The 538 methodology is entirely analítics/quant driven, but it’s legit. The truth is that this team is performing at a very high level level right now, both offensive and defensively.
I think because we have seen a lot of the Celtics’ young guys grow up, warts and all, we are actually at risk of understating how stacked this team is.
The Celtics have:
- An elite coach.
- One of the best 1-on-1 players in the entire league right now in Tatum. That’s crucially important in the playoffs when things get tight.
- Another elite guy who can create his own shot in Walker.
- A massive two-way shooting guard who’s playing at an all-star level right now.
- One or the best defensive players in the league in Smart, who does a bunch of other things and lives for the playoffs.
- Bigs who aren’t overly tall and strong but are agile and smart and play well within the system.
In other words, they should definitely be considered title contenders, if not favorites.
Honestly the only thing I could possibly complain about would be the bench. But even that’s not a minus. Time Lord playing great, Grant is trustworthy, Wanamaker is a veteran. And it’s conceivable that at some point you’ll be adding a do-it-all wing in Hayward.
Feels a little like the 2018 Red Sox. No one could believe they were as good as they were until they actually one the whole thing. In retrospect we now look at that team and say, boy they were stacked.
Topic: Per ESPN's 538, Celtics are now title favorites (Read 3536 times)