Image by Getty Images via @daylifeStill, the age and unpredictable nature of the Celtics isn't the only concern, as a much bigger threat looms in the rapidly growing conference known as the East.
Take the Chicago Bulls for example, a team Charles Barkley loves enormously.
"The best Eastern Conference team that I've seen this year, I think the Chicago Bulls are going to win the East," Barkley said in December. "I love what they're doing in Chicago".
That same thought is a mutual feeling throughout the NBA. The Bulls are 42-18, second behind the Celtics. Not only that, Chicago also features MVP front runner Derrick Rose, along with a player who is averaging 13.1 points per game, and also reaching superstar status, center Joakim Noah.
Next is the Miami Heat, Boston's new favorite opponent.
The Celtics have had LeBron James' number in the past three meetings, but sooner or later (perhaps not this season) the Heat will come together, and move past this era of brick shots and laughable losses at the hands of the NBA's giants.
Third on the list is the Magic, another one of Boston's mules.
Dwight Howard was shutdown during last year's postseason when Orlando faced Boston, but Stan Van Gundy's team is much more improved since then, especially in three point land.
Jameer Nelson has come up big in 2011, and the threats of J.J Reddick and Jason Richardson require much more attention than Vince Carter did a year ago.
The Knicks are a problem as well.
http://bleacherreport.com/articles/627709-boston-celtics-may-own-the-east-for-now-but-serious-contenders-are-on-their-way
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