On Monday, the Boston Celtics regained their status as the NBA team with the most championships, winning their 18th title with a 106-88 victory over the Dallas Mavericks.
The Celtics won the series 4-1, cementing their reputation as the NBA’s best team after having boasted the league’s best record over the regular season. Jayson Tatum led the way with 31 points, 11 assists and 8 rebounds.  Jaylen Brown, who was named the Most Valuable Player in the Finals, scored 20 points, Jrue Holiday had 15 points, and Derrick White added 14. The Celtics outrebounded the Mavericks 51-35.
Tatum and Brown have been together on the team since 2017, going as far as the NBA Finals but not winning a title until now.
The Celtics led by nine points at the end of the first quarter, then built the lead to 21 points at halftime as Payton Pritchard threw in a three-point shot from beyond halfcourt. The outcome of the game was never in doubt after that.
The title came 16 years to the day after the Celtics won their last championship in 2008, when they defeated the Los Angeles Lakers, who have 17 titles, in the Finals. Head coach Joe Mazzulla, 35, became the youngest head coach to win the NBA title since legendary player-coach Bill Russell led the team to its title in 1969 to conclude the most dominant run of titles in sports, as that was the Celtics&#8217; 11th title in 13 years, with a string of eight consecutive championships between 1959-1966.
Los Angeles Lakers Hall of Famer Magic Johnson tweeted, “I hate that the Celtics officially have more championships than us now,” adding, “Celtics GM Brad Stevens trading for Jru Holiday and Kristaps Prozingis was an MVP move that made the Celtics the best team in basketball this year! Adding Holiday made them the perimeter defending team in the league, and adding Prozingis made them the most explosive offensive and best starting 5 in basketball this year! &#8230; Joe Mazzulla really improved as a coach this season and had the Celtics prepared for every round of the playoffs, making all the proper adjustments on offense and defense.”

2024 NBA Finals – Game Five

Boston Celtics Win 18th NBA Title, Regain Spot As Team With Most Championships

Bill Russell

Boston Celtics

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This article is a companion piece to today’s Morning Wire Afternoon Update. To listen to the podcast version, click <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/podcasts/morning-wire" target="_blank" rel="noopener">here</a>.
Biden Meets With Macron
President Joe Biden is hosting French President Emmanuel Macron at a White House dinner tonight. The French leader is using his visit to Washington in part to criticize aspects of his ally’s signature climate law as a bad deal for Europe. The presidents are holding talks in the Oval Office that officials say will largely center on efforts to stay united in their response to Russia’s war in Ukraine and to coordinate their approach to an increasingly assertive China.
&#8220;France is our oldest ally, our unwavering partner in freedom’s cause, through the spirit of Marquis Lafayette, who helped secure the success of our revolution, to the sacrifices of American GIs who stormed the beaches of Normandy, our history has been shaped by the courage of the women and men who crossed the Atlantic carrying in their hearts the flame of liberty,&#8221; the president said in his welcoming remarks.
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In address w/ Pres. Macron, Biden praises &quot;Marcus Lafayette&quot; <a href="https://t.co/h0QZf2TLPg">pic.twitter.com/h0QZf2TLPg</a>
&mdash; Tom Elliott (@tomselliott) <a href="https://twitter.com/tomselliott/status/1598326438305865738?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Democrat Criticizes Biden&#8217;s Lobster Dinner
At least one Democratic lawmaker is <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/get-rid-of-extravagant-state-dinners-at-the-white-house-were-sick-of-paying-for-them" target="_blank" rel="noopener">pushing back on the President’s White House dinner</a>, in which 200 live lobsters were ordered from Maine.
Congressman Jared Golden (D-ME) tweeted, &#8220;If the Biden White House can prioritize purchasing 200 Maine lobsters for a fancy dinner, [Biden] should also take the time to meet with the Maine lobstermen his administration is currently regulating out of business.&#8221;
Oath Keepers Founder Convicted  Over January 6
This week a Washington, D.C., jury <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/oath-keepers-founder-convicted-of-seditious-conspiracy-over-capitol-riot" target="_blank" rel="noopener">convicted Oath Keepers founder Stewart Rhodes</a> of seditious conspiracy for his role in the January 6 riot.
Rhodes was convicted alongside Kelly Meggs, who headed the Oath Keepers Florida chapter, on sedition charges after three days of deliberation. Three other Oath Keepers were convicted of related felony charges over January 6, according to the Department of Justice.
Senate Reaches Rail Strike Deal
The Senate has <a href="https://www.cnn.com/2022/12/01/politics/senate-rail-vote" target="_blank" rel="noopener">reached</a> a deal averting a rail strike that would be detrimental to the U.S. economy. Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-NY) announced Thursday that the Senate will vote to make the legislation official.
Schumer made the announcement after negotiations between both the Republicans and Democrats.
Feds Pay Journalism Group $5M To Create Software To Turn People Into Anti-‘Misinformation’ Bots
A new investigative report from The Daily Wire <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/feds-pay-journalism-group-5m-to-create-software-to-turn-people-into-anti-misinformation-bots" target="_blank" rel="noopener">revealed</a> that the federal government has awarded $5 million to a group of journalists called Hacks/Hackers to develop software that will encourage regular Americans to confront their friends over “harmful” posts, and “correct misinformation” by replying with text suggested by the software.
The group is also organizing Wikipedia censors to determine who is a “credible source” on vaccines, and to block anyone else from being cited on the online encyclopedia. Job ads for the project do not require that applicants have any expertise in medicine.
Ex-Royals Release Netflix Trailer
Former British Royals Harry and Megan <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/netflix-drops-trailer-for-harry-meghan-documentary-series" target="_blank" rel="noopener">released</a> the trailer to their new Netflix docuseries about their relationship on Wednesday.
The couple reportedly earned over 100 million dollars for their participation in the series. The release of the trailer coincides with the first day of Princess Kate and Prince William’s landmark US tour.
Boston Sticks It To The Brits One More Time
Meanwhile, Prince William and Princess Kate made an appearance at the Boston Celtics basketball game Wednesday night, but interim head coach Joe Mazzulla was <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/news/american-hero-boston-celtics-coach-doesnt-care-one-bit-british-royals-sat-courtside-at-game-against-the-heat" target="_blank" rel="noopener">less than impressed</a> with the royal visit.
“A non-basketball question: did you get a chance to meet with the Royal family and if not, how was it like having them there in the building?” a reporter asked following the team’s victory.
“Jesus, Mary, and Joseph?” Mazzulla deadpanned back.
“The Prince and Princess of Wales,” she responded with a laugh.
“Oh, no I did not, I’m only familiar with one Royal family,” he answered. “I don’t know too much about that one. Thank you, but hopefully, they’re Celtic fans.”
<blockquote class="twitter-tweet" data-width="500" data-dnt="true">
Answered with a straight face 😂 <a href="https://t.co/Mgfj4a9adC">pic.twitter.com/Mgfj4a9adC</a>
&mdash; Murai 🐳🐳🐳 (@sue_then) <a href="https://twitter.com/sue_then/status/1598251698518380544?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Thursday stock photo

Thursday Afternoon Update: Government-Paid Anti-‘Misinformation’ Bots, Biden Welcomes Macron, Boston Still Doesn’t Like The Brits

Thursday Afternoon Update: Government-Paid Misinformation Bots, Biden Welcome Macron, Boston Still Doesn't Like The Brits

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It has been subtle, but the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/american-history" target="_blank" rel="noopener">American</a> public has spent a little too much time shoveling adulation onto the <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/royal-family" target="_blank" rel="noopener">British Royal Family</a> in recent years. We&#8217;re American citizens, not British subjects for Pete&#8217;s sake. We fought and won a war to get away from those across the pond, but for some reason, certain sects of society are obsessed with Harry and Meghan, the late Queen, and everything else related to Buckingham Palace.
That&#8217;s why <a href="https://www.dailywire.com/topic/boston-celtics" target="_blank" rel="noopener">Boston Celtics</a> interim head coach Joe Mazzulla offered such a fantastic response when a reporter asked what it meant to him to have Prince William and Princess Kate in attendance for the team&#8217;s Wednesday night game against The Heat in Boston.
&#8220;A non-basketball question: did you get a chance to meet with the Royal family and if not, how was it like having them there in the building?&#8221; a reporter asked following the team&#8217;s victory.
&#8220;Jesus, Mary, and Joseph?&#8221; Mazzulla deadpanned back.
&#8220;The Prince and Princess of Wales,&#8221; she responded with a laugh.
&#8220;Oh, no I did not, I&#8217;m only familiar with one Royal family,&#8221; he answered. &#8220;I don&#8217;t know too much about that one. Thank you, but hopefully, they&#8217;re Celtic fans.&#8221;
As one Twitter user said, &#8220;The written words didn’t do this clip of Joe Mazzulla justice.&#8221; The all-American response can be seen here:
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The written words didn’t do this clip of Joe Mazzulla justice. 😂 <a href="https://t.co/DiNi6HOkpX">pic.twitter.com/DiNi6HOkpX</a>
&mdash; R.S. Locke / Royal Suitor (@royal_suitor) <a href="https://twitter.com/royal_suitor/status/1598299575214780416?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">December 1, 2022</a></blockquote>
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For that answer, Mazzulla is an American hero. Celtics player Jaylen Brown also wasn&#8217;t too star-struck by the Brits.
&#8220;It was just a regular game to me,&#8221; he responded when asked about their appearance.
Similarly, Boston fans — a city full of many Irish descendants — promptly erupted in &#8220;USA!&#8221; chants when the couple was shown on the teleprompter:
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Crowds chant “USA, USA” as William and Kate attend basketball game" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/l7AFUoAjeCU?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The English, of course, have not treated the Irish too kindly over the centuries — to put it lightly.
Clearly, leadership in Boston starts at the top with Mazzulla. What&#8217;s better than an American basketball team named in honor of the Irish — and its fans — not giving one iota of thought toward the British Monarchy?
Though I would add there is at least one other royal that Americans care about: Elvis Presley — The King of Rock and Roll.
In the spirit of American patriotism, here are some Team USA highlights of Celtics legend Larry Bird:
<iframe loading="lazy" title="Larry Bird dominates with the Dream Team | NBC Sports" width="500" height="281" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/p3valuPa_44?feature=oembed" frameborder="0" allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture; web-share" referrerpolicy="strict-origin-when-cross-origin" allowfullscreen></iframe>
The views expressed in this piece are the author’s own and do not necessarily represent those of The Daily Wire.

Joe Mazzulla, Larry Bird

American Hero: Boston Celtics Coach Doesn’t Care One Bit British Royals Sat Courtside At Game Against The Heat

American Hero: Boston Celtics Coach Doesn't Care One Bit British Royals Sat Courtside At Game Against The Heat

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Stephen A. Smith of ESPN slammed the Boston Celtics after news broke that their coach, Ime Udoka, was <a href="https://www.cbsnews.com/boston/news/ime-udoka-facing-significant-suspension-boston-celtics-head-coach-nia-long/" target="_blank" rel="noopener">likely being suspended</a> for reportedly having a consensual relationship with a staffer at the organization.
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Boston Celtics coach Ime Udoka is likely facing a suspension for the entire 2022-2023 season for his role in a consensual relationship with a female staff member, sources tell ESPN. A formal announcement is expected as soon as today.
&mdash; Adrian Wojnarowski (@wojespn) <a href="https://twitter.com/wojespn/status/1572949584837767173?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw">September 22, 2022</a></blockquote>
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Smith claimed there were many instances where white people in professional sports organizations had exhibited similar behavior and the media remained unaware or mum about the subject.
“I’m going to take it a step further, I don’t appreciate that being done to a brother,” Smith <a href="https://grabien.com/story.php?id=394965?utm_source=cliplist&amp;utm_medium=email&amp;utm_campaign=cliplist20220923&amp;utm_content=story394965" target="_blank" rel="noopener">said</a> angrily. “Because I&#8217;ve got news for you, America, there&#8217;s plenty of white folks in professional sports that&#8217;s doing their thing. And I say that not complimentary. I don&#8217;t see the information out about them. Why we talking about this now. We got to talk about it because it’s the news.”
“Ain&#8217;t none of our damn business, unless you fire him,” he opined. “But if you keep him, it&#8217;s none of our business. It should never have been put out there by the Celtics organization. And don&#8217;t tell me you didn&#8217;t do it because you absolutely did it. Because news reporters got it, so it emanated out of Boston. Somebody in L.A. or Utah or something leaking this stuff about the Boston Celtics. This is on y’all. It shouldn’t have been out here. That’s what I have to say.”
“This is a stupid, stupid position for him to find himself in,” Smith admitted. “There’s no way around it. I’m a huge fan of his; there’s no excuse for him to find himself in this position.&#8221;
“Now all we know definitively, according to the reports, is that he had a consensual relationship with a woman and that it is against organizational policy. That’s all we know,” he contended.
“Covering the NBA as long as I have, you will hear a multitude of details that would be irresponsible for me to report at this moment in time, because that hasn’t been reported, and according to our own policy &#8230; and we have an obligation to follow that, and when more additional information comes out,” he smiled, “just know that I already know what that information is.”
Smith stated that if Udoka had violated the Celtics’ organizational policy, they had every right to fire him.
But then he attacked the Celtics’ organization, saying, “I got a problem with you as an organization. Because if you’re not going to fire him, why the hell do we even know about this story.”
“Nobody’s bringing that up,” he snapped. “I’m going to bring that up. What the hell are you telling us for?”
Claiming that “fraternization” happens all the time in sports organizations, he continued, “the issue I have with the Boston Celtics is if you’re firing him, you wouldn’t tell us why. So if you’re going to retain him, why let us know now?”

Harold And Carole Pump Foundation Gala

‘That Being Done To A Brother’: Stephen A. Smith Rips Celtics Over Coach’s Likely Suspension

Stephen A. Smith Rips Celtics Over Coach’s Likely Suspension

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Boston Celtics Win 18th NBA Title, Regain Spot As Team With Most Championships

Thursday Afternoon Update: Government-Paid Anti-‘Misinformation’ Bots, Biden Welcomes Macron, Boston Still Doesn’t Like The Brits

American Hero: Boston Celtics Coach Doesn’t Care One Bit British Royals Sat Courtside At Game Against The Heat

‘That Being Done To A Brother’: Stephen A. Smith Rips Celtics Over Coach’s Likely Suspension