On June 18, the NBA Finals Game 5 took place, with the Celtics defeating the Mavericks 106-88 at home, securing a 4-1 series victory and the championship title. Many media personalities shared their thoughts on the game; here’s a summary:
Duan Ran: This Celtics team has faced setbacks on their road to the championship, but they have persevered and finally claimed the ultimate glory on this memorable day. Sixteen years ago, the Celtics’ Big Three won their 17th championship. Today, Tatum leads this storied franchise to another triumph. Some might argue that they lack a Kobe or Jordan-like superstar, but one must acknowledge that team basketball is deeply ingrained in each player’s mindset. The Celtics boast top-tier offensive and defensive abilities. Offensively, they can field a lineup that causes nightmares for opponents, with every player capable of ball-handling and three-point shooting. Defensively, they are fearsome, with White and Holiday as All-Defensive players, plus the defensive prowess of the Jayson-Tatum-Jaylen-Brown duo, alongside Porzingis and Horford protecting the rim – an impenetrable fortress. Six Eastern Conference Finals appearances in eight years, two Finals berths in three seasons – they can now turn their past frustrations into smiles and celebrate with the Larry O’Brien Trophy.
Kong Dexin: Irving saluted all opponents, but he was lost again at TD Garden. In yesterday’s interview, he said overcoming self-doubt was crucial, yet it seems he hasn’t achieved that yet. In the season’s final game: 16 shots, 5 made, 15 points, 9 assists. No mistakes, no waiting – the Boston Celtics secured a convincing home win over the Mavericks, 4-1, to win the 2023-24 NBA championship! Sixteen years ago, the Celtics’ Big Three sealed the deal. Now, the title “team with the most championships in NBA history” belongs solely to the 18-time champion Celtics. When the series was 3-0, most believed the Celtics would win, as no team had ever come back from such a deficit in NBA history (156 out of 156). When Dallas won Game 4 by 38 points, doubts emerged, as the series total score tilted in the Mavericks’ favor. But the Celtics were right: a 30-point loss or a 3-point loss is still a loss. Back home, looking up at the green-and-white banners hanging in TD Garden, the Celtics fulfilled their mission! If Game 4 showcased the Mavericks’ desperation, tonight demonstrated the Celtics’ determination to reach the summit. Playing hard and with energy can change things. With Porzingis’ return, the Celtics had a more formidable roster. When 38-year-old Horford scored against Gafford and then dove for a loose ball, when White hit a three-pointer with a chipped tooth, when Pritchard drained a long-range shot after just four seconds on court, the suspense vanished. The Celtics’ strength lies in their unity. This is evident, reflected in the FMVP jests and the team’s on-court demeanor. The gradual maturity of the Jay Team, Horford’s resilience, the arrival of White and Brown, Udoka and Hauser’s progress – any missing piece would have lessened their dominance. Every championship team has its story, and now it’s the Celtics’ turn to tell theirs.
Basketball commentator Yanshuo Zhu: The Celtics’ championship is well-deserved, and what touched me most is Al Horford. Before the 2007 draft, I interviewed six prospects, including KD, at EA Sports headquarters in Vancouver. Horford stood out as the most mentally mature. He may not be the most prominent figure, but his stabilizing presence is irreplaceable. After leaving Atlanta, he played for several teams before returning to Boston to win it all. Now a double-champion in NCAA and NBA – sincere congratulations to him. Congratulations to the Celtics!
Xu Jingyu: All doubts are gone, and Tatum’s criticisms resemble Curry’s in 2022. But all efforts will eventually be filled with joy. Congratulations, Tatum – your hard work has paid off, and you deserve this.
Ma Sui Feng: From the 16th to the 17th championship, the Celtics waited 22 years; from the 17th to the 18th, the Green Team waited another 16. Bittersweet victories, not instant glory, make the most compelling stories in sports, right? Congratulations, Celtics!
Sports commentator “Detective Ball Qiu”: Besides the Jay Team, the Celtics’ role players are impressive, especially Holiday. His journey this season was surreal – nearly abandoned by the Bucks, then finding his way to the Celtics and becoming a two-time champion guard!
Wang Shenwei: The dust has settled on the Celtics’ 18th championship. Lakers legend Magic Johnson isn’t pleased, unhappy with his team’s underperformance. Tatum’s performance in Game 5 could almost be described as perfect. However, after the Celtics’ victory, the NBA officially awarded the Finals MVP to Jaylen Brown, not Tatum. After watching the five Finals games, do you think the NBA’s decision on the FMVP was fair?
Ji Mengnian: They said White lacks talent, that praise for him was exaggerated. They said Porzingis was injury-prone, unable to back down Reggie in the playoffs, a liability. They said Horford was too old, a target for guards. They said Holiday’s playoff performance dropped significantly, his offensive efficiency abysmal, always holding the team back. They said Mazzulla only knew how to let players shoot threes, his tactics would fail in the playoffs. They said Jaylen Brown couldn’t dribble, that his $60 million contract was a sign of the Celtics’ management losing their minds. They said Tatum was the softest franchise player, a manufactured star who only played well in favorable situations. They said these people couldn’t win a championship together. Sorry to disappoint. Luka Dončić’s first NBA Finals ended in the bitterest way. I believe, with his talent, he’ll eventually win his first championship, but not this year. Luka has been on top since he was young. Even when the Mavericks’ performance was average in previous years, few criticized him, focusing more on the front office. This season, with suitable teammates, he reached the Finals for the first time, and expectations were high for him to dominate the league immediately. But where in the world does such a perfect destiny exist?