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The Celtics are the first 3-and-D team to win it all — and a new blueprint for NBA title hopefuls

The Boston Celtics aren’t just NBA champions. They’re an aspirational blueprint.

With an 80-21 overall record this season, these Boston Celtics were just as different as they were dominant. There was no Nikola Jokiu0107, LeBron James or Stephen Curry on this team. There was no MVP or former MVP who could reasonably stake claim to being known as the game’s best.

Historically, that’s an anomaly. It’s also why the 29 other teams in the NBA are undoubtedly watching with a close eye.

The Celtics didn’t win by having the game’s supreme player, which is the lesson here, because there is only one of those, and damn near impossible to acquire.