Boston Celtics: 5 takeaways from 2017-18 NBA season

The Boston Celtics flew further than anyone thought, but fell one win short of the NBA Finals. What can be taken away from their 2017-18 NBA season?

The Boston Celtics were fringe contenders to start the season, stocked with elite talent but most likely a year away from contention. That delayed reward fell even further away in the team’s first game of the season, with free agent addition Gordon Hayward going down minutes into the season.

Boston rebounded in a huge way, putting together an elite defense around another new acquisition, Kyrie Irving, rattling off 16 straight wins and announcing this team wasn’t waiting for anything. Yet another injury to a star saw Irving go down ahead of the playoffs, and the line was again moved.

Despite missing their two biggest stars though, the Celtics refused to quit. They beat superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo in the first round. They halted the Philadelphia 76ers in their tracks to maintain their spot as the East’s top up-and-comer. Then they pushed LeBron James, King of the East and GOAT candidate, to the absolute brink in the Eastern Conference Finals. It took all James had in two straight games to finally knock the Celtics out of a postseason they were never supposed to impact.

With the season finally over for Boston, it’s time to reflect. The past eight months were tumultuous, with dizzying highs and bitter lows. What should the team and fans take away from the 2017-18 NBA season?