how they began the season. Keep in mind they weren’t fully healthy for awhile…

[Curmudgeon]

The Celtics go 9 deep: 3 bigs (R. Williams, Horford, Theis), 3 wings (Tatum, Brown, G. Williams), 3 guards (Smart,White Pritchard). There is no bad defender who can be hunted, and no bad offensive player who can be ignored. You can try to ignore Smart, but he's been playing pretty well. Alot of his misses come at the very end of the shot clock, so he's not as bad a shooter as some people think.

Their weakness is depth. If even one of those 9 guys is injured, the drop off is pretty significant. Nesmith can play a little, but after that it's G-leaguers.

[CelticSooner]

No one knows who will win the East. You may think you do but this is the most wide open as it’s been in a long time. Looking forward to some great basketball.

[ajones9219]

Celtics are not legit contenders. Unless the teams they play have a slew of injuries, they cannot beat the top teams in the league in a 7 game series.

To many holes.

I mean they don’t have holes on defense, so I take it you mean offense?

Essentially yes. The Celtics really lack a floor general that can dictate pace, and set players up when things get super tight in the playoffs.

Think Paul, Holiday, Irving, Lowery, Harden, Garland, Young, Ball, Curry, e.t.c.

That is a huge problem, and will only get magnified in the playoffs.

I also don't like the reliance on 35 year old Horford to play that many games, and minutes to even get to the finals.

The Celtics bench is also pretty brutal and if memory serves, it is bottom 5 in terms of scoring. The Celtics basically have two damn good players, +2 good players, surrounded by marginal players. The burden Tatum/Brown carry on offense is massive.

ah, so yeah. You don't watch the Celtics. Got it

[brettski]

Bucks fan and there are plenty of teams that I want nothing to do with in the playoffs (Boston is definitely one of them!).

That being said I don't feel like we have any choice. So many good teams that are about equal this year I really feel that who comes out of the first and second rounds is going to come right down to the match ups. There are gonna be a glut of teams within 2-3 wins of each other but may be really bad match ups for one another in the playoffs.

[Joshyjess]

Bucks fan and there are plenty of teams that I want nothing to do with in the playoffs (Boston is definitely one of them!).

That being said I don't feel like we have any choice. So many good teams that are about equal this year I really feel that who comes out of the first and second rounds is going to come right down to the match ups. There are gonna be a glut of teams within 2-3 wins of each other but may be really bad match ups for one another in the playoffs.

Exactly. I honestly see the East as wide open as I ever remember. I think there are four or five legit teams that could easily win it, as well as 2 or 3 others that could win it as well if they play to their highest level.
At this point to say that only 1 or 2 teams have a real chance, or to say that there aren't 6 or 7 teams that have a better than average chance is just not true.
So many series could easily go one way or the other depending on match-ups and health.
It's actually rather enjoyable not really knowing who will be in the finals.

[brettski]

Bucks fan and there are plenty of teams that I want nothing to do with in the playoffs (Boston is definitely one of them!).

That being said I don't feel like we have any choice. So many good teams that are about equal this year I really feel that who comes out of the first and second rounds is going to come right down to the match ups. There are gonna be a glut of teams within 2-3 wins of each other but may be really bad match ups for one another in the playoffs.

Exactly. I honestly see the East as wide open as I ever remember. I think there are four or five legit teams that could easily win it, as well as 2 or 3 others that could win it as well if they play to their highest level.
At this point to say that only 1 or 2 teams have a real chance, or to say that there aren't 6 or 7 teams that have a better than average chance is just not true.
So many series could easily go one way or the other depending on match-ups and health.
It's actually rather enjoyable not really knowing who will be in the finals.

The last few years the Bucks have had Detroit*2 and Miami in the first round of the playoffs. I think each of those series the average win margin was closer to 20. Then the second round was a rude awakening for them. I don't see ANY first round series looking like that. I mean if you're the #1 or #2 seed and there is a strong chance you're facing any of these teams are you feeling super confident?

- Full strength Brooklyn
- Full strength Atlanta
- Toronto (29-12 since new years)
- Charlotte (probably the weakest since new years)

[Pachinko_]

Too late it's jinxed now, you guys are ****

[Curmudgeon]

I think Miami is the clear favorite in the East. Then Milwaukee. And I wouldn't write off the Nets, who will be better with Dragic, Drummond and (eventually) Simmons.

The Celtics have a puncher's chance, especially if Tatum and Brown take care of the ball. Only two turnovers by Tatum and one by Brown today. Durant had 7 turnovers by himself.

[RB34]

While I’m well and truly on the train, I still think the C’s are a bench scorer away from being legit contenders.

[Pachinko_]

While I’m well and truly on the train, I still think the C’s are a bench scorer away from being legit contenders.

Yeah but pretty much everybody from 10 seed up can say the same. Legit bench scorers turn games around, everybody wants one, hard to find, even harder to fit in the cap.

[zeebneeb]

I mean they don’t have holes on defense, so I take it you mean offense?

Essentially yes. The Celtics really lack a floor general that can dictate pace, and set players up when things get super tight in the playoffs.

Think Paul, Holiday, Irving, Lowery, Harden, Garland, Young, Ball, Curry, e.t.c.

That is a huge problem, and will only get magnified in the playoffs.

I also don't like the reliance on 35 year old Horford to play that many games, and minutes to even get to the finals.

The Celtics bench is also pretty brutal and if memory serves, it is bottom 5 in terms of scoring. The Celtics basically have two damn good players, +2 good players, surrounded by marginal players. The burden Tatum/Brown carry on offense is massive.

ah, so yeah. You don't watch the Celtics. Got it

I was asked a question, and I gave a thoughtful answer. If you don't like the answer, try an actual rebuttal, instead of acting like a petulant child.

[Curmudgeon]

While I’m well and truly on the train, I still think the C’s are a bench scorer away from being legit contenders.

Yeah but pretty much everybody from 10 seed up can say the same. Legit bench scorers turn games around, everybody wants one, hard to find, even harder to fit in the cap.

Miami has the best one in the league, and he won't be due for a big extension until 2023-24. Right now he costs slightly over 1/2 of the MLE.