The Boston Celtics didn’t lose more than one game in a series during the 2024 NBA Playoffs, hammering home their superiority over the rest of the NBA. Their dominance prompted Eastern teams like the New York Knicks and Philadelphia 76ers to load their rosters up this summer. Celtics star Jayson Tatum got real on the player movement in the East this summer while speaking to Fadeaway World in Abu Dhabi.
“I think that’s what’s special about the NBA, teams are always changing and shifting. Teams are always trying to find ways to improve. We’re no different. It’s exciting to see new guys on new teams and what challenges they will present. I’m looking forward to it.”
Tatum averaged 26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds, and 4.9 assists last season. Even though he missed out on winning the Eastern Conference or Finals MVP and was benched for multiple games during the Olympics, he had a career year in terms of legacy accomplishments.
The 76ers added Paul Geoge this offseason alongside other players like Andre Drummond, but George is expected to slot in as the team’s second or third star behind Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.
The Knicks started the offseason by adding Mikal Bridges to complete their core with multiple 3-and-D defenders who can guard multiple positions. Then, out of nowhere, they also acquire Karl-Anthony Towns to make it clear that they’re coming for championship contention.
Tatum gave an uncontroversial answer about his divisional rivals, but his smile during the answer shows he’s excited to face and beat those teams if possible. Both the Knicks and 76ers have to build chemistry into the roster whereas the Celtics have retained every core player they had for their title run last season.
Jaylen Brown Is Glad The Celtics Are Facing The Nuggets
The Celtics vs. Nuggets preseason game will be crucial for the Celtics, as it’s the first test to see if the team has progressed beyond what we saw last season or has peaked in terms of performances.
Reigning Eastern Conference and Finals MVP Jaylen Brown is thrilled about the preseason matchup, claiming that facing a team like the Nuggets helps them sharpen their tools even further.
“They’ve got some great players. I think they’re coached well, I’m a fan of Mike. I think they’re a good team. Being able to sharpen our tools against a championship-caliber team can help us going into the season, I wouldn’t have wanted it any other way. The last two champions get to play and globalize the game here in Abu Dhabi. It’s an amazing place, it’s very fitting, and I think the NBA did a great job in setting this up.”
Brown averaged 23.0 points, 5.5 rebounds, and 3.6 assists last season.
The Nuggets and Celtics can’t meet in the Playoffs without making the NBA Finals, so it’ll be interesting to see if we can get them to face each other in the 2025 Finals like how last year’s NBA Abu Dhabi Games between the Dallas Mavericks and Minnesota Timberwolves inadvertently predicted the 2024 Western Conference Finals matchup.
Read more from my coverage for Fadeaway World at the 2024 NBA Abu Dhabi Games – Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets.
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