CELTICS 40-1 to win it all, 20-1 to win East
Falling fast.
Falling? When?
They've generally been grouped as the 4-5-6 seed in the East which seems fair.
Its hard to bet against the Nets/Durant but they seem combustible. I don't trust them.
I like the Heat as my value pick at 35 to 1, Celts at 40 isn't bad.
I suspect that the Celts will gel as a team as the season progresses and they learn to play under Coach U.
There is a shitload of young talent on that team, (as mentioned a couple of weeks ago they have 8 homegrown 1s) several of whom were developmentally sidetracked by covid, for the past 2 years.
And if luck reverts to the mean, this snakebit team, will be the luckiest team in the NBA for the next few years.
Its only fair.
Get 'em while they're cheap.
Jabari Parker Grant Williams Langford and Neismith are the reserve corps of swings and wings
It is going to be a hell of a load on Jason and Jalen with that degree of fall off behind them
Horford, Smart and Schroder say hi.
Ironically fac, I think you overlooked them, and their potential contributions to the Js, who desperately needed a facilitator last year, and without reliving the gory details were reliant on a no-show vet in Teague and a rookie PG, Prichard, to pick up the slack left by kemba and covid DNPs. Al is a good passing 4/5, and will spread the floor, and Schroder, will probably play with an edge and a desire to get paid in '22. Lastly, I see Al as mentoring TL, and if he can stay healthy, will be a force as an elite windmill rim protector. His skills and instincts are off the charts good.
IMO the East is going to be very competitive, but if the Celts develop as I imagine, they will be a tough out for any one in a 7-gamer.
More later, but in general, this will be the first regular off-season for a lot of their young players and first regular training camp, to get incorporated into Coach U's and Brad's vision. And as a final aside, last year we saw a lot of the bubble teams struggle and fall short of expectations, and several teams were big surprises.
I think its a mistake to use last year as a measuring stick.
just my 2 scents