Boston Celtics Cannot Depend on LeBron James Resting

After having played more basketball than any other player in the league over the past four years the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have locked up the two seed, are considering resting LeBron James. This bodes perfectly for the Boston Celtics as the most crucial four game stretch of their season begins with back to back games against the Cavaliers.

James’ chances of winning MVP this season seem slim but he is yet to be dethroned as the best player in the NBA. It is impossible to properly quantify just how much better James makes the Cavaliers but you can bet that the Celtics will have a much easier task ahead of them if James is not in the way.

Apr 8, 2015; Milwaukee, WI, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) reacts after making a basket during the fourth quarter against the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Harris Bradley Center. Cleveland won 104-99. Mandatory Credit: Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports

Even if James resting puts the Celtics in a much better position to make the playoffs they cannot go into this four game stretch thinking they will come out victorious simply because James is out.

As easy as it is to get caught up in the idea of the Cavaliers being an easier game without James, all that optimism may be thrown out the window because Kyrie Irving and Kevin Love are still standing in their way.

To think the Cavaliers may be pushovers without James is not just blatantly false, but it is also disrespectful to two of the most talented players in the NBA.

Marcus Smart and Avery Bradley are known for their defense but Irving is one of the most unstoppable forces in the NBA. The Celtics will struggle to guard Irving and if James is not in the game both his and Love’s role will be increased.

Mar 3, 2015; Cleveland, OH, USA; Cleveland Cavaliers guard Kyrie Irving (2) dribbles against Boston Celtics guard Avery Bradley (0) in the second quarter at Quicken Loans Arena. Mandatory Credit: David Richard-USA TODAY Sports

Irving is not the only thing that will give the Celtics problems because if Love is needed to do more than shoot three pointers the duo of him and Timofey Mozgov will give the Celtics defensive fits and create plenty of second chance opportunities.

Fortunately, the Celtics have a great coach in Brad Stevens and while they have been playing well there is no way they will underestimate a Jamesless Cavaliers team.

Things get even more interesting for the Celtics if the Cavaliers do decide to rest more than just James. They will want to be fresh for the playoffs and with nothing more to gain there is a chance that James will not be the only player rested, giving the Celtics a much easier task.

Even if the Cavaliers become a shell of themselves from resting players and the Celtics are able to come through with two victories the fight will not stop there. If anything, it may even get harder.

The Cavaliers are more than a tier above both the Toronto Raptors and the Milwaukee Bucks but the Celtics’ last two opponents are no chumps.

The Raptors and the Bucks will almost certainly be playing with more purpose than the Cavaliers and with both of them ahead of the Celtics in the standings they will pose arguably the biggest challenge of the Celtics’ season.

The Celtics cannot afford to ease up with the news of James potentially sitting not just because the Cavaliers will still be a tough matchup but because there are still two massive challenges that await following the two game stint against the Cavaliers.

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