IT was great with the C’s partly because CBS allowed the offense to run through him.
Do you think Smart/IT is better than Lillard/McCollum, or Wall/Beal?
IT/Smart duo had a better team record than both Beal/Wall and Dame/CJ duo. So probably, yes.
The two of you and triboy in the OP are neglecting Avery Bradley here. If we're going to talk about Beal/Wall and Dame/CJ, then we're talking about starters and AB started over Smart and got more minutes than him. So IT/Bradley is the more accurate comparison.
Particularly mr. dee, your comparison is like comparing a Horford/Baynes frontcourt to a Cousins/Ant Davis frontcourt and saying Horford + Baynes must be better because they had a better record.
That 53 win Celtics wasn't even that deep. Sure they have Horford and Avery. But Both Wiz and Portland have a decent supporting cast. Aside from AB and Al, our bench are composed of soft bigs and underdeveloped young guys who can't shoot to save their lives.
- Otto Porter, Allen Crabe and ET are arguably better than the rookie Jaylen Brown.
- Gortat and Nurkic will manhadle Amir, Olynyk and Zeller.
- Kelly and Kelly are washed, talent wise.
- Napier and Trey Burke maybe just as good if not better than sophomore Terry.
The only real advantage Celtics had is Brad Stevens.