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Gary Washburn | On basketball

Around the NBA, they’re green with envy

Around the league there’s plenty of respect for All-Star guard Isaiah Thomas and Celtics coach Brad Stevens.Carl Petersen/Getty Images

TORONTO — For a team without a legitimate superstar — although Isaiah Thomas is emerging — and a coach who would rather remain well under the radar, the Celtics are becoming a highly regarded team around the NBA.

They are shaking the “upstart” tag and are receiving legitimate respect from their counterparts around the Eastern Conference. Boston ended the first half with a 32-23 record, third best in the East and eighth best overall, after winning 13 of their past 17 games.

A thrilling and impressive 139-134 overtime victory over the Los Angeles Clippers on Wednesday ended the first half in style, giving the Celtics a week to rest and prepare for a potential run at the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference.

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Their work is being noticed. Thomas was surrounded by reporters at Friday’s All-Star media availability at the Sheraton Hotel while opposing players and coaches had nothing but kudos for the team’s ascension and its rising coach, Brad Stevens.

“They’re coached extremely well,” Toronto All-Star guard DeMar DeRozan said. “They play extremely hard. They could go 10, 11 guys deep on that team. You know you’ve got to respect a team like that. They’re not going to give up. They’re tough. They’re going to talk trash. They’re going to play extremely hard so you gotta respect them.”

DeRozan said he still misses longtime teammate Amir Johnson, who is now a stalwart of the Celtics’ defense.

“It sucks that he’s not on your team but I know how valuable of a player Amir is,” he said. “But just to go against him, it’s fun. It’s a challenge. He knows a lot of us, our tendencies, what we like to do. It’s always fun going against a [former] teammate like that.”

The Celtics and Raptors play twice more this season, with Toronto owning a 4½-game lead on Boston and they could duel for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference. The Atlanta Hawks, a game behind the Celtics, may have something to do with that competition, if they don’t decide to dismantle their core.

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Rumors are swirling that point guard Jeff Teague and center Al Horford are available. The Celtics would love to acquire Horford but the price may be too high. If he becomes a free agent this summer, the Celtics wouldn’t have to relinquish any of their coveted draft picks.

All-Star forward Paul Millsap said the Celtics are very similar to the Hawks in that they are so versatile and deep without a true superstar.

“I see a young team who’s coached by a great coach,” he said of the Celtics. “I think they’re a team who plays as a team, as we do in Atlanta. I think that’s what makes them difficult; they’re not just one guy. They’re team-oriented. They believe in the system and they believe in each other.

“I think that’s the same attitude [we have]. I think that’s the same philosophy: team. Team is No. 1. Team before all. And both teams have that same mindset and to me, that’s how the game of basketball is supposed to be played.”

The Celtics played the Washington Wizards four times this season and beat them by a combined 80 points. All-Star John Wall believes Boston can be a major postseason factor.

“They got great pieces,” Wall said. “Everybody is stepping up and playing a big role. Isaiah being a first-time All-Star and well deserving. Brad Stevens is a heck of a coach. They’re a great defensive team and for the first quarter they get off to a good start and do a great job of turning you over. When they get a lead, it’s kind of hard to come back because they get into a rhythm. I feel they’re a team that could make a big push in the playoffs if guys stay healthy for them.”

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The respect for Stevens has been present since he took over the Celtics. They played hard on a nightly basis despite a lack of talent in that 25-win season two years ago. The admiration has increased even from the league’s elite coaches, including Gregg Popovich of the San Antonio Spurs.

Popovich has yet to name his staff for Team USA, which he will be taking over in 2017. Stevens is a strong candidate to join his staff and Popovich is impressed by his acumen.

“I’ve said this before, [Celtics president] Danny Ainge deserves a lot of credit,” Popovich said. “First of all, truth be known, Brad looks like he’s 18, and Butler basketball has been fantastic. Before he was even in the NBA, I would watch tapes of their games and look at some of the things that he did. So among basketball people, it was common knowledge that he was a heck of a coach.

“But to bring this young-looking guy into the NBA and say, ‘OK, you’re going to have to command the respect of these guys,’ that took some courage on Danny’s part. And he did it, and it’s turned out to be the right choice because Brad is one of the top coaches in the league. He’s a clinician. He’s a technician. He’s detailed. He knows what he’s doing with his demeanor, and how young he is, he’s unbelievable the way he carries himself. He’s truthful and straight up with players. And in this league, that’s the biggest thing they respect. That you’re comfortable in your own skin. You don’t try to trick them. You just tell it like it is, and he did that and gained their respect very quickly.”

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Gary Washburn can be reached at gwashburn@globe.com. Follow him on Twitter @GwashburnGlobe.