The Boston Celtics are legit, but not too legit. But it will get better
Currently, they are holding their own as the fourth place team in the NBA’s Eastern Conference and the second place team in the Atlantic Division – second to the Toronto Raptors who have been on a real tear as of late.
Earlier in the season, it was clear they had talent, but they just were not producing. Lately, that has been anything but the case as they stand at 28-22, coming off a 97-89 win over a division rival, the New York Knicks.
Tyler Zeller impressed fans as he dropped 16 points and grabbed 10 rebounds in 27 minutes of play.
If the Celtics win their next game and the Atlanta Hawks lose, then that would put them in third place by a full game.
Unless the Celtics have some sort of major collapse (see 2011 Red Sox), then they should be a lock to make the playoffs. Even if they do make the playoffs though, president of basketball operations Danny Ainge warned fans – do not expect much. He said he does not think that he is working with a championship caliber team, nor does he want to trade pieces away, risk the future of the team and try to find out whether nor not his team is for real.
For the Celtics, just making the playoffs would make it a successful season. Keep in mind, the Celtics also have an absurd number of draft picks over the next few seasons – way more than they have spots for on their current roster. If that is any indication, then they are going to make some big trades in the future and become the team to beat in the east – again (sorry LeBron).
It is impressive though: the Celtics are in what they would consider to be a rebuilding season and yet, they are one of the top teams in the game at the moment. They only look to be getting better too because they have won seven of their last ten.
The Celtics host the Detroit Pistons tonight with a tip off scheduled for 7:30 p.m. ET.