The Athletic recently released the annual edition of its NBA executive survey. They asked 36 executives from around the Association to rank their top-five front offices in the league.
It was no surprise to see the Boston Celtics earn rave reviews. The franchise placed second in the survey. The Oklahoma City Thunder finished in first. The latter is the NBA's reigning champion. Beyond lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy at last season's conclusion, they are as well-positioned as any organization could ask for to achieve sustained success. Perhaps, they'll even usher in the league's next dynasty. That's despite a punitive collective bargaining agreement designed to prevent that from happening.
That same chatter surrounded the Celtics after they raised banner 18 to the TD Garden rafters a year before the Thunder reached the NBA mountaintop.
Celtics are showing what makes them a championship organization
While Boston's future looked cloudy when Jayson Tatum tore his Achilles tendon, the skies are clearing up on Causeway Street.
The Celtics are deftly achieving what matters most this season. From Jordan Walsh to Neemias Queta and Josh Minott, players up and down their roster are thriving with their chance to prove themselves.
The same goes for veterans like Jaylen Brown and Payton Pritchard as they shoulder more responsibility.
And each update on Jayson Tatum sparks increased optimism about his recovery. The noise surrounding his potential return is only going to get louder.
How many franchises could take the cards dealt to Boston in the last eight months and turn them into a winning hand?
Some teams don't even shake off a brutal exit in the postseason. The Celtics squandered a pair of 20-point leads. It happened against their geographical rival, the New York Knicks, and it took place on the TD Garden parquet. Their talent advantage couldn't save them. Some teams splinter after a series unfolds that way.
In an exponentially more concerning matter for their future, they saw Tatum tear his Achilles tendon in Game 5 at Madison Square Garden. They were already in store for a roster makeover after going over the second apron in consecutive campaigns. His injury fed into those changes and is likely why Al Horford is now with the Golden State Warriors.
There was also a change in ownership. It added to the velocity that the wrecking ball, smashing the organization's stability, swung with.
Again, how many teams overcome absorbing such significant changes at a speed akin to a firehose in full force?
Rather than crumbling, Boston hasn't even sunk in the standings to start the season. Instead, the Celtics sit third in the Eastern Conference. They're only two games behind the second-seeded Knicks. They also have nine wins against teams with a .500 record or better, tied for the most in the league.
It's a testament to an elite infrastructure. It speaks volumes about Joe Mazzulla and his coaching staff. The same is true of Brad Stevens and a front office filled with exceptional stalwarts.
"Brad's integrity and competence carry a heavy load for them," noted one executive polled. "Mike Zarren is an extremely bright guy," stated another.
Of course, it's also a credit to their roster -- the veterans and their younger members, new and old. Their core, including Tatum while on the road to recovery, is a driving force in cultivating and carrying out the Celtics' culture and setting the standard in Boston.
What's unfolding there also signals that the organization is in good hands with Bill Chisholm, the team's new owner, who has Wyc Grousbeck there to help him.
"They have always done a good job with building their team," shared one voter. "They made a difficult decision this offseason, but because of the rules, it was one they had to make. The timing was right with the Tatum injury. I would expect them to be able to turn it around pretty quickly. This year is just a reset for them."
Not every franchise could say the same in this situation. However, the Celtics are turning adversity and a dramatic shake-up into a showcase of why this is one of the elite organizations in sports.