The worst part of this 2020-21 season for the Boston Celtics hasn’t been their underwhelming 35-33 record that, as of today, will have them fighting for a playoff spot in the play-in tournament.
It hasn’t been the existential dread of what the next two years of Kemba Walker might look like given his age and attrition and what that means for the Celtics after happily inking him to a $140 million contract nearly two years ago. Nor is it the questions surrounding the youthful second-unit that have only been minimally answered.
Several notable teams have underperformed amid unusual circumstances that include a shortened 72-game season and the ramifications of COVID-19.