The second-seed Boston Celtics have exceeded all expectations this season up to now. Even regardless of being with out arguably their finest participant, Jason Tatum, for 60 video games, they’ve confirmed to be among the many finest groups within the Japanese Convention.
However, a regarding development has emerged, even regardless of the return of Tatum. The Celtics are presently 3-14 in opposition to contenders.
That should not encourage confidence with them having a dropping file in opposition to the New York Knicks, San Antonio Spurs, Oklahoma Metropolis Thunder, Minnesota Timberwolves, Denver Nuggets, Detroit Pistons, and Houston Rockets.
On one hand, they’re nonetheless working to combine Tatum right into a principally new supporting solid. However, that terrible file could also be too troublesome to disregard. Even in a lackluster Japanese Convention, they might be ripe for an upset within the playoffs.
The Celtics have persistently struggled in opposition to nice groups
There are sometimes tiers to contenders, and this season is not any totally different. The Thunder and the Spurs look like on tier 1, whereas the Celtics are probably a second-tier workforce with the likes of the Knicks, Pistons, Nuggets, and Rockets.
That is not a foul place to be by any means. It simply would not assure them postseason success. Being on the suitable aspect of the playoff bracket and going through the suitable opponent might be key for the Celtics.
To their credit score, even with a revamped roster, they nonetheless have a few of their championship DNA, with Jaylen Brown being an MVP candidate, Derrick White doing Derrick White issues, and them nonetheless having Payton Pritchard.
In addition they discovered a diamond within the tough in Neemias Queta, who has been an above-average beginning middle whereas making fewer than $3 million. Nonetheless, for them to attempt to reemerge as an honest-to-goodness contender, it begins and ends with Tatum.
The Celtics want near-prime Jayson Tatum to actually contend
Bodily, he is appeared higher than anticipated, however his offensive manufacturing is lagging far behind the height model of himself. The truth that he’s enjoying in any respect this season is spectacular.
The hope is that with sufficient of a ramp-up forward of the playoffs, he’ll be capable of elevate his sport and thus elevate the Celtics’ ceiling within the course of. Barring that, this workforce won’t have sufficient to make it to the Japanese Convention Finals.
Even when they in the end bow out within the second spherical, that will truly be a better-than-expected consequence contemplating preseason expectations. Nevertheless, the Celtics are clearly nonetheless trying to show they’ll contend for a championship this season.
