Stop denying it to yourself, the Celtics are the best team in the NBA

[mstheme]

Most of us don't want to admit it, but way in the back of our collective minds, we wonder exactly how good these Celtics are.  We have a feeling they are great, we have a feeling they may be the best team in the NBA.  But unlike 2008, we have less certainty.  For one, the Celts have suffered season ending surgeries to one of its starters in each of the past two years(Garnett and Perkins).  For another, the Lakers are now 2 time champions and worthy of those titles or not, the confidence has to help them.  Besides Kobe is arrogant enough blind himself from the Celtic's superiority (though I will give him credit for calling them "tough"). Throw in the whole Miami uncertainty in there also.  Anyways, here's the thing, the Celtics were so good last year, that they took out the 2 teams with the best records in the NBA without home court.  They nearly took out theLakers in the finals, also without an even more beneficial (3-2-3) home court format.  With all that, this team is not only deeper, the big 4 are all playing at a higher level this year.  Ray Allen was struggling at this point last year and worried about being traded.  Pierce has obviously gotten in better shape and is having the most efficient year of his life with a Jordanesque 50% FG clip. Rondo, has taken yet another leap.  More than any other thing, KG is playing like a rabid animal again.  To think we came that close to winning with A KG that lacked fire.  Finally, the Shaq factor cannot be undervalued.  Ray Allen recently commented that the addition of Shaq to the starting lineup has made the team extremely difficult to defend since Rondo has 4 capable options to get the ball to.  No offense to Perk cause we love him like crazy, but this is indeed why the team's starters are playing on all cylinders.  We are 18-4 despite the fact the bench is not yet clicking.  

So stop denying it to yourselves.  The Celtics are the best team in basketball at this moment.  If they keep improving and stay healthy, the Celtics will win banner 18.

[Bahku]

Been saying this since the summer, but most people are not going to admit it until we win another championship. The same stuff last year, when the optimists like us were talking about how good the C's were, and the "Realists" all telling us to get our heads out of the clouds, and that we'd be lucky to get past the first round. Unfortunately, for whatever reasons, the doubters cry the loudest, and it's the same every year. Go Celtics! (TP - great post!)

[Celtics18]

OK, I'll stop denying it!

[mstheme]

Grande in the weei interview question to Allen stated that the starting lineup has never played better than they are right now.

[Celtics17]

One thing you said is undeniable, those 3-2-3 formats sure dont' help the road team! Seriously tough, this team is tough. It reamains to be seen what the Lackers will look like once Bynum returns. Beyond that this team does look special. Shaq has added a new dimension to this squad and I dont mean just depth, or in this case, width. He has given us our best inside offensive presence and helped our rebounding as well. If this team gets relatively healthy and the Lackers are that way too it should make for an epic Finals.

[Celtics4ever]

Shaq is a good enforcer too.   Perk is a better defender but Shaq definite trumps him on the hard foul area and establishing his presence down low.

[moiso]

Since we signed Shaq and Delonte I have thought we have the best roster in the league.

[Roy H.]

Are a lot of people on CelticsBlog denying it? 

I think the Celts look like the best team right now, but at the same time I haven't been watching the Mavs and the Spurs as closely as I should be.  At the end of the season, the Lakers, Heat, and Magic will all be there, as well.

[Cman]

TP.  Love the tenor of the title.

[Mike-Dub]

The Celtics have been the best team in the NBA since the acquisition of Garnett and Allen and that hasn't changed since.

TP.

[Tgro]

I'll keep saying this....

We should enjoy watching the Celtics with every fiber in our bodies. This IS a GREAT team. Playing so unselfishly and so much like a team is supposed to play. 

Years from now, we will look back on the greatness of this team. And years from now, we will miss this era and team terribly. We need to soak it all in because one day it will be over. Enjoy the Celtics people! 

[Eja117]

It's just that I've been hurt before.....

[Marcus13]

The Lakers are just so deep that it's scary.  Matt Barnes, Steve Blake, and Lamar Odom (when Bynum's healthy)are legit starting contributors on most teams in this league.

I know we can do it, I just hope our legs don't get too tired come playoff time

[Celtic]

The C's in my opinion are the best team in the league, but the Mavs and Spurs are right there with them. I'm a little scared to say it, but I don't think this is LA's year, they wont walk through the West again, and there are other equally good/deep teams out there to challenge them.

As for the Celtics, do be doing what they are doing while they are missing major rotation players, this should really concern the rest of the NBA. Not to mention KG being KG again.

[Donoghus]

I sure think they are.  I haven't seen much out there to tell me otherwise yet.

Health is their biggest concern.

Right now, I don't see anyone beating us in a 7 game series.  Back to backs won't come into play which will be a huge benefit to this team.