NBA Power Rankings: Reality begins to set in for LA Lakers, Brooklyn Nets

Los Angeles Lakers Russell Westbrook (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
Los Angeles Lakers Russell Westbrook (Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports)
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Boston Celtics
Malcolm Brogdon defends Jayson Tatum (Photo by Dylan Buell/Getty Images)

2. Boston Celtics

I have to be honest. I was concerned about the Boston Celtics heading into the season. I wasn’t sure how they would handle the integration of a new head coach. I didn’t know how they would handle the loss of Robert Williams. And I wasn’t sure how seamless the addition of Malcolm Brogdon would look.

So far, so good. The Celtics have picked up where they left off last season and look like a team that is going to once again compete for a title. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown look really good once again and it wouldn’t be surprising if Tatum ended up finishing in the top 3 of MVP voting this season.

The Celtics have answered the early-season question that they needed to answer. The Celtics have separated themselves from the rest of the teams in the Eastern Conference. Along with…seamless transition.