Top 5 NBA Takeaways: How Celtics won, what cost Mavericks & Lakers | Hoops Tonight

Jason Timpf shares his Top 5 takeaways following the 2024 NBA season. Jason breaks down the biggest lessons he learned over the course of the regular season and playoffs which ended with Jayson Tatum and the Boston Celtics defeating Luka Doncic and the Dallas Mavericks in the NBA Finals. Jason discusses the biggest factors that contributed to Boston's title as well as what cost Dallas, LeBron James' Lakers, and everyone else who came up short.
Timeline:
00:00 - Introduction
05:06 - Takeaway #1
12:07 - Takeaway #2
17:20 - Takeaway #3
27:41 - Takeaway #4
40:24 - Takeaway #5
50:48 - What will next year's champion look like?
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#nba #nbaplayoffs #nbafinals #nbabasketball #nbahighlights #basketball #sports #losangelslakers #lakers #lebronjames #lebron #bostonceltics #celtics #jaylenbrown #lukadoncic #dallasmavericks #mavericks #nuggets #knicks #timberwolves

[@PutXi_Whipped]

Takeaway: Colin Cowherd and Stephen A Smith should both retire.

[@PutXi_Whipped]

Takeaway: The same NBA media idiots that claimed Boston had an easy path to the Finals also picked Mavs in 5/6.

[@christopherb.8465]

Celtics showed how unselfishness is often the deciding factor among the most talented teams.

[@JohnZannisPies]

True. Probably one reason why the kd kyrie harden nets didnt work

[@skane260]

@@JohnZannisPiesnah that was mostly injuries

[@Sunsetiscool]

@@JohnZannisPiesthat nets team barely played together before two of the three got injured

[@treyrich9872]

@@JohnZannisPies nah they didnt win because kyrie got injured. They probably win the chip that year if he doesn’t

[@johnciano3524]

​@@JohnZannisPiesalso why suns won't work

[@pedrodimaggio4144]

It is incredible how each takeaway increasingly exalts the work of the Celtics, both staff and players. They will never again disrespect Mazzulla, Tatum or Brown like they did all these seasons

[@mikotagayuna8494]

They will find a way to denigrate anyone as long as it makes a good story. That's what the media will do until the end of time.

[@mikotagayuna8494]

Boston reminded the NBA that basketball is a team sport, not a contest of MVPs and tier lists which casuals and the media adore.

[@PutXi_Whipped]

Takeaway: Bruce Brown is more valuable than he’s given credit for.

[@josephrafferty6763]

Slight correction: he was more valuable to *Denver* than he was given credit for. He's a valuable defender but limited offensively. Playing with Jokic significantly mitigated those offensive limitations. Very similar to how Gordon is far more valuable in his current role than he was in Orlando or would likely to be almost anywhere else.

[@everminenow]

Celtics fan since 06, this is the best summer of my adult life

[@hak2297]

L loston

[@Tayy]

Lmao live your best life then bro

[@michaelbarnes2126]

@@hak2297cringe asf from a salty ass fan of a loser franchise 😂🤡🍀🎉

[@nerdiestvengiest5858]

@@hak2297 hak2297 seems to be the real loser here.

[@PutXi_Whipped]

Takeaway: Boston was the best team all season yet NBA media types picked against them anyway at every point because they’re sponsored by sports gambling companies that want more action on the opposite side.

[@roymarthkirby428]

Takeaway: Celtics fans are the saltiest, adolescent and most annoying NBA fan base

[@ramonnewell9312]

⁠@@roymarthkirby428 cry about it…

[@yemanehabte9567]

@@roymarthkirby428sounds like a hurt fan of team that got dog walked out the playoffs 😂 You took a poll of every fanbase and came to the conclusion that Celtic fans are the worst ?? Over the Knicks 76ers Lakers Heat?

[@tyriantaylor711]

@@roymarthkirby428Lakers and Knicks fans are worse

[@mikotagayuna8494]

@@roymarthkirby428 Takeaway: Complaining that the the fan base whose team literally just won the chip as salty actually makes YOU the salty one.

[@joseph7696]

Banner 18! Go Celtics I hope we play the Knicks in the ECF next season

[@chrisstfort7]

Would love that. I give the Celtics the edge still. Boston is such a complete team offensively and defensively but if my Knicks are healthy we could push Boston snd maybe even upset them.

[@VincenzoGCosta]

51:13 Bros literally dying on the hill that Tatum and Brown aren’t superstars coming off a dominating CHAMPIONSHIP season. But AD and Lebron are both superstars even though they can’t make the playoffs. Sorry bro. Can’t take you seriously until you check your bias at the door and adjust for your glaring blind spots.

[@pmarcig]

Tatum may not be a top 4 guy (id argue he is if/when he starts shooting better), but with Jaylen's ascension they have two top 10 guys....and three other $30 mil players. That's not bad.

[@michaelbarnes2126]

Tatum is top 5 and Brown is trying to enter the top 10, he’s top 15 at least.

[@sideactivist]

There’s a difference between a “superstar” and a “top tier superstar” it’s really that simple. No one is denying their stardom

[@michaelbarnes2126]

@@sideactivist lmao, I hate when people hear made up words and think they are supposed to be used regularly now. A superstar is a superstar, there are no differences in that. It’s role players, all stars, low tier stars, superstars and then the face of the league

[@EZLongboarding]

Did anyone else completely lose focus when he was drooling over hypothetical Lakers sets with hypothetical Lakers players in the 4th takeaway

[@EiLLskillz]

Yeah I'm at that part now just reading the comments lol.

[@adamc9082]

You’d think the Lakers won the title this year with how much Jason talks about them this vid

[@lilolittle3131]

It’s his favorite team and they get the most views. Why would he not?

[@mikotagayuna8494]

@@lilolittle3131 That woukd make him no better than media talking heads who have no idea that 20 other teams exist.

[@fatesgates8393]

@@mikotagayuna8494Exactly

[@Tayy]

@@mikotagayuna8494problem? Don’t watch simple.

[@Tayy]

Problem? Don’t watch, simple.

[@PutXi_Whipped]

Takeaway: Repeating is *HARD* The last five NBA champions before the Celtics in the following season. 2019 Raptors: lost in the 2nd round in the bubble 2020 Lakers: lost in the first round 2021 Bucks: lost in the 2nd round 2022 Warriors: lost in the 2nd round 2023 Nuggets: lost in the 2nd round

[@josephrafferty6763]

Yep. Pretty much only TRULY great teams repeat. The only exception I can think of is the Kobe/Gasol Lakers. I think that team is substantially worse than every other repeat champion I can think of.

[@fatesgates8393]

I can see the Knicks beating the Celtics next year simply because Tatum is a flawed player. I think these Celtics are a product of this modern NBA which favors 3 point shooting and got the NBA canceled on TNT.

[@kelvinlee7351]

@@fatesgates8393 Jalen brunson is far more flawed than Tatum lol

[@Jeramithehuman]

@@fatesgates8393Knicks not beating the Celtics in a 7 games series

[@PutXi_Whipped]

@@fatesgates8393 All this is cope. BTW the CEO of Time Warner who regularly attends Knicks games is the one who cancelled the NBA on TNT. Womp Womp.

[@natanaelmercado9167]

I agree with everything except your take on Tatum as a top tier star. He is 26, all nba 1st team 3 straight years, top 5 mvp finishes every year, heading into his prime. His impact even despite shooting bad this playoff run is Elite. He to me is clearly headed in that trajectory and still is not a finished product

[@michaelbarnes2126]

Bruh it makes no sense. How many other stars in this league can still win a game with bad shooting splits? That’s a testament to what Tatum does other than shooting and scoring. He’s top 5 easily, a better defender than most and a way better playoff resume than the guys he’s compared to smh

[@Jonteponte71]

Amazing overview of the postseason. Thanks for a great job this season making the intricasies of the game accessible for us mere mortals!

[@mickydem5920]

Can you be in the running to be the best player in the World if you’re a turnstile on defence?? Luka caused the Mavs so many problems in the finals with his horrible defence

[@realone296]

Bad defensove series? Casual take... Jokic was GREAT defensively vs Minesota, Denvers problem was the offense, the fact that Minesota could hide Gobert on Aron Gordon and not having him guard Murray/Jokic PNR... Denver NEEDS 5 out option off the bench, there is a reason why Justin Holiday lead the team in +/- and Holiday-MPJ-Joker frontcourt was so good...

[@laurent90210]

MPJ was awful, his "shots" were merely throwing the ball at the rim, with wild leg kicking that ensured his shots had no control and no chance of going in

[@starplatinum6930]

I'm going with Wilt over LeBron as the best athlete in NBA history. That guy was like a mythical creature.

[@josephrafferty6763]

Those two and Shaq are the guys on the short list for sure.

[@rakimhinds6388]

@@josephrafferty6763It depends on if you value overall peak vs endurance.

[@fatesgates8393]

Uhhh Jordan too bruh. Y’all slow.

[@PutXi_Whipped]

Takeaway: Joe Mazzulla is the best coach in the league and Brad Stevens is the best executive in the league. 2023-24 BOSTON CELTICS - NBA Champions - 2nd team in 16-win playoff era (2002-24) to only lose 3 playoff games - 1 of 8 teams in NBA history to outscore teams by 10+ for the regular season and playoffs - 10.72 scoring margin, 6th best in NBA history - 7th longest playoff win streak (10) - Never trailed in a playoff series - 80 Wins - 80 Wins + 79% Win Percentage (9th in NBA history) REGULAR SEASON - NBA's Best Record - Won Eastern Conference by 14 games (largest NBA conference win since 1976) - 11.34 scoring margin, 5th best in NBA history - 15.22 scoring margin at home, 3rd best in NBA history - 1.22 points per possession - *best offense in NBA history* - 1,351 3's - 2nd most in NBA history - 37 home wins - 3rd in franchise history, most in the NBA in 8 years - Won or tied season-series with 28 of 29 teams (Denver) - NBA's best home record (37-4), fewest road losses (14) and best record in back-to-backs (12-2) - Clinched playoff spot 17 days before any other team - Clinched NBA's best record before 12 teams clinched a playoff spot - Longest losing streak: 2 - More 30-point leads (17) than 10-point deficits (16) - NBA record 17 25-point wins - NBA record 10 30-point wins - NBA record 3 50-point wins - 19 20-point wins, 1 20-point loss - Wire-to-wire wins: 10, Wire-to-wire losses: 1 - 1,182 opponent free throws, fewest in NBA history - Favored in 97 of 101 games - Held a 20 point lead in 50 of 101 games - Most 50 point wins, most 40 point wins, most 30 point wins and most 25 point wins in NBA history - 31-5 without Porzingis - 69-8 including 13-2 in the playoffs when shooting 33.3% or better from 3 - 9-4 in closeout playoff games (games after 3 wins in series at any point) since 2022 - 32 straight playoff wins when holding opponents to under 100 since 2019.

[@mickydem5920]

Wow thanks bro I can see why Nick Wright had Mavs in 5 now 😂😂😂😂

[@EiLLskillz]

Well, when you put it like that, Boston was pretty damn good. Maybe histotlricaaly great?

[@sharoddaniels9954]

Been waiting on this 🗣

[@user-te3oo8ub7l]

great overview! learned a lot!

[@thejuggernaut5327]

Whoooo, what an education! Thanks for the detailed analysis.

[@robertholmes12]

Excellent breakdown of the contemporary NBA! This is a great example as to why I watch this channel for insight into the league and the game and not DorkCenter.

[@edgarsnake2857]

Denver's lack of depth is a big reason they weren't back in the finals. Of course, Jamal's injury was a factor. I think the Celts might have handled them even without KP.

[@f18a]

I think that this excellent analysis left out one key factor: physical and mental fitness (stamina) matters). Everybody will be tested in late playoff rounds. Some players, even highly talented ones, are remarkably unfit. The world has taught them that this is OK. Late playoff runs should teach them that it is not OK. Let's see who (e.g., Luka, Ant, etc.) takes it to heart.

[@taylor7264]

Dope show. Love the concept on recapping the learnings from the szn. This show keeps getting better like you would hope your favorite team’s young stars would! I agree with these points generally. They also back up theories/opinions I’ve had for yrs. For example: - I’ve had Giannis over jokic bc he pressures the rim more efficiently, at higher volume and in more ways than jokic. That plus his defensive versatility I think give a team a higher floor than what jokic does by himself - when every1 said Dallas would win bc Boston hadn’t played any1 , I said indianas offense w/o Hali was going to be harder to guard than Dallas - bc of the points abt brute force offense and the use of multiple actions to crack a teams base defense early in the possession - I’ve argued Tatum is a more valuable player than a lot of guys ranked above him bc of his versatility on both sides n how that allows a coach to be flexible w their game plan as matchups change over the course of a post szn - I said Celtics are the best team clearly bc 1. They’re built by Brad who values shooting n defensive versatility over everything. That’s what makes them so matchup resilient. 2. Joe is a wizard w the actions getting guys moving n attacking mismatches…the premium on shooting, two-way versatility n rim pressure is also why I like okc more than any other team in the west (even tho I was wrong thinking jdub was ready to kill in the playoffs) All szn I argued Denver wasn’t that dominant, and that they had significant weaknesses - they just hadn’t run into a matchup that tested those weaknesses. That’s why I picked the wolves to beat them in the playoffs. I pushed back against the idea that mediocre reg szn teams had title shots. Specifically the lakers n suns. I also thought it was some real hating ishh to try to discredit Bostons regular szn dominance. I agree w Jason’s point that it showed versatility n attention to detail/good habits Etc… But love the show concept even if the points didn’t back up a lot of my assertions this yr lol

[@taylor7264]

On the Giannis v Jokic convo I think I underrated Jokics relative availability. That closes the gap but i still have Giannis slightly ahead

[@youngboomerragevictim8857]

Wrong. Celtics won 🍀🏆

[@anthonyraye5831]

If every analyst did this they’d make better picks…. I can appreciate you owning the picks you make wrong… I mean it is your job to know this stuff, of course you’re not going to get 100%, but your level of knowledge shouldn’t be less than mine.

[@Garph.finkleson]

I try to watch this guys videos so many times now and goddamnit cannot

[@michaelbarnes2126]

I learned that if you don’t play any effective defense you will get beat in the playoffs. And if you don’t play any defense you will get exposed, no amount of great offense can offset piss poor defensive effort. Defense still wins championships regardless of how offensive the league becomes And here’s a fun fact: Tatum was the only American player in the All NBA 1st team this year. And it so wild how many people still don’t respect him or at least his all around game smh 🤦🏾 🍀🎉

[@johnciano3524]

Celtics could play any style.

[@raysimpson6075]

Will you be covering the Olympic basketball team

[@triplethreatanalysis]

This like getting a PHD in basketball philosophy and tactics. Your best episode so far.

[@broderguy]

Were any starting 5 healthy deep in the playoffs?

[@realone296]

Denver is NOT a better team than Minesota, they just have by far the best player in the NBA, Jokic. Every single line up without Joker is net negative, even when 3 startets and Jamal Murray stagger... He made yall belive that Denver is a "great team"😂😂😂

[@Jonteponte71]

This is a strange take. What teams are net positive when you remove their best offensive player?

[@realone296]

@@Jonteponte71 Jokic has the biggest on/off diferential since KG in Minesota... You can't win multiple championships like that, it doesn't matter how good your best player is!

[@EiLLskillz]

Takeaway: Jason drops the occasional f bomb to let yall know don't come for him in this comments section.

[@bandoogiemanz]

The nuggets top heavy squad maybe hurt them in the long run. the wolves will never win unless kat changes(doubtful) or he gets traded. There's just too much d*mn switching in the league today. If you don't have the defensive personnel throughout the roster, then some players are going to have to just man up and play straight up defense. All the collapsing and double teaming constantly compromises teams. Top 4 is also important because at some point there's home court advantage. When was the last time a person won all four rounds starting the series on the road?

[@betterthanyou60]

FIRST... 🐐

[@SkullEZClap]

I think bro is too high on the Denver Nuggets just because they destroy his Lakers all the time

[@KogaDevv]

not really… healthy nuggets are clearly top 2 with celtics but met a bad matchup in minnesota

[@pooksfaamausili6540]

Outside the wolves, nobody in the west is giving them problems. Honestly Dallas bigs would’ve fouled out tried guard joker and Murray dropping 40 on mavs, the thunders, if you think Chet wasn’t ready for that level of game, him guarding joker in the play offs, joker would’ve gave him 35 15 12.

[@jaidenbarnette1083]

@@pooksfaamausili6540Yea ppl overreacting to Denvers loss as if we hadnt had a repeat champion in like 6 years. They are still clearly a top tier champion contender and will be right back in the mix next year

[@timothynguyen4446]

I think the one thing that Jason is not fully appreciating is that the Denver Nuggets are losing a lot of their depth outside of their Top 4 (Jokic, Murray, MPJ and Gordon) and they don’t seem to be doing a great job in developing or signing talent to replace that depth. We can’t just say they have the best Top 5.

[@johnciano3524]

​@@timothynguyen4446your right and also they don't have best top 5 that's the Celtics still.

[@gemmahernandez230]

We need the TEAM to play and not the the top tier superstars to bank on that they can always win the game .

[@92KM1]

Denver is a good team, but they are not 60+ win caliber, the only 50 win caliber team they beat is the bubble clippers that mentally weren’t there. The lakers bias clouds a smidge Jason opinion of the Nuggets

[@pung4759]

Mailbag : How much better can players get better during an off season?

[@nicholaseaster58]

Celtics in 5 again and again.

[@fatesgates8393]

The 3 point shot has lost its value. The league rules committee is full of mindless idiots. That’s why there are so many flawed players like Tatum. They have no shot creativity.

[@everminenow]

Lakers and Bucks championship should not count though..

[@davidcarter6491]

Excuses for wrong decisions…..

[@fatesgates8393]

Remember that this modern brand of basketball got the NBA canceled off TNT. The league is full of useless 7 footers whom are handicapped by these stupid rules and their inability to use their size as an advantage. Only guards are able to use their abilities as an advantage. This has produced so many flawed players.

[@nicholaseaster58]

Celtics in 5.

[@zalujevi]

Stop every Day with lakers man

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

Since 1980, every NBA champion has had an all-time Top-50 player, with two exceptions: * Lakers [Magic, Kareem] * Celtics [Bird, McHale] * Sixers [Dr J, Moses] * Pistons [Isiah] * Bulls [Jordan, Pippen * Rockets [Dream] * Spurs [Duncan, Admiral] * Lakers [Shaq, Kobe] * Pistons [ --- ] * Heat [DWade, Shaq] * Celtics [KG] * Lakers [Kobe] * Mavericks [Dirk] * Heat [LeBron, DWade] * Spurs [Kawhi, Duncan] * Warriors [Steph] * Cavaliers [LeBron] * Raptors [Kawhi] * Lakers [LeBron] * Bucks [Giannis] * Nuggets [Joker] * Celtics [ --- ] With the Celtics balance, "five $30M players", does this give an alternate formula? Everything else discussed seems to suggest the need for everyone to be at least good at everything. Most playoff series losses seem to be marked by a good or great player whose below-average ability at something was exploited.

[@PutXi_Whipped]

Despite what NBA idiots and haters will tell you, Tatum is already a top 50 level player. Jayson Tatum is one of 5 players in NBA playoff history to log at least 2,500 points, 500 rebounds, 500 assists, 250 threes, 100 steals, and 100 blocks. And he's only 26. Kobe Bryant (220 GP) Kevin Durant (170 GP) LeBron James (287 GP) Paul Pierce (170 GP) Jayson Tatum (113 GP)

[@UnconventionalReasoning]

@@PutXi_Whipped I tend to avoid using stat collections like that, it tends to be designed to make the player of interest look really good or really bad, depending on the intent. I agree that, in 5-7 years, I will say that Tatum is an all-time top-50 players. And I did do that with some of the players I listed in the champions list, so it's unfair to not do the same for him.

[@laurent90210]

Robert Parrish (Celtics) was in the top-50 list

[@PutXi_Whipped]

@@laurent90210Parish*

[@PutXi_Whipped]

@@UnconventionalReasoningThat is an objectively elite well-rounded stat line that lines up with Top 75 players. You have just been brainwashed by NBA media types that think eye test is everything and these are the same people who glaze Ant despite his relative lack of Individual and team playoff success.

[@cro4255]

Only Ave teams, Luka is not all world and Boston got a charminship!

[@PutXi_Whipped]

LMAO are you still butthurt you picked Mavs in 6?

[@fatesgates8393]

Dude, LeBron is not the most gifted athlete to ever play in the NBA. What’s wrong with you? The league had to implement floor spacing because teams packed the paint against LeBron. Jordan is the greatest athlete. Kobe was a far better athlete than LeBron. You’re too young and it’s hurting your basketball credibility.

[@bonganimkhwanazi2081]

In before some loser whos never ran a NBA channel complains about The Lakers being covered again (thats why you only have 12 subs)

[@Musika809]

He says for a team to win they need two top tier superstars, but Boston is the exception. Because according to him JT & JB are not superstars. Ok 🤣😂 History one day will make you look super stupid. 🥷☘️

[@PutXi_Whipped]

What is the qualification for a “superstar”?

[@EiLLskillz]

Definitions vary. A lot of people say a guy who was clearly the best player on a championship team. They dont have to call JT and JB superstars, but they do have to call them champions!

[@mikotagayuna8494]

@@PutXi_Whipped Apparently a superstar means "players I personally like".

[@kelvinlee7351]

all nba 1st team the past 3 years but isn't a superstar lol