The Boston Celtics got to end the 2023-24 campaign how every NBA team wants to, by lifting up the Larry O'Brien trophy.
The Celtics will aim to do so again in 2024-25 and open up as the favorites to do so.
With expectations for the team through the roof, a lot of different things could happen.
Bleacher Report 's Zach Buckley has three bold predictions for the Celtics during the 2024-25 campaign.
Sam Hauser Posts Best Marks for 3s and 3-Point Percentage
He has the talent to pool this off, though. Boston's fully loaded roster gives him optimal spacing to work with, and his ultra-reliable three-point stroke does the rest. For all of the surprises he has delivered to this point, he just might keep defying the odds going forward.
Derrick White Is an All-Star
His subtle-yet-substantial contributions produced a stat line that perfectly captured his across-the-board brilliance. This was true jack-of-all-trades mastery, as White became just the 40th player in NBA history to average at least 15 points, five assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block, per StatHead Basketball. In addition, he earned his second consecutive All-Defensive second team selection.
Jayson Tatum Earns MVP Honors
Tatum has been a top-six finisher in MVP voting each of the past three seasons. He'll remain in that discussion at least as long as he holds the best-player-on-the-best-team distinction. And there's no obvious reason to think anyone will challenge his throne in Boston, or that the Shamrocks will lose their advantage on the rest of the league. Tatum will never have the best counting numbers of the candidate—his situation and skillset wouldn't support that—but if can maintain his volume (26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists this past season) while nudging his efficiency just a smidge (47.1/37.6/83.3), he could have a realistic shot at MVP. If his numbers are within striking distance of the other top candidates while his team success puts theirs to shame, he could sway enough voters to his side to take home the hardware.
The Celtics will have a lot expected from them this season. If these three things happen, the team will find itself in a position to succeed.
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