Do the Celtics have a good chance of making the 2018 Finals?

[Drax]

I want to point one thing out that is quite funny. Last year folks arround these boards called the Celtics to small and all the rebounding issues, no big man depth. This offseason the smallest player the Celtics added is a 6'6 2nd round pick, and they have potentially added 9 new players. Sure there was no major big man aquisition, but the Cs want to play small ball anyways.

I want to see the eastern conference teams handle all the Celtics wings, i don't see a team matching up in that size department.
6'6 Crowder, 6'7 Brown, 6'8 Tatum, 6'8 Hayward, 6'9 Morris and the youngsters on the back end of the bench 6'6 Nader, 6'7 Ojeleye, 6'8 Yabusele or 6'9 Theis.

Besides Thomas and the center position they have serious size, across the board. And i don't see those dominant traditional big men in the east.

[Cosmic_Backlash]

I want to see the eastern conference teams handle all the Celtics wings, i don't see a team matching up in that size department.
6'6 Crowder, 6'7 Brown, 6'8 Tatum, 6'8 Hayward, 6'9 Morris and the youngsters on the back end of the bench 6'6 Nader, 6'7 Ojeleye, 6'8 Yabusele or 6'9 Theis.

Besides Thomas and the center position they have serious size, across the board. And i don't see those dominant traditional big men in the east.

I don't want to break your heart, but almost everyone from SG, SF, and PF are between 6'6" and 6'9". Your collection of small forwards isn't terribly special in size.

[GWVan]

Brought to you by people who put their money on this:

ODDS TO WIN THE 2017-18 EASTERN CONFERENCE (6/1/18)

Cleveland Cavaliers 5/7
Boston Celtics 11/4
Washington Wizards 10/1
Toronto Raptors 14/1
Milwaukee Bucks 14/1
Philadelphia 76ers 25/1
Orlando Magic 33/1
Miami Heat 40/1
New York Knicks 50/1
Detroit Pistons 50/1
Charlotte Hornets 50/1
Indiana Pacers 66/1
Atlanta Hawks 80/1
Chicago Bulls 100/1
Brooklyn Nets 250/1

For those of you so sure of the Raptors and the Bucks, 14-1 is a mighty fine return, you should get some of that.

[Higgs Boston]

That list is hilarious. Phila and Orlando over Miami.

[Froob]

It won't happen. It's Warriors vs Cavaliers again.

Yup. I wouldn't bet against the king next season unless we are getting another major piece.

Is Kyrie Irving still being guarded by Isiah Thomas with no Avery Bradley? Then no--the Celtics will not be winning the series.

Kyrie tore up Bradley..

[The_Hater]

Is Kyrie Irving still being guarded by Isiah Thomas with no Avery Bradley? Then no--the Celtics will not be winning the series.

Kyrie tore up Bradley..

In what universe are the Celtics using Thomas to defend Irving anyways? Did Brad Stevens get sick of all,the accolades and decide to become a terrible coach?

[Froob]

Is Kyrie Irving still being guarded by Isiah Thomas with no Avery Bradley? Then no--the Celtics will not be winning the series.

Kyrie tore up Bradley..

In what universe are the Celtics using Thomas to defend Irving anyways? Did Brad Stevens get sick of all,the accolades and decide to become a terrible coach?

If Lillard was our point guard instead, nobody would talk about his defense being a major problem lol. IT was a bit overrated and now he's been criticized so much, he's now underrated.

[Higgs Boston]

Lillard defense is better than thomas's easily, just for height. Any PG/SG can pass or shoot over thomas without any problem.

[Drax]

I don't want to break your heart, but almost everyone from SG, SF, and PF are between 6'6" and 6'9". Your collection of small forwards isn't terribly special in size.

Oh you don't break my heart, but this one liner doesn't really scream lets have a conversation. So on the size topic who in the east can go 6/7 man deep into his depth chart with quality wings? Would you mind elaborate, why it is not special?

[Cosmic_Backlash]

Oh you don't break my heart, but this one liner doesn't really scream lets have a conversation. So on the size topic who in the east can go 6/7 man deep into his depth chart with quality wings? Would you mind elaborate, why it is not special?

First off, you're changing your question. You originally said you don't see a team matching up in the size department, but now you are trying to list depth as a side option. The reality is the last 5 you listed might collectively see 15 minutes of playtime a night. Just not enough minutes to go around for you to play 9 small forwards haha.

Yo originally listed...
6'6 Crowder, 6'7 Brown, 6'8 Tatum, 6'8 Hayward, 6'9 Morris and the youngsters on the back end of the bench 6'6 Nader, 6'7 Ojeleye, 6'8 Yabusele or 6'9 Theis.

I'll admit a lot of the east have undersized 2s (Redick, Oladipo, Beal, Bazemore, Lee, Bradley, etc). Some of those 2s are known for their defense though, so I'm not sure if this is real exploitable.

Magic have 6'6" Ross, 6'7" Fournier, 6'6" Simmons 6'9" Gordon, 6'10" Isaac, 6'8" Hezonja. Bucks are real long, too.

I'm just saying having a collection of 2,3, 4s between 6'6" and 6'9" isn't that special. What you have that is special, that you noted the 2nd time around, is depth. That should have been the original thing you brag about.

[The_Hater]

Kyrie tore up Bradley..

In what universe are the Celtics using Thomas to defend Irving anyways? Did Brad Stevens get sick of all,the accolades and decide to become a terrible coach?

If Lillard was our point guard instead, nobody would talk about his defense being a major problem lol. IT was a bit overrated and now he's been criticized so much, he's now underrated.

A lot of the top PG's are bad defensively. Thomas, Lillard and Irving are near the top of thst list. Rose isn't a top PG anymore but he's awful. Curry has improved enough to rise above that group but is still below average overall. Lillard seems to really fly under the radar on how bad he is, he might be the worst of the bunch.

[macNcheese3]

While they have improved with the addition of GH, Bradleys D will be missed. Don't see them getting past CLE, especially if Love and TT decide to show up

[Gant]

They do have a decent chance. This is based on more than their current roster.

A few years ago they were a long distance from the Cavs. Now they're just one precise move away from competing favorably with Cleveland.

The Celtics are overstuffed at the wing, meaning they'll have talent to deal along with picks when the opportunity arises (before or at the deadline). Development speed of their second core- the young group of Brown, Tatum, Smart, Rozier, Zizic, Ojeleye and others -could also be a factor.


If Boston doesn't make another big move this year, they'll add high level talent next summer anyway. In either case they'll surpass the Cavs in a couple of seasons at the most.

[Knickerbocker91]

Celtics were almost eliminated by the Bulls in the first round lol their future is as bright as any team in the league, but no, just no.

Maybe in 3-4 years or next year when Bron sails to the coast under that Cali sunshine

[Seabass11]

IMO Cavs are still 90% favorites unless injury bug hits them. My list of "teams I want to avoid in the playoffs" is

1) Bucks (thats right, I said it)
2) Wizards
3) Raptors
4) Celts

The Celts just don't matchup. Plain and simple. Long athletic teams that like to run are the ones that give the Cavs issues. Not slow half court teams focused around a 5'8 PG and Hayward.

[GatorbaitDD]

Nope - not until Bron Bron falls off a little more. Give it 3 more seasons.

[Texas_Lakers]

LBJ will be 33 next year lol. this cant last forever

It won't last forever, but there is very little chance it will stop next year.

Agree, until Bron retires, suffers a major injury or goes out West the East still belongs to the Cavs hands down.

[bmurph128]

IMO Cavs are still 90% favorites unless injury bug hits them. My list of "teams I want to avoid in the playoffs" is

1) Bucks (thats right, I said it)
2) Wizards
3) Raptors
4) Celts

The Celts just don't matchup. Plain and simple. Long athletic teams that like to run are the ones that give the Cavs issues. Not slow half court teams focused around a 5'8 PG and Hayward.

I agree with this 100%.

The Bucks will be the 2nd best team in the East in the next few years. Giannis is head and shoulders above any player on the Wizards, Raptors or Celtics.

If I had to pick a team other than the Cavs to win the East next year, it'd be the Bucks.

[Karate Diop]

I wouldn't say they have a good chance. But they have a chance. Cleveland, Washington and Toronto are all capable of beating Boston.

[Da ThRONe]

I'd say about a 20-25% chance. Cavs have done nothing to get better. LeBron doesn't seem committed to staying in Cleveland. Maybe Boston catches Cleveland sleep walking or there's a key injury(Love and Irving haven't been the most durable).