Skip to main content

The Boston Celtics, NBA Powerhouse?



      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)

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Crew's NBA Power Rankings (1st Edition)

Gianni Finizio Jake Fernandez Shane Flaherty Matt Mahon Adam Borai John Abbruzzi 1 Warriors Clippers Warriors Timberwolves Rockets Rockets 2 Rockets Warriors Clippers Rockets Warriors Warriors 3 Clippers Celtics Celtics Clippers Clippers Celtics 4 Celtics Timberwolves Rockets Warriors Celtics Clippers 5 Wizards Wizards Wizards Celtics Wizards Timberwolves 6 Grizzlies Magic Magic Magic Magic Magic 7 Timberwolves Rockets Timberwolves Grizzlies Timberwolves Hornets 8 Magic Thunder Grizzlies Thunder Grizzlies Wizards 9 Pistons Pistons Thunder Hornets Thunder Thunder 10 Thunder Spurs Spurs Jazz Jazz Jazz 11 Pacers Bucks Jazz Pistons Pistons Pistons 12 Spurs Pacers Pistons Pacers Pacers 76ers 13 76ers Jazz 76ers 76ers Hornets Pacers 14 Bucks Raptors Raptors Trail Blazers Spurs Bucks 15 Cavaliers Grizzlies Bucks Wizards Trail Blazers Spurs 16 Raptors Trail Blazers Pacers Bucks Bucks Heat 17 Hornets Hornets Trail Blazers Suns Raptors Cavs 18 Jazz Knicks Suns Raptors H...
Post a Comment
Read more

The Impact That This Summers Free Agent Class can Have on the NBA

The off season in the NBA can be one of the most wild and exciting times for sports fans. Big name players such as LeBron James and MVP Finals winner Kevin Durant have the power to change teams and conferences, potentially shifting the balance of power in the NBA. Fans anticipate this time of year hugely, perhaps even more than some playoff games. Not only are big name players free agents, but this years crop of restricted free agents is one of the best its been in years. This years class has impact players such as Marcus Smart. Clint Capela, Aaron Gordon and Julius Randle, just to name a few. These players have established great credibility and are looking to earn big pay days like the rest of the free agent class. Could a team like Indiana or Utah look at one of these players and feel they could build on the momentum last years playoff runs gave them and be serious contenders in 2019. Lottery teams like Brooklyn or Phoenix may try to get a big name to make there games more a...
Post a Comment
Read more

Would Chris Paul Really Consider Leaving Houston?

With Chris Paul becoming an unrestricted free agent, he's one of many stars that will hit the open market at midnight on July 1st. After finishing his first season in Houston after being dealt from the Los Angeles Clippers last summer, Paul could potentially be joining his fourth different team for his 14th season in the NBA. Paul has been vocal about his intentions to re-sign with the Rockets for another run at a title, however. In CP3's first season in H-Town, the Rockets took the defending champion Golden State Warriors to seven games in the Western Conference Finals before being outed after holding a 3-2 series lead. Some might argue that by now the Rockets could be hoisting their first Larry O'Brien trophy since 1995 had Paul not been injured in game five of the conference finals, causing him to miss the final two games of the series. The fact that Houston was one game away from The Finals would ideally be enough to convince the nine time all-star to stay put. ...
Post a Comment
Read more