The Boston Celtics, top seed in the Eastern Conference last season, overwent a massive overhaul in the offseason. GM Danny Ainge exhausted all avenues, making splashes in free agency (Gordon Hayward), trade (Kyrie Irving, #3 pick), and the draft (Jayson Tatum). More often than not, roster overhauls don’t result in immediate success. Consistency is a commodity in the NBA, a place where GM’s make panic moves that can plunder chemistry. Boston has been the exception. Through 40 games, they have a league-high 30 wins, more than half of which came on a ferocious early-season streak (16 games). Because they aren’t on national television as often as Lonzo or LeBron, now seems like a good time to outline how they got here.

The Jay Team

(from left to right) Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown

It’s almost an embarrassment of riches for Ainge, who used the number 3 pick in consecutive years to draft small forwards, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. People questioned the Jaylen Brown pick in 2016. He went from showing flashes in his rookie year, to a breakout player in his second season. He’s become more demonstrative with his athleticism and his long-range jumper to reach 14 points per game. Now, he takes on the task of guarding the other team’s star wing each night.

If Jaylen showed flashes in his rookie year, Jayson Tatum is legitimate lightning. While his minutes and field goal attempts are somewhat limited, the rookie appears to be a go-to scorer in the making. He displays a polished offensive game, regularly putting opponents on skates with his handle, devastating accuracy from three (currently 47.1%), or creative finishes at the rim. He also brings intensity to the defensive end, using that length to force turnovers and initiate fast breaks.

The Point Guard Committee

The NBA has skewed smaller in recent years, with an emphasis on putting as many skilled players on the floor at once. Celtics coach Brad Stevens, goes through stretches where he puts as many as three-point guards on the court together. This includes some combination of Kyrie, Marcus Smart, Terry Rozier, and pleasant surprise, Shane Larkin.

In a time where long-range shooting is a top priority, Rozier and Smart, are outliers at the guard position. They both struggle to hit 40% from the field most nights, let alone the three point line. Fortunately for Boston, they can do just about everything else. They can be trusted to run the offense and weaponize Kyrie as an off-ball threat, or to unlock the new Horford alley-oop. They take defense seriously, taking turns harassing opposing ballhandlers. Remember, it was Marcus Smart who baited James Harden into those two offensive fouls last week:

Al Horford

Overpaid? Maybe. Underrated? Without a doubt. Horford’s raw statistics will never jump from the page. He does everything in rhythm and within the team’s concepts. The truth is, he’s about a B-B+ in just about every category. So whether it comes to defending his position or switching out on the pick and roll, Al can be counted on to get the job done. But his contributions aren’t limited to the defensive end. The ball found him in that controversial finish against the Rockets, so he calmly acknowledged the mismatch he had, and hooked in the winning shot. He’s also the key to the Celtics primary offensive set: the pick and roll with Kyrie Irving. His ability to space the floor or roll has opened up a slew of new options for this squad, not to mention his career-high 5.2 assists per game.

Kyrie Irving

An obvious answer. He scores. A lot. In a league that is dominated by point guards, teams cannot survive without a decent one. Kyrie more than fits the bill as a creative isolation scorer, and an improving playmaker. His defensive effort is more consistent, and he looks happy not being part of Lebron’s circus in Cleveland. He’s finally getting that chance to be a true lead guard, and he’s taken full advantage.

Gordon Hayward

I know, he barely played 5 minutes. But it was his void that allowed the young wings on the roster more playing time and opportunity. At the same time, knowing that he’ll be back (either very late this season or next) makes everything this team accomplishes a bonus. Nobody expected much from Boston when Gordon went down, but every win that has occurred since then is a warning to the rest of the league. While he is still rehabbing, he stands as a physical representation that this team still has room to improve.