Despite many outside observers predicting a rebuilding year for the Boston Celtics, the team has defied expectations this season. Al Horford, a veteran presence who has witnessed Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s rise and the heartbreak of their Finals loss, credits the organization’s internal commitment and culture as the driving forces behind their performance. Horford emphasized how the coaching staff’s approach has been pivotal in harnessing the roster’s talents effectively.
Horford stated,
“The biggest thing is that everybody’s bought into what Joe is telling them, and he’s just running a really good program over there,”
highlighting Joe Mazzulla’s leadership. He added,
“Him and all those assistant coaches, they’re really doing a good job getting the guys ready, getting them to commit and play at a high level, and that’s why I feel like it’s so smooth.”
Kristaps Porzingis Shares His Perspective on the Celtics’ Progress
Kristaps Porzingis, who spent two years with Boston, also recognizes the reasons behind the Celtics outperforming initial expectations. He reflected on the preseason outlook compared to the current success, noting the role of the coaching staff and the team’s core players.
Porzingis explained,
“Like everybody, I thought, like, a little bit less expectations, not gonna be that good this year, dah, dah, dah. Like some of the most pessimistic ones were like, ‘Ah, it’s a lottery team.’”
He further emphasized the team’s culture by saying,
“I never thought that. Even in our years, also, whenever somebody was out, just, it’s like the culture that they already have there, it’s like, it’s not gonna just disappear. Even if you maybe don’t have the JT talent, but still, JB [is] there, leading the group, D. White, Payton, like these guys, these guys are elite players, so I knew they were going to be good. Maybe not, first, second seed, but yeah, I mean Joe and that crew is top.”
Behind Boston’s Strong Organization and Team Culture
The Celtics currently sit second in the Eastern Conference standings following the All-Star break. They showcased their strength convincingly in their first matchup back with a 121-110 victory over the Golden State Warriors, dominating the game and leading by as many as 34 points. This performance has reinforced their status as a serious contender in the conference.
With Jayson Tatum on the mend from a torn Achilles, Boston’s optimism isn’t unfounded. The team’s resilience, evident in how players have embraced development and adapted, reflects the powerful culture established by the franchise. This culture, which emphasizes teamwork, commitment, and consistent effort, has allowed Boston to weather challenges, including significant player departures and injuries, while maintaining championship aspirations.
As Porzingis noted, the Celtics’ core identity remains intact despite changes, a testament to the organization’s foundational strength and a reason the team continues to compete at the highest level in the NBA.
Al Horford on the season the Celtics are having:
“The biggest thing is that everybody's bought into what Joe is telling them, and he's just running a really good program over there. Him and all those assistant coaches, they're really doing a good job getting the guys ready,… https://t.co/JtjhtDoCvs pic.twitter.com/gO7e1xGZ03
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) February 20, 2026
I asked Kristaps Porzingis how his expectations for the Celtics this season compare to the year they’re having.
“Like everybody, I thought, like, little bit less expectations…Joe and that crew is top.” pic.twitter.com/kFk3DjSiQi
— Bobby Krivitsky (@BobbyKrivitsky) February 20, 2026
