The Celtics may have looked every bit like a heavy hitter for most of their first game against the Detroit Pistons, but Kendrick Perkins isn’t buying the contender label just yet.
Boston spent the first two and a half quarters showing why it can go toe-to-toe with anyone on a given night. Even with all the offseason changes and the challenge of a stacked Eastern Conference, the Celtics still project as one of the NBA’s top teams this season.
Trading Jaylen Brown naturally brings questions, though veteran Paul George has reportedly looked as good as anyone could’ve hoped. He still has to prove he can be that version of himself, but there was plenty there to get excited about.
That hasn’t changed Perkins’ stance on where Boston stands right now.
“The question is: are the Celtics contenders this season? And the answer is hell no,” Perkins said, H/T Clutch Points.
“I don't care about them winning regular season games; I don't care about them winning the Atlantic Division. Are they legit title contenders?
The answer is hell no. They don't have the personnel.
Jayson Tatum is on the clock.
“When you talk about players that are under the most pressure, Jayson Tatum is one of those guys that's under the most pressure because of what Jaylen Brown displayed, especially in the regular season carrying this team. When you think about the city of champions - the Boston Celtics - it's just like the Los Angeles Lakers. Championships or bust.”
Perkins’ take goes hard, especially when it lands on Tatum. Calling him “on the clock” feels like a stretch for a player who has already won a championship and checked nearly every box a player can check. But this is Boston, and the pressure that comes with wearing Celtics green never really goes away.
Still, there’s a difference between being in the spotlight and being under a real countdown. Tatum has already proved he can win. That part is settled.
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Pistons Beat Boston Even After The Celtics Got A Star's Best Shot
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For Boston, the box score was a reminder that one big night from a new arrival does not automatically solve everything. The Celtics needed more from their usual top options to match Detroits depth and rebounding, and for stretches they simply could not keep pace as the Pistons kept finding answers. It was a loud debut for George, but also the kind of loss that leaves the bigger questions hanging just beneath the surface. [Read more 🡒]