It has been almost a decade since LeBron James could be considered anything close to an underdog. James has so thoroughly dominated the Eastern Conference that being considered the favorite has been taken for granted.
Losing Kyrie Irving may not completely sway the odds makers, but that puts the Celtics in a position where they have to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers. The Celtics now have the added pressure of knowing that is the best opportunity they will ever get to ending James reign, potentially sending him out West with the rest of the supreme talent in the league.