Mar 26, 2023; Boston, Massachusetts, USA: Boston Celtics forward Blake Griffin (91) dribbles the ball against the San Antonio Spurs during the fourth quarter at the TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images Brian Fluharty-Imagn Images

Blake Griffin Offers Bold Take on Celtics Playoff Ceiling

Originally posted on Boston Celtics on SI
By Alex Kirschenbaum | Last updated Apr 17, 2025 5:00 PM ET

Former six-time All-Star power forward Blake Griffin, who at the end of his career in 2022-23 was an occasional bench big for the Boston Celtics, has weighed in on just how far his old team can go this year.

Boston, which finished with a 61-21 record and secured the Eastern Conference's No. 2 seed, is looking to become the first team to successfully defend its championship since the Kevin Durant-era Golden State Warriors achieved the feat in 2018.

More Boston Celtics: Celtics Teammates React to Jaylen Brown's First Practice Since Knee Procedure

During a new episode of ex-NFL stars Ryan Fitzpatrick and Andrew Whitworth's podcast "Fitz & Whit," Griffin made his postseason predictions for the NBA this season.

.@blakegriffin23 gives his NBA Eastern and Western Conference predictions! pic.twitter.com/OrzPODRQhx
— Fitz & Whit (@fitzandwhit) April 16, 2025

"Honestly, man, East is easy for me. I think it's Boston" that will emerge out of the conference, Griffin said. "I think Cleveland's had a great year and all that, but Boston is like, they're unbelievable."

When it comes to the Western Conference, Griffin shouted out another of his former franchises, the L.A. Clippers, as having a shot at advancing to the NBA Finals for the first time ever.

Griffin went on to explain why Boston was so impressive.

"Look at the Boston Celtics," Griffin said. "They have two absolute superstars, and they have five really good players around them, and they all buy in to defense."

Griffin is referring to his old comrades, All-Star wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, as the aforementioned "absolute superstars." They're surrounded by former All-Stars Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porzingis, and an aging Al Horford, plus two-time All-Defensive Team guard Derrick White and Sixth Man of the Year frontrunner Payton Pritchard.

More Boston Celtics: Jrue Holiday Receives Major Health Update Ahead of Playoffs

"The era of, 'Let's just go get three [All-Star] guys and then we'll just fill it in with minimum contracts,' that doesn't work anymore," Griffin added, by way of explanation for why the Phoenix Suns' botched "Big Three" of All-Stars Kevin Durant, Devin Booker and Bradley Beal (well, a former All-Star in Beal's case) failed to even make the playoffs this season.

The Celtics model has been a paragon of modern success, and deservedly so. Tatum, 27, and Brown, 28, are the suns around which their teammates revolve. It's worked out pretty well so far.

More Boston Celtics:

Former All-Star Claims Celtics Legend Was Tougher to Defend Than Michael Jordan, Kobe Bryant

Celtics’ First-Round Opponent Becoming Clearer as Regular Season Nears End

Celtics Star Jayson Tatum Reignites NBA, NFL Drama with Latest Comments

Brian Windhorst Reveals Biggest X-Factor For Celtics to Repeat

For more news and notes on the Boston Celtics, visit Boston Celtics on SI.

This article first appeared on Boston Celtics on SI and was syndicated with permission.

More must-reads: