I'm serious here. Last night's 105-75 drubbing of The Green by the struggling New York Knicks is not such a bad thing. A 'bad thing" would be the Celtics peaking so early in the season, only to decelerate as the post-season approached.
With COVID stubbornly refusing to go away, we have no idea what this season's playoffs will look like - or even if they will be played at all. Home court advantage may have no meaning this year.
Danny Ainge seems to be moderately-content with the crew he has, but floor time for the youngsters is paramount, as is ending the regular season with a sufficient record to make the playoffs. As a worst-case scenario, ending the season and barely qualifying for the playoffs - and starting the post-season against the top team in the Eastern Conference - when the troops are fresh - is not totally negative.
The key here is to make the post season with a complete and healthy roster, in addition to having an 8-or-9-man rotation that is prepared with the intensity and determination to win. The Celtics are now in second place in the East, behind only the Milwaukee Bucks.
The top-5 teams are clustered record-wise, and the next three are not far out of the fight. Count me as one who would be concerned if the Celtics were sweeping the League in January. This is not the time. Early-May would be the right time. Talk to me then.
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