Former NBA champion dismissed Mavericks as worthy opponents for Celtics in 2024 NBA Finals: "I was never ever worried"

The Boston Celtics dismantled the Dallas Mavericks in a quick five-game series in the 2024 NBA Finals to claim their 18th NBA championship. Boston's 18th title broke the tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most by an organization in NBA history.

While the Celtics defeated the Mavericks with relative ease, Dallas gave fans a scare in Game 4, dominating Boston 122-84. The Celtics' lowly Game 4 effort gave fans hope of a Cleveland Cavaliers-style comeback, when they won three straight games to win the 2016 NBA Finals after being down 3-1 in the series.

One Celtic wasn't scared, though. In an appearance on Scoop B Radio on Monday afternoon, NBA champion Brian Scalabrine discussed his confidence in Boston's defensive presence. (Start at 0:42)

"I don't know why they thought that matchup was close. I didn't see it that way. I think [the Minnesota Timberwolves] would've been a good matchup. I think [the Denver Nuggets] would've been a good matchup. It's just really hard when you have six guys that can guard the isolation, for them to play isolation basketball."

Scalabrine also called out the nine ESPN analysts who picked the Mavericks to beat the Celtics in the 2024 NBA Finals.

"I was really never ever worried about that matchup, but i guess nine out of the 13 people at ESPN were. They picked Dallas to win that. Everyone doesn't watch the Celtics like I do."

Scalabrine knows plenty about Celtics basketball, winning a championship with the team in 2008. He also serves as a color analyst on Celtics TV broadcasts.

Shaquille O'Neal claims Celtics had easiest run as NBA champions

Another former Boston Celtic had his say on the Celtics' championship campaign last season.

In an appearance on The OGs Podcast, Shaquille O'Neal believes the Celtics' competition during their 18th NBA championship run was the easiest ever. He also wondered whether Boston could return to the NBA Finals in 2024-25.

"We all know Boston had the easiest run ever to that championship. Can they back it up? Can you back it up? You had an easy run, it don't matter. Can you back it up? What you gonna do [Philadelphia]? Paul George. Joel Embiid. "What you gonna do Milwaukee? Orlando?"

Coincidentally, Boston did beat the Heat in the 2023-24 NBA playoffs, dismantling Miami in five games. To O'Neal's credit, the Heat were without Jimmy Butler. Philadephia and Milwaukee will also be back, eyeing the target on the reigning champions' back.