Stein has Celtics Ranked 6th in Today's Power Ranking

[incoherent]

Heres a quick list of our rank at various sites

ESPN: 6th
NBC: 8th
CBS: 5th
NBA: 6th
SI: 8th

Cs getting some serious respect right now. 

[DesertDweller]

On the one hand, I'm happy to see the Celts ranked so high, and I think they've played some impressive ball lately so it's a defensible ranking.

On the other hand, when was the last time half of the top 10 of the Power Rankings, this far into the season, was made up of teams with zero shot to even make the Finals, let alone win the title?

The list of contenders this year is really short.  Like, Golden State is almost certainly going to win the title as long as they stay healthy, but what competition do they even have, aside from the Spurs, Cavs, and perhaps the Thunder?

Uuuuuuhh, Celtics come to mind. I know it was only one game but we did give them a run for their money and yes, I do believe the C's would not give up in a seven game series.  and anyhow it would be fun watching all the tankers doing the Linda Blair head spin!!!

[chambers]

If Lebron James back starts to get bad, we have a very good shot at beating literally anyone in the East in a 7 game series with our depth.

Toronto, ATL, Chicago, Miami are all beatable for us.
It's the Cavs that belong in that Spurs, GSW, and perhaps Clippers category of true contenders.

Could we beat the best team in the West over 7 games?
75% no.
But we could take them to 6 games and look to add some free agents.
If you replaced Sully and Amir with Kevin Love and DeAndre Jordan we'd be a true contender with Avery/Smart/IT/Olynyk filling out our playoff rotation.

[incoherent]

If Lebron James back starts to get bad, we have a very good shot at beating literally anyone in the East in a 7 game series with our depth.

Toronto, ATL, Chicago, Miami are all beatable for us.
It's the Cavs that belong in that Spurs, GSW, and perhaps Clippers category of true contenders.

Could we beat the best team in the West over 7 games?
75% no.
But we could take them to 6 games and look to add some free agents.
If you replaced Sully and Amir with Kevin Love and DeAndre Jordan we'd be a true contender with Avery/Smart/IT/Olynyk filling out our playoff rotation.

I follow your logic but one thing to remember is how we kinda fell apart in the playoffs last year after winning a lot of games to end the season.

We can only hope those 4 games of playoff experience will actually help us this year if we get there. It does seem like we are a lot better this season though and at least some of that should translate to better playoff performances.

[TheReaLPuba]

We're not the 6th best team in the East let alone the league.

[saltlover]

We're not the 6th best team in the East let alone the league.

Insightful commentary.

[tarheelsxxiii]

We're not the 6th best team in the East let alone the league.

Elaborate...

[MJohnnyboy]

If Lebron James back starts to get bad, we have a very good shot at beating literally anyone in the East in a 7 game series with our depth.

Toronto, ATL, Chicago, Miami are all beatable for us.
It's the Cavs that belong in that Spurs, GSW, and perhaps Thunder category of true contenders.

Could we beat the best team in the West over 7 games?
75% no.
But we could take them to 6 games and look to add some free agents.
If you replaced Sully and Amir with Kevin Love and DeAndre Jordan we'd be a true contender with Avery/Smart/IT/Olynyk filling out our playoff rotation.

Fixed it for you.

[jpotter33]

We're not the 6th best team in the East let alone the league.

[max215]

6th makes sense to me. IMO the top 6 are:

1. Warriors
2. Spurs
3. Cavs
4. Thunder
5. Raptors
6. Celtics

[oldtype]

We may well actually be 6th best, but aside from the 1+2+1 teams that actually have a chance of winning (GS, CLE/SAS, OKC) the NBA is such a confused blob of parity this year that it's hard to differentiate yourself. I wouldn't be surprised to see any of the teams ranked 6-21 on that list be in any conceivable order by the end of the season.

[chambers]

If Lebron James back starts to get bad, we have a very good shot at beating literally anyone in the East in a 7 game series with our depth.

Toronto, ATL, Chicago, Miami are all beatable for us.
It's the Cavs that belong in that Spurs, GSW, and perhaps Clippers category of true contenders.

Could we beat the best team in the West over 7 games?
75% no.
But we could take them to 6 games and look to add some free agents.
If you replaced Sully and Amir with Kevin Love and DeAndre Jordan we'd be a true contender with Avery/Smart/IT/Olynyk filling out our playoff rotation.

I follow your logic but one thing to remember is how we kinda fell apart in the playoffs last year after winning a lot of games to end the season.

We can only hope those 4 games of playoff experience will actually help us this year if we get there. It does seem like we are a lot better this season though and at least some of that should translate to better playoff performances.

And your last sentence is the key to a playoff run this season.
We don't know if Avery is on a hot streak and Amir could get injured, Sully's back could flare up etc... but our defense is on another level.
We've had some slight offensive improvements in Bradley, Olynyk etc, but our defense is one of the best in the NBA, and that's why it's different this year.

[Irish Stew]

With 10 teams in the East playing above 500 ball, would it be that shocking if the number 6 power ranked team in the league Celtics don't even make the playoffs?

[jbpats]

On the one hand, I'm happy to see the Celts ranked so high, and I think they've played some impressive ball lately so it's a defensible ranking.

On the other hand, when was the last time half of the top 10 of the Power Rankings, this far into the season, was made up of teams with zero shot to even make the Finals, let alone win the title?

The list of contenders this year is really short.  Like, Golden State is almost certainly going to win the title as long as they stay healthy, but what competition do they even have, aside from the Spurs, Cavs, and perhaps the Thunder?

IMO even just thinking that anyone can beat the Warriors is looking like a bit of a stretch.

Call me crazy but I absolutely think the Spurs could beat the Warriors in a 7 Game series

[Moranis]

If Lebron James back starts to get bad, we have a very good shot at beating literally anyone in the East in a 7 game series with our depth.

Toronto, ATL, Chicago, Miami are all beatable for us.
It's the Cavs that belong in that Spurs, GSW, and perhaps Clippers category of true contenders.

Could we beat the best team in the West over 7 games?
75% no.
But we could take them to 6 games and look to add some free agents.
If you replaced Sully and Amir with Kevin Love and DeAndre Jordan we'd be a true contender with Avery/Smart/IT/Olynyk filling out our playoff rotation.

Depth doesn't matter in the playoffs.