What if the Celtics never lose again?

The Boston Celtics in all probability gained’t sweep their remaining seven common season video games, go 16-0 within the playoffs and end the season on a 32-game successful streak and go down as the best staff in NBA historical past…

…however they might.

Within the phrases of Gandalf the Gray (or White, if we’re watching The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King Prolonged Version reasonably than the lame regular one), this a part of the NBA season is the “deep breath earlier than the plunge.” It’s quiet and calm — the basketball is smart and the takes are extra measured than typical, having been tempered by a full season of data. However come April 15, all hell breaks free.

So, to get forward of issues, I’m breaking hell free sooner than anticipated and ripping a fully insane take: what if the Celtics by no means lose once more?

As soon as the postseason kicks off, something might occur… together with that. The Celtics might lose a sport to the Chicago Bulls. They might shoot 7% from three in Sport 3 and lose by 47 to the Pacers in Spherical 2. Somebody might get injured. A number of someones might get injured. Joe Mazzulla might rob Fenway Park and get suspended for 25 video games.

However they might additionally simply… not lose one other sport, since they’ve been taking part in with a swagger and certainty that makes this text not less than 11% severe. I’ve watched the final 9 video games with out questioning for a second if Boston goes to lose. I don’t simply anticipate them to win — I do know they’ll. It’s not the identical emotional door-slamming, fire-starting, world-destroying energy they confirmed final yr, but it surely would possibly truly be higher.

There’s a peaceful to their dominance this time round. They aren’t dropping nuclear bombs on groups each night time like final yr — although that definitely nonetheless occurs. There’s one thing way more methodical. As a substitute of smashing their opponent’s Lego units, the Celtics are taking them aside brick by brick, individually wrapping each bit and placing them of their basement for protected conserving. Each time they want a clutch three, they hit it. Each time they should make the additional go, they discover it. A game-icing cease? Finished. Hero steal? Yep. Killer offensive rebound? it.

All of it begins, ends and runs by way of Jayson Tatum, who has gone from unimaginable to irreplaceable to downright required for the Celtics to succeed. An offense that used to function him now runs by, of and for him. There may be not a defender within the league he can’t destroy; not a protection on the earth he can’t hack; not a talent that he can’t crank as much as 11. Boston has a T-1000 Terminator on their staff, and the league is mainly screwed so long as he’s standing upright.

If I’m betting on the Celtics to by no means lose once more — which… I’m not (actually) doing — I’m staking that ticket on Tatum being the perfect man on the courtroom in any collection. His basketball mind has to go supercomputer mode and determine every thing out, mainly turning into LeBron James with out the 40-year-old debuffs. He should carry inconsistency from everybody else, and know precisely who to belief and when. And Joe and Co. should belief him with the keys to the Ferrari, which they do.

Boston’s greatest flaw is that they aren’t that deep, although their top-6 is so good that 7-10 are just about irrelevant. And if we’re making an attempt to not lose once more, who even wants a very good bench? Profitable 25 straight would require impeccable well being, one thing the Celtics (crosses all fingers and toes) mainly have in the intervening time.

Save for a barely complicated Jaylen Brown harm — and he’s so sturdy, I’ve little question he’ll be prepared for the playoffs — everybody is able to roll. Jrue Vacation has rebounded properly from his mallet finger, and Kristaps Porzingis seems to be (crosses all fingers and toes) actually wholesome and dominant. In the meantime, Al Horford continues to show that he ought to launch the AH42 Methodology and provides Tom Brady a run for his cash.

However once more, it’s Tatum who’s the Celtics’ finest shot at this. In his perpetual conflict in opposition to load administration, he simply… performs each sport. Why? As a result of he’s the perfect, and everybody else is a complete loser, that’s why. When Tatum is on the courtroom, we’d simply not lose.

With him taking part in like he’s, the Celtics really feel invincible. It’s legitimately exhilarating, and I haven’t had this degree of confidence in a Boston athlete since Brady was guaranteeing Tremendous Bowls each different yr after I was a child. I’m solely kinda kidding after I say that the NBA might roll out the 2018 Golden State Warriors and I wouldn’t be scared. Tatum and this staff are that sick.

Certain, they’ve higher competitors this yr with actually-competent Cavaliers and Thunder groups not like the bums they performed final yr, however that can serve solely to reinforce their energy. Everybody is aware of a real rival brings out the perfect in a staff, and if this isn’t even their finest… the league is past cooked. 32 to go. Examine ball.