Tonight, the Boston Celtics raise their 18th championship banner in the TD Garden rafters.
After the celebration concludes, it’s go time.
The Celtics enter the 2024-2025 NBA season as the reigning champions. They’re the heavy favorites to repeat – a feat that hasn’t been done since the Golden State Warriors in 2018. For those who enjoy history, the last time the C’s made it to back-to-back finals was the 1986-1987 season, where they eventually lost to the Los Angeles Lakers. To go back even further – the last time the Celtics won back to back finals, Bill Russell still played for the team, aka 1966.
But being heavy favorites can only get you so far.
Whether you found the Celtics title run “easy”, “lucky”, or even “fraudulent”, there will always be stakes for every chance at trying to win a championship. Sure, the Eastern Conference last year was somewhat weak from a competitive standpoint. And yes, there were notable injuries to star players throughout the playoffs. However, I argue that even with a healthier East last season the Celtics still would’ve won. They did win 64 games after all – and were #1 in offensive rating (124.23), #3 in defensive rating (112.51), #1 in net rating (11.71), and second in three point percentage (38.8%), according to Basketball-Reference.com.
The stakes the Celtics have this year comes from the heavily improved competition that stands in their way from both conferences. In the East, the Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, and Orlando Magic all made notable moves to improve their cores. Meanwhile, the Indiana Pacers, Milwaukee Bucks, and Cleveland Cavaliers will be healthy and also pose a threat. In the West, the competition is even greater with the up and coming Oklahoma City Thunder currently slated with the second best odds at winning the title. After the Thunder are the Denver Nuggets, Minnesota Timberwolves, and Dallas Mavericks not far behind.
This past summer the Celtics made key moves to build on their road to Banner 19. The offseason extensions to Jayson Tatum, Derrick White, and Sam Hauser shows the organization’s commitment to winning. On paper, the team poses easily the best starting 5 when healthy – with Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, and Kristaps Porzingis. But it will not be easy. The C’s must capitalize on their title window and understand the rest of the league is after them. And they know it.
Just ask Jaylen Brown.
Championship level mentality.
Right now, I have the Celtics finishing #1 in the East and finishing 60-22. For this to be a successful season, it’s championship or bust. The Celtics should welcome any challenge that comes their way. That’s what champions do.
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