Do you already like this year’s Celtics team better than last year’s?
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I saw you mention in your Celtics column this morning that this team is more likable than last year’s. Do you really believe that? It’s only 10 games. Last year’s team was as tough and gritty as a championship team. They didn’t have the talent to win one, but they are one of my favorite Celtics teams of all-time. I miss them. – Will M.
Here’s what I wrote in the column regarding the 2016-17 Celtics:
Last year’s Celtics team was one of the most likable non-championship teams in recent Boston sports history. This team has them beat. It’s a better team, and a team I already like better. The talent is better. The can-do attitude remains. The rally from down 18 points at Oklahoma City Friday night confirmed their collective resilience. They played well together even when circumstances looked grim.
I do agree that there is still much to learn about this team. What happens if they lose three in a row and Irving isn’t getting enough touches? Does that become a problem? Is there a rookie wall for Jayson Tatum where suddenly he doesn’t look like a five-year veteran every night? Will Marcus Smart’s shot start to fall?
There will be some turbulence, because there always is, for every team. But they’d already dealt with their biggest shock of the season – the Gordon Hayward injury in the first quarter of the first game. A lot of people downgraded their chances of having a deep playoff run after they lost their highest-paid player right off the bat. I was one of them, and wrote a pretty maudlin piece about it.
After a brief time to get their bearings, they’ve ripped off eight in a row, and they’ve been as fun to watch during that stretch as last year’s Celtics team was at any point. I hate saying anything negative about Isaiah Thomas, because he’s a warrior. But Irving is better. This team is better offensively than they were last year, they’re better defensively, and they’re more aesthetically pleasing.
Ten games. Yep, it’s been just 10 games. I’ve seen all of them, and I’m convinced.
But what do you guys think? Do you like this year’s Celtics team better than last year’s team already? I’ll hear you in the comments..
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