The Boston Celtics are still the best team in the Eastern Conference
The Boston Celtics are the best team in the NBA’s Eastern Conference after six games. There are no doubts about it at all.
While the Detroit Pistons sit atop the NBA’s Eastern Conference standings with a 5-2 record, it’s the Boston Celtics who are the team to beat. After a 0-2 start against the Cavaliers and Bucks, Boston has responded with 4 straight wins, and they won’t slow down anytime soon.
The Pistons have outperformed their roster talent, especially in their 115-107 win over Golden State on the road. They lost though to the 76ers and Wizards, two potential East playoffs team this season. I can guarantee you that the Celtics will demolish the Pistons on November 27th when they play in Boston.
Boston meanwhile, has dealt with a season-ending injury to their new star wing Gordon Hayward. It took them some time to adjust, but the team seems to be figuring it all out. The Celtics have won their four straight games over the 76ers, Knicks, Bucks, and Heat. Milwaukee will likely be a middle of the pack playoff team, and Miami has that potential as well. Boston will have to take on strong teams in their next 3 games as well as they take on the Spurs, Kings, and Thunder from the Western Conference. A 2-1 record in those games would prove that Boston is the team to beat in the East.
ESPN’s week 3 power rankings have the Boston Celtics at #6, the best of any Eastern Conference team.
"The C’s found their footing with a 3-0 week, as they continue to navigate life without Gordon Hayward. The Celtics still rank below league average in offensive efficiency, but a second-ranked defense should keep them in the mix at the top of the conference. Brad Stevens has called on rookie Jayson Tatumand he has continued to deliver, averaging 18 points on a true shooting percentage of 76.5 for the week."
The Pistons meanwhile, are ranked #15.
"More from Chowder and Champions3 Midseason Chaim Bloom Decisions That Have Killed the 2023 Red Sox10 Patriots Who Will Be Cut by Tuesday’s Roster DeadlineMLB Screws Red Sox Fans With Broadcast for Mookie Betts Return3 Most Underpaid Celtics Heading Into the 2023 SeasonRed Sox Continue Rollercoaster Season With Massive WinThe Pistons enjoyed a productive weekend out west, winning back-to-back over the Clippers and Dubs. To make a dent in the Eastern Conference, the Pistons needed a player or two from their starting core to outperform expectations — and Tobias Harris obliged. He and CJ McCollum are the only players in the NBA this season to score 100 points while turning over the ball five times or fewer."
But wait, what about the NBA favorite and LeBron James-led Cleveland Cavaliers? They’ve struggled. They’re 3-4 and both Dwyane Wade and Jae Crowder have been sent to the bench. The Cavs are floundering and who knows when they’ll figure it out. Still, ESPN ranked Cleveland right behind the Celtics at #7 in their newest power rankings.
Honestly, I don’t believe that the Celtics have played their best basketball yet. The team is still coming together and with the DPE a new player could be in the mix soon. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have both played exceptionally well, and their time as starters will only help them to continue to improve. Boston will have some hiccups with the young players, but at those times Al Horford and Kyrie Irving should be able to carry the load.
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Mark my words here. Even without Gordon Hayward, the Boston Celtics will be the #1 in the Eastern Conference, and they will take down LeBron and the Cavaliers in the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals. Their stellar defense, with help from Aron Baynes, will carry them until the offense begins to truly click, and when it does this team will be unstoppable. The Boston Celtics are better than the Cleveland Cavaliers, Detroit Pistons, Washington Wizards, and any other contender in the East.