Why the new and improved Celtics are a major threat

Boston’s new and improved starting lineup and depth

The Celtics, as flashes were found in the Summer League with their new blueprint and design, could accommodate more of a zone defense at times. The zone has tended to be their kryptonite during instances of panic falling apart at the end of games or not completing expectations, quite commonly, once again via Miami. So, why not add their own repertoire?

That’s not to say their defense won’t be Celtic-esque, with another chance of being in the top five or more with that elite-switching, full-throttle physical intensity. Now, following their busy offseason, that offensive evolution for who represented the East in the 2022 Finals is coming full circle. Thanks to the seeds Mazzulla planted throughout the last season.

There has been a collection of chatter from experts around the league who view the Celtics as subtracting two of their most notable defensive voices and hearts from the locker room once Williams became a Maverick. While they both starred in that role and Smart was a leader, they were not the only ones on a championship-caliber team full of battle-tested veteran voices. And not for nothing, those declaring the locker room’s lack of “dog,” tied with leadership, Boston still has more than enough of those rough-housing intimidators who bring fire.

Both Jays are also closing in on a decade themselves, with their default dogged leadership on top of them fighting through more postseason wars than an abundance of the league’s faces together. Al Horford might actually be one of the most title-hungry figures in the league, with all he’s been through and a history of biting first towards an opposing contender’s star when the stakes are high in a series.