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Sam Harris, BBC Sport Journalist<\/i><\/p>\n
With the best regular season and a fine play-off run, the Boston Celtics have earned the right to hang banner 18 in the rafters.<\/p>\n
Their Finals performance had a hiccup in game four with a blowout loss, but they found a way to get the job done at home.<\/p>\n
The triumph is the culmination of a lot of hard work from a team who have developed a strong mentality, and the result too of some bold front-office decisions.<\/p>\n
At the forefront is franchise star Jayson Tatum, who has faced intense scrutiny and criticism during his bid to end a long personal wait for a championship. <\/p>\n
Now that criticism is silenced. The 26-year-old embraced a new role in this series, showcasing his playmaking skills and leading the team.<\/p>\n
You cannot mention one franchise star without the other, and Jaylen Brown also deserves significant credit – acting as the series’ momentum controller. <\/p>\n
The Celtics have a tendency to build huge leads, then let their opponents claw their way back – a habit that reappeared in this series. <\/p>\n
However, Brown\u2019s silky handles, clutch shots, and explosive drives ensured that, game four aside, the Mavericks could not overhaul them.<\/p>\n
The winning mentality has not just been shown on the court. After the Celtics lost the 2023 Eastern Conference final to the eighth-seeded Miami Heat, head of basketball operations Brad Stevens made huge calls to trade for both Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, two players who have been pivotal to Boston’s success. <\/p>\n
Throw Derrick White and Al Horford into the mix – it is a championship-winning recipe.<\/p>\n
Gone is the element of fear that plagued previous play-off match-ups against stars such as Stephen Curry and Jimmy Butler.<\/p>\n
While there are habits head coach Joe Mazzulla will aim to refine to sustain this level of success and build a potential dynasty, for now Boston sit atop the NBA as the champions. <\/p>\n
The Celtics can revel in their achievement, knowing they have earned their place as kings of the hill. <\/p>\n<\/div>\n