Lowe: Celtics are a Tier 3 Team with A-/B+ Max Players

[Moranis]

OKC is a joke. They aren’t a tier above us. Has he even looked at their bench or is he infatuated with he repetitive bs “they have 2 or 3 hall of famers “

OKC has a better starting 5 than Boston with Westbrook, Roberson, George, Anthony, and Adams, and has some respectable bench players in Patterson, Collison, Grant, Abrines, Felton, Huestas, Singler, Johnson

At the end of the day you win and lose playoff series on top end talent not benches unless the top end talent is about even (then a better bench comes into play). 

[Moranis]

And I don't think those are actually tiers past the first two

[Birdman]

Don't see Houston as tier 2..

[green_bballers13]

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20960590/zach-lowe-2017-18-nba-tiers-ratings

Tier 1: GSW

Tier 2: CLE, OKC, HOU and SAS

Tier 3: BOS, WIZ, TOR

Personally, I feel that by the end of the season, we will be as good as CLE, and better than HOU and SAS. 

I just don't know what to expect from OKC.  They could be great, or a disaster.

The thing that stands out to me about this list is that the Celtics are the only team replete with young talent. Tatum, Brown, and even Smart are cost-controlled, attractive young pieces that every contender would want. The rest have to rely on paying aging veterans north of $20m per year.

I don't think there's a major difference between Tiers 2 and 3. I don't know why the Spurs should win any more games than the Celtics.

[tarheelsxxiii]

And I don't think those are actually tiers past the first two

Sup Mo.  Who do you think will make the ECF this year?

[smokeablount]

I see Lowe's reasoning. Every team in tier 1 and 2 have a top 6 player in the league with Golden State having 2. Also, I believe all those teams have proven depth, the Celtics do not. Now if everything gels for the Celtics and they get starter level play from Tatum and Brown and rotational level play from a couple of other rookies, the Cs could be tier 2 by season's end.

this.  until the team shows it has gelled with all the new additions, it's kind of in a "prove it to me" state.  If the parts come together as well as we hope, we easily have the talent to be tier 2

Except I don't buy that. Why does OKC get the benefit of the doubt and make tier 2 with all their new parts and the Celtics don't?

[Celtics4ever]

Except I don't buy that. Why does OKC get the benefit of the doubt and make tier 2 with all their new parts and the Celtics don't?

Relax folks.  Lowe can't resist taking a shot at us, he loves LeBron afterall.

The guy who said :

1  GS
1.5 CLE
2 Us and a handful of teams

had it right.

[Moranis]

And I don't think those are actually tiers past the first two

Sup Mo.  Who do you think will make the ECF this year?

Assuming Boston and Cleveland are on opposites of the bracket those 2.  I'm not sure that they do end up on opposite sides though (I could easily envision them as the 2 and 3 or even the 1 and 4 seeds)

[crimson_stallion]

http://www.espn.com/nba/story/_/id/20960590/zach-lowe-2017-18-nba-tiers-ratings

Tier 1: GSW

Tier 2: CLE, OKC, HOU and SAS

Tier 3: BOS, WIZ, TOR

Personally, I feel that by the end of the season, we will be as good as CLE, and better than HOU and SAS. 

I just don't know what to expect from OKC.  They could be great, or a disaster.

I agree on all except for San Antonio.

They have a very high risk roster (with Kawhi, Parker, RGay all coming off season ending injuries and Gasol turning about 500 years old) but if they can manage to stay healthy, that roster of Parker, Rgay, Kawhi, Aldridge, Gasol is very dangerous.  They could genuinely challenge Golden State in the West.  They challenged them last year WITHOUT RGay.

But none of the other teams strike me as being a step above Boston.  Clevleand is IMO on about the same level.  Houston is IMOH below us.  OKC maybe about the same level too. 

Putting the Raptors and Wizards above the Celtics is a bad joke.

[Moranis]

I say again. He didn't really tier anyone. He just kind of grouped interesting teams together.

[Boston Garden Leprechaun]

I'd elevate Boston to Tier 2, and elevate Cleveland to Tier 1.5.

That is fair.

[Bobshot]

Beware of ESPN. Outside of ESPN Boston, it's basically NY and filled with Boston team haters.

Lowe doesn't deserve a thread here.

The Cavs are loaded with downside veterans like Wade and Rose who might not last the season. And then IT is a big question mark. Crowder improves them, but Lebron is a year older at 32. Can he still carry a team to the finals? I wonder.

I would not be surprised if they are Tier 3, not Boston, who are younger and deeper.

[slamtheking]

I see Lowe's reasoning. Every team in tier 1 and 2 have a top 6 player in the league with Golden State having 2. Also, I believe all those teams have proven depth, the Celtics do not. Now if everything gels for the Celtics and they get starter level play from Tatum and Brown and rotational level play from a couple of other rookies, the Cs could be tier 2 by season's end.

this.  until the team shows it has gelled with all the new additions, it's kind of in a "prove it to me" state.  If the parts come together as well as we hope, we easily have the talent to be tier 2

Except I don't buy that. Why does OKC get the benefit of the doubt and make tier 2 with all their new parts and the Celtics don't?

I think the key difference between OKC (and Houston for that matter) and the C's is that their best player was with the team last year whereas the C's best player (best 2 players in fact) were on a different team last year

[footey]

I say again. He didn't really tier anyone. He just kind of grouped interesting teams together.

"Golden State Warriors--Tier of Their Own."

Don't know why that confuses you.

[crimson_stallion]

Beware of ESPN. Outside of ESPN Boston, it's basically NY and filled with Boston team haters.

Lowe doesn't deserve a thread here.

The Cavs are loaded with downside veterans like Wade and Rose who might not last the season. And then IT is a big question mark. Crowder improves them, but Lebron is a year older at 32. Can he still carry a team to the finals? I wonder.

I would not be surprised if they are Tier 3, not Boston, who are younger and deeper.

Not if they insist on starting him at PF, he doesn't!!