The San Antonio Spurs ran by way of the 2014 season like a person on fireplace, avenging their heartbreaking 2013 Finals collection loss with an entire dismantling of the Miami Warmth within the ’14 Finals, beating the LeBron James-led in 5 video games whereas enjoying an attractive model of team-first basketball that may nonetheless be thought of the poster youngster for what selfless basketball can result in.
One of many important leaders on that group, Tony Parker, one-third of the Spurs Massive Three that helped ship 4 championships to San Antonio, believes that with Coach Ime Udoka main from the sidelines, the Boston Celtics could make up for his or her heartbreaking Finals loss to the Golden State Warriors. All of it begins with permitting 2022 to function a motivator to the final word purpose of not solely making it again to the Finals however profitable all of it.
“For the Celtics,” Parker stated per The Athletic, “that’s what they need to do.”
“He was with us in these years,” Parker stated. “So he can positively take some stuff from what we needed to undergo. I performed with him as teammates and had him as a coach. He’s been by way of every little thing with us, so he is aware of higher than anyone the right way to bounce again from a tricky NBA Finals loss.”
There are some huge variations between these Spurs and these Celtics. For one, the core of the Celtics are all underneath 30, with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown being 24 and 25-years-old respectively. The Spurs championship core have been all properly into their 30s execpt Kawhi Leonard, who received his first Finals MVP that season however was but to develop into the deadly scorer he’s at this time.
The primary factor that the Celtics should do is proceed to play like they did from the flip into 2022 till the tip of the common season, ending the season fifth in assists per 100 posessions and forming the top-ranked protection within the Legue. With the ability to lean into group play will enable the Celtics to not enable offensive lapses like they did throughout their run to the Finals and over the ultimate 4 of the championship collection towards the Warriors.
Each Udoka and group president have acknowledged that they wish to see the Celtics play with “a bit bit extra motion,” on the court docket. With the ability to replicate what the Spurs did throughout their 2014 title run shall be troublesome, espcially with two wings which might be lethal in isolation, however so as Boston to hold their report 18th title, they may need to sacrifice these factors with a purpose to accomplish their final purpose.
“For me, the way in which we misplaced in 2013, it created what occurred in 2014,” Parker stated. “Perhaps top-of-the-line finals in NBA historical past. Perhaps the very best Spurs basketball that we performed. In 2014, the way in which we performed, the passing recreation, every little thing, we have been possibly on the highest stage of my entire profession. It began with a tricky loss in 2013.”
