POLL: Are the Boston Celtics Legit Contenders THIS Season?

[Gomes3PC]

Really want to see how this team looks with Kemba and Timelord back. Feel like Timelord especially is going to be critical. Playing Kanter when we face teams like MIL, TOR, etc. is going to be a problem.

[watsonthedragon]

If Tatum keeps playing like this then we have the superstar (Tatum), we have the all-star cast (Kemba, Brown, Hayward), and we have the high-end role players (Smart, Theis). Combine that with our top 5 ratings in O, D, and Net and that sounds like a contender to me.

[jmr07019]

I think we're just too far off what Milwaukee is today to be that. They're putting together an insane season and with Giannis, with how Middleton immolates us, and with their size in the frontcourt, I just don't see how we string 4 wins in 7 against them.

I would pit us against basically anyone else in the next tier - and I include both LA teams in that bucket. Those two, Toronto, ourselves, Miami, Philly and Denver. Depending on the matchup with those teams, I'd give us anywhere between a 40% - 60% chance against any of them.

It sounds silly but geting Timelord back I think could make or break how far we go. Kanter again was exposed as unable to play against an elite team. Williams has his shortcomings in experience/savvy but he can at least hang there physically, and I just worry/know Theis will wear down over a long playoff stretch if we can't get him help up front.

As good as Milwaukee is Middleton leaves something to be desired as your second best player and let’s not forget that Eric Bledsoe got out played by Terry freaking Rozier in a playoff serious 2 years. They’re not as good as the LeBron Heat or the Durant Warriors and the LeBron Heat didn’t win the title 50% of the time. The Bucks can be beat. An uphill battle for sure but victory is possible.

Man, I’ve said the same thing before about Middleton when I’m trying to convince myself we will knock off the Bucks. But with Giannis being SO dominant it seems different. Plus Middleton is just a killer. He’s an absolutely boring killer.Lol.
Bledsoe is not the same player. What you were talking about 2 yrs ago I totally agree. I’m with ya. I really thought he was a chump. I can’t stand guys with ability that waste it being lazy. But he’s turned it around. He’s a bulldog now.
Then there’s Lopez who has shot like crap but he’s great for clearing out guys for boards that his teammates grabs. All the shooting and defense. Damn.
I keep telling myself we can beat them in 7 and of course we can. Anything is possible. But I think this Bucks team is just an extremely uniquely awesome team and as much as I like this Celtics team I can’t see it. But not impossible!

Bucks deserve to be the favorite for sure

[Iguodaladon]

I don't know how anyone can doubt the Celtics at this point, this team can bring it to anyone

[Gomes3PC]

I will say this - I think we have as good a hope as any team to give the Bucks a series, save for the Clippers. May not mean much but I do think we can give them a series.

[Parliament10]

I will say this - I think we have as good a hope as any team to give the Bucks a series, save for the Clippers. May not mean much but I do think we can give them a series.

I think that this Celtics' team adjusts very well, in all directions.
A Series against the Bucks will go 6-7 Games, and could go either way.

[zoyathedestroya]

Read on Twitter

[BRUNiNHO91]

Only team I'm not very confident against is the Clippers. I feel like they are a more experinced, deeper and talented version of us. We can give everybody else the business if we were healthy.

[Homerclease]

I think we need a year two jump from one of our guys on the bench. Langford, Grant, Waters, Edwards, one of these guys. Need someone to show stark improvement and need to hit on that taxpayer MLE. If that happens we are in business

[Setshot33]

Can't win a title without a bench.

Paper contenders.

[celtxman]

Contender is a word that people have their own definition. I think the Celtics could possibly win a title so they are contenders. They are not favorites and I dont think they will win, but they have the talent to do it. They may have a better chance this year than next year because of the ability for other teams to get better, notably the Warriors.

[BostonCouchGM]

No team with Kemba Walker maxed is a legit contender. He’s a huge defensive liability. Years of dreadful drafting has left us with one of the leagues worst benches too. Sucks because this is our best opportunity for the next several years with Jaylen’s salary jumping and Hayward potentially leaving.

[CSL_1904]

lol

[Jakeopp]

Contenders can close games, so no.

[batabatuta]

No. We just dont have the right mix of players on our roster to win consistently and convincingly and let's not get started with the injuries.

[Green89]

We really need a vet and a go to bench scorer. Will be difficult eithout either.

[31to6]

Yes, if healthy.

[The_Ghost_of_JB]

Not this year. Milwaukee and Toronto are ahead of them team this year. On top of that you can't win with a bench this poor.

[TheMartian]

Still a yes for me, if all the right things go for us. But that's a mighty big if.

[Fencer reregistered]

More consistency from the older stars -- i.e. Walker and Hayward -- would be nice.
More health from everybody -- down to the Kanter/Timelord level -- would be nice.
Even assuming all that they're running out of time this season to build consistency.

That's for this season. In future seasons development by the Williamses and Langford could leave more margin for error.