Through all the ups and downs so far — the affirming wins and perplexing losses, Kyrie Irving’s genius shot-making, Terry Rozier’s worst World B. Free imitation, the rumors and meetings and general this-wasn’t-supposed-to-be-so-difficult vibe — I’ve never wavered from one belief about the Celtics:
No matter how much drama along the way, self-inflicted or otherwise, if they were healthy through the playoffs, they would prevail as the Eastern Conference champions.
Well, here we are, 60 games and just 37 victories into this season, and I’m officially wavering, man. If the Celtics’ achievements are going to match the sum of their individual talents, they’re already well overdue in getting their act together.