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Boston Celtics
Overall: 28
Title track: 21
Ownership: 23
Coaching: 9
Players: 11
Fan relations: 21
Affordability: 62
Stadium experience: 47
Bang for the buck: 84
Change from last year: +29
Under the guidance of coach Brad Stevens, the Celtics continue to trend upward, both on the court and in the Ultimate Standings. On the strength of their roster and fan relations showings, Boston leaped 29 spots in this year's poll.
What's good
In just three seasons on the Boston bench, Stevens has emerged as one of the brightest coaching minds in the NBA -- and even if he downplays his impact on the Celtics' increasing win total, the fans don't. Stevens helped Boston vault to No. 9 in coaching this year (up eight spots from a year ago), slotting him in a top 10 helmed by his good buddies, Spurs coach Gregg Popovich -- the only NBA coach ranked higher than Stevens -- and Patriots coach Bill Belichick, both of whom have raved about Stevens. The addition of Al Horford and the All-Star emergence of Isaiah Thomas helped Boston jump 23 spots in players. The roster now ranks just outside the top 10, at No. 11 (third in the NBA).
What's bad
Being a Celtics fan isn't cheap, especially for those making the commute from the suburbs. Only seven NBA teams charge more than the Celtics' average $67 ticket, not to mention parking underneath the Garden (that will run you $45) and concessions ($8.50 beers add up in a hurry). Boston's rising win total improved its bang for the buck over 2015, but fans still need to lean on public transportation and hunt for low-priced balcony seats to maximize their dollars.
What's new
Boston's biggest overall leap (30 spots) came in fan relations, thanks in large part to how the team has embraced social media. The Celtics routinely engage their fans and take them behind the scenes on Twitter and Instagram, thanks to behind-the-scenes videos and Twitter Q&As. Off the court, Boston and its Shamrock Foundation run promotions and auctions that might help you sneak into Media Day or let Kelly Olynyk accompany your child to his or her first day of school. Meanwhile, only three NBA teams scored better in "making it enjoyable to watch games when I don't attend in person," perhaps thanks to CSN announcers Mike Gorman and Tom Heinsohn, who form one of the longest-serving duos in the business.
Next: Atlanta Hawks | Full rankings