The Boston Celtics were floundering before they left for California. Now that they've arrived, the team is in the midst of a three-game winning streak and there is optimism emanating from the organization for the first time in what feels like forever.
What changed?
Per Jay King of The Athletic, Boston bonded on the flight west and hasn't looked back since:
“It was a good ride,” forward Marcus Morris said. “It just so happened to come after we got our ass beat. And at that time it kind of changed the outlook on everything, and guys just had a better attitude, man. Just more positive. And I think it carried over into the games.”
Boston dismantled the reigning NBA champion Golden State Warriors to kick off the trip before picking up wins over both the Sacramento Kings and Los Angeles Lakers. They'll close out their California quartet Monday when they lock horns with the Los Angeles Clippers:
“Even the guys that usually are real to themselves, really don’t talk as much, everybody was together,” guard Marcus Smart said. “Everybody was interacting with one another. All smiles and laughs.”
That camaraderie will be needed as Boston prepares for the playoffs. The team currently holds the No. 5 seed, but sits just a game and a half behind Indiana for the No. 3 spot, which would get them off the contentious 4/5 matchup in the first round.
Should their newfound teamwork be legitimate, there may be nothing scarier in the East than a cohesive Celtics squad.
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