Celtics Giving Off This Vibe While Starting Repeat Title Quest

The Boston Celtics and their extremely talented roster had an immense amount of pressure squarely on their shoulders entering last season.

They can breathe a little easier this season.

That's what has been afforded to them after obtaining the Larry O'Brien Trophy back in June. The question of whether they can ever win a title has been answered, and they can play freer because of that.

The Celtics, while focused on now repeating as NBA champions -- a feat that hasn't been accomplished since the Golden State Warriors did so in 2018 -- certainly gave off more of a relaxed vibe to start this season as NESN's Travis Thomas explained on a recent episode of the "Hold My Banner" podcast.

"This team, everybody's loosey-goosey," Thomas said. "You can see the pressure off of this team. You can see it. It's palpable. When you're in the room with these guys you feel it. No pressure, happy-go-lucky, everyone is themselves and it's celebrated. It's not the (Bill) Belichick way. This team, personalities are out, everyone's smiling. That's what winning does, that's what championships do."

Unlike last season, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and the rest of the star-studded Celtics now understand exactly what it takes to be the final team in the NBA left standing.

That experience should serve them well and give them the confidence that with nearly the same team as last season still intact, they can reach the mountaintop for a second year in a row.

You can catch all episodes of the "Hold My Banner" podcast on YouTube or Spotify.