Boston Celtics: Jalen Rose believes C’s are favorites in the east

According to former pro and ESPN analyst Jalen Rose, the Boston Celtics should be prohibitive title favorites under the current conditions of the NBA’s return.

Despite the Milwaukee Bucks owning best record in the league, Jalen Rose revealed on ESPN Countdown why he believes the Boston Celtics should be considered the team to beat when the NBA returns this summer in Orlando:

"“In a neutral situation, the way the season is about to be shotgun started again, I’m taking the Celtics in the East,” Rose said. “I’m taking the Celtics in the East, because one of the great things about the Bucks – of course, their game does travel – but their home court was a huge advantage for them, a major advantage. If we’re playing pickup ball, and the Celtics and Bucks players are in the gym, I’m going to pick Giannis Antetokounmpo, but the next four or five picks are going to be Celtics. That’s my choice to come out of the East.”"

Based on pure skill alone, Rose believes the C’s have a leg up on Milwaukee. While he did state that Antetokounmpo was the best overall player on both teams, Rose did say his next four to five picks would be members of the C’s though.

With Khris Middleton serving as a secondary All-Star to Antetokounmpo, it speaks volumes that Rose would seemingly (and presumably) take Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and Gordon Hayward (with maybe even Marcus Smart) ahead of him.

Boston’s talent shouldn’t be slept on considering the collective accomplishments of this group. Don’t forget that Tatum and Brown costarred on the 2018 Celtics team that came a game away from the NBA Finals. Walker is a perennial All-Star and Hayward is regaining his form as an all-around threat.

When the season resumes, we will get an idea of how the Boston Celtics and the 21 other teams invited to the bubble will acclimate to the fan-less conditions. If Rose is to be believed, the C’s talent could–and should–propel them to their first NBA Finals berth in a decade.