Atlantic battle: Brad Stevens admits Raptors are the better team

If 2015-16 goes anything like last season, the Toronto Raptors should once again be the toast of the Atlantic Division. But the Boston Celtics aren't going to go quietly without a fight in the division.

Yet after one round in the head-to-head battle between the division rivals, the Raptors have a clear advantage. They're simply a deeper, more talented team. And Boston coach Brad Stevens admitted as much last week, when Boston fell to Toronto 113-103 (via Mass Live):

In a different circumstance, this might be a motivational tactic by a head coach. But Boston isn't good enough to be using such mind games at this point. Instead, this is Stevens speaking the truth about the current dynamic in the Atlantic. But that's fine for now. After all, what really matters is who's on top when the playoffs roll around.