Yep. They’ve got Lakers segments to pivot to, can you blame them!I don't think a lot of people in the national media realize how much better BOS is today than they were last year or 2022. I mean they basically traded 2 average-to-good starters for 2 All-NBA-ish guys and as an added bonus, got to give an All-Star caliber player better usage, all for the price of two bench players.
I mean going from Smart and Horford to Jrue and KP is a super huge upgrade, while at the same time, I don't see any drop-off going from Brogdon/TL/GW to Horford / Hauser / PP.
Not to the mention the fact that JT and JB are better versions of themselves.
Talent wins (pleasestayhealthy). BOS has way more talent than they did last year.
Plus, I think there is some degree of self-aware posturing among those observers who do appreciate that this is a markedly better team than prior iterations - what else can they say that’ll generate engagement? It’s provocative to say ‘they haven’t proven anything until they host the trophy, and you gotta wonder if they have what it takes’; it isn’t provocative to say ‘they’re the best team and should win absent injuries.’ Throw in some ‘is he alpha enough’ talk about Tatum and you’re cooking.