The C's are now the test
It's been a long time since the Celtics have been in this position but after the Detroit game, the Celtics officially became the measuring stick for the rest of the East (and 99% of the league). Instead of heading into the games and saying "This is a big test for the Celtics", it's the opponents who feel like they are headed for a challenge. Not to look past Charlotte, who were giant killers last season, but the next challengers are the following four games. New Jersey, who usually sleep through the regular season, might actually show up for their game against the C's in order to show that they still have some say in the Atlantic. After that, it's time for the Wizards (in back-to-back games) to show that they are legit without Agent Zero.
The biggest game, however, is against Western upstar Portland. Winners of 16 out of their last 17, Nate McMillan's squad is hitting on all cylanders and making a name for themselves. And what better way to show that they are for real than to head into the Garden and knock off the C's. Personally, I think the Celtics defense will likely confound the youngsters but it should be a great battle, especially if Brandon Roy is back.
All of this, of course, is prelude to the first real challenge of the Celtics season, at the end of the month when they face Dallas, Cleveland, and San Antonio in an 11 day span (with the Clippers and Minnesota Celticwolves thrown in for fun).
It feels almost strange but it's true: the Celtics are now the team to beat, the squad against which others measure themselves.
