Former Celtics Star Has Terrible Take on Back-to-Back Title Hopes

A former Celtic seems to have some doubts about Boston's 2024-25 title chances.
Jun 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics celebrates after beating the Dallas Mavericks in game five of the 2024 NBA Finals to the NBA Championship at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
Jun 17, 2024; Boston, Massachusetts, USA; The Boston Celtics celebrates after beating the Dallas Mavericks in game five of the 2024 NBA Finals to the NBA Championship at TD Garden. Mandatory Credit: Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports / Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports
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The Boston Celtics have been on top of the NBA world for the past month. They defeated the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals as they won their 18th championship.

This was the first time they've won a title since the Big 3 of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen won the chip in 2008. Brad Stevens extended both Jayson Tatum and Derrick White now the C's are going to have all the same team coming back next season to compete for back-to-back chips.

A lot of people are questioning Boston's path to the championship and former Celtic center Shaquille O'Neal has his doubts on them repeating.

Celtics News: Shaq Doesn't Think the Celtics Will Repeat

O'Neal and Adam Lefkoe were on "The Big Podcast with Shaq" discussing next season. The Eastern Conference is -120 favorites to win the title and the Celtics are the +300 favorites overall on FanDuel Sportsbook.

O'Neal says he would bet on the West to win the title, bringing up Denver and Phoenix. He then said he doesn't think Boston is capable of repeating.

He said, "No. Boston had it easy. It's not their fault...Their road was too easy."

The 52-year-old highlighted that New York was injured and that Boston needs to beat a healthy Eastern Conference to silence the doubters.

Regardless of what happened this past postseason, the Celtics were the deepest and best team all season long.

They finished with a league-best 64-18 record with three players who averaged 20 points per game (Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Kristaps Porzingis). We can't forget about the top-notch defense that White and Jrue Holiday bring to the backcourt.

People can say whatever they want but the Celtics were the best team in the NBA this season and are bringing back the same crew. If they stay healthy, things will have to go through them.

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