How Celtics responded to receiving 2024 NBA championship rings

How Celtics reacted to receiving 2024 NBA championship rings originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston

BOSTON – The Boston Celtics have put on their championship jackets and warmed up for the big rings of Drake and Future ahead of Tuesday's season opener. The TD Garden DJ couldn't have chosen a more appropriate song for the occasion.

“This thing is too big,” CS head coach Joe Mazzulla said of the 2024 NBA championship ring after his team’s 132-109 victory over the New York Knicks. “Why is it so big?” I will never wear it. I was more fascinated by the banner.”

After watching an emotional video montage that recapitulated Boston's long journey to an 18th title, Mazzulla and his players were introduced one by one to pick up their oversized rings. To cap off the ceremony, they hoisted Banner 18 into the rafters in front of a cheerful garden crowd.

Finals MVP Jaylen Brown couldn't hide his excitement as he was presented with his championship ring. Perhaps he too was surprised by its size, but he spoke after the Celtics win about how the ring symbolized the highs and lows of his NBA journey.

“This ring is just an object, right? But it is everything – the emotions, the heartache, the embarrassment, the work, the drive, the dedication. That’s what the ring represents,” Brown said. “That was going through my head and it was an incredible feeling.”

No one has had a longer journey than veteran big man Al Horford. In his 16th season, the 38-year-old finally won his first NBA title.

Did he, like Brown, experience flashbacks of his career when he received his ring?

“Um, no,” Horford replied, laughing. “Honestly, I was just really surprised by the size of this ring. The thing was, I dislocated my finger during the playoffs and it was very swollen. When I took the measurements I realized it was a lot bigger than it should be. “So right now I can't even wear it because it's swollen and it's just huge.

“I just kept talking to KP (Kristaps Porzingis) and the guys were like, 'Man, this thing is just huge.' I kept looking at the size of the ring and the details. They really did a great job.

The ring must have suited Jayson Tatum because he joined Brown in explaining what it meant to him.

“I've dreamed of this for a long time,” said the Celtics superstar. “A moment I've been looking forward to since I arrived in the league.” I was very, very close to winning a championship but fell short, so finally getting over that hurdle and finally being part of a ring ceremony on Being opening night…it was just a wow moment. I am a part of history and it was worth the wait.

Despite the ring-sized jokes, it was clear that Tuesday's events affected Mazzulla, Horford and everyone who contributed to the Celtics' 2023-24 success. They watched closely as their path to a championship was shown on the video board. They were impressed when C legends Bob Cousy, Cedric Maxwell, Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen presented them with the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

“Me, JT (Jayson Tatum) and Al were just standing together and I could feel it,” Brown said. “When we won it I was shocked. But today all emotions have settled down. We made it. We’ve done something spectacular.”

“No matter what everyone has to say, my name will go down in Celtics history along with those of my teammates.”

With last season's triumph officially behind them, the Celtics will continue their quest for Banner 19 when they visit the Washington Wizards on Thursday. Kickoff is set for 7:00 p.m. ET, with coverage on NBC Sports Boston beginning at 6:00 p.m Celtics Pregame Live.