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The Reverse Of Fortunes For The Boston Celtics And Cleveland Cavaliers

By Jack Phillips

MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 28: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the game against the Miami Heat at the American Airlines Arena on October 28, 2017 in Miami Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images)
MIAMI, FL - OCTOBER 28: Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics reacts during the game against the Miami Heat at the American Airlines Arena on October 28, 2017 in Miami Florida. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Issac Baldizon/NBAE via Getty Images) /
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The Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers are flipping narratives to start the season

It’s pretty remarkable, the fact that the Boston Celtics have bounced back so quickly despite losing one of their star players within the first five and half minutes of the season. Gordon Hayward may be gone for quite some time, but that hasn’t slowed down the young and hungry Celtics.

Lead by Kyrie Irving, Boston has been a force to be reckoned with, winning four straight games after dropping their first two games of the season. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have been performing above expectations as well, both players averaging at least 15.0 ppg.

Another surprise in the league has been the Cleveland Cavaliers, who are 3-4 on the season and recently dropped three straight games to teams that they clearly should have beaten.

With Boston’s rival performing below expectations as of now, the thought of whether Boston’s chances of continuing their success and Cleveland’s disappointment must cross Celtics’ fans minds.

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Well, it definitely crossed my mind (and I’m not even a true Celtics fan). Cleveland has been playing with such a lack of energy on defense, and Lebron James can’t seem to harness in his team. What makes this all so strange for the Cavaliers is that there is such a wide array of talent on the roster.

The King, Derrick Rose, Isaiah Thomas (although, he’s injured), Jae Crowder, J.R. Smith, Tristan Thompson, and Kevin Love are all on the same roster, yet the team can’t seem to find their footing. It probably won’t last long, but Boston will take whatever they can, for as long as they can.

And this might sound non-sympathetic, but sometimes it’s better to have one star rather than too many. Obviously, Hayward’s absence is hurting the Celtics in the long-run, but now that Irving has full control of the flow of the offense, it might make role-setting easier on each Celtics player.

Look at the Milwaukee Bucks for example. Giannis Antetokounmpo is the clear star of that name (the numbers don’t lie) and it’s a lot easier for the rest of the roster to figure out their roles, rather than fighting for the rights to the last shot. And now, the Bucks are having success as well, notching the same 4-2 record as Boston.

Next: Celtics Need Smart Against the Spurs

Boston’s young core has found early success despite losing their other star. The team has battled back from a rough first two games, and the Celtics may have already determined their roles for the  remainder of the season. Hopefully it will continue, but only time will tell.

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