In the aftermath of the Boston Celtics’ incredible 2023-24 season, which saw them finish with a dazzling 64-18 record and boast the best offensive rating in NBA history, questions arose about their chances of repeating their success in the upcoming season. The highlight of their season was undoubtedly their triumph over the Dallas Mavericks in five games in the 2024 NBA Finals, securing their 18th NBA championship and surpassing the Los Angeles Lakers for the most titles in league history.
With the DraftKings Sportsbook listing the Celtics as heavy favorites to defend their title in 2024-25, with odds of +295, it seems almost inevitable that they will continue their dominance. However, not everyone is convinced of their ability to pull off a repeat.
Shaquille O’Neal, a legendary figure in NBA history and a member of the league’s last three-peat team, expressed doubts about the Celtics’ chances to repeat in the upcoming season. Speaking on his podcast, O’Neal confidently stated that he would bet on a team from the Western Conference to emerge victorious in the 2025 NBA Finals, casting a shadow of doubt on Boston’s ability to defend their title.
One of the key arguments against the Celtics’ chances of repeating revolves around the perceived ease of their path to the Finals in the previous season. Critics point out that key players from opposing teams, such as Jimmy Butler and Terry Rozier, were missing in action during their playoff series, diminishing the level of competition they faced. In addition, injuries to players like Jarrett Allen and Donovan Mitchell further fueled the narrative that Boston had a smooth ride to the championship round.
Moreover, teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and the New York Knicks were also plagued by injuries to key players during their playoff matchups, further undermining the Celtics’ road to the Finals. Despite facing their own injury concerns, notably with Kristaps Porzingis missing games, Boston’s path to glory was seen by many as relatively unchallenging compared to previous champions.
As the NBA gears up for another exciting season, the debate over the Celtics’ chances of repeating as champions rages on. While their dominant performance in the previous season cannot be discounted, skeptics like Shaquille O’Neal continue to question whether they have what it takes to overcome new challenges and secure back-to-back titles. Only time will tell if the Celtics can silence their doubters and cement their place among the league’s all-time great teams.
