LOS ANGELES, CA - DECEMBER 25: Alex Caruso #4 of the Los Angeles Lakers while playing the Dallas Mavericks at Staples Center on December 25, 2020 in Los Angeles, California. (Photo by John McCoy/Getty Images)
The Boston Celtics have had four seasons in the top 10 defensive rating in the Brad Stevens coaching eraBrad Stevens coaching era; the Boston Celtics have had four seasons in the top 10 defensive rating. Last season they ranked 14th overall, but for the better part of the season, they were a sub-top-20 defense.
Marcus Smart nearly tearing his Achilles and Jayson Tatum contracting a deadly disease, did not help.