The Boston Celtics have hit a bit of a rough patch, and the question on everyone’s mind is: Should they be concerned? With a 5-5 record in their last 10 games, the reigning Eastern Conference champs have seen their once-comfortable position in the standings shrink. Now just one game ahead of the surging New York Knicks, the Celtics find themselves clinging to the second seed in the East. On a recent episode of Gil’s Arena, Gilbert Arenas and his panel debated whether the Celtics need to hit the panic button as the postseason nears.
While the Celtics’ overall record still speaks to their championship-caliber potential, their recent struggles have sparked concern. Currently sitting just behind the Cleveland Cavaliers, who have quietly taken over the top spot in the East, Boston’s lead over the Knicks has evaporated. Gilbert Arenas raised the point that, although Boston can win anywhere, the Knicks and Cavaliers could make a strong push to overtake them. The question becomes, how much should the Celtics be concerned about their grip on a top-two seed?
The Celtics’ issues go beyond just their place in the standings. The panel acknowledged the significance of home-court advantage in the playoffs, with some teams, like the Cavaliers, relying heavily on it. However, the Celtics’ resiliency to win on the road has been a defining trait in recent years. Still, their reliance on three-point shooting and inconsistent decision-making around the basket is raising alarms.
The discussion turned to individual performances, particularly Jayson Tatum’s struggles as of late. The fatigue from his Olympic commitments seems to be catching up with him, and some of his decision-making on the floor has seemed off. The panel emphasized that the Celtics’ style of play, which often relies too heavily on the three-point shot, may be hurting them. Instead of settling for outside looks, the team should shift to a more aggressive approach, driving to the basket and creating higher-percentage scoring opportunities.
Kristaps Porzingis has been a bright spot, but the overall inconsistency of the team’s driving-and-kick offense has left the panel wondering if Boston is overcomplicating the game. As the team heads toward the All-Star break, the need for Tatum and Brown to take charge and assert themselves in the paint becomes more urgent.
As the Celtics continue to battle their inconsistencies, teams like the Cavaliers and Knicks have emerged as legitimate threats. The Cavaliers, led by their young stars, have proven they’re here to stay, while the Knicks continue to climb in the standings. Despite this, Arenas noted that the Knicks’ upcoming tough schedule could be their undoing, leaving them vulnerable as the Celtics aim for a bounce-back stretch after the All-Star break.
As for the Bucks, although they sit further down the standings, they remain a dark-horse contender that could easily rise to challenge the top seeds.
In terms of seeding, the Cavaliers currently lead the East, with the Celtics trailing by five and a half games. The Knicks, just one game behind, are looking like a real threat to Boston’s position. The general sentiment among the panel is that the Celtics, while struggling, should not panic just yet. The All-Star break could provide the reset they need to refocus and hit their stride for the second half of the season.
The Celtics are still very much in the hunt for a high playoff seed, but their path to a deep postseason run depends on finding a more consistent, balanced style of play—something they’ll need to develop quickly if they hope to avoid being overtaken by their Eastern Conference rivals.
