Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics have gotten off to a strong start to the 2023-24 NBA season. Boston currently sits at 8-2, winners of three straight games after a couple of tough defeats, and Tatum has largely looked the part of the MVP candidate that many pundits expect him to be in 2023-24.

One person who seems to be fully sold on the Celtics' potential this season is sports media personality Stephen A. Smith, who recently spoke on how impressed he has been with Boston so far on the young campaign.

“We all know that Jayson Tatum is a superstar,” said Smith on ESPN's First Take. “…Did we know that the Celtics starting 5 is outscoring their opponents by 39 points for every 100 possessions? This is the most lethal starting five in the [NBA]. By the way, they're also the leading rebounding team in the association. The Celtics are legit. They're my favorites to come out of the East and go to the Finals for a reason.”

Article Continues Below
More Boston Celtics News
Florida Gators guard Walter Clayton Jr. (1) celebrates after winning the national championship game of the Final Four of the 2025 NCAA Tournament at the Alamodome.
Boston Celtics’ perfect outcome for No. 28 pick in 2025 NBA DraftRohan Brahmbhatt ·
image thumbnail
Celtics rumors: Boston’s trade outlook gets ‘positive’ twistErik Slater ·
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) shoots a free throw in the second half during game five of the second round for the 2025 NBA Playoffs against the New York Knicks at TD Garden.
What Jaylen Brown’s surgery means for Celtics’ 2025-26 seasonDaniel Donabedian ·
Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla talks with guard Jaylen Brown (7) and guard Derrick White (9) from the sideline as they take on the Cleveland Cavaliers at TD Garden.
NBA rumors: Celtics ‘100%’ getting ‘big trade offers’ for Jaylen Brown, Derrick WhiteJulian Ojeda ·
Boston Celtics guard Jaylen Brown (7) dribbles past San Antonio Spurs forward Jeremy Sochan (10) in the second half at Frost Bank Center.
Celtics star Jaylen Brown’s knee surgery comes with silver liningQuinn Allen ·
Boston Celtics players Paul Pierce (34) , Rajon Rondo (9) , Kevin Garnett (5) and Ray Allen (20) await the start of overtime against the New York Knicks at TD Garden.
Ray Allen recalls Kevin Garnett Celtics confrontationRandall Barnes ·

The Boston Celtics are led by Jayson Tatum to go along with an impressive supporting cast featuring Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis, and Jrue Holiday, among others. Of course, even before this season, talent was never the issue for the Celtics, and it's unclear if the Celtics' splashy offseason additions–namely Porzingis and Holiday–will help Boston to overcome its true Achilles heel come playoff time: late-game execution.

However, if the Celtics continue playing at this level, they might not even find themselves in many close games this year.