Myths and Truths About the Boston Celtics After Taking a 2–0 Series Lead
Like many devout sports fans out there, I often question the validity of shared opinions among fans and professional personalities — especially when against my self-proclaimed franchise. As a fan of the Boston Celtics (disclaimer), the varying opinions have never been louder.. almost too loud to ignore — and rightfully so. With team success, and an accumulation of polarizing narratives, the goalposts of the former standard will begin to shift, and the bar raises more steadily.
This is my world. I hear the allegations, I’m aware of the question marks that surround my team, and admittedly, it’s difficult to speak on these topics unbiasedly. Still, I’m a fan of the sport in itself, and I’ll always prioritize the basis of that integrity.
That being said, allow me to objectively address some circulating ideas plaguing the Boston Celtics.
The Celtics are not equipped to challenge the West
Myth
To recount Boston’s 2023–2024 dominance:
- 78% win total
- Top 3 in ORTG, DRTG
- +11.4 PPG margin; ranking 4th all-time (+13.9 vs Western Conference)
- Top 10 in every major team statistic, excluding assists and steals
Statistically, this team ranks in the top 5 in NBA history in terms of regular season efficiency — the other four went on to win an NBA championship.
While I agree that today’s East is a lot weaker than the West, it should be hard for anyone to ignore numbers like these. Sadly, the Celtics do have a perpetuity of playing to their level of competition, which is why the following claim is so baselessly spouted. Despite this oddity, they’ve shown just how much better they are on a basis consistent enough to oust their competitor more times than not. Expect a team boasting a postseason record of 10–2 to show up when they meet their cross-conference equals.
Boston needs to move on from Joe Mazzulla
Truth
I said I would be objective; this is my honest opinion about Joe Mazzulla.
Fact: Mazzulla was not the Celtics’ first choice at head coach.
This goes without saying, but sometimes stating the obvious can help simplify reason.
As we know in the sports world, building a team around a staff who understands the complexities of chemistry and collective strengths eliminates one of many obstacles en route to building a contending team. Mazzulla has served Boston well in this space.
What can’t be ignored is his lack of experience, inability to control the pace, and misunderstanding of in-game adjustments. We’ve seen these mishaps in full display in multiple regular and postseason matchups against staff with decades more experience — needless to say, it’s been costly.
Luckily for Mazzulla, Brad Stevens has been the greatest asset to the Boston Celtics since he arrived in 2013. With the right pieces by his side, a timely coaching staff upgrade, and documented leaps by our wing duo, Joe should be able to do just enough to lead the Celtics to Banner 18.
There is no bench depth
Truth
Out of the remaining playoff teams, Boston ranks last in bench points at just 20.7 per game. Considering the Pacers lead the way at 33.4 bench ppg, may the narrative in this series begin to shift a bit? Doubt it.
We know bench players can impact games in other ways, but it’s not something we’ve seen from our second unit for the majority of the season.
Sam Hauser is a threat from three-point land, but his defense lacks. Luke Kornet is a serviceable big man who’s improved on both ends. Still, his forced increase in production is more of a liability than an asset. Xavier Tillman was a defensive threat in Memphis, we just haven’t seen that level of play in his reserve role this season.
We know that Payton Pritchard’s impact in the second unit can be a huge lift when he’s paired with the right rotations, and Oshae Brissett has certainly taken advantage of his well-earned minutes.
Relying on these guys to impact a ball game is well out of reach at this point in the season. Mazzulla’s displayed transparency on Boston’s bench impact, stating in a postgame interview with TD Garden reporters back in November,
“What we need is guys that are on the bench sort of coming to play, they gotta know that we need them to play well for us to win games”
Kudos to our coaching staff for being able to plug pieces in different rotations, but a second look at our reserve unit is well warranted headed into next season.
Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown can’t lead the Celtics to an NBA Title
Myth
Here’s the thing; the acquisition of Kristaps Porziņģis and Jrue Holiday was monumental. This version of the Boston Celtics plays a style of team basketball I haven’t seen since the 2017 Golden State assemblance. That being said, it wouldn't serve Boston well for either JT or JB to play ball-dominant.
However, we are at the point in the season where every other day is a matchup versus the top four teams the NBA has to offer. At times, someone will need to be that guy — the two Jays have proven that they are in fact, capable.
Tatum and Brown are not only the most experienced postseason players remaining, but they’ve shown that they can affect a ball game in multiple ways and best of all, can create shots for themselves at league-high efficiencies.
They’ve made multiple ECF appearances with injured rosters, less help, and tougher opponents. We seriously undervalue what a deep playoff run means — especially when you undergo multiple head coaching and roster changes. Enough, please.
This season is Title or Bust
Truth
One hundred percent, and there is no other way around this one.
For multiple reasons, I’ve stated why the Boston Celtics have the tools to bring home another banner. With the perceived biggest threat in the Denver Nuggets being eliminated last round, odds makers would agree that Boston’s experience, health, and talent are enough to finish the job ahead of its competition.
Even with our core roster under contract for the foreseeable future, it is unlikely that any team next season will produce better numbers than the Celtics have this year. Not to mention, this may be the best version of the Celtics since the ABA days.
It’s hard to imagine with the remaining teams' lack of intangibles that the Celtics could somehow move onto next season as runner-ups. In the worst case, I’d advise against a roster implosion, though a major shakeup would indeed be critical in reaching championship stats once more.
Nonetheless, I’m optimistic.
