Jun 17, 2024, 11:34 p.m.
Boston Celtics built his eighteenth title in NBA history based on details. The first is anecdotal: this Monday’s 106-88 victory over Dallas Mavericks to seal the final series 4-1 coincided on the calendar with the previous conquest: June 17. That time in 2008, this time in 2024.
The details are not in the statistics, but they are what led Boston to victory. The race at full speed Derrick White to find unprepared Luka Doncic and steal the ball. The cunning and ability of Jrue Holiday to put themselves in the best position to grab offensive rebounds or the solidarity to dive in search of a loose ball without considering consequences. The patience of Jayson Tatum to leave his ego aside and find free companions. And if necessary, JT’s determination to attack the rim and score the double and the foul that deserved that fiery celebration by beating his chest. The physical power of Al Horford to drag his defender to the basket and break the timeline that indicates he is 38 years old. Jaylen Brown’s pursuit of Doncic all over the court to wear down the Mavericks star. The return of Kristaps Porzingis to provide some of its quality touches. The effort of Sam Hauser to recover a ball that seemed lost. White’s courage to throw himself headlong to the ground, even though he hits his face against the characteristic parquet of the TD Garden.
Any more details? Yes, the decision Joe Mazzulla Sue Payton Pritchard onto the court for the last four seconds of the first half. So that? For him to take that triple from a very long distance and, of course, convert it as he had already done at the end of the third quarter of the second game of these Finals.
The Celtics raised the flag of collective play. In attack, with the search for the best positioned teammate and in defense with precise rotations and perfect adjustments to not allow comfortable shots for the Mavericks.
Intensity. That was one of the hallmarks of these champion Celtics. Especially in this fifth game in which they achieved the victory that places them alone at the top of the historical table of top NBA champions to break parity with their archrival Los Angeles Lakers.
These Celtics will remain in memory because they were the best team of the season from the first to the last day of competition. They won 80 games and lost only 21 between the regular series and the playoffs.
The good things make you wait. And that’s what happened to Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, who played 107 postseason games together until they achieved glory. No duo had played so many playoff games to lift the trophy.
And if it comes to waiting, no one like Horford, who played 186 postseason games until finally winning his first title.
The emotion of Tatum, who celebrated with his son, Horford’s smile, Porzingis’s clenched fist, the hugs of all the members of the Celtics with their coach and with each of their teammates.
The rain of green and white pieces of paper that had waited 16 years to fall again from the roof of that mythical Garden.
The Larry O’Brien trophy in the hands that deserved it most in this 2023/2024 campaign. The consecration of Mazzulla, the sixth coach to win a title at the age of 35 or younger and the first at that age since Bill Russell in 1969. The MVP award for Jaylen Brown, who clearly said what we all saw: “This is a collective victory “.
Boston Celtics, a champion of details. A champion that was based on the most important thing in basketball: the team.
