Boston Celtics: Power ranking the Eastern Conference post-Harden trade

5. Indiana Pacers

Caris LeVert could end up being a better fit for the Indiana Pacers than Victor Oladipo was. His length and defensive chops could lead to more switchability on the defensive end and his playmaking could help alleviate the burden on Malcolm Brogdon at that end. Hopefully, he can stay healthier than Oladipo was during his Indy tenure.

4. Philadelphia 76ers

Until this team can make it past the second round of the Eastern Conference playoffs, the Sixers won’t be ranked higher than the Boston Celtics–who mercilessly swept Philadelphia out of the 2020 postseason from the Lake Buena Vista bubble in Walt Disney World’s Wide World of Sports complex.

3. Milwaukee Bucks

The Bucks won’t be ranked higher than Boston either, particularly because the Cs started the year off by taking down Milwaukee at home. Did Jrue Holiday elevate their ceiling enough to be the top dog in the east? Probably not, but dealing for him at least got Giannis Antetokounmpo to sign on the dotted line for a super-max extension.

2. Boston Celtics

It’s fair to say the Boston Celtics are better than the contenders that they’ve defeated this season and last. There have been few teams that have been able to see the sort of internal growth the Cs have, and that only continues to be the case as Jaylen Brown ascends to superstar status alongside Jayson Tatum.

1. Brooklyn Nets

Now that James Harden is officially in town, the Brooklyn Nets narrowly edge out the Boston Celtics as the east’s best team. While the depth will suffer for Brooklyn with the blockbuster now official, having three of the greatest isolation scorers in the game will make this one of the most dangerous offensive teams to ever hit the hardwood…on paper.

Pride can sink any ship.