The Boston Celtics are nonetheless basking within the glow of their latest championship win.
Incomes their 18th banner was an enormous deal for the franchise and cemented their standing as the very best workforce within the NBA.
However will they be capable of meet that very same degree of success subsequent season?
Shaquille O’Neal doesn’t suppose so and he shared his opinion on “The Big Podcast.”
He mentioned that Boston “had it easy” final season and issues received’t be as easy in 2024-25.
“It’s not their fault they won,” O’Neal mentioned, including, “Now, they win next year, with all these teams healthy, got to give them respect.”
“Boston had it easy. It’s not their fault they won… Now, they win next year, with all these teams healthy, got to give them their respect.”
-Shaq on why he doesn’t suppose Boston can go back-to-back. 🏆
Enroll at https://t.co/F4hGpNAg6P #DKpartner pic.twitter.com/n4phWaf1dE
— The Huge Podcast (@bigpodwithshaq) July 12, 2024
O’Neal is only one in a big refrain who believes that Boston had a simple path to the Finals.
It began within the first spherical once they took on the short-handed Miami Warmth.
The Celtics have been in a position to sail previous the Warmth, who have been with out Jimmy Butler, and received the collection 4-1.
Subsequent up have been the Cleveland Cavaliers, who had misplaced each Jarrett Allen after which Donovan Mitchell.
They beat them 4-1, as properly, earlier than taking over a short-handed Indiana Pacers, who they swept.
By the point they met the Dallas Mavericks within the Finals, the Celtics had solely misplaced two video games within the playoffs and have been well-rested and able to play.
They’d their very own accidents to cope with and needed to battle with out Kristaps Porzingis, however many followers felt issues had been remarkably painless for the Celtics.
That most likely received’t be the case subsequent season, with groups within the East being a lot stronger and more healthy.
The Celtics would possibly nonetheless be capable of take all of them down however their path to the Finals received’t be practically as simple.
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