Hardwood Houdini
Fansided

3 reasons the Boston Celtics are wrongfully counted out as contenders

By Andrew Hughes

MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 28: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics celebrates with Gordon Hayward #20 against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on January 28, 2020 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images)
MIAMI, FLORIDA - JANUARY 28: Kemba Walker #8 of the Boston Celtics celebrates with Gordon Hayward #20 against the Miami Heat during the second half at American Airlines Arena on January 28, 2020 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. (Photo by Michael Reaves/Getty Images) /
facebooktwitterreddit
Prev
1 of 4
Next

The Boston Celtics don’t seem to get as much respect as the NBA’s other preeminent contenders. Here are 3 reasons why.

Before the season started, it was reasonable to think that the Boston Celtics may face regression after last season. While signing multi-time All-Star Kemba Walker was nice, losing Al Horford and Aron Baynes and expecting their switch-ability on the defensive end and steadiness on the offensive end to be replaced by a platoon of Daniel Theis, Enes Kanter and Robert Williams.

As we were saying all preseason, it was going to take a big leap from either Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown to see this team being as good as last season.

Well, both have been enjoying career years averaging over 20 points per game and the Boston Celtics actually are on pace for more wins than the 48 they amassed during the 2018-19 season. To say things have gone according to plan is assuming pundits had a lot more belief in the team than in actuality to begin with.

Still, there is no doubt that the team is still relatively flying under the radar as a title threat despite sending two players to Chicago’s All-Star game this past Sunday…and having a case on sending a third–the Houdini thinks Jaylen Brown was a small-scale snub.

When the talking heads chatter away, the focus seems to be on LeBron James‘ Los Angeles Lakers, Kawhi Leonard‘s Los Angeles Clippers, James Harden‘s small-ball Houston Rockets or Giannis Antetokounmpo‘s historic Milwaukee Bucks.

But the Boston Celtics are not. Here are 3 reasons why:

Home/Celtics News