LeBron James picked the wrong storied NBA franchise.
The Boston Celtics are world beaters, pairing Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to form a true team that just won a record 18th NBA championship.
James went for the soft, warm lights in Los Angeles.
And wouldn’t The King love to play for a team as strong, talented and promising as the Celtics right now.
Boston is set up for years to come, thanks to keeping Tatum and Brown together in their primes.
While the 2023-24 Finals just ended, the Celtics are already the betting favorites to go back-to-back and win it all next year.
Boston has a sharp front-office leader in Brad Stevens, and a no-nonsense head coach in Joe Mazzulla who loves the UFC.
On the hardwood, Boston is deep, dynamic, plays real defense — and plays in the right conference.
While the Western Conference is still crowded at the top — Oklahoma City and Denver had the same first-place record last year — the Celtics won the East by a stunning 14 games.
Anthony Davis gives James a perfect complimentary piece.
But after that, the Lakers’ roster is a mess, as has been a head coaching search that saw college leader Dan Hurley coldly turn down Los Angeles to stay in Connecticut.
Six years after leaving Cleveland (again) and picking the Lakers in free agency, James’ latest Decision looks worse and worse.
Boston trumped its old 1980s rival by winning world title No. 18.
Los Angeles couldn’t even make it out of the first round of the playoffs in 2024, and simply making the postseason next year could be a serious question for JJ Redick — if James’ podcasting friend finally becomes the next guy on the sideline in downtown LA.
With Jrue Holiday, Derrick White, Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford, Boston created a team-first culture that produced a near-perfect 16-3 record in the recent playoffs.
James, the self-proclaimed greatest of all-time, won his only NBA Finals with the Lakers inside a surreal bubble in Florida during the coronavirus pandemic.
He’s now 1-5 in the only stat that matters in La La Land — winning it all — while Boston is adding another ring to the Celtics’ display case.
When James averages 25.7 points, 8.3 assists and 7.3 rebounds at age 39 for the Lakers, it’s still not enough for the NBA’s all-time scoring leader.
Even Magic Johnson, Larry Bird’s fiercest rival and one of the greatest Lakers, seems to realize that Boston is the best team in the NBA again.
“Celtics GM Brad Stevens trading for Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis was an MVP move that made the Celtics the best team in basketball this year!” Johnson tweeted.
“Adding Holiday made them the perimeter defending team in the league, and adding Porzingis made them the most explosive offensive and best starting 5 in basketball this year!”
Magic knows the real truth can hurt.
The Celtics are on top of the basketball world again, as a crying Tatum celebrates with his son.
The Lakers have faded in the West, while James edges closer and closer to retirement.
“I hate that the Celtics officially have more championships than us now” Johnson wrote.
News Summary:
- LeBron James picked the wrong team as Boston Celtics surpass Los Angeles Lakers in NBA championship history
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