The Boston Celtics and the majority of the NBA have completed around one-quarter of their regular season schedule for the 2023-24 season, and with that milestone, we can say that the most hazy outline of who the Celtics and their peers are as teams is beginning to emerge.

And with that (very limited) clarity, we can start talking about what the team has done so far that is worth talking about, what they still need to accomplish if they actually want to compete for a title in the 2024 postseason, and what changes need to be made to that goal.

To that purpose, the Celtics Wire assembled a panel of all the journalists who cover the Celtics on our NBA Wires network or elsewhere to discuss all of the aforementioned topics, with Adam Taylor, Cameron Tabatabaie, Justin Quinn, and Jack Simone contributing their perspectives. Let’s get started.

With the only thing that matters to the success of the season being a title, do you feel better, worse, or the same about the Celtics’ prospects at the quarter-point of the season – and why?

Taylor, Adam: How much more content could we be? 14-4 is a wonderful way to start the season! Injuries haven’t slowed Boston’s growth, and the Celtics are producing on both ends of the court.

Yes, there have been some blunders, but no one is perfect. The question is, how can they build on this and take it to the next level, and what exactly does that entail?

Tabatabie, Cameron: It’s difficult not to be happy if you’re the Celtics. The hiccups are noticeable, and the health issues will always be present. Not only is the offense far more dynamic than I believe we anticipated, but the defense is rock solid.

Anything less than a long, deep postseason run would be disappointing if this is truly sustainable for Boston.

Simone, Jack: It’s strange. On the floor, I believe the Celtics have made more progress in terms of chemistry than I anticipated at this stage.

Nonetheless, they’ve had some of the same mental effort gaps as in previous years. So, while I feel better on the court, I still have some reservations.

Justin Quinn: I’m feeling better, though I still have worries about frontcourt health and availability.

There are still some worries there, as well as possibly with wing depth, but the pieces came together faster than expected on my end, which bodes well given the lack of continuity produced by the trades this summer, which was the other major concern heading into the season.

What has surprised you the most about this team so far, whether good or bad?

CT: The biggest surprise, and a very welcome one, has been Jayson Tatum’s return to the basket scoring attack. It’s an intriguing new element to the team’s attacking arsenal, and it’s positively lethal against smaller or slower opponents.

It might be a major role in Boston’s success as long as it remains a post weapon rather than an excuse to take fadeaway jump jumpers.

AT: I agree with Cam on this one. Tatum’s post-game performance has given the Celtics a whole new attacking dimension. It’s not just about scoring. Tatum has the ability to create out of the post, and his presence on the block forces teams to compromise on their overall structure.

I’d also like to thank Sam Hauser, who has been outstanding in recent weeks.

JS: Jaylen Brown’s confidence as a playmaker. His two-man game with Kristaps Porzingis has received a lot of attention, but it’s spreading to the rest of his game.

He’s driving and kicking harder than ever before, and more importantly, he’s doing it successfully. It’s been entertaining to watch.

JQ: The bench is more than capable. It’s still too early to call it ‘good,’ but it’s been a big element in multiple victories and a contributing cause in only one or two losses.

What is your primary worry going forward? Any ideas for potential solutions?

JS: The giving up is the key. It’s been going on for years, and despite the new team structure, the Celtics continue to blow double-digit leads on a regular basis.

I am a firm believer that NBA teams are more talented than ever, so double-digit leads aren’t as safe as they once were; nonetheless, gaps in effort can be seen from time to time. That is the source of the problem.

JQ: As I mentioned earlier, depth. For both the regular season and the playoffs. I’m still not persuaded the team has the frontcourt it requires for the regular season, unless they’re willing to take some chances and give Neemias Queta enough run to be successful outside of favorable matchups.

And they simply don’t have the depth to withstand even a minor injury to Al Horford or Kristaps Porzingis in the postseason, with one of the two almost certain. Similar problems on the wing, but I believe they can overcome them with this bench.

CT: Unfortunately, health is the most pressing problem. The Celtics could struggle if they are without Horford or Porzingis for an extended length of time, especially in the spring.

Targeting a starter-quality big to soak up minutes and act as an insurance policy should be a top focus for the front office, in my opinion.

AT: I believe we can all agree on one thing: depth. The downside to having such an exceptional top-6 is that the lower you go on the roster, the less assured you feel. I believe Boston’s top eight is strong and capable of leading them to a title.

However, if the Celtics are forced to rely on any of Dalano Banton, Oshae Brissett, or Luke Kornet for a prolonged length of time, things could swiftly deteriorate.