SI.com - Team Grades - Boston A-

[Moranis]

http://www.si.com/nba/2016/04/12/final-grades-all-30-nba-teams

Boston Celtics: A-

Midseason Grade: B- | Off. Rating: 112.7 | Def. Rating: 110.2 | Net Rating: 2.5

Better late than never. Following a somewhat middling first half, Brad Stevens’ Celtics have turned it up in recent months to make a hard run at the East’s No. 3 seed. While it will take until Wednesday’s action to fully sort out the seeding confusion in the East’s second tier, the Celtics have every reason to celebrate. Despite not adding a star player last summer, Boston has improved its win total by at least seven wins from last season and at least 22 wins from two season ago, and it did so without taking a shortcut by cashing in some of its most desirable draft assets.

Now, Boston finds itself in position to potentially win a playoff series while also preparing for a summer with a host of assets that could facilitate a blockbuster move. A first-round exit would dampen some of the excitement and it might raise questions about whether Isaiah Thomas should continue to keep the car keys on offense, but a clear defensive identity and a deep roster of contributors gives the Celtics as good a chance as any of the East’s 3–6 seeds of advancing. This is a team—and a coach—you just don’t want to face in the playoffs.