Celtics News

[Roy H.]

Tired of all the non Celtics fans and so called sports analysts saying they won cause every team they beat in the playoffs had injuries..excuse me but wasn?t Porzingis out like 90% of the playoffs?

Try to shut out the noise.  They're idiots.  The banner is still in the rafters.

[Vermont Green]

Think his knees are toast at this point.

John Karalis: Xavier Tillman is out tomorrow vs Philadelphia with left knee inflammation.  via Twitter John_Karalis

All season, he has played like someone who is injured, not 100%.  I wonder if this is something new, doesn't seem like it to me.  The cynic in me says they didn't want to report any kind of injury before the trade deadline, just in case there was someone who might trade for him.  Now that it is past, they don't have to pretend.

It would be nice to get him back to a level where he could be of some use in the playoffs.  At this point, it doesn't seem likely.  He hasn't been playing anyway, at least not much, so taking him fully out of the line up does not seem like it changes much.  Just creates a seat on the bench for Peterson or someone.

[Silas]

I'm very pleased with yesterday's win and looking forward to the Cs next 5 games; 3 of the top 5 teams in the league.  We will see what this team is made of....

New York ... 37-18 - Feb. 23
Cleveland ... 45-10 - Feb. 28
Denver... 37-19 - Mar. 2

I'm hoping for at least 2-1 or 3-0

[Donoghus]

Beginning to think this is the year we finally get that DEN-BOS Finals that we've been teased with the past couple of years.

[Phantom255x]

Beginning to think this is the year we finally get that DEN-BOS Finals that we've been teased with the past couple of years.

The center matchup we've all been waiting for. Jokic vs. Kornet!   

[Roy H.]

Beginning to think this is the year we finally get that DEN-BOS Finals that we've been teased with the past couple of years.

The center matchup we've all been waiting for. Jokic vs. Kornet!   

Air Kornet, you mean!

[Phantom255x]

Beginning to think this is the year we finally get that DEN-BOS Finals that we've been teased with the past couple of years.

The center matchup we've all been waiting for. Jokic vs. Kornet!   

Air Kornet, you mean!

Joker vs. Murder Kornet

[Goldstar88]

Kevin Garnett on Jayson Tatum: He keeps developing and he?s growing his game. He looks stronger this year, he?s playing through fouls, playing through a lot of contact. I would like him to be a little more consistent on the second and third effort. Sometimes when he done get fouls he?ll melt right there and kind of complain a little bit but I think at least for me when I watch Tatum, he?s learning how to take over games. Obviously he has a a bunch of talent around him so he doesn?t have to do too much but I think him and Jaylen Brown do a great job of being the head of the snake of that team. I love all the pieces that they have up there that has created this green buzzsaw and I think Tatum?s going to get even better. As he gets older he?s going to get smarter, I think his IQ is going to grow, he?s going to get better at playmaking, I see his handles has gotten a light tighter for him to go in and out and be able to go in and get fouls and stuff. I see the growth in his game, the growth in his confidence coming down, being able to put the nail in the coffin, or hit big threes. I see what he?s doing but I?m excited for his growth and what he?s going to be. I don?t think that we?re seeing the best of him yet and I think the best of him is yet to come.

[Surferdad]

Think his knees are toast at this point.

John Karalis: Xavier Tillman is out tomorrow vs Philadelphia with left knee inflammation.  via Twitter John_Karalis

All season, he has played like someone who is injured, not 100%.  I wonder if this is something new, doesn't seem like it to me.  The cynic in me says they didn't want to report any kind of injury before the trade deadline, just in case there was someone who might trade for him.  Now that it is past, they don't have to pretend.

It would be nice to get him back to a level where he could be of some use in the playoffs.  At this point, it doesn't seem likely.  He hasn't been playing anyway, at least not much, so taking him fully out of the line up does not seem like it changes much.  Just creates a seat on the bench for Peterson or someone.

It is unfortunate for X, but I think this could be a setback for his career. He really needed this season to show what he could do. In any case, Luke Kornet has been impressive lately and Queta can play a bit so there are very few minutes for X, and likely none in the playoffs.

[Who]

Jason Timpf of Hoops Tonight has a list of 10 title contenders with Boston rated #1 on his list. Most likely to win the title.

He had OKC #2. Less experienced. Younger. Overachieving in regular season due to youth & athleticism. Will be less of a factor in a playoff series. Worse playoff squad than regular season team.

[keevsnick]

Jason Timpf of Hoops Tonight has a list of 10 title contenders with Boston rated #1 on his list. Most likely to win the title.

There are really only four true title contenders this year: Boston, Clevland, OKC, Denver

The two best teams in the league by record, the defending NBA Champion with the most talent in the league, the previous NBA champion with the best player in the league.

Thats it, one of those four will win it.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Jason Timpf of Hoops Tonight has a list of 10 title contenders with Boston rated #1 on his list. Most likely to win the title.

There are really only four true title contenders this year: Boston, Clevland, OKC, Denver

The two best teams in the league by record, the defending NBA Champion with the most talent in the league, the previous NBA champion with the best player in the league.

Thats it, one of those four will win it.

I continue to believe that the Cavs are pretenders. Their offense is reminiscent to me of the mid-2000s Hawks teams. They were a really good regular season team, but when things get more physical and slow down in the playoffs, they just aren't quite at that level.

I also am not completely sold on the Thunder for similar-ish reasons, but they seem better built for the playoffs due to their length and defense to me.

I also feel like the Nuggets had a good 15 game stretch and suddenly everyone forgot how bad they were earlier this season. They are also putting a lot of hope in Murray's health.

It's not like the Celtics have been dominate though either.

[keevsnick]

Jason Timpf of Hoops Tonight has a list of 10 title contenders with Boston rated #1 on his list. Most likely to win the title.

There are really only four true title contenders this year: Boston, Clevland, OKC, Denver

The two best teams in the league by record, the defending NBA Champion with the most talent in the league, the previous NBA champion with the best player in the league.

Thats it, one of those four will win it.

I continue to believe that the Cavs are pretenders. Their offense is reminiscent to me of the mid-2000s Hawks teams. They were a really good regular season team, but when things get more physical and slow down in the playoffs, they just aren't quite at that level.

I also am not completely sold on the Thunder for similar-ish reasons, but they seem better built for the playoffs due to their length and defense to me.

I also feel like the Nuggets had a good 15 game stretch and suddenly everyone forgot how bad they were earlier this season. They are also putting a lot of hope in Murray's health.

It's not like the Celtics have been dominate though either.

A 60-win pace with a +9.2 point differential is actually, historically speaking, pretty dominant.

Going back the lats 10 seasons including this one here's a list of teams who had a +9.0 or better differential and won (or on pace) for 59+ wins:

16' GSW, 16 SAS, 17' GSW, 20' MIL*, 21' UTA*, 24' BOS, 25' BOS, 25' CLE, 25' OKC

*=On pace to win 59+, but season was shortened.

So in the last 10 seasons only 9 teams have hit a +9.0 and 59+. the only reaosn that feels less impressive this year is that 3 of those 9 teams are doing it this year.

The thing about CLE/OKC/BOS is that if they were doing what they are doing this year in any other year they would have to be viewed as the overwhelming favorite, they just happen to be doing it in a year with multiple teams playing at an all time level.

[Who]

Jason Timpf of Hoops Tonight has a list of 10 title contenders with Boston rated #1 on his list. Most likely to win the title.

There are really only four true title contenders this year: Boston, Clevland, OKC, Denver

The two best teams in the league by record, the defending NBA Champion with the most talent in the league, the previous NBA champion with the best player in the league.

Thats it, one of those four will win it.

I am buying the Warriors too. After getting Jimmy Butler.

Memphis I am curious about. Not sure whether to rule them in or out.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

Jason Timpf of Hoops Tonight has a list of 10 title contenders with Boston rated #1 on his list. Most likely to win the title.

There are really only four true title contenders this year: Boston, Clevland, OKC, Denver

The two best teams in the league by record, the defending NBA Champion with the most talent in the league, the previous NBA champion with the best player in the league.

Thats it, one of those four will win it.

I continue to believe that the Cavs are pretenders. Their offense is reminiscent to me of the mid-2000s Hawks teams. They were a really good regular season team, but when things get more physical and slow down in the playoffs, they just aren't quite at that level.

I also am not completely sold on the Thunder for similar-ish reasons, but they seem better built for the playoffs due to their length and defense to me.

I also feel like the Nuggets had a good 15 game stretch and suddenly everyone forgot how bad they were earlier this season. They are also putting a lot of hope in Murray's health.

It's not like the Celtics have been dominate though either.

A 60-win pace with a +9.2 point differential is actually, historically speaking, pretty dominant.

Going back the lats 10 seasons including this one here's a list of teams who had a +9.0 or better differential and won (or on pace) for 59+ wins:

16' GSW, 16 SAS, 17' GSW, 20' MIL*, 21' UTA*, 24' BOS, 25' BOS, 25' CLE, 25' OKC

*=On pace to win 59+, but season was shortened.

So in the last 10 seasons only 9 teams have hit a +9.0 and 59+. the only reaosn that feels less impressive this year is that 3 of those 9 teams are doing it this year.

The thing about CLE/OKC/BOS is that if they were doing what they are doing this year in any other year they would have to be viewed as the overwhelming favorite, they just happen to be doing it in a year with multiple teams playing at an all time level.

I don't think the point differential means as much as it used to. The wild variance caused by 3 point shooting mean its easier for good regular season teams to blow other teams out. We are going to have to adjust our view of that point differential stat with the crazy 3 point shooting.

This is one of those times where all I can say is that, after watching basketball for several decades spanning multiple phases of the game, they look like a really good team, but not a true contender.