With the Golden State Warriors set to take on the Boston Celtics in a big time mid-season match up, let’s revisit some claims out of Oakland prior to the season’s start with some fresh takes out of the Bay Area.
As the NBA off-season winded down and the Golden State Warriors began gearing up to defend their title, questions started popping up in regards to the team’s biggest threat. At that point in time the most widely predicted match up for the big dance featured the Golden State Warriors and …. the Boston Celtics.
But how did the Dubs feel about this? Turns out many Warriors players including Draymond Green and Stephen Curry believed that the Celtics were in fact their biggest threat.
Fast forward a few months later, and that sentiment continues to ring true, despite Boston’s struggles thus far. In an interview with Anthony Slater of the Athletic, Steve Kerr spoke up on the topic.
"“I remember that. They’d just done such a good job of building their team with picks and young players. And you knew Cleveland was on the way out.”"
He paused, contemplating.
"“I still feel that way,” he said. “But they’re not alone.”"
Kerr is correct in these assumptions. With LeBron James packing up and moving out west, the Cavaliers’ choke hold on the East looked finished. The Toronto Raptors traded away their franchise player in DeMar DeRozan, and the Milwaukee Bucks looked like a team several moves away from seriously contending.
With the Celtics sitting in 5th place and 5 games behind the East-leading Bucks, things haven’t quite turned out the way they were supposed to in Boston. That being said, they still have Steve Kerr’s attention, and still remain the Warriors’ biggest threat in his eyes.
Several Warriors were also asked about the topic, and many shared Kerr’s view on the matter, including Draymond Green.
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"“I think they’re the most talented team in the East,” Draymond Green said. “Still trying to figure out rotations and shots and all the things it takes to figure out when you have a great team. People think you just put great players together and it works. It don’t. They’re still figuring it out, but I don’t doubt that they will.”"
If anyone knows a thing or two about meshing a bunch of uber talented individuals together to form a team capable of putting egos far enough aside to win a championship, it’s Draymond Green and the Warriors. It appears he see’s Boston’s struggles as just growing pains that they will move past.
If the Celtics do figure it out and make it out of the East, expect the team to be competitive should they face Golden State in the Finals. The two franchises have split their head to head match ups dating back to 2015-16 season, with 2 of the 3 wins coming on the other’s home court.
Marcus Morris feels confident his group can keep up with the dubs, as outlined in an interview with The Athletic’s Jay King.
"“There’s no question we can compete against them,” he added. “I think that we probably match up with them better than anybody in the league. Just having like names, top to bottom, we’re probably right there with them. And they know that.”"
The Celtics get an opportunity to measure their progress against the best the NBA has to offer when they welcome the Warriors on Saturday night. Expect a playoff atmosphere in TD Garden, and Boston’s best effort put forth.