The Boston Celtics have taken the direct route (2-0, both games at TD Garden) to recapture the NBA championship ring. Since 2008, in those finals against the Lakers of Kobe Bryant and Pau Gasol, a flag has not hung from the roof of the mythical green pavilion. But in 2024 it is closer than ever.

They beat the Dallas Mavericks in both games and the ‘Proud Greens’ continue to build a team that is virtually unapproachable, helped by a philosophy that is well known in Europe, that of Pep Guardiola.

It seems impossible given the difference in worlds between the Catalan coach and the Celtics, but in Boston, they say, they are building a team culture similar to that of Guardiola’s Manchester City. The team that won the treble last season and this season won another Premier League. “I look at their team-building methods, we analyze them and apply them with the team,” said Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla.

Mazzulla has a close relationship with Guardiola. He has learned from the City coach and Pep visited the first game of the Finals at the Garden. “We look at their processes. We look at how they manage their plays, their cons,” said the Boston coach.

It is difficult to compare teams, but the Celtics have built a perfect machine. On offense, they are one of the best ever in the NBA and they know how to solve their own problems. Despite starting without scoring a three-pointer in Game 2, they were able to bounce back. Except for Luka Doncic, the Mavs collapsed. Holiday took over the helm of the offense and in the highlight of the game they scored one more point. A block to PJ Washington and a layup by Brown, the way to get closer to the ring.

“I have a rule: if they [Manchester City] win, we win,” added Mazzulla, who will try to once again hang a banner from the most prestigious roof in the world. “I try to learn from their behavior, humility, joy, passion and work ethic. It’s a constant learning process,” he says. The City method has arrived in the NBA and promises to win it.