Are the revamped Celtics enough to dethrone the King?

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In the 2016-2017 season, the Boston Celtics finished as the #1 overall seed in the Eastern Conference, going 53-29, before being eliminated by the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Celtics were led by All-Star PG Isaiah Thomas, who averaged a career-high 28.9 points per game, as well as 5.9 assists per game, which earned him 2nd Team All NBA Honors, and 5th in MVP voting. But this offseason in a blockbuster trade, the Celtics changed the entire landscape of the NBA, sending their star PG Thomas, SF Jae Crowder, C Ante Zizic, the Nets unprotected 1st 2018 first round pick, and 2020 2nd round pick, in return for PG Kyrie Irving. The Celtics have another new face in their starting lineup after signing All-Star SF Gordon Hayward to a 4 year, $127 million max contract.

Brand New Team

The Celtics will be missing three key starters from their team a season ago that dominated the East on their way to the #1 seed, and the Conference Finals. With the addition of Irving, the Celtics lost Thomas and Crowder, and then Avery Bradly in a trade for Marcus Morris to clear cap space after signing Hayward. Another new face who expected to be in the starting lineup for Boston is the #3 pick from Duke, SF Jayson Tatum. Also expected to have a bigger role, and a big season is second SF from Cal Jaylen Brown. Coming off the bench for Boston are a duo of two-way guards in Marcus Smart and Tony Rozier, who give the Celtics a ton of depth at the guard position. Led by the trio of Irving-Hayward-Horford, with the young forwards, and veteran guards off the bench, the Celtics have one of the most talented, and deepest rosters in the NBA. Boston visits Cleveland on opening night, and a potential Eastern Conference finals match up, how does the revamped Celtics compare with new and the post-Kyrie Cavs?

Matchup vs Cavs

The Cavaliers handily beat the Celtics in five games of the Conference finals a season ago, but both teams are totally different and switched up. The Cavaliers signed All-Star SG Dwayne Wade, added Crowder to their starting lineup, and will have Derrick Rose start PG while Thomas recovers from hip surgery. Although the Celtics have one of the deepest rosters in the NBA, the Cavs made it their mission this offseason is to be as loaded and deep as possible. Coming off the bench as well this season is Jeff Green, Jose Calderon, J.R. Smith who will be the projected 6th man. But this matchup goes much further than just on the court. After a rocky exit for Kyrie in Cleveland, a shocking trade for Thomas, both players will be out trying to prove a statement to the other team.