Celtics

“Their road was too easy.”

The Celtics steamrolled through the playoffs, compiling a 16-3 record en route to an NBA Finals victory.

They played most of those games without center Kristaps Porzingis, who averaged 20.1 points and 7.2 rebounds during the regular season.

Porzingis had a pair of injuries – first a calf strain, then a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon that kept him sidelined from the end of the opening round series against Miami.

But, the Celtics marched on and captured the title.

One prominent NBA analyst says that the Celtics are unlikely to repeat as champions because they didn’t face tough enough competition this past season.

Despite the championship, TNT’s Shaquille O’Neal says the Celtics still have more to prove.

“Boston had it easy. It’s not their fault,” O’Neal said during a recent episode of The Big Podcast. “It’s not their fault. I don’t care, they won … they won it and they won it square but there is still a lot of doubters.”

The Celtics were far from the only team to face injuries during the playoffs. Miami’s Jimmy Butler, Cleveland’s Donovan Mitchell, and Indiana’s Tyrese Haliburton all missed games against the Celtics. Dallas’s Luka Doncic was reportedly receiving pain-killing injections during the Finals.

“Their road was too easy, so when their road stiffens up and they don’t win, then that statement will be verified. Now, if they win next year, with all these teams healthy you’ve got to give them their respect. But, you know how us haters and us commentators do. OK, you got one, win two.”

“I’m impressed by this year but this year is already over,” O’Neal added. “So if you want to impress me, if you want to separate yourself as the best, most successful franchise, beat those teams when they are healthy.”

With the win, the Celtics moved back into sole possession of the most titles by a single NBA franchise. They broke the 17-17 tie with the Lakers. O’Neal won three titles with the Lakers as a player. The Celtics are favored to win the title again next year.