Barack Obama may be a Chicago Bulls fan, but he knows how to appreciate basketball greatness. That is why, after the Boston Celtics obliterated the Dallas Mavericks for their 18th NBA championship, the former US president had nothing but praise for them.

After the Celtics lost Game 4 by 38 points and missed out on a sweep, there were plenty of concerns about their ability to close out matches and series in Game 5. However, they quickly erased all those worries with a dominant display on Monday en route to the 106-88 victory.

The win secured the Celtics their 18th championship, breaking the tie with the Los Angeles Lakers for the most titles in league history.

Boston got plenty of congratulatory messages after the win, including one from Obama.

“Congrats to the new champs, the Boston Celtics! 18 titles is no easy feat – well deserved,” Obama wrote.

The Celtics certainly deserve all the recognition they are getting, as they have simply been the best team throughout the 2023–24 campaign. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown and the rest of the team finished the regular season with the best record in the NBA at 64-18 and continued their dominant run in the playoffs.

Boston lost just three times during the 2024 postseason. One each during the first and second rounds, and another during the NBA Finals. They swept the Indiana Pacers in the Eastern Conference Finals.

Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum (0) is greeted by Ray Allen as he walks off the court with the trophy as he celebrates winning the 2024 NBA Finals against the Dallas Mavericks at TD Garden.

Peter Casey-USA TODAY Sports

Indeed, the Celtics are the rightful champions.