BOSTON — Conventional wisdom pegged the Celtics as dynastic after they steamrolled the NBA toward a championship last year.
Their core group — Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Derrick White, and Kristaps Porzingis — are all in their 20s and signed on until at least 2026. To Jalen Brunson, they are what the Bulls were to Patrick Ewing back in the 1990s — an insurmountable challenge.
However, times have changed, and for a number of reasons such as luxury tax regulations, increased injuries, and rules favoring small-market teams, NBA dynasties aren’t as common as they once were. Many believed that the Nuggets were set for an extended period of success following their 2023 championship. They recently dismissed their coach and are on the brink of being eliminated in the second round once more. Giannis Antetokounmpo? He claimed a championship but hasn’t been close since. The Warriors were an exception but are running out of momentum. The last NBA team to achieve a three-peat was Shaquille O’Neal’s Lakers.
That was 25 years ago.
