NBA Players Predict Celtics to Repeat as Champions

A majority of NBA players believe the Boston Celtics are the favorites to win the championship this season, according to The Athletic’s annual anonymous player survey. Over 57% of players surveyed picked the Celtics to repeat as champions, outpacing the Oklahoma City Thunder, who were chosen by about 17.5% of respondents. Players cited Boston's team chemistry, depth, and the ability of their stars like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown to work within a strong collective core. The Celtics' performance in the regular season and a dominant Game 1 win against the Orlando Magic in the playoffs have reinforced their status as top contenders. While the Thunder were the top team in the regular season, they are still viewed by their peers as less likely to win the title than Boston. The consensus among players highlights the league-wide respect for the Celtics' roster construction and playoff experience.