The Rafters Pod Ep. 88: Nine Straight Wins

Justin and Liam are back at the debate desk to talk about Bostons scalding hot nine straight wins. This run came inside a larger run of seventeen wins and six losses in the new year. After a roller coaster season, the Celtics are playing strong team basketball headed by their two stars. Is this a sign that Boston can turn their season around making a splash in a tight Eastern Conference?

The trade deadline is officially in the books. Boston made a flurry of moves freeing up cap space for the upcoming off-season. The players acquired in return aren’t head turning names, but Justin seems to think these moves are the catalyst to smart team basketball. The young point guard Derrick White comes over from San Antonio and has been crucial in the ladder stretch of these nine straight wins. In Schroder’s exodus we see the return of Daniel “Ice” Theis. Despite a lack of a blockbuster trade, Boston stands in a good spot to salvage a once lost season sitting as the 6th seed in the East only a few games out of 1st place.

So, how was Brad Stevens first deadline as GM? Justin and Liam differ in their opinions on the matter. While he did get positive players who can immediately contribute, the league saw superstars move from rebuilding teams for a far lower price than what Boston could offer. Who’s to say Brad couldn’t make a move to acquire superstar CJ McCollum or Norman Powell.

Tensions build too when Boston’s win streak is snapped in a 112-111 loss to Detroit. In the game Boston blew a double digit lead and missed two potential game winners from each superstar. This leads The Rafters hosts to wonder, is this a sign of more inconsistency to come?