Former All-Star guard John Wallânow working as an analyst for Amazon Prime Videoâs NBA broadcastâbelieves the Boston Celtics are once again positioned to make a championship run and ultimately finish the job.
Wall, who is part of Amazon Primeâs new NBA coverage team and brings a playerâs perspective to the broadcast, pointed to the return of Jayson Tatum as a defining factor in Bostonâs resurgence.
âIâll go with the Boston Celtics,â Wall told Heavy Sports in an exclusive interview. âI feel like theyâre the favorites to win the East.â
Celtics Surge After Jayson Tatum’s Return From Injury
Bostonâs recent stretch has backed up that belief.
The Celtics improved to 46-23 following a 120-109 win over the Golden State Warriors on Wednesday, holding a 1.5-game lead over the New York Knicks for the No. 2 seed in the Eastern Conference and just four games back of the No. 1 seed Detroit Pistons, who will be without star Cade Cunningham to finish the regular season.
That surge has coincided with Tatumâs return from an Achilles injury.
Since rejoining the lineup, Tatum has helped Boston go 5-1 while averaging 20.7 points, 8.5 rebounds and 4.0 assists in 29.3 minutes across six games as he ramps back into form.
âIâm very excited for him,â Wall said. âYou put in a lot of work, a lot of dedication.â
John Wall Sees âStorybookâ Ending for Jayson Tatum Comeback
For Wall, Tatumâs return carries more than just statistical impactâit represents a potential defining storyline for the season.
âIt would be a TV story,â Wall told Heavy Sports via phone. âYou come back after 10 months and get your team back to the Finals.â
Wall emphasized that regaining rhythm is the most important part of the process.
âThe most important thing is finding your rhythm, finding your legs underneath you,â he said. âAnd not thinking about the injury.â
John Wall Names 7 NBA Title Contenders Across East, West
Speaking from his new vantage point as a national NBA analyst, Wall emphasized that the championship race remains wide open, identifying seven teams he believes are legitimate contenders.
READ MORE: John Wall Opens Up on NBA Exit, New Amazon Prime Role After Viral Moment
In the Eastern Conference, Wall pointed to the Cleveland Cavaliers, Knicks and the Pistons alongside Boston.
Out West, he highlighted the Denver Nuggets, Oklahoma City Thunder and San Antonio Spurs as serious threats.
âI think itâs a lot of teams that can compete,â Wall said.
Jaylen Brown Anchors Celtics During Tatumâs Absence
While Tatumâs return has raised Bostonâs ceiling, Wall made it clear that Jaylen Brown deserves significant credit for keeping the team competitive during that stretch.
âA lot of people owe Jaylen Brown a lot of apologies and respect,â Wall said. âWe knew he was talented⦠but a lot of people didnât know if he could be a number one option.â
Brown has delivered at an elite level throughout the season, averaging 28.5 points, 7.0 rebounds and 5.1 assists in 62 games.
His production has been even more impressive without Tatum, where he averaged 29.0 points, 7.2 rebounds and 5.1 assists across 56 games.
âHeâs proven he can be that guy,â Wall added.
Why Celtics Stand Out in Wide-Open Title Race
From his new role breaking down games on a national platform, Wall sees Bostonâs balance, depth and star power as separating factors.
With Tatum and Brown leading the way, the Celtics feature one of the leagueâs most complete duosâtwo elite two-way players capable of impacting both ends of the floor.
âWhen youâve got two guys like that who can play together at a high level, thatâs tough to beat,â Wall said.
In a field filled with contenders, Wall believes Bostonâs combination of talentâand the narrative surrounding Tatumâs comebackâgives them the edge.
If that trajectory continues, Wall sees a potential championship run with a storybook finish.
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This article was originally published on Heavy Sports
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