Bob DeChiara-USA TODAY Sports

After Boston Celtics co owner called the team overrated, former champion Cedric Maxwell recently explained why the owner might have made those comments in the first place.

The Boston Celtics last season outperformed all expectations as they made it all the way to the NBA Finals. Although they eventually missed out on the championship, the Celtics definitely showed the league why they are a formidable team to play against.

With perhaps one of the best defenses in the league, the Celtics were able to shut down the top teams in the East. Not only that, their young talented players like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown proved to be great playoff performers. With one of the most balanced sides in the 2022 playoffs, the Celtics definitely made a statement with their playoff run.

Cedric Maxwell Defends Co-Owner For Calling The Celtics Overrated

What Celtics achieved last season was sensational. Defeating some of the biggest teams in the East, Boston established itself as a true contender. While fans and pundits alike were incredibly impressed with the team, recently, co-owner Wyc Grousbeck claimed that his team was actually a bit overrated.

This coming from an owner is certainly strange. But ex-champion Cedric Maxwell might have some answers about the owner downplaying the team's success. In a recent conversation via NESN, Maxwell explained why Grousbeck made such a statement.

“I think he’s trying to understate it because the Celtics are gonna be the hunted team all year long. So for you to come out and say, ‘Oh my God we’re expecting to win a championship,’ "then you’re putting more pressure on your players, you’re putting more pressure on your organization... And what you do is say, ‘Look, we had some points where we got a little luck last year"

The Celtics certainly came out all guns blazing last season. Given how impressive they looked, many teams understandably will keep a close eye on Boston and will look to dethrone them from the East. These comments from the co-owner might just do the trick, though. 

With the season only a month away, the Celtics will surely not take their foot off the gas and, given the season they had, will look to establish themselves as the top team in the East. Can the Celtics re-create the performance from the 2022 playoffs next season?

More must-reads:

TODAY'S BEST
Cubs moving veteran RHP to bullpen
Spurs reportedly high on NCAA Tournament champion guard
Insider shares major update on two-time All-Pro who remains a free agent
Former top QB recruit suing Florida HC, booster over near-$14M NIL deal
Jets HC Robert Saleh explains decision on OC Nathaniel Hackett
'Positionless' rules lead to a center-heavy NBA All-Defensive team
Jets' Aaron Rodgers addresses mental rust, RFK Jr. decision
Penguins sign young defenseman to three-year extension
Guardians place right-hander on injured list
Victor Wembanyama's latest honor puts another spotlight on his greatness
Lamar Jackson reportedly made significant physical change for 2024
Dolphins safety appears to take a shot at former DC
Ryan Leaf goes off on top NFL insider, accuses him of being a fraud
Report: TNT is still fighting to save its NBA rights
Lightning re-acquire defenseman from Predators
Steelers star DT blasts reporter's 'bold face lie'
Deadline for LeBron James' contract decision revealed
Jets HC Robert Saleh shares significant update on Aaron Rodgers' health
Steelers add another veteran to running back room
Charvarius Ward names positive 49ers can take from Super Bowl loss