The Boston Celtics, fresh off a season that nearly saw them reach basketball immortality, have been hit with what many fans and analysts are calling a slap in the face. In the latest NBA Power Rankings released this week, the Celtics were not just moved down a spot or two — they were tossed aside with the kind of disrespect that has ignited outrage across the basketball world. For a franchise that spent the last twelve months reshaping its identity, clearing cap space, adding long-term assets, and retooling its roster around superstar Jayson Tatum, being ranked outside the top three has many wondering if these rankings are based on basketball logic or narrative bias.
Boston’s offseason wasn’t one of quiet tinkering. It was surgical, methodical, and deeply strategic. With the departures of Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and the aging Al Horford, the Celtics opted for a mix of youth, defensive length, and frontcourt rebounding in a move that, while painful to some nostalgic fans, signaled a pivot toward sustainability. Walker Kessler was a key acquisition, bringing elite shot-blocking, efficient rim protection, and a humble, team-first mentality. With Boston facing historic payroll and tax levels, these moves weren’t just wise—they were necessary. Yet none of that seemed to matter to the analysts behind the latest power rankings.
What’s even more jarring is that teams who failed to make the Conference Finals, or even the playoffs, were placed above Boston. The Lakers, now relying on a 41-year-old LeBron James and no true roster depth, were somehow ranked higher. The New York Knicks, who got bounced without real resistance in the second round, found themselves inching into elite territory. Meanwhile, the Celtics, who won over 60 games last season and brought back most of their core, were penalized for shedding older, expensive players in favor of athleticism and long-term viability.
The logic behind these rankings is unclear. If it’s based on championship pedigree, then the Celtics—owners of 17 NBA titles—should never be ranked outside the top five. If it’s based on talent retention, Boston kept its most important player in Jayson Tatum, locked in Derrick White long-term, and is expected to give Jaylen Brown the reins to take on more offensive responsibility in a more open system. And if the argument is that Boston’s bench is now too thin, then it ignores the rise of young players like Jordan Walsh, JD Davison, and the impactful return of a fully healthy Sam Hauser.
Perhaps the most confusing aspect of Boston’s placement in the power rankings is that it seems entirely out of step with how the team is being viewed internally by other front offices. Executives around the league have quietly praised Brad Stevens for his ability to maneuver out of a fiscal logjam while keeping the championship window open. Even rival coaches have acknowledged that Boston’s spacing and perimeter defense will remain among the league’s elite. Still, the Celtics find themselves buried under flashier narratives, snubbed in favor of trending teams and offseason hype.
For many Celtics fans, this latest ranking doesn’t just sting—it fuels a deeper fire. This isn’t the first time Boston has been underrated. It wasn’t long ago that pundits said Tatum and Brown couldn’t coexist. Those same voices now conveniently forget how they steamrolled through the East. When Boston fell short in the Finals a few years ago, critics labeled them too young, too inconsistent, too reliant on isolation scoring. Yet every time those concerns were addressed, the bar was simply moved again. Now, they’re apparently too “restructured” to compete.
The disrespect is also palpable among Boston players themselves. Jayson Tatum has continued his summer workouts in near silence, refusing to make noise but sending a clear message through his actions: he’s focused, leaner, and more determined than ever. Jaylen Brown, already coming off an All-NBA campaign, has used every public appearance to preach about sacrifice, chemistry, and leadership. This is not a team fractured by loss or distracted by media narratives. This is a group that sees every slight as motivation.
The Celtics’ culture is built on overcoming skepticism. From the days of Paul Pierce being called a selfish chucker to the questions about whether Marcus Smart was more trouble than he was worth, Boston has always had to prove it on the court. And they usually do. These rankings, while frustrating, may ultimately serve as fuel. There’s a certain clarity that comes from being overlooked—a hunger that can galvanize even the most veteran-laden team.
Critics of Boston’s offseason moves fail to understand the internal logic behind them. Moving on from older stars wasn’t a sign of regression. It was evolution. Al Horford, as beloved as he is, could no longer keep pace with the athletic bigs of the modern game. Porzingis, while offensively brilliant, struggled to stay healthy in critical moments. Jrue Holiday brought incredible defense, but his offensive lapses in the postseason put added pressure on Tatum and Brown to carry too much of the burden. By shifting toward youth, rim protection, and perimeter speed, Boston is betting on a more versatile, sustainable brand of basketball.
Walker Kessler may not be a household name yet, but among those who study the game, he’s already being described as a top-five rim protector with elite defensive instincts. The addition of Charles Bassey, if it materializes, would bolster that identity further, giving Boston a rotation of bigs who can switch, defend, and rebound without demanding touches. Meanwhile, Derrick White has emerged as a two-way guard capable of orchestrating an offense and locking down opposing perimeter threats. These are not cosmetic changes; they are foundational.
The Celtics are also uniquely positioned to make an in-season move. With flexible contracts and a mix of young talent and draft assets, Boston can pivot midyear if necessary. If a star becomes available, Brad Stevens will be ready. That kind of strategic optionality isn’t often considered in preseason rankings, but it should be. Boston has built not just a team, but a platform—one that can adapt to changing playoff dynamics or roster needs.
Media disrespect isn’t new to Boston, but the magnitude this time feels disproportionate. Being listed behind teams who haven’t made meaningful playoff noise in years, or are still figuring out their rotations, raises eyebrows. And for Celtics fans, it raises fists. Already, message boards and social media are buzzing with renewed energy. If the analysts won’t give this team its due, the fanbase is prepared to remind everyone why the Celtics are never to be taken lightly.
Brad Stevens, known for his calm demeanor, has stayed silent publicly, but those around the team suggest the front office is acutely aware of the noise. Quietly, they’re watching. They’re letting others write the headlines now so they can rewrite them in April. Boston’s mantra heading into this season is simple: no excuses, no distractions, no apologies. Just results.
As the season approaches, Celtics fans have reason to feel both slighted and emboldened. In an Eastern Conference that remains wide open, Boston stands as a sleeping juggernaut—written off by the media but not forgotten by those who truly understand basketball. They’ve been disrespected before. It didn’t stop them then, and it won’t stop them now.
So let the rankings come. Let the lists circulate. Let the doubters talk. Because when the real games begin and the lights are brightest, history has shown one thing to be consistently true: the Boston Celtics never stay quiet for long.
