Despite being down 2-1 to the Milwaukee Bucks in the Eastern Conference Semifinals, there is still reason for optimism for the Boston Celtics
After an improbable run that saw the shorthanded Boston Celtics make it to the 2018 Eastern Conference Finals, could they make it all the way back again?
Sure, it was a disappointing regular season for the Celtics which saw the team finish as the No. 4 team in the Eastern Conference when most of the basketball universe believed they would be the top seed (or at least top 3).
Sure, they won “only” 49 games after winning 53 and 55 the previous two seasons. And Marcus Smart remains out with an oblique injury. But, despite finding themselves in a 2-1 series hole, there’s a reason for optimism for the Celtics. This is not the time to panic.
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Why not?
Kyrie Irving is healthy. He’s been through this before. He’s won a championship after showing out in the 2016 NBA Finals. If the folks in New England are questioning Kyrie’s leadership, those who are pessimistic have to be impressed with what they have seen. He’s responded so far with averages of 22 points and 7.4 assists thus far.
Gordon Hayward is healthy. After that gruesome leg injury which erased his 2017-18 season, he has slowly made his way back to the form we all remember from his Jazz days. Over his last five games, he’s responded by shooting 46 percent from the field, including 47 percent from beyond the arc. All this while coming off the bench.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are a year older and a year wiser. After being unfazed of the bright lights of the postseason last year, Tatum and Brown get their second crack at the NBA Finals.
Brown has been inserted into the starting lineup in Smart’s absence and has contributed 14 points and six rebounds per game. He has taken an aggressive mindset in the conference semis with a couple of monstrous dunks over Bucks for Giannis Antetokounmpo.
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Tatum contributed a 17 point performance in Game 3 and could be showing signs of coming out of the funk that limited his offense.
Terry Rozier will have much to prove. After having an incredible display last season, Rozier will be out to prove that last year’s playoffs were no fluke. He will have his chance as Smart’s minutes will need to be distributed among the backcourt corps.
Al Horford is…well, Al Horford. A big man who can post up, shoot the 3 and make the right pass at the right time. Horford, the five-time all-star, is averaging a near double in the postseason thus far.
One more reason. No. LeBron. James. The King had been sitting on the Eastern Conference Champion throne for an amazing eight seasons. There was no one bad enough to take him down. Now he has taken his talents to Santa Monica Beach, where he and his Lakers are currently scuffling over their unexpected long offseason, so the Eastern Conference championship is wide open for the taking, and this year is the Celtics chance.
Antetokounmpo has been the best player so far this series. He has a great supporting cast including all-star Khris Middleton, solid veteran Brook Lopez and surprising bench player Pat Connaughton.
The Boston Celtics, however, boasts a roster that includes Irving, Horford, Tatum, Brown, Rozier, Hayward along with Aron Baynes and Semi Ojeleye. They appear to have plenty of weapons that can match up with Milwaukee and still have a chance to win this series and return to the Conference Finals.