THE Boston Celtics won their league-leading 18th championship in a dominant fashion. They posted a 64-win regular season, way ahead of other teams' records. In the playoffs, they only lost three times sweeping the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals while shellacking the Dallas Mavericks, 4-1, in the Finals.
Boston scored 122.2 points per 100 possessions, which is the most efficient offense in NBA history. This was enabled by a five-out offense wherein all five starters can shoot the three, making penetrations easier for their star wings Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown. On the other end, they ranked second in defensive rating since they have two switchable and arguably the best defensive backcourt tandem in the league — Derrick White and Jrue Holiday. They also had a shot-blocking 7-footer Kristaps Porzingis anchoring the defense.Teams have taken notice of the Boston template — more shooters, switchable defensive players, dribble-dive penetrators — and have loaded up in the offseason hoping to replicate the Celtics' success. Here are the top teams that have "re-armed" to match the NBA champions: Oklahoma City Thunder – The young Thunder impressively finished first during the regular season in the tough Western Conference but were beaten by the Dallas Mavericks in six games in the semifinals. During that series, the Thunder's weaknesses were exposed — their lack of size and rebounding.Acquiring 7-footer Isaiah Hartenstein gives them the size and heft to go toe-to-toe with other bigs while allowing Chet Holmgren to play more on the perimeter. Hartenstein appeared in 75 regular season games averaging 7.8 points, 8.3 rebounds and 1.1 blocks per game.But the real game-changing acquisition for the Thunder is 3-and-D forward Alex Caruso, who can guard multiple positions and shoots 41 percent from three-point range. He was traded for the talented Josh Giddey, who still struggles with his outside shot allowing defenses to sag off him. Philadelphia 76ers – After years of experimentation and failures, the 76ers may have finally gotten it right this offseason.Philly was able to acquire one of the best two-way forwards in the league in Paul George, re-signed guard Tyrese Maxey and placed more shooters around center Joel Embiid when it acquired Caleb Martin and Eric Gordon. The team also got a starting caliber center Andre Drummond to man the point for the inevitable injury to Embiid.If Embiid can stay healthy, this team has the tools to take down the Celtics. New York Knicks – The Knicks went all in and traded away their short-term future (five first-round picks) when they acquired Mikal Bridges. Bridges was never comfortable or talented enough to be the first option in New Jersey but was still able to produce 19.6 points, 4.5 rebounds and 3.5 assists on 37.2 percent shooting from range.Add him to OG Anunoby, Josh Hart and Donte DiVincenzo, the Knicks have a lot of rangy and athletic forwards they can throw against opposing teams. This is the supporting cast that will fit in easily with All-Star Jalen Brunson.The Knicks are finally a contender. Dallas Mavericks – The Mavericks overachieved when they reached the NBA Finals, so they didn't stand pat knowing that they are a player or two away from being dominant.They acquired Klay Thompson, who is already in decline but whose three-point shooting will make it easier for Luka Doncic and Kyrie Irving to operate.Dallas lost two 3-and-D guys in Derrick Jones and Tim Hardaway but quickly replaced them with grittier defenders in Naji Marshall and Quentin Grimes.While the addition of Thompson will give this already potent offense a boost, defense becomes a problem when all three (Irving and Doncic) are on the floor. raffyrledesma@yahoo.com Read The Rest at :
