Brian Scalabrine put forth condition to rate current Boston Celtics better over 2008 team: “If they don’t win it, they won’t be better than us”

The Boston Celtics have been on an absolute tear this season. With a 21-5 record, the team finds itself atop the Eastern Conference as it seeks a second straight conference championship. With how dominant the team has been this season, many have begun to compare them to Boston's 2008 championship team.

That dominant team featuring superstars like Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Rajon Rondo has been ranked as one of the greatest squads ever. The way Brian Scalabrine sees things, there's one key difference between his squad and the current Celtics team that's dominating the league: a championship.

During the 2007-08 season, the Celtics finished with a record of 66-16, the best in the league that year by a considerable margin. With the current Celtics on track to near the same record, Scalabrine believes they need to avenge their loss in the Finals last year to be considered on par with the 2008 team.

"When you think about champions, it's, to me, what you do better than the next team?" Scalabrine said. "I think what the Celtics do right now is, the way they run five out, and the way they have decisions, the way they have shooting and everything like that is better than everybody else in the NBA.

"Then, you add defense to that. So, if they don't win it, they won't be better than us, but I think if they win a championship, that this team will be better than our '08 team."

The comments came during a recent interview with Frank Isola on Friday, where Scalabrine joined "The Starting Lineup" on Sirius XM.

The Boston Celtics' mission to go back-to-back in the Eastern Conference

Last season saw the Celtics break through and emerge as legitimate title contenders as they soared to win the Eastern Conference finals. In addition to the dynamic duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown dominating the league, Marcus Smart won the Defensive Player of the Year award. It marked the first time since Gary Payton in 1995-96 won the award that a guard received the honor.

With a successful season behind them, the team set its sights on the playoffs. After dominating the Brooklyn Nets in a 4-0 sweep in the first round, they went seven games with the Milwaukee Bucks before then dispatching the Miami Heat. Although the team looked great in the first three rounds, the Golden State Warriors were too much come Finals time.

This season, it's been more of the same for the Boston franchise as they coast through the season. The way Jayson Tatum sees things, he and Jaylen Brown could very well be the best duo in the league.

Below you can view highlights from the team's 125-98 win over the Phoenix Suns on Wednesday.

Edited by Joseph Schiefelbein