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The Boston Celtics last won the NBA Championship in 2008 when they had three Hall of Famers forming the nucleus of their lineup. Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen were still wearing Celtic green when they beat the Los Angeles Lakers for championship #17. Although they have reached the Eastern Conference Finals in the last couple of years, they have yet to find the right formula to add banner 18 to the rafters of TD Garden.
The Boston Celtics currently have two young and exciting All-Stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. The Celtics front office has locked them up to long-term contracts, so the Cs are going to be in a nice place with these two impressive players in their fold. A core consisting of the two Js almost guarantees the Celtics will be perennial playoff contenders.
But can this storied franchise finally put it all together and add another Larry O’Brien trophy to their stacked championship cabinet?
How the Boston Celtics can improve their chances of winning the NBA championship
#3 The Celtics must be a defensive force with Ime Udoka at the helm
After Brad Stevens stepped down as head coach to take on the GM role vacated by Danny Ainge, the Boston Celtics turned to Ime Udoka as a replacement. The Celtics' new head tactician brings an impressive resume of experience, character and ringing endorsements from the top coaches in the league. More importantly, Udoka has been recommended by no less than JT, JB and Marcus Smart, the unquestioned leaders of this Celtics team.
Defense wins championships. After consistently ranking in the top 10 defensive ratings in the past couple of years, the Boston Celtics slipped to 16th last year. The mighty 2018 Golden State Warriors were the last team outside of the top 10 Defensive Rating to win the championship. Before that, only the juggernaut 2001 Kobe-Shaq Lakers captured the crown despite a lowly 22nd Defensive team rating. There has to be a significant change in Boston's defense for the Celtics to have a chance of winning the NBA championship.
The Boston Celtics’ Ime Udoka was a proven defensive specialist during his stints in San Antonio, Philadelphia and Brooklyn. Stevens also brought in Al Horford and Josh Richardson for reinforcements this season. Both are tough, gritty and smart defenders. Udoka’s coaching and recent additions should bring the Celtics back to their lofty defensive heights and hopefully become championship contenders.
The new Boston Celtics head coach also stressed that he is about what makes up the team. He should be able to adjust himself to the lineup at his disposal. Working with Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum in the past should make the adjustment quicker and easier.
#2 The Boston Celtics’ young studs should step up
![Aaron Nesmith and Payton Pritchard presented to the media. [Credit: Celtics Wire]](https://staticg.sportskeeda.com/editor/2021/09/29ac7-16325469204723.png)
The Boston Celtics’ trio of Aaron Nesmith, Payton Pritchard and Robert Williams should fulfill their potential for the team to have a legitimate chance of even reaching the NBA Finals. All three of these youthful players have unique skill sets that are a great complement to the Jaylen and Jayson tandem.
Payton Pritchard was lights out even in his rookie season. He also has a good nose for the ball and plays with hustle. Although he stands only 6’1, he is a stout defender and contests every position with gusto. Another season into his resume could only make him better as part of the Boston Celtics’ rotation.
Aaron Nesmith was a deadshot from deep in his last year at Vanderbilt with a 52.2 average from rainbow country. It took him time to adjust to playing in the NBA but was starting to show his potential when the season was about to end. A full training camp with a year under his belt could see him being a critical part of the Boston Celtics’ search for another championship. The threat of Nesmith on the perimeter will ease defensive pressure on Boston’s primary scorers and facilitators.
Among the young Boston Celtics players, no one has performed better than Robert Williams. His playoff debut against the Brooklyn Nets could portend to bigger and more exciting things. Boston signed him to an extension this offseason as he could fulfill the promise of his potential. He will be in a tight battle with Al Horford for the starting center job.
#1 Shore up the frontcourt
As good and promising as Robert Williams has been, he has not been healthy enough to consistently make an impact. Al Horford is a good passer and has excellent basketball IQ but is on the wrong side of 30. He has lost a step and most likely will not be available for an 82-game grind.
The road to the NBA championship in the East, in the next several years, will have to go through Giannis Antetokounmpo or Joel Embiid. These are two of the most dominating and skilled post players the game has ever seen. If the Boston Celtics have to get out of the murderous East playoffs, the frontcourt has to be strengthened.
The future is bright in Boston
Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum are enviable building blocks of any team. They are young, talented and bleed Celtic green. If the Boston Celtics return to being a top defensive unit, see their young fulfill their potential and get prime frontcourt help, they could win the NBA championship in the next three years.
