The Unyielding Expectations of the Boston Celtics

The Boston Celtics have always been held to an extraordinarily high standard. This year, however, that bar has been set even higher.

The Weight of Reigning NBA Champions

After securing the NBA title last season, the Celtics are not just aiming for another strong season—they are expected to repeat. This ambition places them in the rarefied company of teams like the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors, who were the last to successfully defend their championship title. The pressure is immense, and the Celtics are feeling it.

A Recent Rut and Growing Criticism

Despite the lofty expectations, the Celtics have hit a bit of a rough patch. In their last 13 games, they are just 7-6, a record that has stirred some concern among their fans and analysts. Even when they secured a 120-119 victory over the New Orleans Pelicans, a team at the bottom of the standings, the performance left much to be desired. The Celtics struggled with execution, and there were moments in the final seconds where a loss seemed imminent.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla, while acknowledging the team’s shortcomings, understands that this is the reality of high expectations. “I would say the ultimate compliment is we’re 28-11 and these are the types of conversations we’re having. So, it’s a beautiful place to be in,” Mazzulla told reporters after the game. “I think it’s great. It’s a great standard and a great expectation to have and we have to deliver. And we all know that.”

The Pressure of Being a Champion

Even though the Celtics are currently the third-best team in the league, the atmosphere around them feels tense, almost like a morgue, as Mazzulla put it. The reason for this is simple: the Celtics, as defending champions, are expected to be playing at their absolute best. Any drop-off in performance—no matter how minor—can lead to disappointment and frustration from fans, media, and even the players themselves.

Yet, Mazzulla maintains a positive outlook. “What are we, the third-best team in the league right now? Which isn’t great, but it sounds like a morgue in here. And that’s how it should be because of where we’re trying to get to. So, it’s the ultimate compliment and we just continue to work through it.”

The Path Forward

Despite their struggles, the Celtics are still in a strong position. They have plenty of time left in the season to rediscover their rhythm and reassert their dominance. For Mazzulla, it’s clear that the process of rebuilding the championship-level mentality takes time. “Just because we were this last year, you can’t take for granted the details, habit, execution, togetherness, trust—all that stuff has to be rebuilt,” he explained. “And sometimes, when you have the same team, we have this expectation that we’re just going to pick up where we left off, and it’s different. Different year, different people, different spaces. We have to reestablish that, and it just takes time.”

Embracing the Challenge

While the Celtics may not be where they want to be right now, Mazzulla is encouraged by the fact that the team isn’t complacent. The dissatisfaction with their current performance reflects their drive to improve, and that’s the mindset that will help them figure things out. “I love the fact that we’re not happy; best place to be in, and we’ll figure it the hell out.”

As the Celtics continue their journey through the season, it’s clear that their pursuit of greatness is far from over. The road may be bumpy, but with the right adjustments and mindset, they are more than capable of reclaiming their top form.