Who is shaping up as our biggest challenge in the East?

[jmost]

As we approach the 1/3 mark of the season it seems clear there are 5 teams that are the class of the East: Raptors, Bucks, Sixers, Pacers and Celtics. But I think only the Raptors and Bucks can give us a battle in the playoffs

We've struggled with the Raptors for years, they seem better than ever, and they may have the best player in the East in Kawhi.

Bucks have the only other player who can claim to be the best in the East in Giannis. They just beat the Raptors in Toronto. They could be tough.

Sixers have a good record, but Embiid is already complaining that he's not being used correctly and that his touches are down. Fultz looks to be a mess. Simmons still can't shoot. I think they're good but don't see them as a serious threat.

Pacers have Oladipo, but nowhere near enough to beat us in the playoffs if we're healthy.

Celtics are looking really good over the last 6 games, and I still don't think we've seen anywhere near the best of this team. Hayward has shown only occasional flashes of what we hope and expect from him. If they keep moving the ball on offense and digging in on defense I think we'll come out of the East.

Can anyone beat us?

[TenTwentyFour]

Yeah, I agree completely. Sixers are a pretty good team and we haven't played them with Buttler yet, but somehow I can never take them seriously. Bucks is another matter. We are clearly the better team, but I intuitively feel they have a chance to knock us off come playoff time. Raptors is going to be a tough series no matter what, so there's that.

And a bit off topic...I read up a few studies on patellofemoral pain syndrome with which Al Horford has been diagnosed, and they consistently state that 1 month to 6 weeks of rest is generally needed to prevent the problem from becoming chronic. And that stuff becoming chronic can't be good for an athlete, if it hasn't already...so Celtics brass is probably being a little dishonest when they say he'll miss just a few more games.

[jmost]

I'd give him whatever time he needs to get healthy. The way this team is constructed, we can survive 4-6 weeks without him. Better to have him ready come April.

[runrondo]

It'd be great if Williams could get more run too.

Back to the topic, I think the Raptors are the top challenger. I thought the Bucks should've beaten us last year and I'm still worried about them - however, I think we have more edge to our game than them and can grind out a win like we did last year if need be (although it would be completely different with the players healthy). I think the Greak Freak (if he could shoot well from beyond the Arc) would be Lebron-like...but as is, I think we can still sag off him a little and clog the paint up a bit to give us enough to win similar to how we could beat Lebron before his game got more well-rounded. Watch out if he starts getting a semi-good jumpshot/3 pointer (shooting 12% from 3 this year!).

Sixers are weird. I think beating them last year gives us a bit of an edge. I'm not sure if they're better or worse with Butler. I'd say better, but I think their weaknesses still exist: if we can stick just Horford (or Theis or Williams) on Embiid with no double team and sag off Simmons (with all our switchability) then I think we can beat them again.

I'm definitely worried about the Raptors - I think Leonard is showing he hasn't lost a step and they're a well-rounded team who execute well (similar to us!). I would hope with more progress for GH and our chemistry/effort that we can beat them, but it's shaping up to be a good one either way.

[Roadrunner]

Dec 12, 2018 14:57:41 GMT -5 TenTwentyFour said:

Yeah, I agree completely. Sixers are a pretty good team and we haven't played them with Buttler yet, but somehow I can never take them seriously. Bucks is another matter. We are clearly the better team, but I intuitively feel they have a chance to knock us off come playoff time. Raptors is going to be a tough series no matter what, so there's that.

And a bit off topic...I read up a few studies on patellofemoral pain syndrome with which Al Horford has been diagnosed, and they consistently state that 1 month to 6 weeks of rest is generally needed to prevent the problem from becoming chronic. And that stuff becoming chronic can't be good for an athlete, if it hasn't already...so Celtics brass is probably being a little dishonest when they say he'll miss just a few more games.

As a runner, I have had Al's injury. Basically, the knee tracts the wrong direction because the muscles are either tight, or weak. A quick solution is being fitted for custom orthodics, which correct the tracting process. A long term solution is massage, and/or lifting weights (legs).

TOR probably is the biggest challenge, because they will likely be the #1 seed, hence secure home court advantage. However, I feel very good BOS can beat anyone in the East, and can also give anyone in the West a good run for its money.

[FLCeltsFan]

Got to be the Raptors. They are scary good this season. They don't have DeRozen to freeze in the playoffs and don't have the same coach that somehow had them playing great in the season and then fading in the playoffs. They worry me.

[afceltic]

But they do still have Lowry who is a midget and chokes just as much as DeRozan did. But it is definitely the Raptors, nobody else scares me at all. Philly is an overhyped mess until Simmons gets a shot and Milwaukee doesn't have enough around the freak to win the conference yet.

Glad to have you back Fl.

[FLCeltsFan]

Thanks AF. It is sure good to be back and able to post. I don't know what will happen if and when they finally get around to fixing the holes in the house and the rest of the damage but for now I'm able to post using the hot spot.

I agree that Philly is an overhyped mess. Milwaukee is a little scary with their length but in a 7 game series, I agree that they don't seem to have enough around Giannis to mount a challenge.

[Roadrunner]

BOS flaws will get ironed out over the course of the season, where TOR/PHI/MIL flaws will shine during the playoffs.