The Boston Celtics’ run to the 2024 NBA Finals looked like it was predetermined by the fates. They steamrolled through the regular season and finished with the best record of 64-18, and then ran right through the Miami Heat, Cleveland Cavaliers and Indiana Pacers – all of whom had injuries to their stars.

They were even gifted with an NBA Finals opponent that their roster was perfectly equipped to handle, because the Minnesota Timberwolves knocked out the Denver Nuggets in the second round and then were taken out by the Dallas Mavericks who rode a legendary run from Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving all the way to the big stage.

But for all of those who say the Celtics were gifted the title, it’s not a fair assessment. It’s not their fault that their front office masterfully constructed the roster and somehow managed to add perfect pieces in Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis during the season.

Boston still had to win the games, and going 16-3 in any playoff run is worthy of respect, especially considering just how talented the league has become. The Celtics are the sixth-straight new champion crowned in the NBA, and no reigning team has even made it past the second round of the playoffs in that same six season span.

Jayson Tatum, who averaged 25 points, 9.7 rebounds and 6.3 assists in the playoffs finally got his ring, and some of us may be quick to forget that he only turned 26 this year. He may have had his struggles shooting in the last two rounds, but he also made up for it with 31 points, eight rebounds and 11 assists in the title-clinching game. True to form, though, he did manage to find a way to be corny while celebrating, trying to copy Kevin Garnett’s 2008 celebration.

Jaylen Brown is also only 27, and although his averages of 23.9 points, 5.9 rebound and 3.3 assists in the postseason fell behind Tatum, he was clearly their most consistent player in both the Conference Finals and Finals, proving himself worthy of the (currently) largest contract in NBA history after winning the Conference Finals MVP and Finals MVP. 

Tatum and Brown got plenty of help from their teammates, especially Holiday and Derrick White. Holiday added his second title to his resume and with a likely gold medal in the Olympics has probably locked his slot in the Hall of Fame.

Plenty of respect also has to go to Porzingis, who dominated Game 1 of the Finals only to then suffer a freak injury in Game 2. He forced his way back to the court in Game 5 and earned his right to celebrate.