Celtics in that twilight zone

[Ogaju]

that zone where a developing team turns into an established championship team. Part of it is reality but most of it is perception.

The reality now is that the Celtics are a championship level team, but the perception has not met this reality.

The perception has to meet the reality for the team to truly arrive. Why? How?

Well, the team has to believe they belong to play with a certain swagger that championship teams need to succeed. The team does not believe yet. So this mental aspect of the game is missing.

Opponents have to believe the team is elite. Funny enough I believe opponents already perceive the Celtics as a championship team. So this aspect of arrival has been met.

The officials have to believe the team is elite so they can get elite level calls. This perception has not yet been attained.

The Celtics are already elite, all we need is perception to meet this reality.

[Eja117]

I can't possibly agree that teams perceive us as a championship level team.

In NFL terms we are the Dallas Cowboys. Nice place to be, but not a championship level team. Not by a long shot.

That team is largely waiting for Tom Brady to retire, and hoping they get lucky to maybe knock off the Falcons or Seahawks and then pull a last second surprise in the Super Bowl.  Are they in shouting distance....yes...if everything goes right.

But not a championship level team. Just a good team in a good place hoping for good things.

One difference is we have one championship level GM and ownership on the Celts so we got that.

[trickybilly]

https://www.quora.com/Why-do-the-Boston-Celtics-and-Los-Angeles-Lakers-always-get-favorable-calls-at-crucial-moments-in-NBA-Games#