May 2, 2022 – We are now just a few days removed from the Boston Celtics sweeping the “dynamic” Brooklyn Nets in the first round of the 2022 NBA Playoffs. If there were no other takeaways from this series, it would be that Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the company completely shut down the Net’s superstars in Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Through the first three games of the series, Durant, who had been talked about as the best in the game, had only two field goals more than turnovers; a 19:17 ratio. He also finished the series shooting 39% from the field.

While the Nets surely were not a team known for their defense, being able to beat their offense four games in a row bodes extremely well for this young Boston team. In facing teams like Milwaukee or Philadelphia, they would certainly have their work cut out for them on the boards and in the paint, but as the Celtics showed time and time again in the second half of this season, they seem to be up for the challenge.

“Defense wins championships,” is a sentiment echoed by everyone who knows sports. A baseball team that doesn’t have a strong outfield or middle infield often can’t hang with teams that do. As for football, if you don’t have a good secondary, you’re going to get obliterated by professionals like TB12. This Celtics team has heart and trust in each other which, when playing a switch-heavy defense, is more important than anything else. Mr. Heart-and-Soul, Marcus Smart, can guard the point, to the center position, and the DPOY leads this blistering defense night in and night out.

What it comes down to when contending for a championship, is having a timely and organized defense, as well as a high-scoring, and deep offense with multiple options to rely on. The Celtics check all these boxes. In the regular season, this team had the third-best record in the league against over .500 teams, only behind the Suns and Warriors.

To win an NBA title would leave a lasting legacy on this young core, and continue a storied tradition in Boston’s history. We all can hope for Banner 18 coming soon. Until then, like Kevin Garnett once said, “Anything is Possible!”