Jackson Lauber ‘25
Staff Writer
The Boston Celtics haven’t just weathered the storm of the first half of the season, they’ve practically surfed it towards championship contention. As the All-Star break dust settles, the green machine boasts a formidable 45-12 record, good for first place in the Eastern Conference, with a commanding 8 game lead over the second place Cavaliers. Unlike many of their peers in the Eastern Conference, the Celtics have proceeded through this portion of the season without significant, hindering injuries. This great health, coupled with the Celtics star-power due to the partnership of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, has led the Celtics to continued greatness. Their incredible record of 45-12 hasn’t only netted them first in the East, but by a whopping five games, the best record in the entire NBA. If the C’s continue this trend, they’re on pace to complete their first season holding the NBA’s best record since the ‘07-’08 team, featuring players like Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen, just to name a few. That team finished the season with 66 regular season wins to only 16 losses. That team was also the most recent Celtics team to win an NBA title.
Unfortunately for the C’s, the road to defend this amazing record is an arduous one, as one can tell from even glancing at their remaining schedule. In every single one of the next six games, the Celtics are matched up against a team that is expected to make the playoffs – in some capacity – meaning the teams that are projected to compete in the play-in are considered “playoff expected” teams.
To examine the Celtics moving forward, one must move from a top-down approach. For major coaching and administrative positions, especially in the last few years, the Celtics have stayed and hired within the organization, with the appointment of Brad Stevens, former head-coach, as president of basketball operations. Brad has done a good job in his 2.5 years at the helm, making key additions such as Al Horford, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porzingis, to name a few. In his first year, Stevens and the Celtics made it to the NBA finals, falling to the Warriors in 6 games.
The hurdle that followed, with the in-org appointment of Joe Mazzulla, following the season-long suspension of Ime Udoka, is not to be understated. The Celtics played a good season in 2022-2023, nearly advancing to the finals in two straight years, before they fell short against the Miami Heat. Despite their previous season’s finish, this result was a surprising one, given that Mazzulla was a first-year NBA head coach, and his only previous head coaching experience came from a Division II school, Fairmont State.
To refrain from only singing Mazzulla’s praises, it’s necessary to examine some of his faults that potentially lie between the Celtics and their first title in over fifteen years. Mazzulla’s late-game coaching, and more specifically his in-game management, have cost the Celtics against more experienced coaches and teams in key matchups. While it is impossible to immediately remedy Mazzulla’s overall lack of NBA experience, the impact of the Celtics’ superstars is certainly felt, winning games for the C’s that could otherwise be potential losses. Regardless, the question truly is whether Mazzulla’s in-game management and lack of experience will cost the Celtics again, when in the playoffs they will likely face familiar foes with very experienced coaches, such as Erik Spoelstra. Given that Mazzulla’s experience only grows, game by game, which will also aid his in-game management, the Celtics look poised as ever to hoist another banner into TD Garden.
Beyond the coaching, it’s also important to look at individual performances from Celtics key players, namely if they are consistently playing at a level indicative of a playoff team. Derrick White shone in the Celtics first game following the All-Star break, dropping an impressive 28 points, coupled with five assists and a plethora of blocks and steals. His overall shooting was consistently good, and demonstrated why he is a key part of the Celtics’ title-run hopes.
Of course, it’s impossible to mention a Celtics game without spending a bit of time talking about the future face of the NBA, Jayson Tatum. Hailing from St. Louis, Missouri, Tatum has proceeded to perform on an All-Star level in every of the last five years, cementing himself as a significant threat to whoever the Celtics face on the court. The game against the Bulls was no different, as Tatum absolutely took over the third quarter, shooting over 60%, with 15 points – while playing throughout the entire quarter. This kind of performance is necessary for Tatum to continually channel throughout the second-half of the season, and well into the playoffs. The ability to completely control the game, and essentially fully close-out opponents, is something that could remedy any late-game coaching mishaps from Coach Mazzulla.
Overall, the C’s look primed to take their first title since the ‘07-’08 season, as star Jayson Tatum seems to only improve. Boston, get ready for a parade.
Copy edited by Lauren Backstrom
Featured Image Courtesy of Yahoo Sports
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