Lamar Stevens signed a coaching camp take care of Boston final month after being waived by the San Antonio Spurs again in July. Now, he’s prepared to suit proper right into a Celtics staff with the last word purpose of successful an 18th NBA championship this season.
“The successful tradition,” Lamar Stevens mentioned when requested what drove him to hitch the Celtics this summer time. “Once I talked to Brad [Stevens], once I got here right here for a exercise, he mentioned, ‘the one factor they fear about is successful,’ and I felt like that was excellent for what I’m about and what I wish to convey and the issues I’m attempting to realize in my profession.”
Boston’s squad is wanting extraordinarily totally different than it did simply over 4 months in the past, after they have been eradicated from the playoffs by the hands of the Miami Warmth. A staff that confirmed sufficient toughness and grit to battle again from an 0-3 deficit noticed lots of its warriors head to new properties within the offseason.
Marcus Sensible, Grant Williams, and Robert Williams III all supplied the Celtics with an edge within the power class. With the trio set to go well with up elsewhere this season, Stevens hopes that he can fill the void left by their departures.
“Yeah I believe I can step proper into that,” he mentioned. “You already know, including Jrue [Holiday] on the defensive finish and me — I really feel like these are roles that we are able to fill proper in. I’m excited for the chance and to convey what I convey to the staff and hopefully that may uplift us. Our primary purpose is to win, every day, and I believe we may also help with that.”
The 26-year-old ahead spent final season with the Cleveland Cavaliers. He appeared in 62 regular-season video games for Cleveland and began 25 instances. In 18.1 minutes every evening, Stevens averaged 5.3 factors and three.3 rebounds per sport whereas capturing 44.8% from the sector and 31.6% from past the arc.
That three-point share is a bit decrease than a staff like Boston — who shot the second-most threes final 12 months — would love. Nevertheless, it’s a class wherein Stevens has improved in throughout every of his three years as a professional.
He knocked down simply 16% of his makes an attempt from distance as a rookie in 2020-21 after which improved to 27.7% within the following season. The previous Penn State standout informed reporters on the Auerbach Middle that capturing has been a serious focus for him ever since he got here into the league.
“I believe that I improved — I believe annually of my profession I’ve improved on my shot. I believe the most important factor is that this 12 months I really feel like I’ve actually improved on it, and I’m excited to indicate that.”
With Boston’s depth being known as into to query after the pair of main strikes they made this summer time, Stevens is taking a look at an important alternative to discover a area of interest with one of many league’s high groups.
If his shot proves to be constant it’s not out of the realm of risk that he might earn some actual rotation minutes all year long.
Celtics followers will have the ability to get their first have a look at the brand new No. 77 on Sunday evening when Boston hosts the Philadelphia 76ers at TD Backyard for his or her preseason opener.
