SUMMARY
- The Boston Celtics have the best record in the NBA this season with over 60 wins.
- Shaquille O'Neal claims the Celtics are the most overrated teams in the league.
Based on their overall record this season, it is easy to assume that the Boston Celtics will walk away with the title. Right now, they might be the only team from the East that’s capable of representing the conference in the finals. The Celtics have been fairly successful during the Jayson Tatum era. They’ve made two conference finals appearances and one NBA Finals run in 2022 against the Golden State Warriors.
In just 2 years of being a GM, Brad Stevens has:
• Traded Kemba to get Al Horford back.
• Hired Ime Udoka (Great Coach).
• Signed Luke Kornet on a minimum.
• Traded Langford for Derrick White.
• Hired Joe Mazzulla (Amazing Coach).
• Traded Smart for Porzingis / 2 1sts.
•… pic.twitter.com/s07TjHvU2p— CelticsUnite (@CelticsUnite18) April 10, 2024
And since assuming his role as general manager in 2021, Brad Stevens has done a great job moving around pieces. He was responsible for acquiring Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday during the off-season. He also brought back Al Horford in 2021 as he knew the veteran was a threat on defense. Right now, the Celtics have an incredible roster. But Shaquille O’Neal believes they’re not strong enough to go all the way.
Shaquille O’Neal believes the Celtics need more consistency in their game
During a recent episode of The Big Podcast, Shaq wasn’t afraid to address his feelings about the Celtics being the most overrated team this season. He said, “Overrated? Boston. You gotta show me. I’ve been in this league, around this league a long time. I’ve seen a lot of guys that have had a great regular but they don’t win Championships.” The Celtics have secured the best record in the NBA this season. They’re the only team with over 60 wins.
Shaq says the Celtics are the most overrated team in the NBA 😬
(🎥 @bigpodwithshaq / https://t.co/OrpRK1tk1v) pic.twitter.com/ALeR4diCET
— NBACentral (@TheDunkCentral) April 10, 2024
Shaq also claimed that the Celtics need to show more consistency if they want to convince him or other people that they’re the true titleholders this season. He added, “Consistency, and dominate consistency. You gotta do more, in every game you got to go to another level. And then you need optional others to have out of worldly games.” The Celtics have shown a good amount of consistency, especially with their starting lineup taking equal responsibility on the scoring end.
Will the Celtics become another playoff disappointment?
Before diving into the question, a few instances prove O’Neal right. During the 2021-22 season, the Phoenix Suns recorded the best record in the league finishing with 64 wins and 18 losses. Unfortunately, they lost to the Dallas Mavericks who would end up playing against the eventual champions. During this season, the Suns didn’t have injuries that crippled them, but they certainly lacked consistency. The Suns failed to push beyond their capabilities to win.
The Celtics just clinched the best record in the NBA, and home-court advantage throughout the NBA playoffs.
We’re watching a very special team. pic.twitter.com/S2QaT6Um74
— CelticsUnite (@CelticsUnite18) April 4, 2024
The same goes for the Milwaukee Bucks last season. After capturing the thrown in the Eastern Conference and securing the best record in the NBA, but failed to show up in the playoffs. Milwaukee made a first-round exit against the 8th-seeded Miami Heat. But this time, injuries were an issue. But the Celtics haven’t had too many problems in terms of injuries. Putting aside the dominant starting five, their depth lineup has been quite impressive. Right now, they have the strongest odds of winning the title on paper.