The Celtics are only getting better, and that's an irritating thought to rival NBA execs.
An Eastern Conference exec recently sounded off on the Celtics' acquisition of Malcolm Brogdon to longtime NBA reporter Steve Bulpett. The exec loves the move, much to his chagrin.
"He will [be a serious help for the Celtics]. He'll be good for them," the person said. "Going to Boston, with strong people around him, unfortunately, yes, he'll be good for them. I think he's going to make them a lot better — which pisses me off."
That's a telling quote that indicates how the Celtics are viewed across the league. Two wins away from an NBA championship, they added Brogdon at the start of free agency, along with veteran shooter Danilo Gallinari. Both additions should provide the Celtics with some much-needed scoring off the bench.
Brogdon, who could slide into a 6th-man role, averaged 18.9 points and 6.3 assists per game over the last three years with the Pacers. Amazingly, the Celtics picked him up without shedding any assets of true value.
Gallinari, meanwhile, is a career 38.2 percent shooter from beyond the arc.
"But after how Boston got it together and got to the Finals, we're all looking at them now — and they got better. A lot better," said another source. "They got a shooter (Danilo Gallinari) and they got a guard who can be solid on both ends and can go for a big number offensively in the right situation."
The Celtics, for what it's worth, are betting favorites to win the 2023 NBA title.
