As we look ahead to the NBA landscape, the Boston Celtics are making waves, even without their star Jayson Tatum on the court. On a recent episode of the Kevin O’Connor Show, KOC and John Fanta delved into the contender rankings, with O’Connor confidently placing the Celtics as the frontrunners to represent the East in the NBA Finals.
O’Connor showered praise on head coach Joe Mazzulla and players like Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard, and Neemias Queta, highlighting their relentless effort and defensive prowess. The Celtics have crafted a young, dynamic group of wing defenders, including Hugo Gonzalez, Baylor Scheierman, and Jordan Walsh, who consistently challenge opponents.
Remarkably, the Celtics have maintained an elite net rating this season, even when Brown is off the court. This resilience and depth have kept them competitive, defying expectations and earning respect across the league.
While Tatum's anticipated return is a factor in their potential success, O’Connor emphasized the current strength of the team. The Celtics have demonstrated a championship mentality, setting them apart from other Eastern Conference teams.
During the podcast, O’Connor's compelling argument even swayed Fanta, who initially ranked the Pistons and Knicks higher. After considering recent performances, Fanta agreed that the Celtics deserve the top spot.
The Eastern Conference contenders all face significant challenges. The Pistons, despite their impressive record, lack playoff experience. Cade Cunningham shines as an MVP candidate, but questions linger about their secondary scoring.
The Knicks, early favorites, struggle with defensive issues involving Jalen Brunson and Karl-Anthony Towns, and they’re still adjusting to new coach Mike Brown. Meanwhile, the Cavaliers, despite their trade deadline moves, have yet to prove themselves in the playoffs, with James Harden's postseason reliability in question.
While the Celtics have their own hurdles, their growing momentum makes them serious contenders to win the East, with or without Tatum. As the season progresses, it's time to recognize Boston as a genuine threat in the conference.