The Boston Celtics dominated their way to the NBA finals in the 2023-24 season. After spending years coming close, the Celtics finally went all the way and won it all. This comes after a heartbreaking elimination to the Miami Heat in 2023. After going down 0-3, the Celtics battled back but lost in game seven. Just a year before that they lost in the finals to Steph and the warriors. Regardless, there’s no shortage of heartbreaking losses for Celtics fans, but this year raises many questions as to what the possibilities are for the Celtics going forward. The Celtics won the NBA finals 4-1 against the Mavericks, after flying their way through the postseason. The Eastern Conference was a battle for second place for any team that wasn’t the Celtics. Regardless of whether they had an easy path or not, the Celtics were by far the most dominant team, and will continue to be in 2025. But are there more threats to what could be a repeat for Boston?
The team finished with an NBA best 64-18 record. Winning their first 20 home games, the league knew right away the C’s weren’t playing around this year. They spent 2 years acquiring pieces like Kristaphs Porzingis, Derrick White, and most recently Jrue Holiday via trade to compliment the dynamic duo that is Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. With a team so skilled, who will stop them? It’s obvious that the biggest roadblock on the Celtics path to the finals is Jalen Brunson and the Knicks. Brunson had himself a career year, which catapulted him into the captain role. Averaging 35 minutes per game, Brunson averaged 28.7 points per game, a field goal percentage of .479%. Statistically, it was an impressive year for the Villanova graduate. Halfway through the season, the Knicks got OG Anunoby in a trade from the Raptors who boosted the Knicks to the next level every time he played. This playing time however, was limited due to injury. During this time, guys like Josh Hart and Donte Divincenzo stepped up, and proved the Knicks to be a competitive team. With a healthy OG and Randle, the team is by far the Celtics biggest opponent for 1st place this season. As a matter a fact, their first game back at TD Garden is against the Knicks, which means the orange and blue have a chance to spoil the Celtics banner ceremony.
The Celtics/76ers rivalry isn’t much of a rivalry these days. Even Joel Embiid, the Sixers star player and MVP knows it. “It’s not a rivalry, they always kick our butts” Embiid told ESPN. However, the Sixers could be a threat to the Celtics this year, only if the Celtics really allow them to be. They finished 7th last year, being the first seed in the Play-In. Always being contenders, they struggle in the postseason, and it shows. Embiid hasn’t even reached a conference finals in his 8 career seasons. However, the Sixers are a different team than last year’s disappointing first round elimination. They acquired by far the biggest free agent on the market, Paul George, and drafted Duke superstar Jared McCain. They also re-signed Embiid, Kelly Oubre and Tyrese Maxey, solidifying a solid core. They went on to sign important pieces like Andre Drummond and Eric Gordon as well. Darell Morey reshaped the Sixers into a solid team that I believe can finish around 3rd or 4th in the EC, and maybe turn the Celtics ownership of them into a true rivalry.
Although they did not meet in the postseason this year, the Bucks and Celtics have been competing with each other for years. 2018 was the first time these two teams met in the postseason since 1987. The Celtics would win this series 4-3. However the Bucks would get their revenge knocking the Celtics out in the semifinals the next year. In 2022, the Celtics would beat the Bucks in a seven game semifinals series. This bucks team has been consistently in contention for the Eastern Conference, last coming first in 2023. The Celtics had their turn this year and took advantage, but the Bucks will 100% be in the mix of contenders this year. Damian Lillard and Giannis Antetokounmpo are already a lethal duo, and have many other pieces that can counter the Celtics talented and deep roster, and it shows. Since the 2017-18 season, the Bucks are 12-12 Celtics. I believe Milwuakee is the second largest threat to the Celtics this year, following the New York Knicks.
There’s no denying it-The Celtics are a fantastic team. But have they been tested? They played a Miami Heat team without Jimmy Butler-a known spark plug who excels in the postseason. They played a Cav’s team without their best player Donavon Mitchell for games 4 and 5, and a Pacers team without Tyrese Haliburton. However, they did beat a skilled Mavericks team consisting of Luka Doncic and the infamous (atleast to Celtics fans) Kyrie Irving. 4-1. It’s no secret the Celtics are on a higher level compared to the rest of the EC. But what if they were in the Western Conference, would things change? My answer? No. The Celtics would be just as dominant in the Western Conference. They recorded a 23-7 record against the Western Conference. Although they did struggle against the Nuggets, the team that ended their 20 game home winning streak, their roster’s talent would hold up in the west. This Boston team is the real deal. I don’t believe we’ve seen the best of this group, and I don’t believe that they have had a true challenge yet-but don’t worry, they’ll be tested this year and I believe that the 2024-25 season will show us if this Celtics team has what it takes to be the next dynasty. With Tatum, Brown, Holliday, and White all locked on huge deals, and Porzingis under contract through the next two seasons, we’ll see plenty more of this group, and we’ll truly see if the city of Boston has a new dynasty on their hands.
