NBA: Grading the Atlantic Division for the 2019-20 season

Grading the Atlantic Division teams for the 2019-20 NBA season

The 2019-20 NBA season has come to end. So, it is time to give out some grades – this portion of grades will be given out to the Atlantic Division. All teams (sans the Knicks) had overall good campaigns. Four of the five organizations made the playoffs and have lots to look forward to for the next season. But we must be stern in our outlook of overall grading – so, let’s begin.

Boston Celtics: A

I knew the Boston Celtics were going to do well this season. How could you not with a roster comprised of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward, and Kemba Walker? This team was going to grind and fight all the way through – which they did.

The C’s pretty much stayed steady all season long – winning the games they needed to while playing up to par, and sometimes better, against other tops of both conferences. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown elevated their games mightily – showing out in crunch times of statement games (both will be big-time players for the foreseeable future).

Kemba Walker was a sweet surprise for this squad. I was unsure as to how he would do with less usage as opposed to his time in Charlotte. The guard fit in well with the group but the defensive holes in his game are still an unsettling factor that halted his effectiveness in the long run.

Similar things can be said about Gordon Hayward, who showed glimpses of his old self at times. Those recollections were sparse though – as he was plagued by injury and couldn’t find a rhythm throughout the regular season and playoffs

Boston made it to the Eastern Conference Finals and was matched up against a great Miami Heat squad. They ultimately lost the series 4-2, nevertheless, there’s still an impressive foundation to build upon for the future.