At this very same point last season, the Boston Celtics were below .500, and fans and insiders were urging Brad Stevens to break their duo up and trade either Jaylen Brown or Jayson Tatum.
Even Marcus Smart‘s name was brought into multiple mock trades and simulations.
Then, Ime Udoka‘s squad turned the corner, switched gears, and had the best defense in the Association to close out the season and get their first trip to the NBA Finals since 2010.
The young Celtics couldn’t finish the job and lost in six games, but they have no NBA Finals hangover whatsoever.
Even without Udoka in town, the Celtics have played like a team on a mission throughout the season.
They’ve been perhaps the most consistent and dominant team in the league this year, becoming the first team to reach 30 wins, boasting the league’s best record, and leading the NBA in both Offensive Rating and Net Rating, according to StatMuse.
Celtics this season:
1st in the East
1st in the NBA
1st in offensive rating
1st in net rating
2nd in total threes
2nd in points per gameThe only team with 30+ wins. pic.twitter.com/2VjdlCpJfu
— StatMuse (@statmuse) January 13, 2023
Tatum and Brown have once again become one of the most prolific duos in the league.
They can combine for 55 points a night while also playing lockdown defense, and the Celtics’ bench is stacked with Malcolm Brogdon leading the way for the second unit.
Also, the Celtics have had some impressive performances vs. contending teams, so it’s not like those numbers are misleading by just thrashing bottom-feeding teams.
It’s been fifteen years since the league’s winningest franchise last raised a banner, but it might as well be Larry O’Brien season in Massachusetts once we reach the end of the campaign.
NEXT: Celtics Analyst Comments On Potential Trade Target