Last season, the Boston Celtics had one of the most dominant campaigns we have seen in history. En route to their 18th title in franchise history, the Celtics finished the season with a 64-18 record. Their 123.2 ORTG was the best in the league, and their 111.6 DRTG was third-best. Additionally, their +11.6 net rating was tied for third-best all-time with the 2016-17 Golden State Warriors. For context, only the 1995-96 and 1996-97 Chicago Bulls finished with a higher net rating. The Celtics also went 16-3 during their postseason run, never losing multiple games in one series. As they prepare for a repeat campaign, it is clear the Celtics are the best team in the league on paper. And, according to former NBA head coach Stan Van Gundy, the Celtics may just have one of the best rosters in NBA history.
Per Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe, Van Gundy said the current Celtics roster is “probably the best NBA roster I’ve ever seen.” Additionally, Van Gundy cites the starters’ impact on the defensive side of the ball as his reasoning.
Stan Van Gundy on the #Celtics: “That’s probably the best NBA roster I’ve seen. All five of their starters are plus defenders.”
— gary washburn (@GwashburnGlobe) October 15, 2024
Stan Van Gundy Has Incredibly High Praise for Boston Celtics
Taking a Look at the Celtics’ Roster
Heading into last season, many believed the Celtics had the best top-six in the NBA. These six are Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Al Horford. All six of these players are incredibly versatile and impact the game on every level. However, many questioned their depth. Beyond these six, there were players in the rotation who had not established themselves as constant contributors. However, as the season went on, this proved to not be an issue. Players like Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser are the sparkplugs of the team’s second unit. Additionally, Luke Kornet, Neemias Queta, and Xavier Tillman (who the team acquired in February) are all solid big men who provide a boost off the bench in the frontcourt.
This offseason, the Celtics may have gotten even richer. They drafted Baylor Scheierman in the first round, and he has the tools to become a legitimate perimeter threat in the league. Additionally, the Celtics signed Lonnie Walker IV to an Exhibit 10 contract ahead of training camp. It is unclear what Walker’s role with Boston will be. However, he provides a huge boost to the team’s roster regardless.
The Last Word
The Celtics have a legitimate shot at repeating as champions next year. This will prove to be a difficult task, however. No NBA team has repeated as champions since the Warriors did it in 2018. Additionally, the Celtics will be without Porzingis to start the regular season as he recovers from the rare leg injury he suffered in the NBA Finals. However, the Celtics are well-equipped to hold their own until he returns to the court.
On paper, the Celtics remain the team to beat in the NBA. Many teams in the league pose serious threats to the Celtics. This is especially true after the busy offseasons from teams like the Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, and Oklahoma City Thunder. However, all things considered, the Celtics are the reigning champions for a reason. It will be tough for any team to beat them in a seven-game series.
