It’s June, the TD Garden is quiet, and for the first time in years, the Boston Celtics aren’t the ones lifting the Larry O’Brien trophy. After a heartbreaking first-round exit at the hands of the Philadelphia 76ers, the Celtics faithful have been left with a bitter pill to swallow: watching the NBA Finals from the couch.
But before you swear off basketball until October, there is a clear “Boston-approved” path forward. While the New York Knicks are marching toward the title, the San Antonio Spurs have become the surprise favorites of the Beantown faithful. Here are five undeniable reasons why the “Celtics Nation” needs to adopt the Spurs as their team for this Finals series.
1. The “Kornet Connection”
Remember the locker room glue that held the 2024 championship squad together? Luke Kornet may be wearing Spurs silver now, but he’s still a Celtic at heart. After cementing himself as a fan favorite during Boston’s legendary three-year run, Kornet’s departure last summer left a void in Boston. Seeing him chase a second ring is the feel-good story Celtics fans have been waiting for.
2. The Legend of “Game 7 Kelly”
Newer fans might look at Kelly Olynyk and see a journeyman, but those who were at TD Garden in 2017 know the truth. Olynyk is a Boston folk hero for his historic 26-point performance that torched the Washington Wizards and iced a Game 7 victory. He’s a former “local legend” who fought in the trenches for Boston, and he’s currently a key piece of the Spurs’ rotation.
3. The “Celtics-Spurs” Family Ties
The connection between Boston and San Antonio is literally familial. Spurs breakout rookie sensation Dylan Harper? He’s the younger brother of Boston’s own Ron Harper Jr. With the Celtics star publicly celebrating his brother’s historic playoff run on social media, you can bet that the Boston locker room is already full of Spurs fans.
4. The “Derrick White” Favor
Boston owes the Spurs a debt of gratitude. When the Celtics needed the piece to push them over the championship edge, it was legendary coach Gregg Popovich who hand-picked the Celtics as the best destination for Derrick White. That trade literally paved the way for the 2024 title. Without the Spurs’ front office acting in Boston’s best interest, the Celtics’ recent dynasty might never have happened.
5. The “New York” Factor (The Obvious One)
Let’s be real: Boston doesn’t hold a grudge against San Antonio. We see them twice a year, and the vibes are fine. But New York? That’s a different story. The Boston-New York rivalry is the bedrock of sports hatred. For a Celtics fan, rooting for the Knicks is essentially a betrayal of the city’s DNA. Rooting for the Spurs isn’t just about liking San Antonio—it’s about making sure the “hated” Knicks go home empty-handed.
