Celtics’ Dominant Eastern Conference Run
The Boston Celtics swept the Indiana Pacers 4-0 in the Eastern Conference Finals, marking the first “clean sweep” in the East since the Cavaliers’ sweep of the Hawks in 2015. Including the earlier rounds, the Celtics only needed 14 games to reach the NBA Finals, making them the team with the fewest games played to reach the finals since the 2017 Warriors and Cavaliers.
Questions About Celtics’ Strength
Despite the Celtics’ impressive run, some have questioned the validity of their journey, suggesting the Eastern Conference’s competition was weak. However, Draymond Green, a key member of the Warriors’ four championships in eight years, strongly disagrees with this notion, using his team’s experience as a counterpoint.
Green’s Perspective on Playoff Difficulty
“The Celtics only lost two games on their way to the Finals, and people are saying their path wasn’t tough enough. But honestly, I’ve never thought the Eastern Conference was easy. We also swept our way to the Finals once, but no one said we had it too easy. So don’t tell me the Celtics faced little resistance,” Green stated.
Warriors’ 2017 Playoff Dominance
In 2017, the Warriors, bolstered by scoring machine Kevin Durant, transformed into the formidable “Super Warriors.” They finished the regular season with a 67-15 record and swept the Trail Blazers, Jazz, and Spurs in the playoffs, only losing in Game 4 of the Finals, nearly achieving a perfect postseason.
Facing Criticism Despite Success
“Critics always say teams haven’t faced tough challenges,” Green said. “But whether or not they win the championship won’t be because they didn’t face tough competition. Every championship journey comes with its own set of challenges.”
The Nature of Championship Runs
Green emphasizes that regardless of the criticisms, the journey to a championship is inherently challenging. Each team, including the Celtics, must overcome significant obstacles to reach the Finals, and their success should not be diminished by claims of an easy path. (Phlwin)