How the Celtics reacted to receiving 2024 NBA championship rings originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
BOSTON — The Boston Celtics warmed up to Drake and Future’s “Big Rings” before Tuesday’s season opener. The DJ at TD Garden couldn’t have picked a more fitting song for the occasion.
“This thing is too big,” C’s head coach Joe Mazzulla said of the 2024 NBA championship ring after the 132-109 victory of his equipment 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 summarized Boston’s long journey to its 18th title, Mazzulla and his players were introduced one by one to collect their oversized rings. To finish the ceremony, they raised Banner 18 into the roofs in front of a delighted Garden crowd.
Playoffs MVP Jaylen Brown could not hide his excitement upon being presented with his championship ring. Maybe he too was caught off guard by its size, but he spoke after the Celtics’ win about the ring symbolizing the ups and downs of his NBA journey.
“That ring is just an object, right? But it’s everything — the emotions, the heartbreak, the embarrassment, the work, the drive, the dedication. Like, that’s what the ring represents,” Brown said. “That’s what went through my mind, and it was an amazing feeling.”
No one has had a longer journey than veteran big man Al Horford. The 38-year-old finally won his first NBA title in his 16th season.
Did he, like Brown, experience flashbacks from his career getting his ring?
“Um, no,” Horford replied with a laugh. “Honestly, I was just very surprised by the size of that ring. The thing was that I dislocated my finger during the finals and it was super swollen, so when I took the measurements, I got it much bigger than it was supposed to be. So now, I can’t even wear it because the swelling has fallen on it, and it’s just huge.
“I kept talking to KP (Kristaps Porzingis) and the guys are like, ‘Man, this thing is just huge.’ I kept looking at the size of the ring and the detail on it. They really did a great job.”
“I made it way bigger than it’s supposed to be. I can’t even carry it.”
There will be no justice in this world until Al Horford’s Championship ring is resized 😩 😅 pic.twitter.com/VZxEleGHLP
— Celtics at NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSeltics) October 23, 2024
The ring certainly suited Jayson Tatum, as he joined Brown to explain what it meant to him.
“It’s something I’ve been dreaming about for a very long time,” the Celtics superstar said. “A moment that I’ve been looking forward to since I got to the league. I was very, very close to winning a championship and being down, so to finally get over that hump and finally be a part of an Opening Night ring ceremony… it was just a wow moment . I am 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 success of the 2023-24 Celtics. They watched intently as their journey to a championship was displayed on the video board. They were amazed when C’s 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 in shock. But today, all the emotions kind of settled. Like, we did it. We did something spectacular.
“Regardless of what everyone has to say, my name along with my teammates will be etched in Celtics history.”
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. Tip off is set for 7 pm ET with coverage on NBC Sports Boston starting at 6 pm with Celtics Pregame Live.
