The Boston Celtics won their NBA record 18th championship on Monday, much to the delight of Boston fans who witnessed media doubt on a level the likes of which hadn't been seen in quite some time. Despite the Celtics' trial run in the 2021-2022 Finals and loss to the Golden State Warriors, the maturing Celtics didn't get a whole lot of respect heading into the league's final month.

On Tuesday, the Celtics unleashed the ultimate response in the form of a video clapback featuring Stephen A. Smith that has been viewed over two million times.

The video came during a time when Jayson Tatum got painfully honest on trade rumors involving his “brother” Jaylen Brown, the 2024 NBA Finals MVP. Celtics legend Paul Pierce had a “best backcourt in the NBA” take that will delight fans of Jrue Holiday and Derrick White.

Smith found himself firmly in the crosshairs of the Celtics' PR machine on Tuesday, just hours after the Celtics did the unthinkable and jettisoned Luka Doncic and the Mavericks out of the playoffs in just five games.

Celtics Video Takes Aim At Smith, Media Talking Heads

Boston, Massachusetts, USA; Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla holds up the trophy as he celebrates after winning the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden.
© Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

The Celtics clearly kept receipts of everything a large selection of media personalities said prior to the series, with many picking Doncic and the Mavericks to win. The Celtics dominated Monday night's game, leaving no doubt as to who the NBA's best team was in 2023-2024.

“Here's what I'm going to tell you today,” Stephen A. Smith can be heard saying in the video. “I've got the Dallas Mavericks.”

Stephen A. Smith goes on to say that he didn't think the Celtics are “deep at all,” in stark contrast to the team's actual, real-life strengths on the court.

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“I think there's going to be a parade in Dallas,” Fox Undisputed host Skip Bayless can also be heard saying in the video.

The media hype in favor of Doncic and the Mavericks over Coach Joe Mazzulla's Celtics eventually dissipates, giving way to an avalanche of C's clips including Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown hoisting the Larry O'Brien Trophy.

Celtics' Chances For Repeating, Revealed 

Already, Boston has been installed as favorite to repeat in 2024-2025.

The latest, way-too-early NBA Power Rankings have Coach Joe Mazzulla and the Celtics maintaining their spot at the top, followed by the Mavericks, Nuggets, and Oklahoma City Thunder in what should be a highly competitive season.

For now, the entire city of Boston is on cloud nine, with a parade of “duck boats” in the works and history to celebrate.