A game and a quarter prematurely, I'll just send my regular season-end praise for this team.
An absolutely stunning regular season. Could not possibly have drawn it up better.
I guess some of these might have been on some bingo cards, but remarkable that every one of them hit:
Jaylen stepped up to MVP candidate level.
Queta became a legit starting center (and getting better).
Garza became an effective back-up (love him 3rd string).
Pritchard continued his ascension to remarkable/feared scorer and pesky defender (borderline all-star IMO).
White continues to be an all-around difference-maker.
Hauser sustained his value as defender and sharpshooter.
Hugo showed everything one could hope for as a 19 yo 28th pick.
Walsh came from just about nowhere to make his mark as a valued contributor.
Sheierman came from just about nowhere to become a consistent contributor on both ends and solid fill-in starter.
Joe Mazzula showed the capacity to pull the right strings with lineups and inspire his players.
And... Jayson Tatum rehabbed with diligence, came back as early as humanly possible, and appears to be in surprisingly close proximity to his superstar self.
I'll throw that Brad got the veteran big that everyone thought a requirement a the start of the year (remains to be seen how he plays out).
And I'll throw in that RHJ looks like a player as well.
Unbelievable season for the team that lost JT, KP, Horford, Kornet, Holliday. 55 wins - who called that? My guess was 41. Team that was thought to be a tank candidate IS a contender.