Eddie House Says 2008 Celtics Would Beat 2024 Title Team: We Were Better Defensively

Andrew PetersJune 21, 2024

Jesse D. GarrabrantNBAE via Getty Images

Former NBA player and member of the 2008 Boston Celtics Eddie House team believes his championship squad would defeat the most recent champions.

House admitted that the 2024 Celtics are better offensively, but he argues his team was better defensively.

“We win,” House said, per TMZ. “We’re not going to allow them to shoot all them threes. We’re going to run them off the threes. And I feel like defensively, we were a better team defensively. Now, offensively, because of the threes and the way the game is played now, I’ll give them the edge [offensively].

“But we’re going to knock that down. We’re going to make it a drag-out game. And if it’s a close game, I’m putting the ball in Paul Pierce’s hands and I feel like he’s going to deliver every single time. But don’t get it twisted. I love this team.”

House, who played in Boston from 2007 to 2010, has a strong argument about his team’s defense. Anchored by star big man Kevin Garnett, the Celtics had the best defensive rating during the 2007-08 season at 98.9, per StatMuse.

The 2008 team also had a prolific scorer in Paul Pierce, who could potentially keep up with the modern-day offense.

But the 2023-24 Celtics also boasted the best defensive rating in the league this season at 111.6—not to mention they also had the best offensive rating. While their defensive rating number is significantly higher than the 2008 squad, that’s more of a reflection of the high level of offense played in today’s NBA.

Which team would win in a seven-game series might be up for debate among some fans, but both teams are likely just happy to have another championship to celebrate.