One Third of Season In - Taking Stock of the Celtics (Merged)

[footey]

Where do you think we stand at this point of the season?

During the 10 game streak, I felt we were as good as any team out there. Especially with Gordon in the lineup.

After the West Coast trip and recent home games, my optimism is tempered. We are still winning games, but barely, to teams that are not very good, or are awful, in the case of the Knicks.

When I see the Lakers and Bucks play, they are pretty much blowing there opponents. Even the Sixers are looking quite good after their slow start.

This team reminds me a lot of our pre-Irving days, when we beat teams by out working them, but not with talent. 

We seem to be in the 2nd tier of teams, like the Raptors, the Heat, Rockets and  Mavs.  The Lakers, Clippers and Bucks seem to be playing at a different, higher, level.

I may feel differently once Gordon comes back.  But I am concerned his transition back may take a while. His most recent interview says he can expect the hand to be sore for pretty much the rest of the season.  Great.

So what's your take this far in?

[Rondo9]

That it's sad that people on this site are still downplaying this team.

[Roy H.]

I think that we’re as good as anybody in the East when healthy,  although I worry about how me match up with big teams.  We’re obviously missing GH right now.

[Sophomore]

I think that we’re as good as anybody in the East when healthy,  although I worry about how me match up with big teams.  We’re obviously missing GH right now.

Hope so. Think so. They’ve really sagged the past several games compared to where they were right before Gordon went out.

[nickagneta]

My take is I am surprised that it took only 20 games for the "This team is so much more fun to watch than last year I don't care how much they win. Just watching the young guys develop and watching a team that likes each other play together will be good for me this year." attitude disappear into a "I am worried we won't compete for a title this year" attitude. So much for the warm and fuzzy feeling this year was supposed to be about.

[Fierce1]

Celts are one big man away from being on the same level as Milwaukee.

The 3 Centers right now, Theis, Kanter, and RWill, are good enough for teams that are not big, but when it's teams like the Bucks, Sixers, and Nets, Celts will struggle.

[CelticsElite]

With Hayward out, it exposes our bench. That’s the issue really. We have a lot of rookies coming off the bench playing their first professional minutes ever

[Rosco917]

I can deal with the 3 headed center rotation if I have to. I'd like to get a veteran scorer off the bench, even with Hayward coming back. Maybe like what we hoped Edwards would become.

We actually have a shot at coming out of the East IMO.

[Who]

They have been impressive. They've defended much better than I had expected coming into the season. That puts Boston in the mix with the elite of the East (none of whom are as good as either LA team out West).

I am very happy with what I have seen. I thought they'd be a 1-2 rounds and out team ... but this team is a legit challenger in the East.

[Fierce1]

Celts exceeded expectations so far.

I expect the Celts to win 56 games this season.

It's early but it's looking like the Celts are one big man away from being on the same level as Milwaukee.

[keevsnick]

The team is much better defensively than conventional wisdom thought, but there is and probably still should be some worry that matchups at the 4 and/or 5 could erode some of that in a playoff setting. Overall nothing they are doing really seems that unsustainable, they are doing a lot of things somewhere between a little to a lot better than last year such as getting to the line, getting into the paint ect. Nothing they are doing seems unsustainable, if anything I think they could shot better the rest of the year. All of that is very encouraging given Hayward has now missed 60% of the teams games. The Jays have made leaps  and if anything I think they could continue to improve as the season progresses.

So to summarize, a lot to like. They will be a very good regular season team. Question is if it translates to the post season and since there's no way to know until then best to just enjoy the ride.

[GreenFaith1819]

I'd place Kemba-JB-JT-GH-Smart - up against anyone.

We have an underrated bench.

"IF" we meet The Lakers, though - in a series in June it will be a bloodbath for US.

We'd have no answer for LeBron James - as he runs roughshod over us with his physicality. We have no answer for him.

AD? Pretty much the same.

I'd hope that - like 1986 - LAL doesn't even make it out of the West. But IF they do...and we make it out of the East, well....

[Somebody]

I think we're a darkhorse contender. I really like how we have a bunch of different options to play at centre, and our core five of Kemba/Hayward/Tatum/Brown/Smart gives teams fits. We've been playing pretty sustainable basketball, our only concern is our rim protection (which is somehow elite atm) that might erode in value in the playoffs as the best teams have mobile and skilled size that might be able to take advantage of Theis/Kanter/Robert. But on the flip side we might just start rolling over teams with our offence when Hayward returns, so I'm very optimistic on our season so far.

[ETNCeltics]

I'd place Kemba-JB-JT-GH-Smart - up against anyone.

We have an underrated bench.

"IF" we meet The Lakers, though - in a series in June it will be a bloodbath for US.

We'd have no answer for LeBron James - as he runs roughshod over us with his physicality. We have no answer for him.

AD? Pretty much the same.

I'd hope that - like 1986 - LAL doesn't even make it out of the West. But IF they do...and we make it out of the East, well....

You're overstating it badly. Is LBJ still great? Yes. But he's not the player he used to be, and remember we took him and CLE to the limit 2 years ago with a much lesser team than we have now. We're a matchup nightmare for everyone when Hayward is healthy. LBJ won't be the same player 7 months from now if he makes it through 3 playoff rounds.

Not suggesting we'd beat them, but it's not the mismatch you suggest. IMO, LAC will be a much tougher pull, they have the defenders to better match up with us.

[Fierce1]

The team is much better defensively than conventional wisdom thought, but there is and probably still should be some worry that matchups at the 4 and/or 5 could erode some of that in a playoff setting. Overall nothing they are doing really seems that unsustainable, they are doing a lot of things somewhere between a little to a lot better than last year such as getting to the line, getting into the paint ect. Nothing they are doing seems unsustainable, if anything I think they could shot better the rest of the year. All of that is very encouraging given Hayward has now missed 60% of the teams games. The Jays have made leaps  and if anything I think they could continue to improve as the season progresses.

So to summarize, a lot to like. They will be a very good regular season team. Question is if it translates to the post season and since there's no way to know until then best to just enjoy the ride.

Agree that the Celts are a great regular season team right now.

I think how the Celts perform in the playoffs will depend on what Ainge can do to upgrade the team.

It's very clear the Celts are lacking a quality big man.