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The Celtics aren’t quite there yet, and that’s okay

By Michael James

CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Brad Stevens the Boston Celtics directs his team against the Charlotte Hornets in the fourth quarter during a preseason game at Dean Smith Center on September 28, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 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. The Hornets won 104-97. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images)
CHAPEL HILL, NC - SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Brad Stevens the Boston Celtics directs his team against the Charlotte Hornets in the fourth quarter during a preseason game at Dean Smith Center on September 28, 2018 in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. 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. The Hornets won 104-97. (Photo by Lance King/Getty Images) /
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The Boston Celtics had a chance to show us they were the legitimate contenders we thought going into this year. The consistency wasn’t there losing 115-99 in Miami, but it’s okay the team isn’t peaking yet.

Yes, it was the second night of a back-to-back on the road.

The Heat hit a season-high 18 threes.

Al Horford had arguably his worst game of the year.

However, we’re at the official midway point of the regular season and the Celtics have yet to give us the feeling they’re a true threat to win a championship.

There are plenty of reasons why the Celtics shouldn’t have won in Miami Thursday night, but a win would have been a statement. The four-game winning streak where they eclipsed 30 or more assists in each game gave us a good feeling. The Celtics did what they were supposed to do at home.

But Minnesota, Dallas and Brooklyn isn’t exactly a murderers row, and Indiana was on the second night of a back-to-back without their defensive anchor Myles Turner. Taking out Miami on the road would have finally led us to believe the Celtics were living up to their lofty preseason expectations.

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They didn’t need 30+ assists, Boston just needed consistent effort, something they have lacked all season long. Consistency would have netted them a win Thursday, but for some reason this team still thinks it can waltz through games against good teams.

This isn’t to say the Celtics are in trouble. This isn’t a cry for a trade or a demand to shake up the rotation. The Celtics will be fine. When they’re fully focused and playing their best basketball, I don’t think there’s a team in the NBA who could beat them in a seven game series, Golden State included.

They just haven’t shown it to us consistently.

Last year’s Celtics weren’t much different at this point. While the 2017-18 team was 31-10 after 41 games, the consistency issues plagued that team too. The main difference was their ability to make unbelievable comebacks.

When you fall behind early, you can’t rely on the comeback to bail you out. It’s a reality this year’s team is falling victim to from a narrative standpoint.

Next. Irving leads all guards in second All-Star vote returns. dark

So don’t listen to the hot-take artists telling you the sky is falling because the Celtics can’t make a statement win when they want them to. The players who buy in will be apart of the main rotation come the spring. Instead, enjoy the progress of a season and moments like Marcus Smart blocking Bam Adebayo at the rim. Trust Brad Stevens will have the team playing their best by April, like he has every year since he arrived in Boston.

Titles are only won in June.

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