The buzz around the Celtics these days is all about Jayson Tatum and whether he'll make a comeback this season after his Achilles surgery. It's a hot topic, and for good reason-Tatum is a superstar, and his return could tip the scales in the title race.
But let's not forget the Celtics have been holding their own. They've played like true championship contenders even without their top player.
This speaks volumes about the resilience and skill of Joe Mazzulla, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and the rest of this determined squad, along with the coaching staff and front office. We're now two-thirds into the season, and their performance demands recognition.
In a recent episode of the Hoop Collective, Brian Windhorst, Tim McMahon, and Tim Bontemps discussed teams they see as legitimate contenders, defined as having at least a 5% chance of winning it all. Windhorst highlighted that historically, champions usually boast a top-10 offense and defense. That's a key marker, and the Celtics are right there with the 2nd-best offense and 9th-best defense.
This could shift as the season progresses, but if Boston maintains this level, with or without Tatum, they stand a real chance. Other teams in this elite group include the defending champion Thunder (4th offense/1st defense), the Rockets (6th/5th), the Spurs (7th/3rd), the Timberwolves (8th/7th), and the Pistons (10th/7th). Notably, only the Pistons share the Eastern Conference with the Celtics.
The West may be stacked with contenders, but someone has to emerge from the East. The Pistons look promising, but they've yet to win a playoff series. The Knicks and Cavaliers are just outside this elite group with strong defenses and top-five offenses.
The Eastern Conference is wide open, and the Celtics are right in the thick of it. They might not fit the mold of a conventional title team, but they've got championship DNA and one of the league's best coaches.
Winning multiple series in a row is a tall order for any Eastern team, but Boston has shown they can take down any opponent in a seven-game series. If they find another gear in the playoffs, there's no reason they can't make a serious run to the Finals this year.