The Boston Celtics were expected to have a turnaround season, with Jayson Tatum out due to a ruptured right Achilles tendon he suffered in May 2025. However, the script has been flipped in more ways than one, with the Celtics currently sitting in second place in the East with a 47-24 record and Jayson Tatum slowly getting back to his best once again.
So much so that Tracy McGrady branded Boston as the only team in the East he believes can win a championship during his appearance on the Cousins Podcast.
"Do we really think about Cleveland and New York? I think Boston is coming out of the East. I think they can win the championship. I don't think there's any other team out of the East, no matter who they play coming out of the East, I think the West is going to win. The only team I have confidence in to win is the Boston Celtics," he said.
"The only team I have confidence in winning a championship in the East is the Boston Celtics."
"I don't think any other team, no matter who they play, if they come from the East, I think the West will win."
👀🍀 @Tmac_213 pic.twitter.com/pVWzFifBCR
- Cousin of Vince Carter and Tracy McGrady (@VinceAndTmac) 25 March 2026
Of course, in addition to the talent they have despite the fire sale before the campaign, the Celtics also benefit from Joe Mazzulla's system.
"Being proven, you have not one but two guys that can lead the team. MVP candidates, up front, and you have a system that understands who they are, whether it's the regular season, preseason, or postseason. So they don't have to change, how they're playing now is the way they're going to play, nothing is going to change," McGrady concluded.
Tracy McGrady praises the Celtics
He talked about Derrick White and praised the 31-year-old player's versatility. McGrady claimed that White was able to defend the opponent's best player, rebound at a high level, and score 20 points and assists to win any game for Boston.
“He can give you exactly what you need to win,” McGrady said.
In the eight games since his return, Tatum has averaged 19.1 points, 8.9 rebounds and 3.3 assists per game, while shooting nearly 47% from the field. And while there is room for improvement, McGrady believes there won't be room for improvement until the playoffs arrive.
"Tatum is coming back, looks really good. He's playing aggressive basketball. By the time he gets to the playoffs, I think we'll be (saying)...Boy, he looks like his old self," he concluded.
While Boston has the experience, personnel and system, McGrady may have gone too far in giving the other top teams in the East a discount. For example, the Detroit Pistons have a 52-19 record this season, while the Cavaliers add James Harden to a team that finished last campaign 64-18. Additionally, the Knicks also have a lot of talent, allowing many teams to emerge from the East, at least on paper.
