The 2023-24 Celtics had been one of the vital dominant groups of all time.
Combining the common season and playoffs, the crew went 80-21, with a degree differential of 10.7 factors per recreation, which is fifth greatest all time. They had been traditionally good.
Now evaluate the place this Celtics crew is to the place they had been via 37 video games final season.
Via 37 video games Cs final yr we’re 29-8 with +10.3 pt differential
This yr they’re 27-10 with a +10.2 pt differential.
Absurd fall off rattling.
— Trey (@TA1297) January 8, 2025
They’re proper on tempo to the place they had been final season. But with Oklahoma Metropolis and Cleveland being as nice as they’re, individuals are beginning to get involved with the place this Celtics crew is.
I agree. Robust spot.
Admit it although. They do not really feel like final yr.
FEEL Once more! Celtics followers are gonna like it. https://t.co/K0nKq0tO4w
— Hardwood Paroxysm (@HPbasketball) January 8, 2025
If it looks as if you have got heard folks use ‘really feel’ earlier than when describing the Celtics, you in all probability have as a result of, effectively…
Have there been factors to this season the place the Celtics have been irritating? In fact. Scoring 27 factors within the 2nd half of Sunday’s loss to the Thunder was very irritating, like watching Caleb Martin bury the Celtics (once more) on Christmas Day was irritating.
This crew won’t have that very same edge proper now as they’d at this level final yr and that’s okay.
“Does it really feel like final yr to you?”
No in fact not and that could be a GOOD factor. Final years crew needed to be on a mission all yr lengthy to show they might do it. This yr the Celtics don’t have anything they should show to anybody. They’re pacing themselves in accordance for an additional run
— Immortan Joe Mazzulla (@Handsome_Jake_) January 8, 2025
What occurred within the 2023 Japanese Convention Finals was embarrassing for everybody within the group, prime to the underside. In fact they’d an edge that they do not have this yr. They’re nonetheless going to be one of many prime seeds within the playoffs and doubtless the favorites to win the East.
Now evaluate it to the 2017 and 2018 Warriors.
The 2016 Finals had been embarrassing to them, then they went out and added Kevin Durant (equally to how the Celtics obtained Jrue Vacation and Kristaps Porzingis). Golden State was traditionally dominant within the common season and the playoffs, with an everyday season file of 67-15, a playoff file of 16-1 and a mixed level differential of +11.96.
They’d the same edge to the one the Celtics had final yr.
In 2018, they cooled off profitable 58 common season video games, ending 2nd within the Western Convention with a mixed level differential of +6.8 factors per recreation within the common season and playoffs. They even went to a Recreation 7 in opposition to the Houston Rockets. Ultimately, they discovered a technique to win the championship once more.
They discovered methods to win as a result of that’s what champions do.
I’m not saying that this Celtics group is pretty much as good as that Golden State group was as a result of they aren’t. The 2016-17 Warriors, to me, are the best basketball crew ever assembled.
Nonetheless, there are similarities between the 2 conditions. An all-time dominant season adopted by a crew rising and difficult them within the convention met with a crew who is aware of they’ll get it carried out.
The Celtics are not at all a lock to win the title this season. The Thunder and Cavaliers, together with a handful of different groups, are worthy opponents and can problem the Celtics, equally to how the Rockets challenged the Warriors that season.
Possibly these Celtics don’t really feel like final yr’s crew to you and perhaps they don’t seem to be taking part in with the identical edge they performed with final yr. That should not be a priority to their possibilities at profitable the championship although. They’re 27-10 with a ten.4 web ranking and actually, actually good.
The Thunder and Cavaliers have been superior this season and appear to be actual threats to win it. Certainly one of them might even be the favourite in quite a lot of peoples’ minds. That should not make you panic as a fan of the Celtics. They’re battle-tested, they’re prepared to satisfy any second, and they’re champions.
It doesn’t matter what anybody says, I’m at all times going to experience with my guys. It doesn’t matter what.
