When comparing the 2008 Celtics team that took the Title against the 2022 crew that came reasonably close to a Championship, the first thing that stands out is the age difference. The 2008 group were led by Paul Pierce (30), Ray Allen (32) and Kevin Garnett (31).They were backed up by P. J. Brown (38), James Posey (31) and Eddie House (29).
Back to the present. Al Horford (36), Marcus Smart (28), Jaylen Brown (25) and Jayson Tatum (24) make the Banner-17 crew seem ancient. Other major contributors are Derrick White (27), Rob Williams and Payton Pritchard (24) and Grant Williams (23). You get the picture.
And while we're on it, here is a comparison of the two benches from the Finals (combined averages/game):
Posey, House, Brown (2008):
20.7 points - 9.5 boards - 4.5 assists
White, Green Pritchard (2022):
18.2 Points - 8.5 boards - 4.7 assists
Not a major difference in the bench production, is there? Yet that bench from 2008 gets a lot of accolades, as they should, while the 2022 pine production gets blasted.
My point? Experience and seasoning made the difference in 2008, as it can for a Celtics team that often lost it's cool in the meat grinder of the NBA Finals. I love this team!
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