The 2024 Boston Celtics secured the franchise’s 18th championship, a moment that would have once been celebrated well into the next season. However, in today’s fast-paced NBA, the glory of a title win seems to fade almost as quickly as the parade ends, placing even more pressure on the team to maintain its success.
With the post-championship celebration period shrinking, the Boston Celtics’ reign might be even more fleeting, all thanks to a comment from a significant figure, both in stature and influence, in the NBA.
When Stephen A. Smith asked if Boston’s core was good enough to be a dynasty, Philadelphia 76ers star Joel Embiid expressed his feelings.
“I don’t think so. Not with the new [collective bargaining agreement],” Embiid said on ABC’s NBA Countdown. “You’ve got to understand—the whole East was hurt this year, myself included.”
Shots fired!
The 76ers are about to begin its most crucial offseason under President of Basketball Operations Daryl Morey.
Morey and the 76ers have enough cap flexibility to target free agents like Paul George. Adding George to Embiid and Tyrese Maxey would dramatically increase Philadelphia’s ceiling. There’s a caveat: Did Morey’s handling of the James Harden situation sour superstar players’ desire to go to Philadelphia?
Morey can’t lose out on a star this time for a mid-level veteran role player. Even if the 76ers trade for Kyle Kuzma of the Washington Wizards, would that be enough to beat Boston?
The Celtics’ focus must shift quickly as the Eastern Conference is bound to improve. That would mean all this talk of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum playing unselfish and sharing the superstar role would have to continue another season. Kristaps Porzingis will have to find a way to stay relatively healthy. Al Horford will need to take another dip in the Fountain of Youth. Role players like Derrick White and Sam Houser will need to continue to come up big, and Jrue Holiday will need to stay as Jrue Holiday.
That’s a lot to ask from a group that took so many bumps and bruises to reach the mountaintop, but if they were standing at the podium with the commissioner this time next season, they might start by thanking Joel Embiid.
