Is this team, as is, a real title contender this year? [Poll]

[nickagneta]

So, a friend and I were PMing about the Celtics chances this year and this question kinda came up.

Now, I didn't think this team was a contender to start the season. But then Jaylen took a huge leap and Kemba turned out to be a revelation, then Hayward showed he was all the way back, then Smart showed his three point shooting prowess from last year was for real, then Kanter showed just how good he could be, then Grant and Romeo showed they could be positive contributors this year and then Tatum became a superstar.

All happening with the constant absence to injury by virtually everyone. They have played through some strange scheduling, the injuries, the youthful growing pains and have come out of it with a 40-17 record this far with a real chance at a #2 seed in a tough top of the East race.

No matter how you measure things, 40/20 rule, Net rating, Margin of Victory, Simple Rating System, needing to have a top 5 offense and defense, etc this team, the youngest, least experienced in the league, is a title contender.

They can beat anyone in the league(and kind of have) and I believe they can do it in a 7 game series as well. I now think they have a very genuine, very real chance to win it all the way the team is currently constructed. I could not be more excited.

[ozgod]

Yes, absolutely. A dark horse for sure, but I think we have a path to victory if we play well. Our biggest weakness is supposedly our center spot, but if you look at the numbers between Al last season and Daniel this season they're not that far off. The piece that he doesn't do, which is the playmaking piece, we have Gordon doing. Daniel does about 70% of the things that Al did for 20% of the cost. And for the things he doesn't do we have Enes and GWill, and maybe Timelord.

[Phantom255x]

Absolutely, so long as they stay healthy

Unlike previous years, I just don't see a "clear cut favorite" this season. People will quickly point out the Bucks, Lakers and Clippers, but they've each got some flaws too and I don't see a truly dominant team in the league. There are a handful of teams with a legitimate chance to win it all, and Boston is one of them.

I'd say the real title contenders this season are Clippers, Lakers, Bucks, Rockets, Celtics, and Raptors.

I personally am not as high on the Nuggets or Heat although they are great teams who could finish Top-4 in their conference too.

I actually think Houston is a true darkhorse here. For all the criticism they get, the smallball is working and the LA teams both actually seem to struggle against Houston's guard play. Not an easy playoff matchup at all especially if Harden and Westbrook are hitting shots.

[Roy H.]

I think we’re a top-four team, although I have a hard time seeing us getting by Milwaukee.

[RPGenerate]

I think we’re a top-four team, although I have a hard time seeing us getting by Milwaukee.

Yeah, they're the tricky part. I give us a great chance of beating any other team in the league.

[Phantom255x]

I think we’re a top-four team, although I have a hard time seeing us getting by Milwaukee.

Yeah I picked Clippers > Bucks (6 games) in the Finals, and I'm sticking with it.

I am changing my ECF prediction from MIL-PHI to MIL-BOS though. And depending on seeding, the Clippers-Lakers matchup might even be in the 2nd round, not WCF lol.

[blink]

Unlike previous years, I just don't see a "clear cut favorite" this season.

I have to disagree with this.  I think the Bucks have to be considered an absolute clear favorite.

I would give us a great chance at beating everyone else in the league in a 7 game series (except the bucks).

So I think we are a contender, but I see the Celtics, Lakers, Clippers, Raptors all as 2nd tier contenders.

I hope to be proven wrong.

[Tr1boy]

Yes

It has like 5 all stars in one team

Its a stacked team. No excuses

[Who]

Yes

[Donoghus]

If this team is healthy & Tatum continues what he's currently doing, absolutely.

Milwaukee's gonna be a real pain in the butt, though.

[fairweatherfan]

Yes, though Milwaukee remains the clear favorite.

I put us as 3rd best chance right now behind them and the Lakers. Raptors' lack of firepower will get exposed in the playoffs I think and the Clippers just haven't quite put it together yet. Denver probably needs another failed run to be ready.

[LilRip]

I voted no. Sorry guys

 While anything is possible, I don’t see the Celtics having a very good chance this year. Thus, I wouldn’t classify us as a contender since winning it all would be a (pleasant) surprise for me. Maybe a dark horse at best?

[footey]

I think Tatum will be a huge problem for the Bucks to defend.

It will be tough, but we can beat the Bucks.

Key is to contain GA.  Raptors did it last season; I see no reason why we can't this one. Cut off their head (GA), they are going to collapse.

[LilRip]

Yes

It has like 5 all stars in one team

Its a stacked team. No excuses

5? Hmm... care to give us the names?

[chambers]

If Jason Tatum continues to play this well, we'll be in a with a very good shot at beating the Bucks- and we can beat anyone out West. The Rockets would probably give us the most trouble but if we play Lakers or Clippers I'd be pretty confident we'd be able to win it all in 7 games.

Can Tatum continue this level of play and are our other guys like Kemba, Jaylen and Hayward able to capitalize when the Raptors and Bucks swarm Tatum on the high pick and roll?

We shall see, but we are contenders for sure.
The league is much closer this year without the Warriors super team.