NBA: Ranking the Boston Celtics’ biggest threats in the Eastern Conference

BOSTON, MA – OCTOBER 2: Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics and Gordon Hayward #20 look on during the first half against the Charlotte Hornets at TD Garden on October 2, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, user is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

The Boston Celtics will be the favorites to win the NBA’s Eastern Conference this season, but who will be their biggest threats?

The Boston Celtics are clearly the favorites to win the NBA’s Eastern Conference this season, and I don’t think many would argue with that statement. With that said, that doesn’t mean the East title will come without resistance.

Led by Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward – who will both be returning from injury this season – will power arguably the deepest team in the NBA not named Golden State Warriors. They’re going to be stingy on defense, led by Brad Stevens, and explosive on offense.

On top of having two – three, if you count Al Horford – of the 20 best players in the NBA, the Celtics also have two of the most talented young players in the NBA in Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.

That’s five players that are extremely talented, and we haven’t even mentioned Marcus Smart, potentially the best bench player in the NBA, and Terry Rozier.

Boston could be in line for a special season in 2018-19, but which teams could spoil the party for the Celtics? Let’s rank the Celtics’ biggest threats in the Eastern Conference.