1. Boston Celtics
The Boston Celtics will be under a microscope this season in the Eastern Conference. Heading into the 2023-24 NBA campaign, it’s clear championship or bust for the Celtics. The decision to trade Marcus Smart (essentially) for Kristaps Porzingis was a bold one. If Boston ends up winning a championship, it will all pay off and the front office will be praised. However, if the Celtics fall short of expectations once again, it won’t be remembered as a popular move.
On paper, though, the Celtics are the best team in the East. Unless a big injury happens or a blockbuster trade takes place, that’s going to continue to be the case. For Boston, it’s all about playing up to their ability. This is a team that feels close to winning a championship. This could finally be the season. If they avoid injury, it shouldn’t be surprising to anyone if they’re able to pull it off.
There’s a lot of pressure on Boston heading into the season. Then again, it’s rare when that’s not the case for the Celtics. Can they recover from a devastating Game 7 loss on their home floor in the Eastern Conference Finals? Can the new-look Celtics gel quickly? For the “favorite,” there are certainly plenty of questions surrounding Boston.