Is it too soon to say Celtics are Eastern conference favorites?

[bknova]

If the Lakers won't trade Kuzma for Kawhi, and Philly won't move Fultz or Simmons....  Rozier, Morris, and Theis is starting to look like a pretty nice package.......

[CelticSooner]

Philly is the media choice but the media is wrong as Philly has some flawed players.  We are the BEAST OF THE EAST but we have to put TOR in their place....

What media is saying this?  Put some links to this supposed media. I see this on here a lot, but yet I haven't heard any of this or seen any of this.  Vegas pretty clearly has Boston as the Eastern favorite and has since the season ended.

It’s out there more than you think. Basically with the idea that the East is WIDE open. Barkley believe it or not said the C’s would own it for the next 10 years lol regardless Philly is getting put up there for one reason, overrating Simmons. Alert me when he isn’t afraid to shoot. They needed LeBron.

[Scintan]

Redick's going back to Philly, so that helps that squad.  Boston is obviously still the favorite, but that is a boost for the 76ers.

[tenn_smoothie]

I spend my life worrying about crap I have no control over.

BWAHAHAHAHAHA   

Ever heard of self-effacing humor ?

[CelticsJG]

East is not ours til we prove it. It just wide open now.

[celticsclay]

We are literally the favorite right now. It is not debatable, its actually a fact.  (At least in the way people usually use the term "favorite")

[Scintan]

Philly has traded for Wilson Chandler, Jeff Green has agreed to sign with the Wizards, and Indiana is finalizing a deal with Tyreke Evans.  If those move the needle for anyone, they should adjust their expectations accordingly.

[2short]

What is odd is next season where does everyone see Toronto?

1.  Boston
2. Philadelphia
3.  Milwaukee
4. Indiana
5. Toronto?  They need to make a trade

I see Boston as the team to beat in the east for quite some time.  Our core is crazy good, we have a great coach, we have depth, we have youth and vets mixed nicely. 

[Green-18]

We are absolutely the favorites.  Kyrie and Hayward are returning to a Conference Finals team and the best player in the NBA is no longer a threat.  It's also realistic to project significant growth from Tatum and Brown.

Brad Stevens and Danny Ainge have done nothing but produce better results each season since coming together.  As fans we should expect nothing short of an NBA Finals appearance as long as the team stays healthy. 

[Green-18]

What is odd is next season where does everyone see Toronto?

1.  Boston
2. Philadelphia
3.  Milwaukee
4. Indiana
5. Toronto?  They need to make a trade

I see Boston as the team to beat in the east for quite some time.  Our core is crazy good, we have a great coach, we have depth, we have youth and vets mixed nicely.

Toronto is difficult to gauge because Cleveland is the only team to beat them in each of the last three postseasons.  The Raptors should still be on par with everyone except for the Celtics.  The front office will most likely choose to give their current roster a shot in a Conference where LeBron no longer resides. 

It's no secret that the Raptors imploded against LeBron.  However, this doesn't necessarily mean that the same would happen against other teams.  There's a reason that LeBron went to 8 straight Finals.

[tazzmaniac]

What is odd is next season where does everyone see Toronto?

1.  Boston
2. Philadelphia
3.  Milwaukee
4. Indiana
5. Toronto?  They need to make a trade

I see Boston as the team to beat in the east for quite some time.  Our core is crazy good, we have a great coach, we have depth, we have youth and vets mixed nicely.

I'd drop the Bucks to 5th. 

[2short]

I think its us and philly
Just think Toronto might be sticking to their guns and go down the ladder pretty quick.  The bucks are close to making a jump i think but they need a stabile coach and insert a system that will get the most out of current team.  I think they are one player away from being very good.

[mmmmm]

If healthy, I would have the Celtics as heavy favorites to come out of the East.

In fact I might give them better odds than for GSW to come out of the West, though I'd still have to consider GSW favorites over BOS in a head-to-head Final.

If we can get to the Finals healthy, anything can happen.

[Scintan]

The Wizards are adding Dwight Howard, as well as the aforementioned Jeff Green.

[rondofan1255]

I hear the sound of the Raptors hype train taking off...