Boston Celtics Round Table: How much will your outlook change after playing the Golden State Warriors?

The Boston Celtics have their biggest test of the season against the Golden State Warriors, so we asked our staff how much this game will impact their outlook on the Celtics.

Michael James: 

Winning heals everything, so a win against the Raptors and Warriors in a two-week span would do a lot of good for the attitude around this team. A loss and I wouldn’t feel great. I’d still have hope in the team eventually figuring things out but my mood would go south if they can’t beat the Warriors at home.

Mujeeb Ahmed:

Winning against the Warriors would do a lot for the team’s confidence and it would serve as an opportunity for the guys who struggled early in the year to continue regaining their swagger if they were to defeat the reigning NBA champs.

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As far as how my outlook would change if the Celtics were to beat the Warriors? I don’t think it’d change much since I think the factor that will determine whether or not the Celtics reach their championship aspirations is whether or not Gordon Hayward can return to form.

This game certainly provides the Celtics an opportunity to reclaim their swagger, but it would just serve as a step in the direction to becoming who they want to be – it’s not going to be a determining factor in the Celtics reaching their potential.

Adam Kemp:

Assuming the Celtics’ roster is fully intact, a win against the Warriors would solidify the team’s legitimacy as a contender and silence the doubters. For me, my positive outlook on the squad won’t change regardless of the outcome. Although extending this five-game win streak would be sweet, I’m more focused on seeing solid play from guys like Terry Rozier, Jaylen Brown, and Hayward. If the Celtics fall to the defending champs on Saturday, I put my heart and soul into Stevens’ ability to make the right adjustments for when we meet in June.

Travis Babcock:

A win at home against the juggernaut Warriors would certainly aid Boston in getting back on track in the public eye, but I wouldn’t take too much from it if the C’s pull off the upset. A win helps the group build confidence if the team does make it as far as the finals, but based on where the team is at as of now a win to extend the current five-game streak is all that matters, irregardless of who the opponent happens to be.

What matters most to me is the manner of which they win or lose. If the Celtics falter at the end of a tightly contested contest by virtue of a few missed opportunities then at least they competed well. If Boston drops an egg and gets blown out at home, then the concern sets in. This is a matchup the Celtics should be excited about, and one that the team needs to come out with a playoff attitude for. This is their opportunity to show their teeth, and they need to take advantage of it.

Rudi Richards:

I think it’s just a mark to see where the team is at this moment in time more than anything else right now. It’ll do a lot for the teams confidence if they do manage to get the win, but in the grand scheme of things it is just another game.

If they do manage to pick up the win, it’ll be fantastic going forward and a highlight of the season for sure, but we mustn’t get carried away! With DeMarcus Cousins back it’ll be interesting to see how Stevens manages the rotations to go up against five all-stars and what works in this game will give him information for the rest of the season about who works best with who, against the top players in this league.