Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka expressed confidence in his team's ability to compete in the NBA Finals despite lacking players with prior championship experience, even against a veteran-laden Golden State Warriors squad.
The Warriors, entering their sixth Finals appearance in eight years, aim for a fourth title since 2015, led by stars Klay Thompson, Stephen Curry, and Draymond Green. Meanwhile, the Celtics overcame three Eastern Conference final losses in five seasons before securing their first title in 2022, defeating Brooklyn, Milwaukee, and Miami in grueling seventh games.
Celtics star Jayson Tatum acknowledged the unique pressure of the Finals, calling it "definitely a lot more obligations" compared to regular-season stakes. Udoka, who won a championship as an assistant with San Antonio in 2014, emphasized that the team's recent high-stakes experiences would better prepare them than mere familiarity with the Finals.
"Our path this year, two game sevens and playing high-level teams, has prepared us more than anything," Udoka said. The coaching staff includes Ben Sullivan, who helped Milwaukee win the 2021 title, providing additional championship expertise.
Celtics center Al Horford, the league's all-time leader in playoff games without a Finals appearance, called the moment "exciting" and "something to be grateful for." Reserve guard Payton Pritchard anticipated using the novelty of the experience to fuel an early-season advantage.
German center Daniel Theis, with three Bundesliga titles, noted the difference between European and NBA finals but emphasized the value of past championship experience. "Our team's ups and downs over the past couple years have prepared us for this," he said.
