We all know how big the story was when marquee free agent signing Gordon Hayward suffered a gruesome ankle fracture six minutes into his Celtic debut. We all know how the Celtics went on to lose the opening night game against the Cavaliers. We all know how analysts and sports fanatics everywhere immediately wrote off the Celtics from contention this year. So how exactly are the Boston Celtics currently sitting atop the Eastern Conference with a 6-2 record.This of course while the almighty Cavs are in 13th just in front of the rebuilding Hawks and the post-Butler Bulls. Since losing against the Cavs on opening night, the Celtics boast a 6-1 record with impressive wins over the MVP candidate "Greek Freak" led Bucks, Miami Heat, and San Antonio Spurs. Most of the credit has to go to the dynamic Point Guard/Center combo of Kyrie Irving and Al Horford. Kyrie is averaging 21.8 PPG on 45% shooting. While his numbers may be down from last year, this would be attributed to him getting accustomed to his new teammates and higher workload. The most important stat to look at with Kyrie has to be his career high average in steals. He is currently averaging 2.6 steals per game which is more than double what he averaged last year. While it is still early in the season and many things could still change, Brad Stevens has Kyrie playing some of the most well-rounded basketball of his career.
Kyrie isn't the only reason as to why the Celtics are currently on a 6 game win streak. Impressive play by rookie forward Jayson Tatum and sophomore guard Jaylen Brown, has the Brooklyn Nets front office in tears. Jayson Tatum is currently 2nd in my rankings for rookie of the year behind the 76ers own, Ben Simmons. The soft shooting forward is currently averaging 14.2 PPG on an unbelievable 47.9% shooting from the field and an eye popping 50% FG from three point land. Jayson Tatum not only looks like a future all star, but he looks like an integral part in a future Celtics championship run in the next few years. Jaylen Brown on the other hand looks like he can be an all star in his second NBA season. The guard is averaging 16.8 PPG and is averaging 41% from three. Danny Ainge- known to have a very disappointing draft record, seems to have picked up two team cornerstones for the next era of Celtics basketball.
This Celtics team was doubted the minute Hayward went down, and while there's still a chance that everything could fall apart, head coach Brad Stevens should be looked at as an early Coach of the Year favorite. While we all know that LeBron James has owned the east for the last 7 years, something feels different this year as a new NBA powerhouse emerges from the loss of their superstar.
-Pharaoh (@Adam_Borai)
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