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Miami Heat: Who will rule the Eastern Conference in 2018-19?

By Brandon Johnson

NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 6: Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat reacts against a referee during the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 6, 2018 in New York City. 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 Matteo Marchi/Getty Images)
NEW YORK, NY - APRIL 6: Josh Richardson #0 of the Miami Heat reacts against a referee during the game against the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on April 6, 2018 in New York City. 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 Matteo Marchi/Getty Images) /
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BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 20: Dion Waiters #11 of the Miami Heat drives against Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at TD Garden on December 20, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)
BOSTON, MA – DECEMBER 20: Dion Waiters #11 of the Miami Heat drives against Al Horford #42 of the Boston Celtics during the second quarter at TD Garden on December 20, 2017 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images) /

No. 1

The image of the East’s top team has already flashed in the NBA’s all-seeing crystal ball. Boston stands as the team to beat in 2018-19, having one of the deepest teams in the East in years.

Not deep like the 2012-13 New York Knicks, who though stacking a post-prime Jason Kidd, Kurt Thomas, Rasheed Wallace and Marcus Camby would be Carmelo Anthony’s best backup.

These Celtics are deep.

Returning Gordon Hayward after missing the entirety of last season adds another offensive power on a team that saw a handful of breakout performances. Terry Rozier made his nickname, ‘Scary Terry’, go global last year, filling in for an injured Kyrie Irving and earning the respect of former New England Patriots quarterback Drew Bledsoe.

Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown saw similar success, while Al Horford proved raw stats don’t matter when you’re the most unguardable player in the game.

Reintroducing a healthy Irving to the formula makes the Celtics the clear favorites for stonewalling the rest of the East out of the first seed. Toss in head coach Brad Steven’s basketball acumen and general manager Danny Ainge’s knack for well-played thievery, and the Celtics will be hard pressed to find a worthy opponent next season.

Ainge has already claimed success this offseason, re-signing Marcus Smart to a four-year, $52 million deal. Smart was the Celtics’ engine last season. His underwhelming performances in traditional box score metrics were surpassed by his freelancing nature and sheer hustle.

"“Our priority remains the same,” Ainge told NBA.com. “Our priority is still Marcus [Smart] in free agency, and that’s where we are.” He added, “We’re running a business and trying to win basketball games,” Ainge said. “It’s my job to be fiscally responsible, but we will pay the tax. We plan on being a taxpayer, for sure.”"

Whether Ainge settles for the tax or finds a way to weasel out of it, the Celtics are poised to have the best run at the Eastern Conference’s top seed.

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