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Boston Celtics: 5 problems facing the ‘team to beat’

By Jordan Daly

BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 9: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics plays against the Los Angeles Clippers at TD Garden on February 9, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA - FEBRUARY 9: Marcus Smart #36 of the Boston Celtics plays against the Los Angeles Clippers at TD Garden on February 9, 2019 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Kathryn Riley/Getty Images) /
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.”(Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
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The Boston Celtics were supposed to be the team to beat in the 2018-19 season. Still in fifth place in the Eastern Conference, what’s gone wrong?

In the summer of 2017, following a miraculous playoff run lead by fan favorite Isaiah Thomas and the selection of Jayson Tatum in the NBA Draft, the Boston Celtics announced the blockbuster signing of All-Star forward Gordon Hayward.

A month later, news spread around the world that Kyrie Irving was on his way to Boston for Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Brooklyn Nets’ 2018 first round pick.

Out of nowhere, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge had constructed a super-team, and they were ready to finally break out of the LeBron James-dominated East and take on the Golden State Warriors in the Finals.

Game 1 of the 2017-18 season came, and the Celtics were set to take on LeBron and his Cleveland Cavaliers squad. With just under seven minutes left in the first quarter, Boston’s worst nightmare happened.

Hayward cut to the basket, with Crowder playing tight defense. Kyrie saw an opening and lobbed the ball up for Hayward to land an alley-oop. LeBron stepped in the way and poked the ball out, making slight contact with Hayward, causing him to hit the ground hard. That is when the goosebumps come.

"“Hayward broke his leg. Hayward has broken his leg. Hayward has broken his leg.”"

Trainers rushed the court, and it was the end of Boston’s super-team for that year.

The 2017-18 season came and went, but Boston was back to full strength come start of the 2018-19 season. There were going to dominate the East now that LeBron was in L.A.

At least, that’s what everyone thought.

Complications arose, and the Celtics have not met the expectations set upon them. In their past two games, they’ve blown an 18-point lead to the Lost Angeles Lakers and a 21-point lead to the Los Angeles Clippers.

Here are five problems holding the Celtics back from claiming the Larry O’Brien trophy at the end of this season.

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