Celtics Coach Joe Mazzulla Wants to Win a Championship Every Single Year

The Celtics ended their 16-year title drought with an incredibly dominant run during the regular season and playoffs earlier this year. However, unlike their predecessors from 2008, who ended Boston’s 22-year wait for a championship but couldn’t defend their crown or win another in the subsequent, current head coach Joe Mazzulla isn’t only aiming for a repeat, but for a dynastic run.

During Media Day, he was asked about the Celtics’ aspirations for the upcoming season. He claimed that the team has only one goal each year and anything short of that is a failed campaign for the franchise. Mazzulla said,

“We want to win a championship every single year. That’s the goal, that’s the standard, that’s the expectation.”

“We want to win a championship every single year. That’s the goal, that’s the standard, that’s the expectation.”

Coach Mazzulla at #NBAMediaDay ️️ pic.twitter.com/S3d2j6LHyH

— NBA (@NBA) September 24, 2024

Despite being the most successful franchise in NBA history, the franchise has failed to repeat as champions since 1969. They have won seven titles since, but couldn’t defend it even once.

Mazzulla and the Celtics aren’t only looking to rewrite the franchise’s history but to also buck the ongoing trend in the NBA. From 2000 to 2018, three franchises won back-to-back titles, with the Lakers doing it twice. However, no team has repeated as champion over the past six seasons. Boston is looking to put an end to that streak in 2025.

Boston has a significantly tougher path to repeat

There is no undermining the difficulty of winning an NBA title. Championship windows are ever-changing, continuously opening and closing. Considering the current landscape of the Eastern Conference, the Celtics are in for a tough journey.

Each contending team in the East has gotten better this offseason. The Knicks made the massive addition of Mikal Bridges. Paired alongside OG Anunoby, New York possesses two elite perimeter defenders that match up well with Boston.

On the other hand, the Sixers recouped their assets with the acquisition of Paul George. The addition of the nine-time All-Star has created a formidable big three alongside Joel Embiid and Tyrese Maxey.

Basketball experts also believe that the Celtics will have a path filled with more hurdles. Shaquille O’Neal didn’t mince any words when speaking on Boston’s title run in comparison to this season. He said,

“We all know Boston had the easiest run ever to that championship. Okay, you had an easy run. It don’t matter. You won it. Can you back it up?”

Shaq: “We all know Boston had the easiest run ever to that championship.”

Udonis Haslem: “They did.”

Shaq: “Can they back it up?”

(via @theOGsShow)pic.twitter.com/WQtfb4KADf

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 21, 2024

Boston has a target on their back and they know it. Mazzulla exuded composure and confidence in his team to not just repeat as champions, but become the next NBA dynasty.