(Photo courtesy Bleacher Report)
It’s no secret that the Boston Celtics have been off to a hot streak since coming back from the NBA All-Star break. While there are still three months until the Finals, the C’s are the clear-cut favorites to win the coveted Larry ‘O’Brien trophy. My question is, can they actually go out and win the chip?
Boston hasn’t seen an NBA championship since 2007-08 when the last big three of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen defeated the LA Lakers. The Celtics have come close in recent years, but have fallen short to LeBron, with both the Miami Heat and Cleveland Cavaliers, and more recently losing the Eastern Conference Finals to the Miami Heat in seven games. Two years ago, the Celtics lost to the Golden State Warriors in the finals in six games. Needless to say, the Celtics are due for a title parade.
The burning question around title town is simple: can the Celtics ACTUALLY go on and win the title? With a new big three of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and Kristaps Porzingis, and other star players such as Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and Al Horford, the Celtics have their best chance this season to finally hoist banner number 18.
As of March 6th, 2024, the Celtics hold a record of 48-13, which puts them atop the NBA as a whole. The Minnesota Timberwolves are the closest team, at six games back. The Celtics currently rank 3rd in offensive ppg (points per game), 4th in points allowed 9th in field goal percentage, and first in point differential.
Jayson Tatum, the team's #1 player and MVP candidate, has been averaging roughly 27 PPG, with co-star Jaylen Brown putting up a solid 22.5 PPG. Porzingis, Holiday, and Pritchard are also contributing solid points, assists, and rebounds every night.
We can talk stats and analytics all we want, but sometimes those things don’t mean squat. What matters to me is how they play their opponents in the playoffs. Last season was a drag during the playoffs, to say the least. As I was watching the first round against the Atlanta Hawks, it was clear to me that the Celtics had become a different team. That isn’t the case this season. There’s an argument to be made that the Celtics have become better since the All-Star break. Different from last year’s story, where the team was clearly not the same as it was before the break.
When looking at the projected playoffs, the C’s would begin by playing the Indiana Pacers. They would then potentially play other contenders, such as the Heat, 76ers, and Bucks. The Celtics have beaten all of these teams this year, and to me, there’s no real competitor in the West. The reigning champs, the Denver Nuggets, are playing the same brand of basketball that brought them to the title last year. This time, they are utilizing more of a defensive orientation, emphasizing the glass and points in the paint. As of right now, I like many others think Denver will take the west and be back in the finals, taking on the Celtics.
And this is the year. Everything seems to have lined up just the right way, similar to how the 07-08 season played out. Second-year head coach Joe Mazzula has shown improvement in many areas this season, which has translated to the team’s success on the court. Tatum, Brown, Porzingis, and Holiday are clicking and aren’t afraid to let one of the others take over a game. A great formula for a championship.
So yes, the Celtics can win a title, and this is the year we will get banner number 18 in Titletown. The Celtics haven’t let off the gas pedal and can very much continue this run of form into the playoffs.
Have an opposing viewpoint to this opinion? Let us know. All views are welcome. Send your thoughts to our Editorial Staff – Editor Dylan Hicks dhicks@student.dean.edu or Dean Daily Faculty Advisor, Professor John Rooke jrooke@dean.edu