Bad Boys: why Celtics-Wizards is the next big East rivalry

“We don’t like them, they don’t like us.” 

The Boston Celtics’ resident Mighty Mouse Isaiah Thomas made the situation clear after exploding for a career playoff-high 53 points in Game 2 against the Washington Wizards.

With the spotlight focused mostly on the defending champion Cleveland Cavaliers sweeping opponents left and right in the playoffs, the Celtics-Wizards series has literally been clawing tooth-and-nail for their own press time. 

Indeed, the media should give these teams the attention they fully deserve moving forward, because what they have here is a pulsating rivalry not seen since the gritty and glorified era of 90s basketball. 

Here are two reasons why they are the next big thing:

Bad Blood 

There has been no worse physical beef between two teams in recent memory than the Celtics and Wizards, especially in this era of a higher level of friendliness and sportsmanship. In fact, ESPN has took it upon themselves to chronicle the rising tension between the two teams, going back as far as January last year.

Jan. 2016 – Jae Crowder curses former Wizards coach Randy Wittman for allegedly calling him soft with the game already decided for the Celtics.

 Jul. 2016 – The Celtics and Wizards were reportedly the front-runners to land then-free agent Al Horford. Boston won him over then Crowder told media that the Wizards were the less attractive option.

Nov. 2016 – The Wizards’ superstar guard John Wall was assessed a flagrant 2 foul after clubbing Marcus Smart despite them already up by 20 in their very first meeting. 

Jan. 2017 – In their next meeting with the final buzzer already sounded, Crowder exchanged words with Wall and even jabbed his nose. The two had to be restrained as they went back to their locker rooms with police called to the scene to prevent further tensions. 13 days later, the Wizards wore funeral attire as they buried the Celtics 123-108 in their third regular season matchup. 

May 2017 – Three ejections were called in Game 3 of their playoff series, namely the Wizards’ Kelly Oubre and Brandon Jennings and the Celtics’ Terry Rozier. Oubre has already been fined and suspended for Game 4. Add that to the fact that Horford allegedly injured Markieff Morris’ ankle in Game 1 by sliding his foot where Morris’ foot should have landed after a jump shot and the fact that Thomas lost one front tooth after getting elbowed in the face in Game 2.

Ideal Matchups 

Not only are their hearts in the right place, but so are their personnel. So far in their second round playoff series, both teams have notched wins at home, with the Celtics leading 2-1 and with the Wizards defending home ground tomorrow, May 8. 

Here’s a look at both teams’ arsenals which are possibly locked in for years to come. 

Like white dwarf stars in the galaxy, the Celtics and Wizards boast a backcourt with a blinding bright future and a lot of years left to burn. Thomas (aged 28, 1x All-Star) and Avery Bradley (aged 26, 2x All-Defense Team) are set to collide for years with Wall (aged 26, 4x All-Star) and Bradley Beal (aged 23, 1st Team All-Rookie). The fact that both shooting guards are called Bradley is a cute touch as well. 

Meanwhile, the guards are backed up by high-utility forwards in Crowder and Otto Porter, Jr. Both know their roles and do it well as they have recorded career-highs in field goal- and three-point percentage.

 Holding down the post for both teams is Horford and Marcin Gortat. Both are known for being light-footed down low leading to crafty finishes around the rim and are also decent in the rebounding category. 

To round off the teams, both have a reserve force of agitators and spark plugs who are crucial for deep playoff runs. The Celtics boast a young bench core of Smart, Rozier, Jaylen Brown and Kelly Olynyk.

Meanwhile, the Wizards have a mixed bench of experienced talent and young guns as Jennings, Oubre, Bojan Bogdanovic and Ian Mahinmi. 

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From the top guy to the 12th man off the bench, both teams have no shortage of equalizing matchups that are sure to boil down to who displays the most heart. Based on what we have seen over the years, these teams have no shortage of that either. Buckle up, a storm is coming our way. – Rappler.com