As preparations for the 2024-25 NBA Season have begun, numerous teams have made significant additions to boost their championship prowess. Be it the Philadelphia 76ers forming their Big 3 with Paul George or the New York Knicks bringing the Villanova quartet together, Jalen Brunson and Josh Hart maintain their belief that regardless of such moves, there’s only one team that stands unequivocally at the forefront of the league. Moreover, they emphasized how even if the Knicks were to acquire the greatest modern-day players, no one would surpass the supremacy of the Boston Celtics just yet.
"Everyone's chasing Boston. We could have went and signed Jokic, Bron, and KD, but we're still chasing Boston," Hart said on his podcast, via ClutchPoints . "They're the champs."
Hart’s assertion is on point
As the Knicks forward accurately observed, while numerous teams across both conferences have made strategic acquisitions to bolster their rosters, particularly in terms of adding support for their marquee players, the landscape remains dominated by the reigning NBA Champs. On the other hand, even though teams like the Denver Nuggets have retained their core players, it is the Celtics who supersede them in terms of team chemistry and bench depth.
Not only did Coach Joe Mazzulla’s team boast a top-3 offensive and defensive rating, but it also logged the fourth-best net rating of all time last season. Moreover, along with keeping their starting lineup intact, the Celtics have also retained their strong 3-and-D and perimeter shooters, who offload the scoring burden immensely. Consequently, their chemistry is only likely to increase with more time together on the hardwood.
Furthermore, three of their marquee players are part of the 2024 Olympic Team, which ensures that they train with better competition and maintain peak conditioning. Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown, who has been controversially snubbed from the "Avengers squad," is anticipated to channel his disappointment into a stellar performance, aiming to silence his critics and prove why his exclusion was unwarranted.
Related: Oscar Schmidt shares how beating Team USA after a miraculous 35-point second-half performance was ‘the best part of his life’
The Celtics can only be deterred by injury scares
The Celtics’ dominance and depth establish them as the team to beat. Their defensive prowess, offensive versatility, and star-studded lineup pose a significant challenge for any opponent. With two All-Defensive Team players, one All-NBA player, and the reigning Finals MVP in their starting lineup, the team appears to have addressed all their weaknesses.
Consequently, the only conceivable reason for the Celtics not being the most dominant team next season would be if any of their marquee stars sustain injuries. Admittedly, the dynamics change drastically without Tatum or Brown, making their championship pursuit considerably more challenging.
So, while their star players need to bring out their best game, they must also avoid injury scares to make their championship pedigree count.
Related: "We're gonna keep doing what we're doing" - Steve Kerr responds to criticism from Draymond Green and Co. about coaching Team USA
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