By Jared Zero
Just like the Boston Celtics’ new hashtag on X “#DifferentHere”, it’s definitely a different look here in BeanTown.
Over the summer, the Celtics traded who many considered the Heart and Soul of the team, Marcus Smart, in a package for Kristaps Porzingis. A couple months later, they made another big splash by shipping former Sixth Man of the Year, Malcolm Brogdon, and fan-favorite, Robert Williams, to the Portland Trailblazers for a return in the form of Jrue Holiday.
Holiday and Porzingis give this team an entirely different dynamic that they’ve never had before. With Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum just now entering their prime NBA years, Boston needed to surround their two all-stars with players who would compliment their playstyles.
Porzingis is a shot-blocking big man, who can consistently be a knockdown shooter from beyond the arc. Last year, Porzinigis shot 38.5% from three, while being the arguable #1 scoring option for the Washington Wizards. Having the threats of Tatum and Brown around him, the amount of spacing each of these guys will generate for the other is something they’ve never experienced. They’ll each be able to get to their spots easier, along with being able to get more open shots.
Holiday is another piece that, similar to Porzingis, will help spread the floor for the team. On the defensive side of the ball, Holiday is a menace. Most people will remember him from his strip–steal on Devin Booker in the 2021-22 Finals to secure the win, and ultimately the championship for the Milwaukee Bucks. Holiday also shoots the ball extremely efficiently and generates a lot of offense with his defensive prowess.
One final dynamic that’s been great for this team is the coaching staff. From top to bottom, the coaching staff is filled with proven winners.
Sam Cassell was part of the 2008 championship team, and he wasn’t afraid to get loud with the team when they weren’t playing to their potential.
Charles Lee, a former member of the Bucks coaching staff, won a ring with Holiday, and is the exact defensive mind to compliment head coach Joe Mazzulla’s offensive-based mindset.
Mazzulla has even invited all Celtics alumni to the practices and games, and to just be around the team more often. Paul Pierce, the 08’ Finals MVP, worked out with Tatum through most of the summer, Rajon Rondo has been around the practices more recently. There have been several other notable members of Celtics past that have been around the team this offseason.
With the quest for Banner 18 getting underway against the New York Knicks, the expectations for the season get called to question.
The expectation should be championship or bust. Based on the moves that the Celtics have made this offseason, it seems like they’re going all-in. This is, without a doubt, the best Celtics team since the ‘08 team. Assuming everyone stays healthy throughout the season and playoffs, there’s no reason this team can’t win the title.
Mike McCarthy