Jae Crowder Says Celtics Aren’t Worried About Toronto
By Jeremy Karll
Jae Crowder wasn’t afraid to speak his mind this past week
Jae Crowder made headlines this past week with his thoughts on free agency and the upcoming season. He talked with Masslive.com’s Tom Westerholm about Kevin Durant choosing the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics‘ chances in the Eastern Conference.
Regarding the Eastern Conference playoff picture this upcoming season, Crowder told Westerholm:
"“My guys were telling me that Bleacher Report says we’ll win 59 games. That’s a lot of wins, but I want to get past the first round of the playoffs. Two seasons in a row getting swept, that’s my goal to be honest with you. I think our ceiling is the Eastern Conference Finals. Toronto is not a team we’re worried about. I think Cleveland is the top team. That’s what it comes down to.”"
In just one quote, Crowder said a lot. Although, to fact check Crowder, the Celtics got swept by the Cleveland Cavaliers two years ago but pushed their series against the Atlanta Hawks to six games this past postseason. While it may have been disappointing to lose in the first round again, Boston did make some progress by taking two games at home.
Taking this thought-by-thought:
"“My guys were telling me that Bleacher Report says we’ll win 59 games. That’s a lot of wins, but I want to get past the first round of the playoffs.”"
This is great to hear from Crowder. As impressive as their 48-win season was last year, it means nothing without a deep playoff run. When LeBron James joined the Miami Heat, the Heat only won the conference once in his four seasons. However, making it to four straight Finals, and winning two, makes up for any kind of disappointing regular season.
59 games would be great to witness for a team who only won 25-games in 2013-14, but that’s far from what the Celtics should be focused on. That would have put them two games ahead of the Cavaliers last season, and three ahead of the Toronto Raptors – giving them the top seed.
Still, there is no trophy for the regular season. A good regular season means nothing without a championship.
Ask the Golden State Warriors – 73 don’t mean a thing without the ring.
"“I want to get past the first round of the playoffs. Two seasons in a row getting swept, that’s my goal to be honest with you. I think our ceiling is the Eastern Conference Finals.”"
Like previously noted, Boston didn’t get swept both years, but the sting of losing in the first round is still the same. Crowder also told Westerholm that he believes Al Horford is a perfect fit in their system, however Boston still needs to add a couple more pieces before they can beat the Cavaliers.
It’s no secret that everyone in the Celtics organization knows that Cleveland is too much for Boston at the moment. It’s not to say that they’d go into a potential playoff series against the Cavaliers already defeated with no hope of winning, but knowing that their work isn’t done is important.
Crowder realizes that the Celtics got a lot better, but to realize there is still room for improvement, and other moves that need to be made, isn’t something a lot of players on winning teams want to admit. Most winning teams want to go into the season thinking they’re the favorites. While having a winning mentality is important, – and I’m not saying Boston doesn’t have that mentality – realizing a realistic ceiling for your team prevents overreactions at season’s end.
Cleveland is clearly on another tier, and that should continue to drive and give extra motivation to the Celtics and the front office to make another move that will make them true contenders.
"“Toronto is not a team we’re worried about. I think Cleveland is the top team. That’s what it comes down to.”"
As I have said, yes, Cleveland is the best team. Although, this may not have been the smartest thing for Crowder to say. Sure, Toronto has struggled in the playoffs the past couple of seasons, but they’re coming off an Eastern Conference Finals playoff run, set the franchise record for most wins in a season, have two Olympians and have won the Atlantic Division for three straight seasons.
For as much hype as there is surrounding the Celtics, they have yet to prove it on the court. Cleveland is by far the scariest team in the East, and if Boston wants to make it to the Finals they’ll have to get by the Cavaliers. However, to say that the Celtics aren’t worried about Toronto doesn’t seem right for a team who has no playoff series wins under their current head coach Brad Stevens.
In a way, it’s disrespectful to a team who has been very good over the past couple of seasons. Crowder and the rest of the team don’t need to be friends with the Raptors but until they get by them in the regular season and playoffs, Toronto is also a team they should be worried about.
Over the past three seasons, the Raptors have gone 5-3 against Boston, including taking three of four meetings last season. It’s great that Crowder isn’t backing down from the division champs, but this will definitely light a fire when these two teams meet.
When it comes down to it, this is nothing new. Sure, usually it’s Isaiah Thomas who is making his opinions heard, but the Celtics have been known to be in the news expressing their thoughts. Crowder’s confidence going into next season is great to see, and he has his eye on the prize. Although, make no mistake, Toronto is a team Boston should be fearing.
Next: Celtics Don't Need to Make Another Move
They may have lost Bismack Biyombo and Luis Scola, however, they’re not going to fall off a cliff this season. A lot of people are writing the Raptors off, but they return a core who has a proven track record of success over these past couple of seasons.