The Celtics' simple formula for winning back-to-back NBA titles

No NBA team has won back-to-back championships since Golden State in 2017 and 2018.

Head coach Joe Mazzulla’s continued growth will be among the key factors in Boston’s push toward back-to-back titles. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images)

No matter how bad an NBA roster looks on paper, there’s an irrationally high level of optimism this time of year.

The NBA’s back-of-the-pack clubs are in “We can shock the world” mode as training camp begins in the next few weeks. Those jockeying for an upgrade from their middle-class NBA standing, feel they’re better than most expect.

And then you have the Boston Celtics, the reigning NBA champs whose formulaic approach to the season is as simple as it gets.

Run it back with the same squad, and get the same result.

Simple, huh?

Oh, but as we’ve learned repeatedly in the NBA, even the most logistically sound plans rarely go as expected.

But Boston’s quest to become the first back-to-back champions since the Golden State Warriors in 2017-2018, seems different.

Here’s why.