Celtics Eye Championship Glory in Potent Title Run Rematch!

BOSTON—Could this be their final performance?

No way.

Well, perhaps.

The Boston Celtics kicked off their training camp on Tuesday. Both Boston and the Denver Nuggets, chosen by the NBA to play a couple of preseason matches in Abu Dhabi next month, hosted their media days a week earlier than usual. As expected, the atmosphere was positive. Jaylen Brown was in high spirits (which is great), Jayson Tatum was less so (which is also fine), and head coach Joe Mazzulla seemed ready as if it were midseason. Even the news about Kristaps Porzingis was optimistic: after a surgery for an uncommon leg injury post-season, he is on track to return by December.

It has been six years since the NBA saw a team win back-to-back championships, but the Celtics are definitely structured to break that trend. The team’s core players, including Tatum, Brown, Sam Hauser, and Xavier Tillman, are all returning. There are a few worries, such as Porzingis’s recovery and potential fatigue affecting the players who participated in the Olympics, but nothing indicates that Boston can’t dominate by the time April rolls around.

Consider Tatum’s year. In July, he was celebrating his first championship and signed a five-year, $315 million contract extension. He also appeared on the cover of Sports Illustrated and NBA2K. A month later, however, he found himself on the bench during crucial games at the Olympics.

When questioned about his Olympic experience, Tatum was diplomatic, describing his benching as “a unique circumstance” and admitting he was still trying to understand why it happened. He didn’t say it motivated him, but overall, he viewed the experience positively.

“I believe that everything happens for a reason,” Tatum stated.

Nevertheless, it’s clear Tatum is entering this season with a significant chip on his shoulder, at least according to coach Mazzulla. Tatum shared that Mazzulla was oddly pleased he didn’t win the NBA Finals MVP and had been benched at the Olympics. “That was strange,” Tatum remarked. “But if you know Joe, it makes sense.”

This translates to: Motivation is beneficial.

Recently, Tatum has been honing his skills, focusing on studying game films and working with his trainer, Drew Hanlen, on perfecting his shooting mechanics. “We’re working on straight line movements from the pickup to the follow-through, no rounding,” Hanlen noted. Last season, Tatum was sixth in the MVP voting but believes his best performances are yet to come.

Brown feels the same. He faced his own challenges during the Olympics when he was overlooked as a replacement for the injured Kawhi Leonard. He didn’t specifically mention this incident but expressed that he was “extremely motivated” for “obvious reasons.” He enters this training camp feeling better than ever before. After years of uncertainty about his role on the team, Brown now enjoys a sense of stability.

“There’s a different vibe this year,” Brown said. “But I think it’s positive for us to build on the chemistry we have and aim for greater achievements.”

In other updates, Porzingis reported that he is running and engaging in light contact, Derrick White, after three—three—root canals, mentioned his teeth are back to normal, and Jrue Holiday dismissed concerns about fatigue as he enters the season. “I had enough of a break,” Holiday mentioned. “I’m excited to be back doing what I love.”

In a different era, or under a different set of rules, we might start talking about a dynasty. However, building such a legacy is tough under the current collective bargaining agreement, which penalizes teams that spend freely, both financially and operationally.

Look at the Nuggets, Boston’s partners for the Middle East games. Just two years ago, Denver seemed on track to collect multiple championships, led by Nikola Jokic and supported by young stars Jamal Murray and Michael Porter Jr. That core remains, but financial constraints have forced them to let go of key veteran players.

Denver isn’t the only team facing such issues. Even Steve Ballmer, with a net worth around $150 billion, hesitated to offer a four-year contract to Paul George with the LA Clippers. The Miami Heat couldn’t convince Caleb Martin to opt in for a smaller contract extension. Nowadays, “tax apron” are the most dreaded words in NBA front offices.

Which brings us back to Boston. The Celtics are historically one of the highest-spending teams. Between salaries and tax penalties, their payroll is expected to exceed $500 million—the largest in NBA history. Ownership invested heavily this summer, signing Tatum, White (four years, $126 million), and Hauser (four years, $45 million) to substantial long-term contracts. But team governor Wyc Grousbeck has put the team up for sale, and a new owner might be wary of such expenses.

What seems like a potential three- or four-year championship window could realistically be one or two years. Brad Stevens, who skillfully supplemented his stars with key players over the last two years, recognizes this. “I truly believe the unique chemistry of this team matters, and they deserve the chance to tackle this challenge together,” Stevens said. Yet, it appears inevitable that the team will eventually need to make changes.

This season might be Boston’s best opportunity to achieve something extraordinary. Teams around them have strengthened, with squads like the Philadelphia 76ers, New York Knicks, and even the Oklahoma City Thunder adding players specifically to counter Boston’s strengths. “It seems that way,” Brown noted. Nevertheless, the Celtics are the favorites to clinch another title (+300, per FanDuel), boasting an impressive mix of talent, teamwork, and stability.

“We have a fantastic group of players, excellent team dynamics, and a solid locker room,” Brown said. “We just need to take things one day at a time and see where that leads us.”

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