Celtics Leader Pinpoints ‘Biggest Challenge’ In Repeat Quest

The Boston Celtics basically have the same team back this season with the same goal in mind.

But that doesn't mean the Celtics, who went 16-3 in the postseason en route to getting their hands on the Larry O'Brien Trophy, will waltz to a second straight title.

Trying to put the magnificent accomplishment of last season in the past and focusing in on the intricate details of the new task at hand is a major hurdle the Celtics will have to clear in their attempt to repeat as NBA champions.

"The biggest challenge I think is to understand that it's not going to be probably the same way that it was," Celtics veteran center Al Horford told reporters from Abu Dhabi on Thursday, per NBC Sports Boston. "We have to be able to find a new way. There is a different level that we're facing now. I think us understanding that we have to find our way to get back to that position and for us it's really taking it a step at a time. We're trying to focus on this preseason and continuing to build it back up like we did last year."

The Celtics certainly will have a target on their back this season, something head coach Joe Mazzulla embraces to the fullest.

Teams gunning for them isn't the only reason why the journey will be more difficult this season. It's unlikely the Celtics will have the same path to an NBA title that they did last season when each of their Eastern Conference playoff opponents -- all of which were seeded fourth or lower -- dealt with injuries to key players.

The Celtics can't jump in a time machine and fast forward to the NBA Finals. They've preached skipping no steps during training camp, and now, they have to go out an execute one step at a time, no matter how mundane that can get, to get back to place they want to get to.