Stephen A. Smith is a Celtics convert.
The pugnacious commentator went all-in Tuesday on the Green Team, telling J.J. Redick on "First Take" the Celtics are the best team in the Eastern Conference. The Celtics are in the midst of a remarkable run that's catapulted them towards the top of the standings (they're tied with the 76ers for the No. 3 seed).
Smith is most impressed with their relentless defense. "They are like a bunch of piranhas," he said. "They switch everywhere, you have five guys, they get out on shooters better than anybody that I have seen."
The Celtics are allowing a league-best 106.7 points per 100 possessions in non-garbage time minutes, according to Cleaning the Glass. While stars like Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jimmy Butler will probably always get their numbers, the Celtics are capable of completely disrupting opposing offenses.
"When it comes to the playoffs, you've got to remember the game slows down a little bit. You don't get as many open-court opportunities, team's defenses are able to get back," Smith said. "We know this about playoff basketball. And nobody wants Boston to do that because if Boston does that, that makes that defense even more formidable."
Of course, any conversation about the Celtics' turnaround would be incomplete without referencing Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, both of whom are playing like total superstars.
"In the meantime while all of that has transpired, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown have elevated their level of play," Smith said. "So I want to see it be more consistent, please don't get me wrong, because you weren't that way at the beginning of the season, you are flowing well over the last 30-plus games, I get all of that, the playoffs are a different beast."
In addition, Smith gave credit to Ime Udoka, calling him a "legitimate top-two Coach of the Year Candidate."
A legitimate Coach of the Year candidate coaching a legitimate title contender with a legitimate defense and legitimate All-Stars. Sounds like a recipe for playoff success.
