In the aftermath of their triumph over the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals, the Boston Celtics are now in high spirits as they celebrate their 18th championship victory, setting a new record. Upon their return to Boston following a festive journey to Miami, Brian Scalabrine, a beloved figure in Boston’s history, approached Jayson Tatum to discuss their joyful excursion.
Scalabrine inquired, “Given the arduous trips to Miami in the past, does this celebration hold a special significance for you?”
To which Tatum confidently replied, “They’ve always been a piece of cake.”
Brian Scalabrine: “Considering the challenging Miami trips in the past, does this celebration feel especially sweet?”
Jayson Tatum: “They’ve always been a walk in the park.” 😅 pic.twitter.com/EvuhSrUWD6
— NBA TV (@NBATV) June 21, 2024
Tatum subtly hinted at their history of success against the Miami Heat, though fans might dissect his statement further.
A look back at the last five playoffs reveals that the Heat and Celtics have clashed on four occasions, with each side prevailing twice; the Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals in 2020 and 2023, and the Celtics in 2022 and the opening round of the season.
Taking into account their entire playoff encounters, the Celtics and Heat stand at an even 21 wins apiece.
Now holding the record for the most titles in NBA history, the Celtics appear to be taking their rivalry with their counterparts from Miami quite seriously.
The Celtics planned to board a noon flight to Miami in Game 5 pic.twitter.com/5TXKPPL43y
— Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) June 18, 2024
The decision to opt for Miami as the location for their post-championship celebration raised eyebrows, fueling speculations of a subtle display of superiority towards Miami’s fans.
Throughout the Finals, Tatum maintained solid averages, with 22.2 points, 7.8 rebounds, 7.2 assists, and 1.0 steals per game, despite shooting percentages of 38.8% from the field and 26.3% from beyond the arc.
Following his first championship victory, Tatum has become the target of playful banter regarding his seemingly extravagant celebration methods.
