Remember when the Celtics and Wizards were the hottest rivalry in the NBA?

During the 2016-17 season, the two rivals had an intense seven-game series in the eastern conference semifinals that ultimately ended in a Celtics victory.

Almost two years later, all but four members of that Celtics team remain on the roster. This Boston team has a legitimate chance at winning a championship this season with the talent they have.

Markieff Morris, a member of the 2016-17 Wizards and the same team that was eliminated in the first round of the playoffs last season, seems to think the Wizards have always been a better team than the Celtics.

https://twitter.com/HoopDistrictDC/status/1044265088256024577

The Wizards' key additions this summer in addition to their core of John Wall, Bradley Beal and Otto Porter were Dwight Howard and Austin Rivers.

With LeBron James leaving the east for the Lakers, more may teams feel the path to the finals is clearer than ever.

The Celtics are set up to be the gate-keepers for the forseeable future, but that won't stop the Wizards from talking a big game they rarely back up.