Defending their championship in just six days, dominating the court is all the Boston Celtics think about. Boston opens their 2024-2025 season against the New York Knicks at TD Garden. Winning banner No. 19 is the expectation for the team, and anything else is considered a failing season. Achieving a back-to-back championship season is possible, but the league wants to tell a different story.
After four years of coming close to the NBA finals, switching up the team was a must. Since trading away Marcus Smart, Robert Williams, Grant Williams and Malcolm Brogdon, the team has never looked back.
After making moves and re-signing key players during the off-season, the team is ready for the season. Signing a four-year, $45 million contract extension, Sam Hauser slowly made himself into a great sixth man. For improving every year and averaging seven points, 2.8 rebounds and 0.9 blocks, things are looking up for Hauser.
Signing on the same day, Jayson Tatum and Derrick White found contract extensions. Looking to build around their star player, the Celtics signed Tatum to a five-year deal worth up to $315 million. Averaging 23.1 points, 3.5 assists and 0.7 blocks, Tatum is worth the cost.
Boston officially robbed the league after trading for Derrick White back in 2022. Continuously making game-deciding plays and proving his worth, White plays a key role for the team. Averaging 12.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, 4.1 assists and 0.9 blocks, the two-way player signed a four-year $118,048,000 contract.
Defensively, Boston acquired Jrue Holiday from the Brogdon trade. Averaging 18.4 points, 4.8 rebounds and 6.7 assists for the Bucks, Holiday declined in points with the Celtics. Given the team’s talented offense, Holiday’s role is to play defense more.
While he only averaged 5.4 rebounds, 4.8 assists, 0.8 blocks, 0.9 steals and 12.5 points a season ago, the defensive player can put up 20 points on any given day. Signing a four-year, $134,400,000 contract, Holiday looks to add a third ring this season.
Tatum’s right-hand man, Jaylen Brown, locked up a five-year extension worth up to $303.7 million in the 2023 off-season. Averaging 18.6 points, 5.3 rebounds and 2.4 assists, Brown’s work is not done. After missing the All-NBA teams last season and not making the 2024 United States Olympic team, a chip sits on Brown’s shoulder. A big season is necessary for Brown to prove the doubters wrong.
Returning for his 18th season, Al Horford is hungry for more. Recovering from a foot injury in the playoffs last season forced Kristaps Porziņģis to the sidelines. Porziņģis is returning sometime in December and Horford is stepping in for the time being. Downgrading to a sixth man last year, Horford returns to the starting lineup, understanding the
Returning for his 18th season, Al Horford is hungry for more. Recovering from a foot injury in the playoffs last season forced Kristaps Porziņģis to the sidelines. Porziņģis is returning sometime in December and Horford is stepping in for the time being. Downgrading to a sixth man last year, Horford returns to the starting lineup, understanding the expectations. Shooting here and there, the veteran big man thrives on the defensive side of the game.
The presence of Porziņģis is unmatched. From defending to shooting threes, the 29-year-old exceeds in every category. Looking like the final piece of the puzzle, losing Porzingis challenges the Celtics’ potential. Contributing 19.7 points, 7.9 rebounds and 1.8 blocks per game, Porziņģis impacts the game greatly.
Injuries reoccur for the 7-foot-2 forward every season. Moving at a fast pace hurts tall players, which makes them injury-prone. However, the Celtics played great ball with Porziņģis out last year, so worrying is not a problem for head coach Joe Mazzulla.
Watch out for Holiday this season, who can see an increase in production. Shown to put up 20-plus points, White is another player to consider. Since 2022, the franchise’s trust in White increased tremendously over time. Incorporating him more on the court is an option to look at.
Looking for nothing less than a back-to-back championship season, history stands in the Celtics’ way. Competing in the NBA playoffs is difficult, and winning one trophy is tough enough. Since 2019, the reigning champs have failed to make it past the second round the following year.
Continuing to haunt every championship team, the Celtics plan on breaking that curse and hanging up banner No. 19, despite the challenges they may face.
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