The standard is always incredibly high for the Boston Celtics and even more so this season.

That’s what happens with the Celtics coming off an NBA title and expected to be the first team since the 2017-18 Golden State Warriors to repeat.

So, the criticism rightfully has rained down with the Celtics in a rut over the past month — they are just 7-6 in their last 13 games. It comes even in wins for the Celtics as they put together a less-than-inspiring performance in a 120-119 win over the lowly New Orleans Pelicans at TD Garden on Sunday night.

There were plenty of mistakes to point out that almost cost Boston in the final seconds against New Orleans and Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla understood it comes with the the territory.

“I would say the ultimate compliment is we’re 28-11 and these are the types of conversations that we’re having. So, it’s a beautiful place to be in,” Mazzulla told reporters, per NBC Sports Boston postgame coverage. “I’m serious. I think it’s great. It’s a great standard and a great expectation to have and we have to deliver. And we all know that. That’s the process toward it. What are we, the third(-best) team in the league right now? Which isn’t great, but it sounds like a morgue in here. And that’s how it should be because of where we’re trying to get to. So, it’s the ultimate compliment and we just continue to work through it.”

The good vibes certainly aren’t billowing from the Celtics due to their recent sluggish stretch. But Mazzulla’s right, they still own the third-best record in the NBA and plenty of teams would love to switch places with them.

And perhaps this is the best place for them. A defending champion not playing its best but with still a ton of time left in the season for the Celtics to rediscover their identity.

“When the reference points are different — there are two great teams in the league that are having historic seasons, so they become the reference point of like, ‘Oh, you’re not as good because you’re not them.’ And they’re great, great teams having historical years and we’re on our own path that we have to be able to work through,” Mazzulla said. “And just because we were this last year, you can’t take for granted the details, habit, execution, togetherness, trust, like all that stuff has to be rebuilt. And I think sometimes when you have the same team, we have this expectation that we’re just going to pick up there and it’s different. Different year, people and different spaces. And so, we have to reestablish that, you have to work that and it just takes time.

“So, this is the space that we’re in. I love the fact that we’re not happy, best place to be in and we’ll figure it the hell out.”

The draft is three weeks away now. GM Ryan Poles and head coach Ben Johnson have pieced together an off-season that is earning widespread praise across the league. The question is whether they can stick the landing with their 1st round pick in the draft. Current projections have the top three picks likely being a mix of Cam Ward, Travis Hunter, and Abdul Carter. After that, it gets tricky. People in Chicago want to know where running back Ashton Jeanty will end once the dust settles.

Widespread belief has been that the Las Vegas Raiders are the heavy favorites to take him at 6th overall, with New Orleans at #9 also being a possibility. It makes sense. Las Vegas’ best option right now is a 33-year-old Raheem Mostert. New Orleans knows Alvin Kamara turns 30 in July. Both teams need to think about the future at that position. Both have head coaches who like to run the ball. One thing is clear. A source told SM that those around the league believe one thing is certain.

“He likely won’t get passed Chicago if he falls that far.”

Ashton Jeanty is a strong probability for the Bears.

Whispers from Halas Hall indicate they love the Boise State star. It isn’t hard to see why. He nearly broke Barry Sanders’ single-season rushing record in 2024, nearly winning the Heisman in the process. The guy carried his team to the college football playoffs. He’s built like a brick house with power, speed, contact balance, and vision. There aren’t any truly glaring weaknesses in his game. He’s earned comparisons to the likes of LaDainian Tomlinson and Marshawn Lynch. The Bears haven’t had a back of that caliber since Matt Forte.

Try to imagine what this offense could look like with Ashton Jeanty, Rome Odunze, D.J. Moore, and Cole Kmet all as options for quarterback Caleb Williams. Throw all of it into Johnson’s offense, and you can understand why some people around the league aren’t wild about the idea. They are quietly hoping Jeanty goes somewhere else. One thing is certain. If he gets past the Raiders, the noise will get loud in a hurry. It would mark the first time in 20 years the Bears have taken a running back in the 1st round.