The Celtics’ Bid for Repeating as Champions
The Boston Celtics are on a mission to halt a recent trend in the NBA where winning consecutive championships has become increasingly rare. With six different champions in the last six years, the last team to achieve this feat was the Golden State Warriors in 2016-17 and 2017-18. The Celtics, who ended a 16-year title drought last season by winning their record 18th championship, are determined to become the first repeat winners in this era. As of Thursday, the Celtics boast a 44-18 record, placing them third in the league and second in the Eastern Conference. This strong showing has raised hopes and expectations for a repeat performance.
The Challenges of Repeating as Champions
On a recent episode of NBC Sports Boston’s Celtics Talk Podcast, NBC’s national NBA play-by-play voice, Mike Tirico, provided his insights on the Celtics’ prospects of winning back-to-back titles. “The hardest thing to do in sports is to win a title and come back and do it again, in this era of sports with free agency, injuries, all that stuff. It becomes very hard to repeat,” Tirico said. He emphasized that championship teams often navigate the regular season with a sense of preparation, knowing that the real test comes with the playoffs. “A championship-level gear” is essential, and the Celtics have shown signs of possessing this quality. “This Celtics team can beat anybody in any gym on any night. The question is can you get to the start point of the playoffs healthy enough. You only have a few teams that live in that space, and this is one of them. They have shown those signs along the way. … They absolutely have everything it takes.”
The Importance of Health and Experience
Health remains a critical factor for any title contender. The Celtics were mostly healthy last season, though center Kristaps Porzingis was sidelined for much of it. His return in the NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks was a significant boost. This season, maintaining health will be crucial as the competition in the Eastern Conference intensifies. The Cleveland Cavaliers, for instance, have emerged as a formidable rival, even coming back from a 23-point deficit to beat the Celtics at TD Garden last week. Despite this, the Celtics hold a key advantage in terms of playoff experience. “The Cleveland double-digit blown lead (last week) aside, most of the guys who will take the floor for the Celtics — if Celtics-Cavs is the East Final — most of those guys have been on that stage, and then the (NBA Finals) and succeeded,” Tirico noted. “Very few of the Cleveland guys have. So we don’t know if they’re ready. They might be. We’ve seen six different champs in the last six years, so there were teams people might not have thought were ready but actually were.”
The Competitive Landscape in the Eastern Conference
The Eastern Conference is shaping up to be highly competitive, with the Cleveland Cavaliers leading the pack. The Cavaliers and Celtics split their regular-season series, with Cleveland likely to finish with the best record in the East. However, the Celtics’ experience in deep playoff runs and their proven ability to excel in high-stakes games give them a significant edge. “Can (the Celtics) beat everyone in the East in a playoff series? Absolutely. Can they win a playoff game in Cleveland because they won’t have homecourt advantage? One thousand percent. But Cleveland can come win here, too. So (the Celtics) are as good as anyone in the East, if not the best in the East,” Tirico said. This balance of talent and experience positions the Celtics as a strong contender, not only in the East but in the league as a whole.
Upcoming Tests and Key Matchups
The Celtics’ homestand will serve as a critical test of their readiness for the playoffs. They will face the top two teams in the West, the Los Angeles Lakers (on Saturday) and the Oklahoma City Thunder (next Wednesday). These matchups will provide valuable insights into the team’s current form and their ability to compete against the best the league has to offer. “And yes, they can go beat Oklahoma City or Denver, as we saw Sunday. So yes, this team is — health-willing — just as good as anyone in the league and has just as much of a chance to put Banner 19 up as they did in October,” Tirico concluded.
Reflections on the NBA and Local vs. National Broadcasts
In the same podcast episode, Mike Tirico reflected on the changes in the NBA since his last regular coverage of the league. He discussed the evolving landscape of the game, including the impact of free agency and the increasing emphasis on analytics. Tirico and Drew also shared their thoughts on the differences between top-tier local broadcast teams and national ones, highlighting the unique challenges and rewards of each. Tirico’s favorite memories of calling games in Boston, including the intensity and passion of the fans, underscored the deep connection between the team and its home city. As the Celtics continue their pursuit of another championship, these reflections provide a rich context for their journey and the challenges they face.
