The Celtics have become one of the most dominant teams in the NBA since Stevens moved to the front office before last season.
It’s certain to be a grueling journey toward June for the Celtics, and there’s no knowing now whether an NBA championship — and redemption — will be found at the end of the rainbow.
But among the many reasons (a couple of All-NBA-caliber players, enviable quality depth, a rare sort of camaraderie) to trust that their chances of collecting Banner 18 this summer are very real, there is this — well, kind of abstract thought that keeps rattling around in my mind.