Which Eastern Conference Team Should Concern Us Most?

[Valid]

I know one thing for certain. I think most teams would rather face the Cavs in a 7 game series than the Cs.

That C defense makes you work for the 95 points you're going to get. Cleveland spots you 95 by mid 3rd quarter.

Eh, I don't agree with this. I don't think there is a team in the league that fears our young Celtics more than a LeBron-led squad that has been to the finals each of the last three seasons.

Next year, with a hopefully healthy Hayward and a more seasoned ballclub overall, that will probably be a different story, but right now, the East is still LeBron's to lose.

[Surferdad]

I know one thing for certain. I think most teams would rather face the Cavs in a 7 game series than the Cs.

That C defense makes you work for the 95 points you're going to get. Cleveland spots you 95 by mid 3rd quarter.

Eh, I don't agree with this. I don't think there is a team in the league that fears our young Celtics more than a LeBron-led squad that has been to the finals each of the last three seasons.

Next year, with a hopefully healthy Hayward and a more seasoned ballclub overall, that will probably be a different story, but right now, the East is still LeBron's to lose.

Yes, if only that were true.  It is LeBron himself, not that squad, who has been to the Finals each of the last 3 seasons.  This is why it is a legitimate topic.

[Moranis]

I know one thing for certain. I think most teams would rather face the Cavs in a 7 game series than the Cs.

That C defense makes you work for the 95 points you're going to get. Cleveland spots you 95 by mid 3rd quarter.

Eh, I don't agree with this. I don't think there is a team in the league that fears our young Celtics more than a LeBron-led squad that has been to the finals each of the last three seasons.

Next year, with a hopefully healthy Hayward and a more seasoned ballclub overall, that will probably be a different story, but right now, the East is still LeBron's to lose.

Yes, if only that were true.  It is LeBron himself, not that squad, who has been to the Finals each of the last 3 seasons.  This is why it is a legitimate topic.

4 of the 5 starters and many of the key bench members (Frye, Korver, Shumpert) were on that team last year.  And the 4 main rotation players that weren't are: Thomas, Wade, Crowder, and J. Green - all guys that are experienced vets with lots of playoff experience.  Even Rose and Calderon have lots of experience.  So it isn't like the team doesn't know what it takes to win the playoffs.  Their main problem has been health.  They quite simply haven't been healthy and thus haven't been able to put their full team out there.  That is of course a real concern for them because Love isn't going to be back for awhile and won't be 100% when he does come back.  Thomas still looks unhealthy.  Shumpert is banged up.  Rose and Wade have nagging injuries come and go. 

[green_bballers13]

CLE and TOR. That's it.

[RockinRyA]

I know one thing for certain. I think most teams would rather face the Cavs in a 7 game series than the Cs.

That C defense makes you work for the 95 points you're going to get. Cleveland spots you 95 by mid 3rd quarter.

Eh, I don't agree with this. I don't think there is a team in the league that fears our young Celtics more than a LeBron-led squad that has been to the finals each of the last three seasons.

Next year, with a hopefully healthy Hayward and a more seasoned ballclub overall, that will probably be a different story, but right now, the East is still LeBron's to lose.

most warriors fan I know are more scared of the Celtics and Rockets than the Cavs. They know they can beat the Cavs.

[Phantom255x]

I think it's best to answer this after the trade deadline.

If CLE somehow manages to add another star (or two), then they are still heavy favorites in the East.

Otherwise, it's still CLE and Toronto, BUT it's not like either are clear favorites over the C's.

[Moranis]

I know one thing for certain. I think most teams would rather face the Cavs in a 7 game series than the Cs.

That C defense makes you work for the 95 points you're going to get. Cleveland spots you 95 by mid 3rd quarter.

Eh, I don't agree with this. I don't think there is a team in the league that fears our young Celtics more than a LeBron-led squad that has been to the finals each of the last three seasons.

Next year, with a hopefully healthy Hayward and a more seasoned ballclub overall, that will probably be a different story, but right now, the East is still LeBron's to lose.

most warriors fan I know are more scared of the Celtics and Rockets than the Cavs. They know they can beat the Cavs.

The Celtics are a much more difficult matchup against the Warriors based on roster construction and how they play.

[Snakehead]

Personally I feel, barring the Celtics role players all stepping up in the Playoffs (which is a big ask ask as they aren't all consistent in the regular season) the Raptors will definitely beat us.  So they are the biggest threat.  But I could see other teams as well.  Unless the team can do more than just rely on Kyrie I think we will get bogged down and unable to score.  The defense may be so good it keeps us in the games though.

[PhoSita]

The Cavs will probably figure it out as they always seem to do.

Statistically speaking the Raps look like the biggest threat though.

[hodgy03038]

I think the only team we should be concerned with is the Celtics. Will they NOT dig themselves an 18 point deficit by halftime and will they be hitting their shots and will they be hitting the free throws. Will they play defense from quarter 1 rather than waiting until the 3rd quarter. If they do all of the above I see them in the NBA finals.

[Donoghus]

CLE is the only opponent in the East that really concerns me.

Struggles or not, they still have Lebron. 

[droopdog7]

It's still the Cavs.

[celticsclay]

It's still the Cavs.

Are we positive cavs make the playoffs at this point? They are 5 up on surging pistons and have played as bad as almost anyone for a month or so (plus now don't have love)

[colincb]

I know one thing for certain. I think most teams would rather face the Cavs in a 7 game series than the Cs.

That C defense makes you work for the 95 points you're going to get. Cleveland spots you 95 by mid 3rd quarter.

Eh, I don't agree with this. I don't think there is a team in the league that fears our young Celtics more than a LeBron-led squad that has been to the finals each of the last three seasons.

Next year, with a hopefully healthy Hayward and a more seasoned ballclub overall, that will probably be a different story, but right now, the East is still LeBron's to lose.

most warriors fan I know are more scared of the Celtics and Rockets than the Cavs. They know they can beat the Cavs.

The Celtics are a much more difficult matchup against the Warriors based on roster construction and how they play.

The warriors are more worried about the Cs than the Cavs.

[Ilikesports17]

It's still the Cavs.

Are we positive cavs make the playoffs at this point? They are 5 up on surging pistons and have played as bad as almost anyone for a month or so (plus now don't have love)

yes.

This is absurd.