The Boston Celtics are tied for the most NBA championships in league history (17).

 

 

Then again, it’s crazy to think that they won 11 in a 13-year span, two rings later, then three during the Larry Bird era, and they’ve struggled to be as

competitive ever since, winning just one championship since 1986.

Notably, that championship came by one of the most stacked and talented teams in NBA history.

Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo had their rivals in a chokehold with their elite defense and the way they complemented each

other, but they still could only win one ring in two trips to the NBA Finals.

Even so, Paul Pierce thinks that the only reason they weren’t able to win more was because of injuries.

One could make a case for Garnett’s injury in 2009 holding him back significantly, and even Kendrick Perkins’ ACL tear could’ve also had an impact

on them losing.

Still, this team underachieved, at least according to most expectations, either because of LeBron James and the Miami Heat, Kobe Bryant and the Los

Angeles Lakers, or Doc Rivers’ well-known struggles in the postseason.

The Celtics were the undisputed best franchise in the NBA during the early stages of the league, but that’s not the case anymore.

And at this pace, they have to be careful not to lose their No. 1 spot as the winningest franchise, as the Los Angeles Lakers have fared much better

than them in that regard since the 1980s.

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Latvia gets bad news after upset win over France at FIBA World Cup

Latvia’s Dairis Bertans is expected to miss approximately five weeks after sustaining a partial left hamstring tear in the team’s upset victory against

France, the Latvian Basketball Association announced (Twitter link). That recovery timeline means Bertans will miss the remainder of the 2023

World Cup.

 

 

 

It’s an unfortunate turn of events for Latvia, which will now be without its captain and sharpshooter. The team is already playing without Celtics big

man Kristaps Porzingis, who is dealing with plantar fasciitis.

Through two games at the World Cup, Bertans scored 28 points in just 21 minutes, converting an incredible 8-of-11 from three-point range. Over his

lengthy international career, he has shot 38.9% from deep.

Bertans, 33, is a former NBA guard, having played 12 games for the Pelicans during the 2018/19 season. He’s also the older brother of Thunder

forward Davis Bertans, another member of the Latvian national team.

Latvia will face Canada on Tuesday to determine who will emerge from Group H undefeated — both 2-0 teams have already advanced to the second

round.