This team will not repeat?.

[Phantom255x]

I'm getting *real close* to changing my Finals prediction. Leaning OKC > CLE in 7

Not officially yet 

Because they lost a mid-season game on a third game in 4 nights?  No - this game is just a learner. Cs have another level that will be on display in the ECF and Finals if they get there.

I really hope so. I had no doubts last year even when they had a few tough losses in the regular season (like the Lakers without AD + Lebron where Reaves torched them) or when they lost those Game 2s at home to MIA + CLE. Still felt super confident they'd make the Finals and win it all.

I admittedly feel a bit iffy about their chances this season the same way I felt in 2023 seeing how they came out of the All-Star Break despite having all the talent.

And it's not really about the C's themselves, but the field around them. OKC/CLE to me are both scary scary good. I don't think there's any "pretending" this time around with either team.

But regardless, the C's are 2-1 on this West Coast trip, so even winning 2 is a big W for me since it was going to be tough regardless. It ends with Denver Tuesday night. Losing to OKC today wasn't what made me think about changing my Finals pick, I had been thinking it for some days now. You're right though, maybe if the C's had blown them out today I would forget that thought lol

[SparzWizard]

I'm getting *real close* to changing my Finals prediction. Leaning OKC > CLE in 7

Not officially yet 

Because they lost a mid-season game on a third game in 4 nights?  No - this game is just a learner. Cs have another level that will be on display in the ECF and Finals if they get there.

I really hope so. I had no doubts last year even when they had a few tough losses in the regular season (like the Lakers without AD + Lebron where Reaves torched them) or when they lost those Game 2s at home to MIA + CLE. Still felt super confident they'd make the Finals and win it all.

I admittedly feel a bit iffy about their chances this season the same way I felt in 2023 seeing how they came out of the All-Star Break despite having all the talent.

And it's not really about the C's themselves, but the field around them. OKC/CLE to me are both scary scary good. I don't think there's any "pretending" this time around with either team.

But regardless, the C's are 2-1 on this West Coast trip, so even winning 2 is a big W for me since it was going to be tough regardless. It ends with Denver Tuesday night. Losing to OKC today wasn't what made me think about changing my Finals pick, I had been thinking it for some days now. You're right though, maybe if the C's had blown them out today I would forget that thought lol

If this team ain't repeating then they're an ECF exit. Other teams' injuries last year gave us some advantages. Still think Cleveland is legit. Speaking of them, another W for them tonight against Charlotte.

[Phantom255x]

I've officially changed my prediction. OKC > CLE in 7

Think Boston loses in the ECF to Cleveland, with a similar rocky run like 2023 that isn't pretty even in the first two rounds and ultimately ends in the ECF.

For now, I guess we just pray they hold the 2 seed and stay healthy and just go from there.

[Surferdad]

I've officially changed my prediction. OKC > CLE in 7

Think Boston loses in the ECF to Cleveland, with a similar rocky run like 2023 that isn't pretty even in the first two rounds and ultimately ends in the ECF.

For now, I guess we just pray they hold the 2 seed and stay healthy and just go from there.

Which means ECF appearance, at best. As the thread title says: This team will not repeat. That being the case, I would think longer term about how to re-structure this team.

[Phantom255x]

I've officially changed my prediction. OKC > CLE in 7

Think Boston loses in the ECF to Cleveland, with a similar rocky run like 2023 that isn't pretty even in the first two rounds and ultimately ends in the ECF.

For now, I guess we just pray they hold the 2 seed and stay healthy and just go from there.

Which means ECF appearance, at best. As the thread title says: This team will not repeat. That being the case, I would think longer term about how to re-structure this team.

Yeah I more so just mean... play it out and see what happens. I mean I'm not gonna stop watching this team or this season

Chances of repeating though just feel very slim. It's not just about the C's either, the field around them has also gotten stronger and better

[Surferdad]

I've officially changed my prediction. OKC > CLE in 7

Think Boston loses in the ECF to Cleveland, with a similar rocky run like 2023 that isn't pretty even in the first two rounds and ultimately ends in the ECF.

For now, I guess we just pray they hold the 2 seed and stay healthy and just go from there.

Which means ECF appearance, at best. As the thread title says: This team will not repeat. That being the case, I would think longer term about how to re-structure this team.

Yeah I more so just mean... play it out and see what happens. I mean I'm not gonna stop watching this team or this season

Chances of repeating though just feel very slim. It's not just about the C's either, the field around them has also gotten stronger and better

So true. Few would have predicted a year ago the success this year shown by Houston and Detroit, as two examples. Meantime, what have the Celtics done to improve? The only thing seems to be the emergence of Payton Pritchard. No other player in their top-8 has improved and, arguably, we have seen regression from Al Horford and Jrue Holiday, plus KP has mostly been injured.

[SparzWizard]

Boston second-round exit. Losing to the Knicks. They just don't have any other offense than shooting 3s. Defense has been lacking for the most part

Similar to how the Celtics lost in the second round after their championship run the previous year in 2008.

History repeats itself

[jambr380]

Boston second-round exit. Losing to the Knicks. They just don't have any other offense than shooting 3s. Defense has been lacking for the most part

Similar to how the Celtics lost in the second round after their championship run the previous year in 2008.

History repeats itself

Yeah, assuming other teams are healthy, we have 2nd round exit written all over us. This was always a possibility after the long run last year and even the Olympics. That doesn't mean it's the end - I think we have several years left of contending - but it will be interesting to see what Brad does this offseason if we do go out early. First thing would be to get under the 2nd apron. That's why it was so important for us to win last year. Even if we never win again with this core, we have that Title forever.

[DefenseWinsChamps]

This team isn't playing championship-level basketball right now, but it's not like they don't have the pedigree or experience to find that again.

Remember the Mavs last year? They were a mess until after the trade deadline.

We have the talent and a championship roster, but they are going to have to make some strategy and effort changes as they get ready for the playoffs.

[TheReaLPuba]

The whole team is shooting like they never picked up a basketball before

They need to put up 1000 shots a day these guys are suppose to be professionals and can?t make WIDE open 3?s


And the defense is a joke

With this talent and length on the floor they shouldn?t be giving up 100 a game

[Donoghus]

Ebbs & flows of a regular season. 

[ozgod]

Ebbs & flows of a regular season.

TP! The season is not a procession of lopsided victories, nor is it a coronation. The championship is won by who is healthiest and plays best in May and June. They got plenty of time between now and then to address the issues that the regular season bring up. I just think writing a team off, that has the third best record in the league, on performance in January is short sighted.

They gotta play better, yes. Can they play better? I?m pretty sure they can. Does it suck watching them struggle? Yes. Does it rule them out of contention? I think you would have to be really pessimistic to do so, I think they?re right up there in that top tier of contenders. Will it be a cakewalk? Definitely not.  But that is what is fun about the regular season (for me anyway) - seeing them hit adversity and seeing how they respond.

[Briantir]

Celtics won't have to play meaningful basketball until the conference finals when they run into Cleveland.

Not worried though basically the same team as last year with growth from Mobley and Allen Celtics got tape on how to beat them between Derek White Brown and Holiday I think Mitchell and Garland will have a stinker series like last year.

[Vermont Green]

Repeating isn't as easy or automatic as people are making it out to be.  This century, there are only 4 teams and 4 star tandems who have repeat championships:

Durant and Curry
LeBron and Wade
Kobe and Gasol
Kobe and Shaq

You can start to list the great tandems who have never won a title or only one 1.  Tatum and Brown have 1 title.  That is pretty good.  2 in a row is really hard at least since about 1970.  Bird never won 2 in a row.  Tim Duncan never 2 in a row.  Kawhi Leonard never 2 in a row.  Not Jokic (so far).

Some others who have 2 or more in a row further back, Jordan, Magic, Olajuwon, Isaiah Thomas.

I get the angst.  They are underachieving.  It seems like the title is theirs to lose.  Just can't lose sight of how hard this is.  Tatum and Brown in particular are going to have to raise to another level, the level of some of the greatest players of all time, if they want to go back to back.

[SHAQATTACK]

I never expected an instant repeat .  But I hoped they would make some nice runs to go along with the title.   Everything has to go your way , so many factors to consider.