The Celtics are actually good — regardless of how they ‘really feel’

The 2023-24 Celtics had been probably the most dominant groups of all time.

Combining the common season and playoffs, the group went 80-21, with some extent differential of 10.7 factors per recreation, which is fifth finest all time. They had been traditionally good.

Now examine the place this Celtics group is to the place they had been by means of 37 video games final season.

They’re proper on tempo to the place they had been final season. But with Oklahoma Metropolis and Cleveland being as nice as they’re, individuals are beginning to get involved with the place this Celtics group is.

If it looks like you could have heard individuals use ‘really feel’ earlier than when describing the Celtics, you in all probability have as a result of, nicely…

Have there been factors to this season the place the Celtics have been irritating? After all. Scoring 27 factors within the 2nd half of Sunday’s loss to the Thunder was very irritating, like watching Caleb Martin bury the Celtics (once more) on Christmas Day was irritating.

This group won’t have that very same edge proper now as that they had at this level final 12 months and that’s okay.

What occurred within the 2023 Japanese Convention Finals was embarrassing for everybody within the group, high to the underside. After all that they had an edge that they do not have this 12 months. They’re nonetheless going to be one of many high seeds within the playoffs and doubtless the favorites to win the East.

Now examine it to the 2017 and 2018 Warriors.

The 2016 Finals had been embarrassing to them, then they went out and added Kevin Durant (equally to how the Celtics bought Jrue Vacation and Kristaps Porzingis). Golden State was traditionally dominant within the common season and the playoffs, with a daily season document of 67-15, a playoff document of 16-1 and a mixed level differential of +11.96.

That they had the same edge to the one the Celtics had final 12 months.

In 2018, they cooled off successful 58 common season video games, ending 2nd within the Western Convention with a mixed level differential of +6.8 factors per recreation within the common season and playoffs. They even went to a Sport 7 in opposition to the Houston Rockets. Finally, they discovered a method to win the championship once more.

They discovered methods to win as a result of that’s what champions do.

I’m not saying that this Celtics group is pretty much as good as that Golden State group was as a result of they aren’t. The 2016-17 Warriors, to me, are the best basketball group ever assembled.

Nevertheless, there are similarities between the 2 conditions. An all-time dominant season adopted by a group rising and difficult them within the convention met with a group who is aware of they will get it completed.

The Celtics are in no way a lock to win the title this season. The Thunder and Cavaliers, together with a handful of different groups, are worthy opponents and can problem the Celtics, equally to how the Rockets challenged the Warriors that season.

Possibly these Celtics don’t really feel like final 12 months’s group to you and possibly they don’t seem to be enjoying with the identical edge they performed with final 12 months. That should not be a priority to their possibilities at successful the championship although. They’re 27-10 with a ten.4 internet ranking and actually, actually good.

The Thunder and Cavaliers have been superior this season and appear like actual threats to win it. Considered one of them might even be the favourite in a number of peoples’ minds. That should not make you panic as a fan of the Celtics. They’re battle-tested, they’re prepared to fulfill any second, and they’re champions.

It doesn’t matter what anybody says, I’m at all times going to experience with my guys. It doesn’t matter what.