I remember one of the last columns the late, great, Wil McDonough wrote for the Globe. He wrote that you have to look at the kind of job your GM is doing when evaluating the state of the franchise. Don't get too hung up on manager/coach and current roster. Because injuries free-agent departures can make a team take a temporary step back. How does the franchise acquire/develop talent? At the time he wrote it, none of the New England franchises were adept at it. Now, things have taken a 180. Belichick and Pioli were as good as there has
ever been. I'm sure BB will be good without his right-hand man. But, can't judge now.
The Bruins roster is stoked full of home-grown talent. The Red Sox have developed a tremendous farm system. The Celtics are great because of a couple of trades. But, they have drafted pretty well too. Rondo, Perkins and Al Jefferson. Throw in the fact that local ownership is willing to spend. And, you have a winning formula.