Bostons four leaf clover losing a leaf?

The Boston Celtics have been one of the top teams in the league for years now. It’s no secret that the Celtics are a top 5 organization with consistent success in every aspect. They’ve drafted well, produced young talent, picked up great players out of free agency, always seem to make great trades, and have done so while changing coaches and GMs. This past year, they won the NBA championship, which they have flirted with for years to come.

The question now is: will they win more championships? While they have been a powerhouse and have 2 of the best players in the league who seem to have finally figured out how to play alongside one another, it’s unsure if this championship was just good fortune.

The Dallas Mavericks, led by Luka Doncic, had a great season, leading to a disappointing 4-1 loss to the Celtics in the Finals. While having a great season and making it to the finals, the Mavericks were likely the easiest matchup for the Celtics. The Mavericks were known for not having the best-flowing offense and a less-than-stellar defense. The offense was typically stagnant and relied heavily on Luka or Kyrie to win in isolation or off pick-and-rolls. This scenario is perfect for Boston, as they’re a defensive-minded team. Stopping an offense without ball movement and options is ideal for an excellent defensive team.

En route to the Finals, Boston found some luck with the opposing teams‘ star players going out due to injury in each round. A lot of people were saying the Celtics finally got over that hump, but it’s hard to wonder if it was a personal improvement or a perfect situation. Would the Celtics have won if they were matched up against one of the other top teams in the west, i.e., Denver, Minnesota, OKC? Additionally, will they be able to win again in the future? If the past is any indication and you disregard this previous season, it seems like no.

I know you can’t just erase a season but must consider the factors that caused it. Do you see Boston beating Minnesota in the future? Or Denver in the future? Would a more seasoned and experienced OKC team be beatable for them in the future? Boston has shown they can deal with adversity and changes to their roster in the past, but with an aging Al Horford who has played a big part in their success, will they be able to replace what he brings to the table? It doesn’t seem so inevitable.

Did Boston cash in their four-leaf clover, or will they win more championships?