In Horford's 17th season and playing in his 186th career playoff game, the tenured forward/center reached the pinnacle of the NBA on June 17. Horford and the Boston Celtics achieved greatness, picking up banner number 18 with a Game 5 victory, defeating the Dallas Mavericks 106-88.
On their homecourt, after disappointing ends on this very parquet in the 2022 NBA Finals and 2023 Eastern Conference Finals, the Celtics in 2023-24 left no doubt. A swarming defense, efficient offense, and contributions from starters and bench all defined this title run. Horford wasn't the head of the attack (by measurement of stats) but his leadership and veteran play were on display all season. He was a calming influence in the storm; a storm to rile up the energy.
In a word: perfection.
Claiming their 18th NBA championship capped a fantastic season where the Celtics went 64-18 in the regular season and 16-3 in the playoffs. This playoff winning percentage was the second-best of all time, finishing only behind a Golden State Warriors team that went 16-1 in the 2016-17 season.
Spearheaded by a dynamic duo who faced adversity, heavy expectations, and calls for them to be split up, the Celtics earned this championship with honors.
Dynamic duo: Wham, bam, and pow
Find any corner of social media or the talking heads on various sports outlets and you'll find claims of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown never being able to co-exist. That these two players on the same team together will never lead the Boston franchise to a title.
Critics, consider yourselves silenced.
It has been at times a bumpy ride since Brown ('16) and Tatum ('17) joined the Celtics, both as the third overall picks. I am grateful the Celtics rode it out with these two because too often in this day and age, teams are dismantled before truly getting a chance to gel. This was a team teetering on the cusp so often since these two joined forces, reaching six Eastern Conference Finals and now two NBA Finals.
I will openly admit I thought the team(s) from the last two seasons had the players to notch the banner. And I thought the offseason moves heading into this season were sending the Celtics in the wrong direction and would be a detriment to progress rather than helpful.
I am glad I was wrong.
Tatum and Brown were their outstanding selves, each making strides in their game and becoming true leaders this season. Tatum improved defensively and rounded out his offense, keeping teammates engaged while seeing his scoring drop. And Brown proved himself worthy of the huge contract extension in signed in '23.
Tatum averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists, with Brown contributing 23 points per contest and shooting nearly 50 percent from the field.
Brown was the most consistent of the duo in the playoffs, but both had their shining moments. Tatum ended up leading the Celtics in playoff scoring at 25 points per game. He also added 9.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists, posted 14 double-doubles, and averaged 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, and 7.2 assists in the Finals.
It was Brown who was selected as the MVP Finals, where he averaged 20.8 points, 5.4 rebounds, and 5.8 assists. Brown struggled from the field in Games 4 and 5 but a huge nod can be given to him on the defensive end in the clincher, where he helped keep Mavericks star Luka Doncic in check.
Tatum and Brown were the focal point but they only helped formed the nucleus and wouldn't have secured a title without the strong play of their teammates.
All-stars, supporting cast rise
Horford stepped into a starting role back in the first round when Kristaps Porzingis exited with a leg injury. Porzingis ultimately worked his way back in the NBA Finals before sidelined by an injury to the other leg.
Both were instrumental to Boston's success.
Horford, almost always on cue, delivered a huge effort when the team absolutely needed it. With the Porzingis injury, Horford averaged 30+ minutes in the playoffs, averaging 9.2 points and 7 rebounds per game.
Porzingis gave the Celtics 57 regular season games and was mostly spectacular, averaging 20.1 points and nearly two blocked shots per game.
Derrick White, outside of Boston fans, often doesn't receive his flowers but his game is instrumental to the Celtics success. Backcourt mate Jrue Holiday is the addition that truly put this team over the edge. His effort on the glass alone in Game 5 could have earned him MVP, where Holiday posted 11 rebounds, most of which on the offensive end.
Holiday also a 26-point, 11-rebound effort in Game 2 and didn't commit a turnover the first three games of the Finals.
A minute, a game, a month, or all year can be singled out among every player on the bench. Not necessary to go that deep into things but Sam Hauser came up huge in Game 5 and Payton Pritchard proved what it means to stay involved mentally, hitting a huge halfcourt shot, only seconds after entering the game.
Xavier Tillman provided strong, valuable minutes in the Finals and Luke Kornet did the same earlier in the postseason.
The depth fit in perfectly with what this team needed (and apparently non-existent prior to the playoffs, of which I had no idea. Seems like a lot of people didn't watch the Celtics this season). Individuals found ways to contribute, seconds and minutes at a time.
In the end, it was the perfect team for this season. Others who contributed over the years in leading to this moment won't soon be forgotten but recognition belongs to this roster. Years on the brink, the heartache of games gone by, can now be put to rest. Time to revel in the confetti and the joy, the sweat and the tears. To live in the moment of being NBA Champions.
Then?
Back to work, to see if two years in a row will be in the cards. With this roster, anything is possible.
photo credit: Wikimedia Commons
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