The Boston Celtics are only very thinly scratched past a sensational participation in the finals. What was the point of it in the end? How is their season to be evaluated, what happens to Marcus Smart – and what does the future of the young team look like? SPOX highlights the most important questions.
The biggest Cinderella story of these playoffs – no, the biggest of the last years – ended on Monday night in Game 7 of the Conference Finals against an overwhelming LeBron James.
Despite the devastating injury that had already begun in the opening night against the Cavaliers, the Boston Celtics, with their young core of players, almost stormed into the finals, only one game counted in the end. The Bucks in seven games and the Sixers in five had to believe before, although Philly in particular had a different prognosis.
Without the stars Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving and without the important rotation player Daniel Theis, the goblins won 10 home games in a row in the postseason. The only defeat was one too many, however, and that meant the end: despite a 2-0 and 3-2 lead in the series and a 12-point lead in the course of the seventh game.
The Celtics scored only 79 points in the Do-or-Die game, which was ultimately too little. Especially the throwing odds from a distance were devastating, which on the other hand LeBron finally used to decide the game.
Despite the run, which was not considered possible, disappointment finally spread in the TD Garden – which then quickly gave way to confidence. All participants emphasized how proud they are of what they have achieved and that one can only learn from their experience.
Page 1: What happened?
Page 2: What was missing against the Cavaliers?
Page 3: How should your season be evaluated?
Page 4: What happens to Marcus Smart?
Page 5: What is the future of Boston Celtics?