Nearly twenty years after the Boston Celtics captured the NBA title in 2008, Kendrick Perkins has pointed to their preseason overseas trip as a key factor behind their championship run.
The 2008 Celtics ended the franchise’s longest championship drought, securing their first title since 1986. Led by Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and a young Rajon Rondo, Boston defeated their longtime rivals, the Los Angeles Lakers, 4-2 in the Finals.
Perkins emphasizes that the foundation for their success was built during the 2007 preseason when the team participated in the NBA Europe tournament, beating the Toronto Raptors in Rome and the Minnesota Timberwolves in London. That 89-85 victory over Toronto marked the debut of the Celtics’ newly formed “big three,” featuring the freshly acquired Pierce and Garnett.
Speaking on ESPN’s NBA Today, Perkins stated the overseas training camp was essential for team chemistry, saying, “If we hadn’t gone to Rome and London in the 2007-2008 preseason, we wouldn’t have won the championship.” He further explained that the experience forced a group of strong personalities to spend time together off the court, often simply relaxing outside the hotel or grabbing meals since they rarely had formal practice.
Looking ahead to the upcoming NBA preseason, several teams are following a similar path by playing games internationally. For example, the Dallas Mavericks and Houston Rockets are set to face off in Macao, China. Perkins’ story underscores how preseason trips abroad can foster bonding, supported by recent examples like the New York Knicks, who began last season with a game in Dubai before going on to win the championship, including a Finals win over the Philadelphia 76ers.
Fan Take: This insight from Perkins highlights why preseason international games are more than just exhibitions; they build crucial team chemistry that can propel squads to championship glory. For basketball fans worldwide, it signals the growing importance and positive impact of the NBA’s global outreach on both player development and fan engagement.
Source: nbaanalysis.net
