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If the last six years in the NBA have taught us anything, winning back-to-back titles is no easy feat. The last team to win two straight Larry O’Brien trophies was the Golden State Warriors in 2017 and 2018. And now, the defending champs, the Boston Celtics, face the same challenge the last five winners failed to accomplish.
In an era of the players being extremely vocal, free agency and trades can instantly change the landscape of the NBA. It is difficult to keep a championship roster together. While other teams in the east, most notably the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers, made some important moves, the Celtics have done everything they can to keep their roster from last season. Key acquisitions from last season, Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday extended their deals with the team until at least 2026. Both Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were signed to supermax deals for a combined $566 million. So why not the Celtics be the first repeat champion in over half a decade?
As much as I want to believe the Celtics are a shoo-in for another title, I’m not so sure this time around. History has a funny way of repeating itself, as back in 2009, the Los Angeles Lakers defeated the Celtics after defeating them the year prior. While the Lakers are nowhere near a title run, the Dallas Mavericks, whom the Celtics defeated this past summer, made some critical moves to put themselves back into the finals.
The Mavs signed longtime Golden State Warrior and future Hall of Famer Klay Thompson, who now joins Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving as one of the most dynamic backcourts in the league. As I mentioned previously, both the Knicks and 76ers made important moves. The Knicks now have the full squad from Villanova’s 2018 national championship team, after trading for Mikal Bridges from the Brooklyn Nets. Another future Hall of Famer, Paul George, made the move from the LA Clippers to the 76ers.
The biggest question coming into this year is can the Celtics play the same style of basketball that brought them to a title last year? Getting off to an explosive start along with a stifling frontcourt pressing defense was their formula for success, and they did not shy away from that during the preseason. They finished with a plus-minus ratio of 16.6, which led the league. Both Jayson Tatum and key role player Payton Pritchard finished in the top 10 in offensive efficiency. While it was only the preseason, it’s clear the Celtics are coming into the season with an “if it ain’t broke, don’t fix it” mentality.
Joe Mazzulla and the boys are the current favorite to win the title in 2024-25. While they will face tougher competition from many of the title contenders from last season, the Celtics are bound for another historic run for banner number 19.
Have an opposing viewpoint to this opinion? Let us know. All views are welcome. Send your thoughts to our Editorial Staff – Editor Thomas Szot tszot@student.dean.edu or Dean Daily Faculty Advisor, Professor John Rooke jrooke@dean.edu
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