The curtain has come down on the 2023/24 NBA Finals, with the Boston Celtics beating the Dallas Mavericks 106-88 to lift their 18th championship trophy with an aggregate score of 4-1 after a thrilling battle. This victory is not only a perfect testament to the team's quality, but also the culmination of their long-term efforts.
In Game 5 of the Finals, the Celtics showed their dominance. Although the two sides exchanged offense and defense in the first quarter, the Celtics relied on excellent defense and quick counterattacks to quickly overtake the score with a 9-0 offensive victory, and there were no mistakes throughout the game, which was an impressive performance. In the second quarter, they relied on their strong three-point firepower to expand the score to a huge advantage of 21 points in one fell swoop, and in the third quarter, they further widened the difference, making the Mavericks unable to fight back.
Behind this victory, it was entirely due to the excellent performance of Celtic's main players. Jaylen Brown averaged 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, 5 assists, 1.6 steals and 0.8 blocks per game during the Finals, shooting 44% from the field. Netizens have said on social media that Brown's performance has already exceeded expectations, not only in scoring and rebounding, but also on the defensive end of the outstanding ability, can be called a representative of all-round players.
Jayson Tatum was similarly impressive, averaging 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds and 7.2 assists per game, and despite failing to earn the FMVP, his leadership and scoring ability were unquestionable. Some fans joked: "Tatum is a scoring machine, looking at his shooting accuracy at critical moments, he is like a god." "This praise for his consistent performance shows the trust and expectation that the fans have in him.
Holiday was named to the All-Defensive Second Team as the team's defensive pillar. He shot a whopping 42.1 percent from three-point range and not only caused problems defensively, but also contributed significant scoring on the offensive end. One fan commented: "Holiday's defensive consistency is so important, his ability to not only limit opponents, but also hit key threes in key moments is one of the keys to our victory. ”
Robert White's resilience and determination in the playoffs have made him a focal point for future contract extensions. Despite facing contract issues, his dedication and performances on the pitch have made fans even more optimistic about his future. Some netizens commented: "White's performance in the playoffs is impressive, and his energy and rebounding ability have won many key games for the team. ”
Despite this stellar achievement, Celtic still have to contend with grim financial realities. The team's offseason payroll is a whopping $195 million, which means they will face certain restrictions when it comes to signing rookies and base-salary players. Brown and Tatum's hefty contract extensions will further burden management, and White's future contract has become a key consideration for the team.
Some netizens commented after the team's total salary was announced: "It seems that our team is really generous, and such a high total salary is really surprising." "This concern about the financial burden of the team's high salaries reflects fans' concerns about the team's future contract management.
In addition, Brown and Tatum's high contract extensions have also become a hot topic among fans. One fan wrote on the forum: "Although our team's main players have performed well, will their high-salary contracts affect the team's long-term plans? This is indeed an issue that needs serious consideration. "This reflection on the team's future financial planning reflects the fans' concern for the team's sustainable development.
White is a young player who has performed well, and his future contract has also attracted the attention of fans. Some fans said: "White's performance in the playoffs does give the team a lot of hope, but how his contract will be arranged will have a huge impact on the future development of the team." "This focus on the future of the team's core players reflects the fans' expectations and concern for the team's management decisions.
In addition to contract issues, the players' personal development and health are also on the minds of fans. Brown's failure to make the All-Star team despite his outstanding performance in the Finals reflects the team's balance between team success and individual accolades. In addition, Porzingis' injury concerns are of particular concern, with his performances in key moments highly anticipated, but his fitness remains an open mystery.
The topic of using Tatum as an exchange for Durant has sparked a lot of discussion and reaction among fans and pundits alike. Some fans see the deal as a necessary step to defend their title. A netizen who goes by the name of Basketball Fanatic took to the forum to share his opinion: "Tatum is a great player, but to secure the position of the defending champions, we need a superstar like Durant. His scoring ability and experience will be the final piece of the puzzle that our team needs. ”
There are also some fans who have reservations about the deal. One social media resident wrote: "Tatum is the team's future star, and he has shown great talent and potential on both the offensive and defensive ends. If we trade him for Durant, the risk is also very high, after all, although Durant is strong, there are age and injury problems. ”
In addition, predicting the world ownership of the NBA in the next few years has also caused a lot of heated discussions. A fan named Basketball Fan expressed his confidence in the team's community: "In the next three to five years, I believe our team will dominate the league. We have a healthy Leonard leader whose strength and leadership are unmatched. He will lead us to build a true dynasty. ”
There are also fans who have a different opinion on this. An expert called Basketball Observer pointed out on the show: "Although Leonard is a top player, it takes a lot of more factors to build a dynasty, including the depth of the team's roster, the tactical deployment of the coaching staff, and luck. In such a competitive NBA, it is a very difficult task to dominate for a few years. ”
Whether it's the Tatum trade or the prediction of the future of the NBA, it has sparked heated discussions among fans and experts. These discussions not only reflected the fans' interest and enthusiasm for the development of the team, but also showed everyone's different expectations and perspectives on the team's future.
Over time, the Celtics will face internal adjustments and future challenges. Horford's consistent performance as a veteran in the final minute is important, but his age and the team's interior renewal also need to be addressed. The team needs more young and dynamic players to fill the void while maintaining the stability and competitiveness of the team.
The Boston Celtics have shown great strength and teamwork this season, and their success has been more than just a win, it's the result of years of hard work. In the future, they will continue to face various challenges, but with strong determination and excellent management, I believe that the Celtics will continue to shine on the NBA stage.