It's a tired metaphor. Becoming an NBA champion is like climbing a mountain. And we know that the hardest part isn't getting to the top, it's staying there. That will be the challenge for Brad Stevens and the Celtics, champions after beating the Mavericks in the Finals, starting this fall.
“The route to work doesn't change, the traffic doesn't change, and the things to do on the way home don't change,” compares the Celtics president to the Boston Globe. “We'll have 50 million things to face, to conquer together. The only thing that changes is probably that the target on our backs is bigger. But that's what's nice.”
By extending several executives in recent months (Jrue Holiday, Jayson Tatum, Derrick White), the Celtics have secured their future and their competitiveness for the coming seasons. Given the excellent performances of this group in 2023/24, and while it was the first season with Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, this stability is reassuring.
“As soon as we have a group that fits well, that gets along well, that knows what it is capable of, we want to keep it. But that does not mean that we turn a blind eye to certain improvements,” Brad Stevens says. “We have to keep an eye on ourselves, because even with a similar group, a new season can have a new truth. Do we need to improve? To make small or big changes? This group works well, is intelligent, is aware of its level. They know where they are […] “It's a tough formula to get and we don't want to let it slip away. We're going to make sure we give this group a chance to build on what they've just done. The guys deserve it.”
Progress regardless of age and status
However, the competition will come back stronger and more determined, so the champion must always go up a notch to retain his title. Doing the double is a performance that has not happened in the NBA since 2018 and Steve Kerr's Warriors. So how do you progress with the same group for Boston?
“I think we need to improve individually”replies the former Celtics coach. “Everybody’s at an age where they can do it. I can say that for Al Horford, 38, who sits with the assistant coach at the end of every practice and watches video and asks how he can improve and learn new things. When guys like Al set the tone, saying they want to improve, I think the other 26- and 27-year-olds who are superstars want to try to improve, too.”
