Here we are, six games into the National Basketball Associations tough and grueling schedule for the Boston Celtics, and they are three and three, the same record as the defending champions the San Antonio Spurs and one of the powers of the Eastern Conference, the Cleveland Cavaliers.

With a starting line-up of Rajon Rondo, Avery Bradley, Jeff Green, Jared Sullinger, and Kelly Olynyk, the young and inexperienced Boston Celtics were projected and still are projected to finish the season in the last four or five spots in the Eastern Conference; however, they sure have defied the expectations set at the beginning of the season.

One of the Celtics’ bright spots has been Marcus Smart, the number six pick in the draft back in June, averaging seven points per game, one assist per game, and three rebounds per game. Smart has shown a unique attribute that you always want to see in rookies: being unafraid.

Another player who has been a bright spot on this team is Rajon Rondo. Rondo broke his hand prior to the season and was initially ruled out for the first one or two weeks into the season; fortunately, he has made a speedy recovery and has averaged nearly a triple-double, scoring nine points per game, dishing out eleven assists per game, and grabbing eight rebounds each game. Rondo is the team leader on and off the court since he’s been through a title run back in 2008, and he is showing that with his spectacular play.

Additionally, it has been exciting for the loyal fan base and the coaching staff to witness the development of power forward Jared Sullinger. Sullinger has extended his range to beyond the arc thanks to second year coach, Brad Stevens’, “pace and space” offense. Sullinger has not slacked off from last year either on the glass, averaging eight boards in the early part of the season.

The Celtics have gotten contributions from starters and certainly the bench including newly acquired Evan Turner. Turner, the second pick in the 2010 NBA Draft has, in many people’s eyes, hopefully found a permanent home in the league. Turner is a versatile player who can play the point, shoot guard, or matchup on opposing small forwards due to his size and athleticism.

Brad Stevens said after a preseason game early in October, “One of the things we’re excited about with the addition of Evan is that he’s got even more hunger added to his norm, just because of the way last year ended for him. I think he’s looking at it as a fresh start and a start that he can take advantage of. And he’s certainly done that. I very much trust him in the game right now.” That trust has probably come along way now that the season has started and in the absence of Rondo, Stevens relied heavily on Evan Turner against the Chicago Bulls in the Celtics 106-101 victory, scoring nineteen points in last Saturday nights game.

Additionally, the Celtics fans should be happy to see that Turner has gotten more versatile on both sides of the ball. The Celtics, the bottom feeders last year, have improved plenty and look to be going on the right track in the rebuilding process.