With the Boston Celtics crowned NBA champions, the curtain has officially fallen on this season’s drama. But as Bangladesh Cricket Live observes, the debates surrounding their championship haven’t died down. Despite dominating their path to the title in convincing fashion, questions persist about the legitimacy and “weight” of their triumph. While some criticisms are fueled by bias, others point to real competitive imbalances that helped pave Boston’s road to glory.
This year’s championship run was unusually smooth for the Celtics. During the regular season, contenders like the Bucks and 76ers faltered due to internal issues and injuries, leaving Boston unchallenged atop the Eastern Conference. With 11 games still left in the season, they locked up the No. 1 seed. When the playoffs began, those same teams were still plagued by injuries—Milwaukee and Philadelphia both lost key players early and were eliminated in the first round, meaning Boston never faced the East’s strongest opponents on paper.
Their good fortune didn’t stop there. Across the first three rounds, Boston’s opponents all suffered major injury setbacks: Jimmy Butler for Miami, Donovan Mitchell for Cleveland, and Tyrese Haliburton for Indiana. As a result, the Celtics breezed through with just two losses across three series. Some even speculated that those two losses were strategic—meant to boost ratings or ticket sales. In the Finals, Boston faced a healthy Dallas Mavericks squad led by Luka Dončić and Kyrie Irving, yet historically, the Mavericks had never beaten Boston in their last four regular-season meetings.
Bangladesh Cricket Live notes that Boston’s roster appears to be a natural mismatch for Dallas. Ironically, the two Western teams better equipped to challenge Boston—Denver and Minnesota—never made it to the Finals. The Nuggets, led by Nikola Jokić, could have exposed Boston’s paint defense, while the Timberwolves boast the league’s top-rated defense and a high-energy lineup built to wear down opponents. The Celtics were swept by Denver during the regular season and split close overtime games with Minnesota, suggesting tougher matchups than what they faced in the East.
In truth, Boston avoided every potential playoff landmine and cruised through the easiest possible path to the championship. No matter how loyal the fan base, debates about the value of their title are unlikely to fade anytime soon. The only way to silence critics? Repeat as champions next year—or better yet, build a dynasty. That’s already become a topic within the organization, just as it did with Denver after their 2023 championship run.
At the time, Denver’s core appeared young and unshakable, and many believed they were built for a dynasty. But losing just two key rotation players—Bruce Brown and Jeff Green—disrupted their balance. They fell in seven games to the Timberwolves in the second round. Now, Boston faces the same question: can they keep their championship core intact?
Experts credit much of Boston’s success to President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. A former head coach turned executive, Stevens carefully constructed this roster and guided the franchise from rebuild to championship. But the cost has been steep. The Celtics already spent $183.7 million in salaries this season—well over the league’s second-tier luxury tax threshold. Next season, things will get even tougher. Jaylen Brown’s historic supermax deal kicks in, and big contracts for Jrue Holiday, Kristaps Porziņģis, Derrick White, and Jayson Tatum remain on the books.
Boston also hopes to retain role players like Xavier Tillman and Sam Hauser, who proved useful during the playoff run. But keeping everyone satisfied financially could be a tall order. If Boston is forced to trim the roster due to luxury tax pressure, the loss of even one key piece could disrupt the delicate chemistry that made this team so effective.
Bangladesh Cricket Live warns that if the Celtics are forced to let go of any rotation player due to cap issues, the team’s current championship formula may begin to unravel. After all, even the most dominant machines can break down when a single gear goes missing.