League veterans continue to view the Boston Celtics as the gold standard in the Eastern Conference.
During a recent appearance on NBA on Prime, six-time All-Star and former Celtic, Blake Griffin, pointed to Boston when asked which East team has the fewest weaknesses. “That might be the team with the least amount of questions,” Griffin said.
Miami Heat legend Udonis Haslem echoed the sentiment, stating, “To me, the Boston Celtics have the best habits of any team in the NBA.” Former UConn star and ex-NBA wing Rudy Gay added that the Celtics “addressed their problems by getting Vooch,” referring to the recent addition of Nikola Vucevic at the trade deadline.
These endorsements reflect widespread respect for Boston’s roster construction and on-court discipline. Even without Jayson Tatum available for the season so far due to Achilles recovery, the Celtics have relied on depth, veteran leadership, and seamless integration of new pieces. Vucevic’s presence has strengthened rebounding and spacing, complementing stars like Jaylen Brown.
This group continues to post impressive results, blending continuity from recent championship contention with fresh adjustments. Their habits and low-maintenance lineup have positioned them as favorites to emerge from a competitive East once again. Head coach Joe Mazzulla should be considered front and center in all Coach of the Year discussions.
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