Black Excellence in Boston

The wait is finally over. After 16 long years, the Boston Celtics have once again claimed their throne among NBA champions, closing out the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals with yet another undeniable performance. This victory marks their record 18th title, breaking a tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most in league history.

Boston’s latest triumph comes on the 16th anniversary of their last championship win in 2008. This victory is also the 13th championship secured this century by one of the city’s Big 4 professional sports franchises. Jaylen Brown, who was instrumental throughout the series, was rightfully voted the NBA Finals MVP.

This championship caps a remarkable postseason where the Celtics went 16-3, finishing with an overall record of 80-21. Their .792 winning percentage is the second-best in team history, trailing only the legendary 1985-86 Celtics squad.

Under the leadership of second-year coach Joe Mazzulla, the Celtics have cemented their status among the all-time greats. At just 35, Mazzulla became the youngest coach since Bill Russell in 1969 to lead a team to a championship. The presence of Russell's widow, Jeannine, and his daughter, Karen, at the TD Garden to witness this historic moment added a special touch to the celebration.

The journey to this championship began with a pivotal trade in 2013 that sent 2008 champions Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce to Brooklyn, bringing Boston the draft picks that would eventually become Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum. These All-Stars have matured into a formidable duo, leading a Celtics team known for its prolific three-point shooting and top-tier defense.

Brown and Tatum's synergy was on full display in Game 5 of the Finals, where they combined for 31 points and 11 assists in the first half alone. Their fifth deep playoff run together finally yielded the ultimate prize, with Brown at 27 and Tatum at 26, hinting at a bright future ahead.

This year’s Finals also carried a special kind of historical significance, featuring two Black head coaches: Jason Kidd of the Dallas Mavericks and Joe Mazzulla of the Boston Celtics. This milestone marks only the second official pairing of Black head coaches in NBA Finals history, recalling the 1975 showdown between KC Jones and Al Attles, and the 2017 clash between Mike Brown and Tyronn Lue. Notably, Kyrie Irving became the only player to participate in two Finals featuring Black head coaches, having played in the 2017 Finals as well.

Mazzulla’s victory is more than just a win on the court; it's a celebration of hope, progress, and the remarkable leadership of Black coaches in the NBA. As the first Black head coach to secure an NBA championship since Tyronn Lue in 2016, Mazzulla’s triumph resonates far beyond the game itself.

As the celebrations continue, all eyes are on downtown Boston, where fans partied into the early hours and eagerly anticipate the victory parade. The question now is whether Boston is on the brink of a new dynasty. One thing is certain: we’re already excited for next season!