Your Boston Celtics simply gained Banner 18. We are going to rejoice that for fairly a while, however the drive to Banner 19 has already began. So let’s discuss concerning the Celtics possibilities of repeating.
First the excellent news: Boston will convey again their total core subsequent yr. That’s a luxurious that almost all title groups haven’t loved. That continuity will solely make this group (which was already lapping the sector) much more formidable. They’ve a confirmed formulation on either side of the ball and now they’ll be getting into the season as confirmed champions. The collective weight falling off their shoulders will give them added confidence and swagger. Hey, it would even loosen them up a bit throughout these dry offensive stretches that individuals wish to complain about a lot. They need to enter the season as favorites to win all of it once more.
With all that stated, the highway gained’t be straightforward: For one factor the competitors goes to get higher. Within the East we are able to’t depend on the opposite group’s harm woes once more and out West the Nuggets, Wolves, or Thunder might show to be a more durable matchup than the Mavericks. Talking of harm woes, the Celtics might be monitoring Kristaps Porzingis’ well being all summer time. Al Horford is seemingly ageless, however in some unspecified time in the future Father Time catches up with all males. Down the road Brad Stevens goes to need to navigate ever tightening restrictions from the CBA, so tweaks across the edges might be more durable and more durable to hit on.
So how are you guys feeling concerning the highway to repeating?
Mark Aboyoun
I’m assured that the group can repeat. All final season I used to be very assured that we’d make the Finals and when the harm bug hit the opposite groups, I used to be sure we’d get by means of the East. Nonetheless, there’s a great likelihood all of those groups gained’t be as injured subsequent yr. Philly needs to be stronger behind Embiid and Maxey and with their cap house they’ll purchase one other star. The Bucks didn’t have a wholesome Giannis in order that they’ll be a risk too, along with the Knicks, Pacers, and Warmth.
This postseason confirmed that matchups matter. Within the West nobody noticed the Mavs attending to the Finals, however they matched up effectively in opposition to most groups, till they bumped into Boston. Equally with the Nuggets, they confronted a Wolves group that was a foul matchup for them.
If Boston can keep wholesome, particularly KP, there aren’t many groups that present a foul matchup for us. The highway to the Finals might be more durable as a result of different groups might be more healthy and I don’t see Boston shedding solely three video games throughout all the playoffs.
Sam LaFrance
I really feel like this group has pretty much as good of an opportunity as any to repeat. They gained’t be shedding any core items (perhaps Luke, hopefully not) and have all the principal guys locked up, not solely by means of subsequent season, however lengthy sufficient to the place their impending deal gained’t be looming above the group all yr.
My largest concern needs to be well being. The obvious angle right here is Kristaps’ distinctive harm. He’s going to wish surgical procedure and may have a “months-long” restoration course of, based on Tim Bontemps. On high of that, Boston is not less than two guys who might be enjoying for Workforce USA on the Olympics. Jrue Vacation and Jayson Tatum are going to have their sturdiness examined this summer time. The Olympics don’t wrap up till early August, in order that they’ll have, what, a month off earlier than coaching camp? To not point out that Derrick White could also be becoming a member of them if Kawhi Leonard drops out.
This core has spent the previous a number of seasons enjoying deep into the spring. I’m not rooting for it, however ultimately, fatigue does catch up. Hopefully Tatum and Jaylen Brown are nonetheless younger sufficient the place that gained’t be felt as a lot.
Wealthy Jensen
Repeating is tough… Until you performed with Invoice Russell, you in all probability misplaced the final recreation of the season extra typically than you gained it.
However the C’s have pretty much as good an opportunity as any group not too long ago. In a league that’s drawing expertise from all around the world, two of the C’s belongings, chemistry and training are so necessary. Uncooked expertise alone simply doesn’t minimize it anymore.
That stated, these guys have to know they’re going to get everyone’s finest shot each night time. They had been the very best group within the East earlier than their playoff foes suffered accidents, so well being of the remainder of the East isn’t a giant concern for me.
They should notice that the subsequent one might be as difficult in its means as this one was.
Ben Vallis
One of the vital annoying facets of the ‘23-’24 season was retaining Kristaps Porzingis wholesome. The Celtics managed to attain that, after which promptly un-achieved it as quickly because the playoff began. Kristaps will now have offseason surgical procedure, and his well being might be a lingering concern all through the season. Moreover, Jayson Tatum and Jrue Vacation, who’ve simply performed effectively into the month of June, will now undertake a full Olympic Basketball marketing campaign. They’ll start the ‘24-’25 season with little time to relaxation and get better, whereas the Celtics are adorned with yet one more goal on their backs, this time that of defending champs.
Repeating is tough below the very best of circumstances, and the Celtics don’t have any scarcity of restraints pulling them downward heading into 2025.
That stated, that is an exceptionally proficient roster with exponentially potent group chemistry. In that sense, the championship standards stays because it was final yr; If wholesome, this group needs to be enjoying in June.
Mike Dynon
Earlier than the opening recreation final October, I pinned a tweet with my predictions: 61 wins, high seed, Banner 18. And, even higher with 64 wins, all of it got here true. I merely had full confidence that 2024 was the Celtics’ yr – and so they proved that it was.
Repeating is a bit completely different. Others have described a number of components that might sabotage the chase for back-to-back banners, however the largest impediment is more likely to be: Can the Celtics once more encourage themselves to win?
As quickly because the confetti began to fly, Jayson Tatum let free the chorus, “What they gonna say now?” He undoubtedly heard and was fed up with the criticism that grew louder yearly that the Celtics didn’t win. Jaylen Brown definitely felt it too. They and all their teammates knew that they needed to win the gold trophy. They had been determined, and it confirmed of their dominant season. A 16-3, principally stress-free playoff run is fairly particular. However now that they’ve the trophy, will they nonetheless be determined? It’s human nature to loosen up a bit.
Joe Mazzulla has excelled in motivating these gamers and extracting from them their finest performances. Joe must do it once more, and the Jays must set the tone that they won’t settle for failure. No matter it takes, as a result of successful once more is even more durable than successful the primary time.
So, how assured am I? Barely much less assured than a yr in the past, however however retaining my calendar open for an additional duck boat parade subsequent June.
Steve Hooper
This title run ought to spotlight the truth that turning into the primary seed is really the higher hand within the East, from a matchup perspective, the expertise drop off is actual.
Boston was 14 wins forward of the second place New York Knicks in 2023-24. Even when Boston fall wanting the epic win differential and lodge maybe 58 or 59 wins subsequent season, that ought to nonetheless place them within the field seat to take the #1 seed.
Positive the highway by means of the East will doubtless be much less harm fraught for these nearer tiered convention opponents: Philly, Milwaukee and New York. Nonetheless, Boston’s skill to defend at a supremely excessive stage and get good & nice seems from past the three-point line night time in and night time out, ought to as soon as once more give them the sting over all their Japanese Convention counterparts.
We get to the Finals once more and it comes right down to a better of seven collection, I like our possibilities.
