BOSTON – There was a significant discrepancy in experience when the Boston Celtics faced off against the Golden State Warriors in the NBA Finals two seasons ago. Most of Golden State’s core had been to multiple championship rounds, while zero members of Boston’s core had previously made it that far.
In the end, the more experienced team prevailed.
In this year’s Finals, Boston finds itself in a different situation. Most of that 2022 core remains intact and has the experience of its prior trip to lean on. Meanwhile, its opponent, the Dallas Mavericks, has very little Finals experience on its roster that it can tap into leading up to Game 1 on June 6.
While experience isn’t everything, it plays a more significant role as the playoffs go deeper. And Al Horford is certain that it will be beneficial for this Celtics group in the weeks ahead.
“I think it is gonna help tremendously,” Horford said Friday afternoon. “Because the first time, it felt like a roller coaster. Just a lot going on: the increased coverage of media, all the responsibilities that we had, and just everything that came with it. So I just think that this time around, we all have an understanding. We know what things are like, and I feel like we’ll be able to manage everything better.”
Boston’s preparation for the Finals began long before this week; it started last summer.
There’s a certain mindset that a contender has to adopt all the way from the beginning if it hopes to reach its ultimate goal. Horford believes his team has the right framework in place, which it began building before the season started.
“We’ve established consistency and hard work, and we’ve tried to embody what being a Celtic is about,” said the 17-year vet. “From the beginning of camp and from before camp, even in September when we were doing voluntary workouts here, we were just consistent. Everybody’s coming in here, everybody’s working, we’re all getting together. What do we want our legacy to be? I think it has to be the consistent, hardworking team. We’re playing for each other, we have really enjoyed being in this space, and I feel like that’s what we’re about.”
Consistency and hard work are the keys to getting over the hump and winning the Finals. One player in the locker room can attest to that: Jrue Holiday, who is only three years removed from capturing a championship with the Milwaukee Bucks.
“It takes everything,” said the veteran point guard. “I think it’s one of the hardest things I’ve ever done. Mentally, physically, you’re exhausted. Teams know each other so well, at this point, it’s kind of about making plays. It’s about executing.”
And it’s about not giving up no matter how tired you become.
“The biggest thing is just how exhausted you were, or how exhausted I was because I left everything on the floor,” Holiday said. “We were down 0-2. I think even having the feeling of encouragement like, ‘It’s not over.’ But I think it’s because my team had the mentality of it’s not over until we say it’s over. I think being able to go out there and fight and leave everything out on the court, you have the best chance of getting that win.”
Holiday’s experience alone is invaluable for this group, because he can provide the right leadership to get them through any hard times that may lie ahead. Combining his knowledge with that of players who went through the 2022 Finals should give Boston the confidence to navigate through this final round.
“We have a bunch of different guys, different players and coaches that have been in different atmospheres,” said coach Joe Mazzulla. “So just relying on each guy’s experience and each guy’s expertise and what each guy has been through, and try to use it for us to execute together.”