Fansided

5 takeaways from LeBron’s eighth-straight Eastern Conference Finals win

By Jeremy Lambert

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 11: Lebron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is guarded by Terry Rozier #12 of teh Boston Celtics in the second half during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 11: Lebron James #23 of the Cleveland Cavaliers is guarded by Terry Rozier #12 of teh Boston Celtics in the second half during a game against the Boston Celtics at TD Garden on February 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images) /
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PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 5: Jaylen Brown #7 and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrate against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoff at Wells Fargo Center on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jaylen Brown;Jayson Tatum
PHILADELPHIA, PA – MAY 5: Jaylen Brown #7 and Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrate against the Philadelphia 76ers during Game Three of the Eastern Conference Second Round of the 2018 NBA Playoff at Wells Fargo Center on May 5, 2018 in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Mitchell Leff/Getty Images) *** Local Caption *** Jaylen Brown;Jayson Tatum /

4. Celtics disappointed optimism

There are two ways to look at this.

First, is the optimistic approach. The Celtics were one game away from the NBA Finals with Al Horford as their best player and three players in their first true playoff run. They ran up against LeBron James. Better and more experienced teams than these Celtics have fallen to LeBron. There’s nothing to be ashamed of if you’re the Celtics. They’re young and they’re gaining two All-Stars in the offseason. They might be the favorite in the East next year if LeBron does end up in Los Angeles or somewhere else out west. They might be the favorite in the East is LeBron stays in Cleveland.

Second is the pessimistic view. The Celtics were right there. They had Game 7 in their building. They held the Cavaliers to under 90 points and 25 percent shooting from 3. They had a 12-point lead in the first half and won the rebounding battle. They got the looks they wanted throughout the 4 -minutes.

While Boston could be the favorite in the East next season, nothing is guaranteed in sports. It’s possible injuries hit them hard again or their young guys don’t develop with Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward back. It’s possible LeBron stays in the East and teams up with Paul George and Kawhi Leonard. There are no guarantees in sports. This might be as close as Boston ever gets to making the Finals. It doesn’t seem possible based on this season, but a guy making eight straight Finals didn’t seem possible either. And here we are.

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