Celtics exposed?

[Curmudgeon]

The latest Vegas over-under line I've seen has the Celtics eighth out of 30 teams, at 48.5 wins. Pacers and Raptors are at 46.5 and the Nets are at 43.5. I think those numbers are plausible, but if people think the Pacers, Raptors and Nets are better, they should feel free to place bets.

[SmartWentCrazy]

They're just tossed in with the elite without having earned it.

Eastern Conference Finals 2 of the last 3 years?

And the Raps have been 2 of the last 4. And have won 50 games how many years in a row?

But the talk around the Raps is solely around loosing Kawhi. The talk around the Celtics isn't around losing their entire frontcourt or having a razor thin bench, it's around Kemba and the growth of the young kids.

Funny thing is I actually like this Celtics team. I love Kemba, I believe in Tatum, love Brown and Smart is my spirit animal.

But having them almost unanimously ranked above the Pacers, Nets and Raptors for no other reason than they're the Celtics is ridiculous.

I think they're just following the lead of Vegas and the sportsbooks, to be honest. When you're talking about a difference of a couple games, its easy to default to Vegas. They're also hedging at the fact that Masai could easily blow the Raptors up and trade Lowry/Ibaka/Gasol. The reality is that theres no functional difference between Toronto and Boston at this moment— I wouldnt argue if you had Boston or Toronto as two to three games better than the other.

When everyone talks about the east, its clear that there is a top tier [Milwaukee and Philly] and then a secondary tier [Boston, Toronto, Miami, Brooklyn, Indy and Orlando]. Generally, Boston and Toronto are seen at the higher end of that tier from what I’ve seen. I havent seen the national media outlets saying theres much difference between the two.

[Curmudgeon]

I think the East has four tiers
1. Milwaukee
2. Philly, Boston, Toronto
3. Indiana
4. Everyone else

[Duffman100]

Eastern Conference Finals 2 of the last 3 years?

And the Raps have been 2 of the last 4. And have won 50 games how many years in a row?

But the talk around the Raps is solely around loosing Kawhi. The talk around the Celtics isn't around losing their entire frontcourt or having a razor thin bench, it's around Kemba and the growth of the young kids.

Funny thing is I actually like this Celtics team. I love Kemba, I believe in Tatum, love Brown and Smart is my spirit animal.

But having them almost unanimously ranked above the Pacers, Nets and Raptors for no other reason than they're the Celtics is ridiculous.

I think they're just following the lead of Vegas and the sportsbooks, to be honest. When you're talking about a difference of a couple games, its easy to default to Vegas. They're also hedging at the fact that Masai could easily blow the Raptors up and trade Lowry/Ibaka/Gasol. The reality is that theres no functional difference between Toronto and Boston at this moment— I wouldnt argue if you had Boston or Toronto as two to three games better than the other.

When everyone talks about the east, its clear that there is a top tier [Milwaukee and Philly] and then a secondary tier [Boston, Toronto, Miami, Brooklyn, Indy and Orlando]. Generally, Boston and Toronto are seen at the higher end of that tier from what I’ve seen. I havent seen the national media outlets saying theres much difference between the two.

I'd say the same if it wasn't year after year, the same thing.

It's a clear salty Raps fan take, and I know it is. But every year we're predicted to win like 42 - 44 games and every year we end up winning 50+. (by every year, I mean every year in the last 5-6 seasons).

[Curmudgeon]

Well, the ignominious playoff exits didn't help boost the Raptors in the minds of the experts for the following year.

[SmartWentCrazy]

Well, the ignominious playoff exits didn't help boost the Raptors in the minds of the experts for the following year.

Lol, they won the title last year and we got embarrassed in the second round where our ‘star’ player visibly quit on his teammates— sure, they lost Kawhi, but we lost Kyrie and Al.

I get the salt. Just like I get the salt of Celtics fans for everyone tearing them a new ass hole for not beating the Hornets in the first half of a meaningless preseason game.

[Duffman100]

Well, the ignominious playoff exits didn't help boost the Raptors in the minds of the experts for the following year.

Lol, they won the title last year and we got embarrassed in the second round where our ‘star’ player visibly quit on his teammates— sure, they lost Kawhi, but we lost Kyrie and Al.

I get the salt. Just like I get the salt of Celtics fans for everyone tearing them a new ass hole for not beating the Hornets in the first half of a meaningless preseason game.

That's the thing. I think the Celtics are going to be a good team!

I don't want to come into this thread and gang up, wasn't my intention. I see the Celtics, Raps, Nets and Pacers all on equal footing until the season starts rolling and we get a better idea.

[itrsteve]

Maybe I'm salty.

Every year the Celtics are ranked higher than the Raptors. 3 of the last 4 seasons, the Celtics have been ranked above the Raptors with the Raptors having a better record in the end.

Who cares what the talking heads say? They all say the same tired crap. Being rated high means jack. As I type this I can hear Stephen A suck off Philly in the background.

What I will give you credit for as a Toronto fan for feeling marginalized by the media:
1. lack of media coverage historically - I'm surprised SXM even takes international calls anymore from irate fans
2. It took a championship to get a Christmas game - even though it has more to do with broadcast contracts and $$ - it was a year over year snub

Personally, I'm ready to see Toronto stick it to everybody (unless it's Boston) for writing them off now that Leonard is gone.

[SmartWentCrazy]

Well, the ignominious playoff exits didn't help boost the Raptors in the minds of the experts for the following year.

Lol, they won the title last year and we got embarrassed in the second round where our ‘star’ player visibly quit on his teammates— sure, they lost Kawhi, but we lost Kyrie and Al.

I get the salt. Just like I get the salt of Celtics fans for everyone tearing them a new ass hole for not beating the Hornets in the first half of a meaningless preseason game.

That's the thing. I think the Celtics are going to be a good team!

I don't want to come into this thread and gang up, wasn't my intention. I see the Celtics, Raps, Nets and Pacers all on equal footing until the season starts rolling and we get a better idea.

You’re good here— the gang up happened in the first 12 or so pages and the last 8 have been Celtics fans being salty.

Excited for the season to begin— its nice [for me, at least] to have no expectations, feels good to be able to just enjoy basketball again and not fret over individual wins and losses.

[Duffman100]

Lol, they won the title last year and we got embarrassed in the second round where our ‘star’ player visibly quit on his teammates— sure, they lost Kawhi, but we lost Kyrie and Al.

I get the salt. Just like I get the salt of Celtics fans for everyone tearing them a new ass hole for not beating the Hornets in the first half of a meaningless preseason game.

That's the thing. I think the Celtics are going to be a good team!

I don't want to come into this thread and gang up, wasn't my intention. I see the Celtics, Raps, Nets and Pacers all on equal footing until the season starts rolling and we get a better idea.

You’re good here— the gang up happened in the first 12 or so pages and the last 8 have been Celtics fans being salty.

Excited for the season to begin— its nice [for me, at least] to have no expectations, feels good to be able to just enjoy basketball again and not fret over individual wins and losses.

I'm keeping Tatum in my fantasy, think he's gonna breakout? I'm sort of counting on it.

[Feed Your Head]

That's the thing. I think the Celtics are going to be a good team!

I don't want to come into this thread and gang up, wasn't my intention. I see the Celtics, Raps, Nets and Pacers all on equal footing until the season starts rolling and we get a better idea.

You’re good here— the gang up happened in the first 12 or so pages and the last 8 have been Celtics fans being salty.

Excited for the season to begin— its nice [for me, at least] to have no expectations, feels good to be able to just enjoy basketball again and not fret over individual wins and losses.

I'm keeping Tatum in my fantasy, think he's gonna breakout? I'm sort of counting on it.

Yes, Tatum will have a very big year. SWC and I are the drivers of the bandwagon.

And ignore the talking heads, it's a collection of clowns. This entire thread has been a joke. The first half was everyone piling on the Celtics and our fans over a preseason game, and the second half was Celtic fans fighting back, using preseason wins against the worst teams in the league as evidence.

The funny thing is that for the most part, almost all Celtic fans think this team is a 45-50 win team, nobody thinks they're a great team, outside of the few over the top posters. I think the Raptors are more likely to win 50 than the Celtics, Siakam will have a big year, though I'd expect his efficiency to have a sizeable drop. I bet Lowry has a pretty big year, with advanced as always, but I think his raw stats will be better than the last few years.

[ITYSL]

I think the East has four tiers
1. Milwaukee
2. Philly, Boston, Toronto
3. Indiana
4. Everyone else

I'd change it slightly

1) Milwaukee, Philly
2) Boston, Toronto, Indiana
3) All other playoff hopefuls: Magic, Heat, Nets, Pistons, maybe Bulls
4) Everyone else

[the sea duck]

20 pg thread in the preseason is ridiculous

No team deserves that much talk this early

Especially a team that is consistently overrated in the offseason

In fairness, the talk in this 20 page long topic started by saying that very thing.

[RB34]

I can’t believe this thread has gone on for 21 pages.

[Joshyjess]

I can’t believe this thread has gone on for 21 pages.

By the time the actual games begin, this bad boy will probably be pushing 50 pages!

[Curmudgeon]

I can’t believe this thread has gone on for 21 pages.

By the time the actual games begin, this bad boy will probably be pushing 50 pages!

It will reflect the size of the inferiority complexes of the fans of other EC teams.

[jirrit]

They're just tossed in with the elite without having earned it.

Eastern Conference Finals 2 of the last 3 years?

And the Raps have been 2 of the last 4. And have won 50 games how many years in a row?

But the talk around the Raps is solely around loosing Kawhi. The talk around the Celtics isn't around losing their entire frontcourt or having a razor thin bench, it's around Kemba and the growth of the young kids.

Funny thing is I actually like this Celtics team. I love Kemba, I believe in Tatum, love Brown and Smart is my spirit animal.

But having them almost unanimously ranked above the Pacers, Nets and Raptors for no other reason than they're the Celtics is ridiculous.

If a big name (the MVP in this case) leaves your team it's normal they gonna rate you much lower. We'll see what happens, not being IMO but I think this Celtics team has a bigger chance to surprise people than this current Raptors team. I dont see Lowry or Gasol getting better, maybe if Siakam takes a leap.

[itrsteve]

I can’t believe this thread has gone on for 21 pages.

By the time the actual games begin, this bad boy will probably be pushing 50 pages!

We should probably just keep it a living thread throughout the season... Everybody can crap on the C's when they lose and C's fans can gloat otherwise.

[robbie84]

They're just tossed in with the elite without having earned it.

Eastern Conference Finals 2 of the last 3 years?

And the Raps have been 2 of the last 4. And have won 50 games how many years in a row?

But the talk around the Raps is solely around loosing Kawhi. The talk around the Celtics isn't around losing their entire frontcourt or having a razor thin bench, it's around Kemba and the growth of the young kids.

Funny thing is I actually like this Celtics team. I love Kemba, I believe in Tatum, love Brown and Smart is my spirit animal.

But having them almost unanimously ranked above the Pacers, Nets and Raptors for no other reason than they're the Celtics is ridiculous.

I think the Celtics have the best player and best coach out of the Raps/Pacers/ Celtics and the better combo than the Nets until KD gets back.
Point is that it's not crazy to put them ahead of those teams in any way.

[ajones9219]

I really dont get the philly love. The essentially traded reddick and jimmy butler for a worse player in al horford at a redundant position and now somehow they are world beaters? I guess I don't see it. They are going to be a good defensive team but its not like butler was a poor defender by any stretch and they lost a ton of offensive firepower. I love Horford as a player but I don't see how he moves the needle