Boston Celtics coach Aimee Odoka knows his daring run of players in the NBA East Zone playoffs may not be enough to secure his team a solid place in the green club’s history.

“Yes, it would have been all for nothing if we had lost in the final and we understand that,” the US-Nigerian coach said after his team beat the Miami Heat 100-96 in Game 7 of the Eastern Region Finals decider . to the league finals with the Golden State Warriors.

Led by young stars Jason Tatum and Jaylen Brown, and pundits Marcus Smart and Dominican Al Horford, the Celtics opened the playoffs with a 4-0 rout of the Brooklyn Nets, led by two-time MVP Kevin Durant, in the NBA Finals.

The defending Milwaukee Bucks and Greek giant Giannis Antetokounmpo joined their casualty list after seven games (4-3) before ending their hopes of a decisive seventh place for the Miami Heat.

An impressive record, but the 44-year-old Odoka is well aware that the Celtics, who have won a record 17 league titles to match the Los Angeles Lakers, are asking for more.

Regarding this, he said, “The players rushed to celebrate but quickly turned the page and said we have four more (wins). We’re not celebrating the East Region title in the Celtics organization.

He continued, “So we are all committed to this and we value quality standards.”

Like his last colleague, Golden State coach Steve Kerr, Udoka played under great coach Gregg Popovich for the San Antonio Spurs and was his assistant when the Spurs won the title in 2014.

But his first season as head coach wasn’t a flowery start, as Boston was averaging under .500 midway through the season when it looked like Odoki’s criticism of his young stars might make matters worse.

“During the season we had some tough moments,” said Tatum, one of his brightest stars. “You may not doubt yourself, but you’re wondering if we can do it? You’re starting to realize how difficult it is to win.” .”

As for Smart, Odoka’s stern style motivated the Celtics, who relied on solid defense to overcome other weaknesses, “that embodies everything that we embody. It pushes us to fulfill our responsibilities.”

– ‘Ready for call’ –

Odoka said he has no doubts about the Celtics’ response, despite injuries and doubts about the impact of the Covid pandemic that has affected the club’s career start this season.

“It shows a character that is ready to develop and rise to a higher level… We strive to achieve more,” continued Oduka, who represented Nigeria at the 2006 World Cup.

Odoka has a shot at becoming the tenth coach to win the title in his first season as coach, on a list that also includes Steve Kerr, who led the Warriors to the title in 2015.

The two teams tied their matchup wins during the regular season, but the Celtics Break Warriors scored under 100 points in two games.

“We’re very confident,” concludes Odoka. “We know this is a top-level team, a team that can act, with a bunch of great shooters, great players in general, guys that I know well, and we’re ready for the challenge.”