Sam Harris, BBC Sports Correspondent
The Boston Celtics earned the right to hang the No. 18 flag in the rafters with their best regular-season record and stellar playoff performance.
Their Finals performance had some hiccups in Game 4, a disastrous loss, but they found a way to get the job done at home.
This victory was the result of a lot of hard work from a team with a strong will and some bold decisions by management.
At the forefront is franchise star Jayson Tatum, who has faced intense scrutiny and criticism on his way to ending his long wait for a championship.
This criticism has now been silenced. The 26-year-old has stepped into a new role in this series, demonstrating his organizational skills and ability to lead a team.
You can’t mention one star of the series without mentioning another, and Jaylen Brown also deserves a lot of praise — as the momentum controller of this series.
The Celtics tend to build huge leads and then allow their opponents to come within one — a habit that has recurred in this series.
However, Brown’s silky ball-handling, clutch shooting and explosive drives ensured that the Mavericks couldn’t outright surpass them except in Game 4.
A winning mentality doesn’t just show up on the court. After the Celtics lost to the eighth-seeded Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals, director of basketball operations Brad Stevens made a strong call to trade Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, both of whom Players are critical to Boston’s success.
Add Derrick White and Al Horford to the mix — and that’s a recipe for winning championships.
Gone is the feeling of fear that characterized the playoffs against stars like Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler.
While head coach Joe Mazzulla aims to improve to maintain this level of success and build a potential dynasty, Boston currently sits atop the NBA as champions.
The Celtics can revel in their accomplishment, knowing they have earned their status as king of the hill.
