Pre-season, the Boston Celtics were pegged as having mediocre talent - being borderline-boring on the court - and having slim chances of being any serious Title threat. That has all changed with their re-invigoration since New Years Day and their current ranking at Number-1 in the East. Here's why!
(A)DAPTION:
"The measure of intelligence is the ability to change." -- Albert Einstein
What caused the awakening in a Celtics team that started the season looking as though they were half-asleep?It starts with Marcus Smart. He has gone from fireball defender to more-than-able point guard who has become a scoring threat and skilled facilitator - while still maintaining that defensive fire. Both members of the Jay Team are now trusting their teammates and getting them the ball. Grant Williams has transformed into a reliable 6th-or-7th man with his outside shooting and determined defense. The list goes on, but the adaption by most of the Celtics crew has been phenomenal.
(B)RAINS:
"Brains can get you through almost anything, but sometimes it takes time".-- Tom Lane
This current Celtics crop was created by the brain trust of Danny Ainge, Brad Stevens and Ime Udoka, three mighty-smart individuals. Ainge followed Red Auerbach's lead on many decisions, but detoured from that route when he traded vets Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett (effectively) for Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. Ime Udoka brought the early-season Celtics out of the mire to Number-1 status in the Eastern Conference. And Brad Stevens brought back Al Horford, Daniel Theis, while also adding Derrick White. All smart moves.
(C)HARACTER:
"Primary greatness is on the inside. It is about character." -- Stephen Covey
No player on the current Celtics roster that has any noticeable and significant character flaws. Two of the major additions this season (Horford and Theis) already had a pleasant history with Boston, and Udoka had knowledge of White and what he would bring to the team, on the floor and in the locker room The individuals in green seem to like each other, and that has become quite evident by the numerous and often-dominant wins since the New Year.
The ingredients were always there for the most part since the start of the season. It only took a gelling of the parts, and a few tweaks to the roster, to make it all work. Now you know your ABCs, at least in reference to one of the best intra-season transformations I can recall.
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