Why Celtics cannot prioritize NBA's shiny new toy in title defense

NBA glory only lasts as long as a team is willing to chase. For some teams, that means winning a championship and then cutting costs in favor of remaining in good tax standing. Elite teams stay focused, keep their teams together, and run it back. That’s what the Boston Celtics did.

Brad Stevens brought back the same roster as last year, minute Svi Mykhailiuk and Oshae Brissett. The Celtics committed to victory, regardless of the tax punishments. But winning back-to-back titles takes more than that.

Boston also has to persist in their pursuit of Banner 19 instead of getting distracted by other things. And one of those things is the NBA Cup.

Celtics need to prioritize NBA Championship quest over NBA Cup

Last year, the Celtics ran up the score on the Chicago Bulls in order to secure a spot in the quarterfinals of the NBA Cup. They ended up losing to the Indiana Pacers, but they put in the effort.

That shouldn’t change this year, but the Celtics should also make sure to prioritize their championship goals over winning the tournament.

All of the patterns they have during the year should continue regardless of whether they are playing an NBA Cup game or just a normal regular-season game.

If Al Horford is supposed to rest on one of those days, he should rest. If Jayson Tatum or Jaylen Brown need a break game to recover from an injury or minor ailment, they should take it. If Kristaps Porzingis is still recovering from surgery, they shouldn’t push him to come back for the NBA Cup.

Obviously, Boston should try to win the games. They should treat them like any other regular-season game. However, changing their strategies in hopes of winning the NBA Cup shouldn’t be on their minds, especially if it jeopardizes their long-term goal of winning a second straight title.

Joe Mazzulla is far too competitive to completely push the NBA Cup to the side. The Celtics are still going to try to win it. They just cannot take things too far, and they won’t.

Boston is about banners—championship banners, not the NBA Cup banner. They should act accordingly.