Despite the stretch, the Celtics have something to be grateful for

BOSTON – As Brad Stevens said after the Celtic's 117-109 loss to the Knicks, there is something to be thankful for.

Sure, but that did not make things easy for Celtics fans, who are still trying to figure out how a team that is steeped in splendor this season has delivered a breathtaking and horrible performance.

In keeping with Stevens' mantra, let's look at some things that – although being a .500 (9-9) surprise team – the C's have reason to be grateful.

CALENDAR TO COME

There is a long list of issues that the Celtics will have to settle in the coming days and weeks before they can really feel good in the direction in the right direction. But one thing we know they will improve is their schedule.

The season started with nine of their first 13 games on the road, followed by three home games. Boston is now starting a stretch with four of their next five games on the road, but the opponents in this five-game series are all under .500 (Atlanta, Dallas, Cleveland and Minnesota), with the exception of the Pélicans. New Orleans. It's possible to get back on track against winning teams – that's exactly what this team needs.

THE PATIENCE OF KYRIE IRVING

The more we talk about Kyrie Irving, the more clearly he understands his intention to fight this unease that affects the entire team and that the Celtics are currently in the middle. Having been a very bad team in Cleveland as well as very good teams, he has a vision of what is happening that is just different from anyone on the Celtics list. Slowly but surely, this team must understand that they will have to play harder for longer periods if they want to succeed. And Irving seems to be the type to have been the catalyst for this transformation, apparently no matter how long it takes.

MARCUS MORRIS

Although some players have better numbers than Morris, there is not a single Celtic that has improved his game and has been more consistent than Morris this season. Its numbers are on the rise in just about every significant statistical category. Yet what he does more than anything is the impact on the game. And he does it by scoring, bouncing and defending. This is the kind of full game that his teammates miss. As incoherent as Boston has been this season, it's a bit scary to think about what would happen if the situation was not satisfactory for Morris.

NBA HIGH

The scores are up throughout the league this season (well almost everywhere, agree, Boston?), Which has had a trickle-down effect for many, including the Celtics.

Their defense has been a pillar almost at the top of the league most of the season, although both the eye test and the coaches 'and players' comments suggest that it has not been as good as their defensive rankings. .

Nevertheless, the fact that they are among the best defenders of the league – even when the opposing guards have crossed them like a broken tourniquet – bodes well for their chance to really put the team claws as soon as they start to play more on the same subject.

TIME

The Celtics are clearly not where they want to be. Fortunately, there is still plenty of time to get into the right season and have a good regular season that could lead to an even stronger series race than we have seen in recent years.

As we mentioned earlier, the schedule will soon be relaxed with more home games against teams against which the Celtics should be better off.

"It's a certain adversity we're facing right now," said Al Horford. "Honestly, I never want to go through that but it's the moment. It is still too early to solve it and we must be able … if we want to do something, we must be able to overcome the problem we are facing. "

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