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NBA Playoffs 2017: Power ranking all 16 playoff teams

By Chris Barnewall

January 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
January 16, 2017; Oakland, CA, USA; Golden State Warriors guard Stephen Curry (30) celebrates in front of Cleveland Cavaliers forward LeBron James (23) during the second quarter at Oracle Arena. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports /
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Apr 10, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts during the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden. The Celtics won 114-105. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports
Apr 10, 2017; Boston, MA, USA; Boston Celtics guard Isaiah Thomas (4) reacts during the third quarter against the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden. The Celtics won 114-105. Mandatory Credit: Greg M. Cooper-USA TODAY Sports /

8. Boston Celtics

The Celtics are the No. 1 seed in the East. Isaiah Thomas is exciting. Al Horford has given them the punch they needed to become a contender next to the Cavs. However, there’s something about Boston that just feels off. They haven’t finished the year well despite their 53-win record. They beat up on the bad teams, which is good, but lost to Milwaukee, Cleveland, and Atlanta in that same span. The Cleveland loss in particular was very bad.

That said, Boston is still right there with Toronto in teams that can make a run at the Eastern Conference finals. They’re a top-10 offense and their defense has rebounded as of late. Isaiah Thomas is awesome and their roster is filled to the brim with solid role guys. Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder are awesome. Marcus Smart is a pain. This team isn’t going down easily especially with a head coach like Brad Stevens at the helm.

Yet, there’s this constant nagging surrounding them. Is everything they’re good at really sustainable in the playoffs? Thomas is a one-man show at times and while that works in the regular season he’s going to struggle getting good looks against defenses schemed against him. Players like Bradley are really going to need to step up and create some breathing room for Thomas to work in. If not he’s going to be in trouble and by proxy the Celtics will be in trouble. If the Celtics are going to make a deep run then they need to make sure Thomas is as comfortable as possible on the court.

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