Boston Celtics' head coach Brad Stevens not overlooking Kawhi-led Toronto Raptors

Carlan Gay

Boston Celtics' head coach Brad Stevens not overlooking Kawhi-led Toronto Raptors image

The Toronto Raptors finished with a 59-23 record last season —  and added one of the best two-way players in the league in Kawhi Leonard.

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They also added a wing player in Danny Green who has the ability to defend multiple positions and can stretch the floor with the best of them — yet most believe the Boston Celtics are the team to beat in the Eastern Conference.

Celtics' head coach Brad Stevens, however, is wary of last season's East number one seed, especially since they've added Leonard.

“Toronto was the best team in the East," Stevens told Jay King of the Athletic. "And they added one of the best players in the NBA.”


Whether Leonard can get back to being one of the league's best players remains to be seen, but the Raptors would welcome his numbers from the 2016-17 season where he posted 25.5 points, 5.8 rebounds per game.

While some might be overlooking what's a very good Raptors team on paper, in classic Stevens fashion he won't allow his team to do so.

Carlan Gay