There may well come a time this season when the Celtics are just not good enough, when a talent deficit sends them home from the postseason while the other kids keep playing in the warm weather.

After 43 games, however, we feel fairly certain in stating that any mortal wound this club sustains will not come from within. No doubt, that could happen in a given game or two, and weve seen that recently when the Celts foolishly ignored their better angels at both ends of the floor.

But whereas last years edition suffered the effects of a chemical spill to the point where its alternate uniform should have been a hazmat suit, the 2019-20 Celtics are far more likely to pull in closer and steer out of skids.

It was just a few games ago that the Cs were a rather individualistic mess on offense, with the ball moving so infrequently it had to pay rent in certain locations. And the failure to get back on defense was even more damning.

But course corrections were made in large wins over the Lakers and Memphis. The Celtics got back to playing together.

Everybody knows chemistry matters, said president of basketball ops Danny Ainge. Its always to what level and what extent, and how bad is it and how good is it?

I think Ive seen pretty much all levels of it, but the chemistry on this team is good, and I think its going to get better because theyre a good group of guys and I think everybody has a role. I mean, theres obviously a few guys that wish they were playing more minutes, but theyre good guys. And I sense that Brad (Stevens) is having a fun time coaching these guys.

I think our teams going to improve as the year goes on in all aspects of the game, including chemistry. I mean, chemistry is one thing about liking people or working with guys that you like and enjoy, but another thing is just knowing what each other are doing on the court.

Giving a damn about each other also plays an essential role.

I think being able to lean on teammates and picking guys up, for sure, is very helpful, said Gordon Hayward. And if you have better relationships, youre able to do that. In the NBA, its such a long season. Also, youve got to remember that guys are going through things off the court sometimes. So different things can be hampering different guys, and if you do have some tight chemistry, you can definitely be better at picking each other up.

Former Celtic Jae Crowder still keeps an eye on his old club, and he noted the difference in chemistry after his Grizzlies were waxed by 24.

Yeah, Crowder said, for sure. These guys are all connected. They look like theyre having fun. You can tell by how they play and the way they play, guys are having fun with it. All the guys are touching the ball, guys are moving well, turning down good shots for great ones. When you see that as a team, you have a good thing going.

These guys are playing really, really good right now and moving the ball well. Everybodys a threat on the court. You can tell its a really good team. Theyve got a good camaraderie and Brad is doing a hell of a job. Theyre moving the ball, even though they have so many weapons, and I think its coming together beautiful. Its a tough team obviously. You see what they did to one of the best teams in the league, L.A. Theyre a tough team to beat, especially on their home court.

Said Kemba Walker, Were just kind of getting back to ourselves, you know, realizing the way we play in wins. We play with great energy thats just the way weve been playing in these wins, so we want to continue that and just keep going.

When we are playing well, were feisty and scrambling and just playing for each other. Were just kind of realizing that.

While Hayward believes this group is built to weather storms, he doesnt want to get too far from shore with any pronouncements.

This is just a couple of games now, so hopefully we can continue like this, he said. I mean, this time last week it was a completely different story. You cant get too high on the highs or too low on the lows, and how we are together helps.

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Celtics overall GPA still to be decided, but theyre acing chemistry - Boston Herald