Still too early to get happy.
At worst, they'll middle about right around a 6 or 7 seed until Feb, then get a healthy IT back and go on a major roll.
"IF" they get completely healthy and IT has the same effect THERE that he did HERE? They'll be juggernaut, no doubt.
IT is a charismatic talent and their season is seemingly hinged on whether he makes it back - and I believe he will.
I am genuinely curious if the same people that think Hayward won't be able to help us if he can play in April because of rust think IT is going to come in and play great basketball after 7-8 months without a game. I think it is a bit silly to expect either of them to immediately be a star upon return. I don't think IT will ever quite be the same cause he has such a small margin of error
Well, we have two separate issues with IT and GH -
Most of us are pretty much reserved to GH being done, with a VERY small hope of him coming back in April.
"IF" we get an 80% healthy (and improving) GH then sure he could come off the bench and be a HUGE help to us.
As for IT? I've never written him off, as some of us have. I caught a glimpse of him on the sideline of the WAS-CLE game (one where LeBron went off), and IT had that SAME Steel-Eyed determination that he had in BOS.
It was eerie.
I knew RIGHT THERE that IT is only waiting on his imminent return.
BOS had better be ready and my guess is that we will.
IT isn't done, by any stretch.