The Boston Celtics were expected to tank this season after their superstar, Jayson Tatum, went down with an Achilles tear, then traded away Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday. However, with Jaylen Brown at the helm, the Celtics are 15-10 and are currently in third place in a weakened Eastern Conference.

Bad news for Boston. The Celtics' trade deadline plan took a major blow after ESPN’s Brian Windhorst shut down their dream target.

When it comes to forging success in the NBA, you do not just need a competent front office according to Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla. You also need a coaching staff and players who are all in alignment regarding the culture or philosophy of the team, from the top execs down to the two way players.

Jaylen Brown and the Celtics will pull away from the shorthanded Bucks. Free Celtics vs. Bucks predictions for December 11.

Could that version of the Celtics stand a chance against OKC? What about over the next five seasons? The folks behind the "New England Sports Network" YouTube channel put together a clip from their "Hold My Banner" show,

Today is also the birthday of Celtics short-timer Charles Claxton, father of current Brooklyn Nets big man Nick Claxton. He came into this world in St. Thomas, U.S. Virgin Islands in 1970. The undrafted Georgia alum played a total of three games for Boston in the 1996-96 NBA season, averaging 0.7 points and rebounds per game.

On Friday, Brown cracked the Top 5 of the NBA’s MVP ladder for the first time, coming in at the No. 5 spot. He trails Nikola Jokic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Luka Doncic and Cade Cunningham, respectively. Last week, Brown was back in 10th place.

The Milwaukee Bucks beat the Boston Celtics, 116-101, on Dec. 11 at Fiserv Forum, snapping a three-game losing streak to the Celtics to improve to 11-15 on the year. Boston (15-10) had come in as one of the hottest teams in the NBA, winners of five straight and winners of 10 of their last 12.

Today in Celtics history, the team traded champion Celtics center Glen Davis and forward Von Wafer to the Magic for forward Brandon Bass in 2011.