The 2023 NBA season was the culmination of a long journey for the Boston Celtics. They have been a contender since before Jayson Tatum arrived in 2017 and were always knocking on the door of their 18th banner. From the beginning of the season, they were the favorites to win the championship and did just that. This dominant team now has a chip on their shoulders due to some offseason events and they have extra motivation to win the title again this year. Here are the top 5 teams that can stop the Celtics from repeating:
5. Milwaukee Bucks
Last year was a disaster for this team. There was no consistency with the lineups and the coaching was always playing catch-up. A mid season head coach change and Giannis Antetokounmpo getting hurt late in the season didn’t help. The early exit was a blessing in disguise for this squad. A full training camp with Damian Lillard and Doc Rivers will do wonders for this team. There is too much talent in this squad to be anything less than a contender. All of the pieces are in place to be something special. The only thing stopping the Bucks from an epic showdown with the C’s is their health.
This was a close one between the Bucks and the 76ers. The reason I went with Milwaukee boils down to which team’s health do I trust the most. Philly upgraded their squad and they might be a nice pick on 2k but when playoff time comes around I have little faith in the Sixers key pieces being available. Milwaukee’s best players have proven they can play late in the season and win, unfortunately that’s not the case for Philadelphia.
4. Denver Nuggets
The 2022 NBA Champions were the team to beat aside from the Celtics. Nikola Jokic is a force to be reckoned with and his team a well oiled machine. They lost key pieces from their championship squad but their core remains relatively intact. The one main concern for the Nuggets is the health of Jamal Murray and the development of their younger players. Murray finished the season banged up and dealt with multiple leg injuries throughout the regular season.
Murray contributed during the playoffs but it wasn’t to his usual level. It’s obvious he isn’t 100% and his showing in the Olympics further proves it. If Denver is going to play in April they will have to do their best to make sure Murray is well rested and heathy. He is the perfect complimentary piece to Jokic, taking pressure off the MVP during the clutch moments. With Murray in All-Star mode the Nuggets pose a real threat for Boston and the rest of the league.
3. New York Knicks
The Eastern Conference team with the best offseason must be New York. Their free agency acquisitions, intentionally built the Knicks to contend with the Celtics. The trade for Mikal Bridges gives them a third offensive option next to Jalen Brunson and Julius Randle. Without losing their defensive prowess that made this team must watch last season. The lose of hardworking Isaiah Hartenstein hurts but bringing back OG Anunoby more than makes up for some of it.
With Randle set to come back and get the Knicks back to full force, it is hard not to be excited for their potential. However, to win the East they will need to get Randle acclimated with the Villanova vibes. All roads to the NBA Finals will lead to the Celtics and anything less than full buy-in is not going to get the job done.
2. Dallas Mavericks
The runner ups to the Celtics made a big acquisition of their own. The four time NBA Champion, Klay Thompson. A player who has made a career from hitting big shots and being a lethal shooter from beyond the arc. The one thing Dallas desperately needed during their Finals matchup with Boston. Now Luka and Kyrie have someone who will shoot the ball with as much confidence as anyone in the league.
This team made a run to the NBA Finals after mid season moves at the trade deadline. The added experience and a full training camp together, will help them in the long run. Adding a player like Klay, who will not take away from others could be the difference this time around. As long as their defense holds, Dallas could be on their way back to the Finals.
1. Oklahoma City Thunder
The team with the best offseason has to be the Thunder. After finishing the season as the number one seed in the West they went and upgraded their roster. They kept their team young and avoided any unnecessary changes. Instead, they focused on the two main things that held them back in the playoffs, size, and defense. In a move that still feels like a steal they traded Josh Giddey for popular defensive menace Alex Caruso. While also signing big man Hartenstein away from the Knicks.
Oklahoma City immediately addressed the two areas where they were exposed in the playoffs. This team is as complete as any in the league with talent across the roster. The best part is they have the freshest legs with the second youngest team. With low injury concerns, and a team full of unselfish players who understand their roles, this team is prime for success. Just like the Celtics a few years ago, it feels like its only a matter of time for the Thunder.
The Celtics are favorites once again this season with extra motivation. After a dominant season they feel like they have been disrespected and have something to prove. With so many teams likely to make moves to try to catch up before the playoffs, it is early to tell who will pose the biggest threat. However, I feel confident that one of these teams can play spoiler for the defending champions.
