The 40-20 Contender Rule: Will the Celtics Qualify?

[KillahGhostface]

It should be a Denver-Celtics final this year.

I’m paying very close attention to the Clippers.

[fallguy]

It should be a Denver-Celtics final this year.

I’m paying very close attention to the Clippers.

I'd rather have the Clippers, mostly because I don't think Kawhi will be fully healthy by the finals if they make it.

Not excited about 7 games of Jokic.

[Celts17Pride]

It should be a Denver-Celtics final this year.

Probably, but it's hard to get back to the Finals. I could see some western team tripping up Denver. Maybe LAC.

[31to6]

ah, hindsight and foresight are always 40-20

[London2Boston]

It should be a Denver-Celtics final this year.

Probably, but it's hard to get back to the Finals. I could see some western team tripping up Denver. Maybe LAC.

I just have a hard time seeing a West team beat Denver barring injuries. The East will be a tough battle though. Can see 4 teams coming out from the East(Us,Bucks,6ers,Miami).

[Celts17Pride]

It should be a Denver-Celtics final this year.

Probably, but it's hard to get back to the Finals. I could see some western team tripping up Denver. Maybe LAC.

I just have a hard time seeing a West team beat Denver barring injuries. The East will be a tough battle though. Can see 4 teams coming out from the East(Us,Bucks,6ers,Miami).

It's just tough going back to back. Look at the Celtics last year.

[ConstableGeneva]

41 of the last 44 champions qualified for this rule.

I'm sad to report the Lakers and Warriors can no longer qualify. Along with 11 other teams. And we're not even midway thru the season.

Heat need to go 18-3 or better. Suns have to win 20 of their next 21.

[31to6]

Cs need to win 1 of their next 11? gonna be close!

[Homerclease]

It should be a Denver-Celtics final this year.

I’m paying very close attention to the Clippers.

I’ve got OKC coming out of the west, especially if they acquire another big at the deadline

[brackdan70]

It should be a Denver-Celtics final this year.

I’m paying very close attention to the Clippers.

I’ve got OKC coming out of the west, especially if they acquire another big at the deadline

Some good teams out there…OKC, Denver, even T-Wolves. I think LAC is a rung below and it would be shocking if they stay healthy.
Bucks and Philly will give us a run but Cs should be able to come out east.

[shackles10]

OKC lack of size and experience will hurt them in the playoffs. They’ve got a great foundation but some tweaking to do and I would start by using their 4,000 draft picks in trades to do it. West is Denver still imo with Clippers right there if they can stay healthy, Phoenix should be but would need to majorly right the ship, and Wolves would need to figure out a way play the same way in the playoffs as they do in the regular season (I.e. not have Gobert taken out of the rotation late as has happened many past playoffs) and their experience issues as well.

In the East we know who the challengers are and I feel we’ve known since before games counted.

[KillahGhostface]

I’m paying very close attention to the Clippers.

I’ve got OKC coming out of the west, especially if they acquire another big at the deadline

Some good teams out there…OKC, Denver, even T-Wolves. I think LAC is a rung below and it would be shocking if they stay healthy.
Bucks and Philly will give us a run but Cs should be able to come out east.

It’s a big if, but if the clippers stay healthy, I think the Celtics are the only better team in the league. People can say whatever about Harden, but what he’s been able to do for Kawhi and PG has been huge.

[Parliament10]

Celtics are 33-10, as of this Writing.
I think that we cruise through Jackson's Scale. We're on pace to Win 63+ Games.

[zoyathedestroya]

41 of the last 44 champions qualified for this rule.

I'm sad to report the Lakers and Warriors can no longer qualify. Along with 11 other teams. And we're not even midway thru the season.

Heat need to go 18-3 or better. Suns have to win 20 of their next 21.

UPDATE:

15 teams are now disqualified. Heat and Pacers need to go undefeated in their next 16 games. Kings have to go 17-1. Suns and Mavs 16-1. Pelicans 15-1.

[zoyathedestroya]

41 of the last 44 champions qualified for this rule.

I'm sad to report the Lakers and Warriors can no longer qualify. Along with 11 other teams. And we're not even midway thru the season.

Heat need to go 18-3 or better. Suns have to win 20 of their next 21.

UPDATE:

15 teams are now disqualified. Heat and Pacers need to go undefeated in their next 16 games. Kings have to go 17-1. Suns and Mavs 16-1. Pelicans 15-1.

Dropping like flies. Mavs, Heat, Pacers are out.

[zoyathedestroya]

Derrick's dad is such a nerd.

Read on Twitter

[zoyathedestroya]

This was last year:

With Sixers loss to the Cs, they were unable to qualify for the 40-20 rule. So it’s just the Bucks, Nuggets, or Celtics winning it all this year.

It looks like more teams will qualify this year.

[Parliament10]

2 mores games to make 40.
I'm gonna go out on a limb, and say that we may be the only ones to make it this year.

[zoyathedestroya]

2 mores games to make 40.
I'm gonna go out on a limb, and say that we may be the only ones to make it this year.

Bold bet.

OKC and MIN just need to go 5-4. LAC, 7-4. DEN 5-3.

It's possible we're the only East team to qualify, but all those West teams above are likely making it.

[keevsnick1]

Real question is if anyone else in the East will qualify.