After 20 video games, are the Celtics good? (workers roundtable)

The Celtics are a very good group — not nice, not unhealthy, simply stable. Their performances thus far have mirrored that. When everyone seems to be locked in, they will compete with anybody within the league. But after they’re not, they have a tendency to drop video games they need to be successful. 20 video games in, 11 wins, it’s honest to say they’re a very good group.

The Celtics are, the truth is, fairly good this yr, albeit flawed. These 20 video games have proven us a scrappy, typically unpredictable group with a real roster-wide Stay Ready mindset, making every recreation a novel, unknowable, and typically wonderful expertise. Before the season I projected a real center floor of 41 wins, roughly placing them within the 7-8 seeding vary. With the group taking part in at its present degree, I nonetheless consider that, and that provides a enjoyable wrinkle to a wide-open Eastern Conference.

I do assume that the Celtics are good. I’m not positive how good they’re however I’m having fun with watching them greater than I assumed I might. The first 20 video games have proven us that these younger guys might be fairly good however the way in which Joe Mazzulla has coached this group up has been superior. It has confirmed lots of his supporters (myself included) proper that he’s an elite coach.

Gio Rivera
The Celtics sit at 11-9 getting into Monday evening — a justifiable spot, however one which lacks context. Without Jayson Tatum, it’s unrealistic to anticipate Boston to hover close to the highest three within the Eastern Conference, but what we’ve seen thus far suggests they need to be higher positioned. Boston has already surrendered 5 40-point quarters by means of its first 20 video games, surpassing final season’s whole of three, and ongoing defensive lapses, offensive inconsistency, and an incapability to maintain an identification for a full 48 minutes have contributed to a deceptive No. 8 seed. In actuality, the Celtics may — and possibly ought to — be within the prime six, particularly given they rank fourth in offensive ranking (119.1), commit the fewest turnovers within the league (11.5), and sit seventh in offensive rebounds (13.2) regardless of shifting on from their three most-used facilities final season. It’s nonetheless tough to pin down who the 2025–26 Celtics really are, however they mission as a middle-of-the-pack group able to clearing the 40-win plateau and securing a top-eight end within the convention.

Simon Pollock
These Celtics are good! Just…not that good. They’ve gained six of their final eight video games, which incorporates ending the Pistons’ nearly-franchise-best win streak and taking down the Magic and the Cavaliers. At this quarter pole of the season, the Celtics have the #11 web ranking (4.2). Boston followers have been handled to Neemias Queta and Jordan Walsh shining as they’ve taken on extra accountability.

And but, Jaylen Brown’s 36.3% utilization price (Statmuse) is at a profession excessive and feels nigh unsustainable. The group is final in tempo. The heart rotation behind Queta is shaky and unresolved. And that candy offensive ranking that Gio talked about belies what the attention check reveals: this group can actually get caught within the mud. Brown will get triple teamed, Payton Pritchard dribbles into partitions, and Derrick White remains to be on the lookout for scoring consistency.
11-9 is true on course for these Celtics. They seem like a group that nobody would wish to play on a given evening, however not one constant sufficient to win a seven-game playoff collection.

Nirav Barman
The Celtics are a very good group, not essentially based mostly off of expertise, however due to a dedication each to the gameplan and the method. Joe Mazzulla clearly has had his affect on the gamers this yr, and the children are hungry to show themselves. Boston may make a run for a playoff spot this yr, and will at least be thought of play-in contenders. These first 20 video games have proven me that the coaches have a transparent imaginative and prescient for this group, and including a number of good items within the offseason can get us proper again to the highest when coupled with Jayson Tatum’s return.

Steve Hooper
The Celtics are just about the place I anticipated them after 20 video games. If we had been doing a tier rating for the East I’d most likely put them excessive B. In phrases of energy rankings, they’re surging with a formidable 7-3 document within the final 10 video games. Surprises thus far this season Jordan Walsh, has been like discovered cash. The progress and growth of Neemias Queta has additionally been terrific to look at and the superior stats are eye popping. Mr Consistent has been Jaylen Brown, he has greater than answered the decision. Brown is eleventh within the league in scoring and completely lethal within the mid-range. If some balls bounced their manner, this group may simply have greater than 11 wins thus far.

Mike Dynon
At 11-9 thus far, the Celtics are on observe to complete with about 45 wins, give or take. That’s just about the traditional degree of a good-not-great group. Our expectations are decrease this yr as a result of the Celtics clearly lack lots of the star energy that that they had the final two seasons – however they’re assembly these adjusted expectations. Jaylen Brown has delivered management and clutch play at an All-NBA degree. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard struggled early, however their latest offensive outbursts have been reassuring. Walsh, Minott, Queta, Garza and Gonzalez have all been nice surprises. And Anfernee Simons from the arc has been as sizzling as anybody who’s ever worn the Celtics uniform. What we’ve discovered is that the Celtics underneath Joe Mazzulla stay as aggressive as at all times. As at the moment constituted, it might be no shock to see them snag the fourth or fifth playoff seed and even win a first-round collection.

Good, not nice, however very solidly good. Too good to tank (barring accidents – and it’s price noting that they’ve principally been fortunate in that regard). Probably not proficient sufficient to compete for a championship, even with a totally wholesome Jayson Tatum. In the East, a group headed by Tatum, Brown, White, and a bunch of alternative degree gamers may definitely win a few rounds within the playoffs. But as traditional the aim is banners, so the measure of this season must be how we equip the group to compete for these banners within the close to future. The excellent news is that (to date) it looks as if we’ve got a keeper in Neemias Queta (both as a starter or excessive degree rotation massive). Guys like Walsh and Minott have developed properly as effectively. And maybe most significantly, Jaylen Brown retains evolving as a participant. These are all good indicators, and will very effectively be price rather a lot various further ping pong balls. This group remains to be solidly good, which suggests the leap again to nice might be nearer than it appeared a number of months in the past.