The Boston Celtics, fresh off their championship win, are displaying a new level of poise, resilience, and confidence. This season, the team seems determined and united, handling challenging situations with calm and precision. According to Coach Joe Mazzulla and players Al Horford and Derrick White, this mindset has largely been unlocked by their recent championship victory.
Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, and other team members emphasize that they’re feeling a profound confidence boost, while the team’s on-court chemistry looks more cohesive than ever. Whether it’s dealing with adversity or capitalizing on momentum, this season’s Celtics are showing what champions are made of.
How the Championship Win Has Boosted Celtics’ Mentality and Confidence
For any basketball team, winning a championship can be a turning point. The Celtics’ recent championship has evidently lifted the team’s spirits, giving them a newfound self-assurance. Head Coach Joe Mazzulla believes that the victory has allowed the players to let go of past pressures, enabling them to play with more freedom.
“It’s exactly what we needed,” Mazzulla said, speaking of the championship’s impact on the team’s mental game. When faced with a frustrating shot clock violation against the Milwaukee Bucks, rather than letting it throw them off, the Celtics rallied with an impressive 18-2 run. Mazzulla called the chaotic series of events “perfect” for the team to test and display their resilience.
Celtics’ Performance Under Pressure
The Celtics are certainly living up to their championship reputation, with a remarkable start to the season and a 4-0 record. One example of their elevated performance under pressure was during their recent game against the Bucks. Despite a technical foul against the Celtics’ bench that allowed the Bucks to briefly take the lead, Boston didn’t falter. Instead, they regrouped and executed a dominant scoring stretch that left Milwaukee unable to keep pace.
Doc Rivers, who coached the Celtics to a title in 2008, said he could see how winning this year’s championship had “unlocked” the team’s true potential. “Winning that title has taken them to another level,” Rivers said. “You can feel it when they play. They’re playing without any obstacles now, and there’s a confidence you only get after a championship.”
Al Horford and Derrick White Agree: Confidence is at a New Level
For seasoned players like Al Horford, the championship win has brought an undeniable shift in the team’s confidence. Horford explained that the team approaches each game with a belief rooted in experience. “Winning put our confidence on a different level,” Horford said. “We’re still approaching things the same way, working hard, but now we know we’ve done it before, and that gives us optimism no matter the situation.”
This enhanced confidence doesn’t just stop with Horford. Derrick White echoed this sentiment, describing how the bond they’ve developed as a team has given them a unique advantage. “We were confident before, but after winning, we’re even more connected,” White said. “We’ve built a bond and trust that helps us stay consistent whether things are going well or badly.”
Celtics’ Offensive Power and Precision
The Celtics’ success so far this season also speaks to their unmatched offensive power. In just four games, they’ve managed to score an impressive 86 three-pointers, while their opponents lagged far behind with only 40. Boston’s offensive rating is 126.1, which is an improvement from last season when they set a new league record for efficiency.
What’s striking is that this powerful offensive play hasn’t come from adding many new players; instead, nearly the entire roster has returned, bringing continuity and a clear understanding of each player’s strengths. The Celtics’ ability to read and adapt to game situations has strengthened, allowing them to make the right decisions under pressure. White said, “It’s just about making the right reads and trusting each other. When someone’s hot, we find them. We’re a fun team to play for, and it’s fun to compete every night.”
Handling Adversity with Calm and Precision
During their recent match against the Detroit Pistons, the Celtics found themselves struggling despite having built up a 23-point lead early on. As the game progressed, Detroit managed to cut into the Celtics’ lead and even went ahead by six points with four minutes remaining. However, in true championship form, the Celtics didn’t waver. They rallied back, using ball movement to set up Jrue Holiday for back-to-back three-pointers that tied the game.
Coach Mazzulla’s approach to dealing with chaos has instilled a sense of calm in the team. His leadership encourages players to stay composed and rely on their training during tense moments. This approach has been a key factor in the Celtics’ recent ability to execute under pressure, transforming potentially troubling moments into opportunities to showcase their resilience.
Comparison to the Denver Nuggets’ Championship Composure
Horford noted a parallel between the Celtics and the Denver Nuggets, who also demonstrated exceptional composure after winning the 2023 NBA title. In two close games last season, the Nuggets impressed Horford with their calmness and ability to shift gears when needed. “Last year, they came in here, we made runs, they made runs, and they kept their cool,” Horford said. “When it was time for them to turn it up, they did just that, showing the poise of a championship team.”
White also noticed this quality in the Nuggets and believes the Celtics now share it. “Championship teams are just steady, whether things are going well or badly. They stay consistent because they’ve seen every kind of game situation. I feel like we’re the same way now,” White said.
Boston’s Relentless Team Effort: The Power of Trust
Against Milwaukee, the Celtics didn’t rely on just one or two star players. Jayson Tatum, Payton Pritchard, Jordan Walsh, and Jaylen Brown all played significant roles in the team’s success. In the game’s closing moments, Tatum forced a turnover, White hit a crucial three-pointer, and Pritchard contributed with his signature hustle plays, proving that every player has a role to play in the team’s victories.
Rivers acknowledged this cohesion, saying, “They have complete trust in the pass. They trust each other, and they play together. There’s nobody in the league that does it better than them right now.” This level of team chemistry and trust is what separates the Celtics, making them a formidable force this season.
A Balanced and Experienced Celtics Team Ready for Any Challenge
This Celtics team has the right combination of experience, skill, and chemistry. They understand that every game presents a different challenge, whether it’s being down by 20 or taking a commanding lead. Regardless of the situation, they maintain a level of trust and consistency that allows them to adapt and keep their focus on winning.
This approach is particularly valuable in close games, where the Celtics’ championship experience has taught them to stay composed and handle the game’s high-pressure moments with poise. The current Celtics roster may look much the same as last season’s, but the championship has imbued the team with a new mentality, allowing them to face every game with a champion’s mindset.
