NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Every team's best case scenario

NBA Season Preview 2018-19: Every team’s best case scenario

By John Hugar | Sep 25, 2018

SHANGHAI, CHINA - OCTOBER 08: Stephen Curry #30 of the Golden State Warriors celebrates with Andre Iguodala #9 of the Golden State Warriors during the game between the Minnesota Timberwolves and the Golden State Warriors as part of 2017 NBA Global Games China at Mercedes-Benz Arena on October 8, 2017 in Shanghai, China. (Photo by Zhong Zhi/Getty Images) /

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BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 25: Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics and Kyrie Irving #11 of the Boston Celtics share a handshake during the game against the Washington Wizards on December 25, 2017 at the TD Garden 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. Mandatory Copyright Notice: Copyright 2017 NBAE (Photo by Ned Dishman/NBAE via Getty Images) /

Boston Celtics

They almost made the Finals without their two best players. I know it’s the East, but I really don’t think we appreciate that enough. This team lost two All-Stars, and still had LeBron James against the ropes. No, they couldn’t finish the job, but that was still pretty amazing.

And now, Kyrie is back. They actually get Hayward. Tatum and Brown will both be one-year better, and Terry Rozier is the most overqualified backup point guard in the league. This team is so good and so deep. They should be the favorites to win the East, and 65 wins seems reasonable. Do they beat the Warriors? To quote Dale Gribble, I’m skeptical they can, yet intrigued that they may.