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How a Strong Eastern Conference Will Help the Celtics

By Ian Riaf

Feb 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) drives to the basket past New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. The Celtics defeated the Knicks 97-89. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports
Feb 2, 2016; New York, NY, USA; Boston Celtics forward Jae Crowder (99) drives to the basket past New York Knicks forward Carmelo Anthony (7) during the second half of an NBA basketball game at Madison Square Garden. The Celtics defeated the Knicks 97-89. Mandatory Credit: Adam Hunger-USA TODAY Sports /
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A  competitive Eastern Conference will benefit the Celtics

The Eastern Conference has just experienced a major talent influx. It seemed that big market teams gravitated towards big market players. Whether it was through trades or signings, a lot of talent migrated eastward this offseason.

Big market teams, and even some small market teams, have retooled for this upcoming season. Teams such as the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls signed and traded for high-profile players who could make a huge impact for them this season. The Indiana Pacers, Orlando Magic, and even the Philadelphia 76ers have made some stealthy trades and signings that will ultimately improve their roster.

So how does a stronger Eastern Conference help the Celtics?

The Celtics still own the rights to swap picks with the Brooklyn Nets. The Nets are one of the few teams in the East that did not make a big move for a big name free agent. They ended up signing role players Jeremy Lin, Greivis Vasquez, Luis Scola, and more. Because the Nets did not add any major talent to their roster, they are predicted to finish as one of the worst teams in the league next year, again.

Not only will the Nets have to compete with a more competitive Eastern Conference but they will also have to compete in a more competitive Atlantic Division. If the 76ers are healthy this year, they seemingly have more talent on their roster than the Nets and could very well finish ahead of them in the Atlantic Division.

Playing against such lackluster competition hurt the Celtics. It was easy for the Celtics to go 9-3 last year against the Knicks, Nets and 76ers, yet come playoff time they were not as battle tested as other teams in stronger divisions. Most teams could have beaten the understaffed 76ers last year, a team that went 3-49 against the Eastern Conference.

For many years the Atlantic Division has been the weakest division in the league. Last year this was the case when the overall winning percentage of the Atlantic Division was only .407. This compared with the next worst performing division, the Northwest Division, at .490, a significantly higher winning percentage than the Atlantic Division. The Celtics will now be playing in a more competitive Atlantic Division which will force them to maintain a competitive culture throughout the season.

Beating the Knicks, Pacers, Bulls, Magic and even the 76ers will be ultimately harder than it was last year. Because of this the Celtics will be more tested come playoff time. With their draft pick resting in the hands of the rebuilding Brooklyn Nets, the stronger Eastern Conference will amount to more Nets losses, helping the Celtics come lottery day.

Next: What Does Marcus Smart Have to Show in 2016-17?

All in all, expect to see a rise in the level of play within the Eastern Conference, and expect the Celtics to rise to the occasion while the Nets find their level near the bottom. Luckily the Celtics precious pick is in the seemingly incapable hands of a team for whom the mountain just got steeper.

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