A lot of Celtics fans are looking at this year's first round bout with the Cavs as a positive sign of things to come. Sure, it was a sweep. And yeah, making the playoffs cost us a lottery pick. But what's done is done. The team competed hard on a big stage, Lebron actually went out of his way to praise Brad Stevens, and Kelly Olynyk of all people managed to become the most hated man in Cleveland. It's the little victories that get you through a rebuild.
The Celtics' postseason could have been different had they not landed the worst possible playoff matchup.