BRIGHTON, MA — By the point the Boston Celtics have one other alternative to carry the Larry O’Brien trophy, it would have been 16 years because the final. However as a substitute of Paul Pierce hoisting what’s now named the Invoice Russell NBA Finals MVP, Jayson Tatum will hope to take action.
The Celtics are again at apply after a protracted offseason, and head coach Joe Mazzulla has made it his mission to have former gamers round. Pierce was at apply on Wednesday and Thursday, and Tatum is absorbing all the things he has to supply.
“He has a number of tales,” mentioned Tatum. “He’s seen all of it, from being a lottery group to shedding within the Finals to profitable the NBA championship. So, simply that perception and the little nuggets of knowledge. Tales in regards to the ‘08 group and issues that they did which will have helped win the championship could don’t have anything to do with it. Simply having the ability to hear these issues is cool.”
Paul Pierce, Sam Cassell, Eddie Home, Amille Jefferson, and a few #Celtics coaches are in a capturing competitors at apply proper now.
There’s LOTS of shit discuss and Jayson Tatum is dying of laughter. pic.twitter.com/1ldhbGqjtN
— Jack Simone (@JackSimoneNBA) October 5, 2023
Pierce, Eddie Home, Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell, and another members of the teaching workers battled it out in a capturing competitors after apply on Thursday. Home and Pierce, specifically, had been going at it, however Cassell chimed in, too.
That mentioned, the previous Boston level guard was compelled to bail out of the competitors early, however in keeping with Tatum, Cassell makes certain to get his licks in.
“He talks greater than anyone I ever met in my life,” mentioned Tatum. “However Sam is a superb man. Filled with power each day, and he additionally has a ton of tales.”
Cassell was additionally a member of the Celtics’ 2008 championship group, and now he’ll be on the bench subsequent to Mazzulla for the upcoming season.
Mazzulla and the Celtics utterly revamped their teaching workers this summer season. They added some former Celtics, Cassell and Phil Pressey, in addition to Charles Lee, amongst others.
Lee was an integral a part of the Milwaukee Bucks’ success below Mike Budenholzer, serving to cause them to a championship in 2021 with new Celtic Jrue Vacation working the purpose guard. “Charles is a superb man,” mentioned Tatum. “Very, very good.”
Boston additionally added Amile Jefferson to the workers. Jefferson, who additionally participated within the aforementioned capturing competitors, performed with Tatum at Duke and spent two years within the NBA with the Orlando Magic.
“That’s one in all my greatest mates,” Tatum mentioned of Jefferson. “We’ve identified one another for eight years now. So, it’s simply cool to be again on the identical group. [We’re both] from Duke, and to see him make that transition, it was nice. We acquired an excellent workers. We acquired nice individuals.”
With a brand new workers on the bench and loads of former Celtics within the constructing, Boston is specializing in extra than simply their on-the-court play this season.
As Mazzulla mentioned on Wednesday, the Celtics try to construct a brotherhood. Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the remainder of the group are those who shall be repping the group on the hardwood this season, however they’ve a complete group of coaches and lifelong Celtics behind them.
Pierce is main that cost, and the Celtics couldn’t be extra thrilled.
“It’s been nice. All people loves Paul,” Tatum mentioned. “Nice having the older guys round. Simply their presence and being round [them], having the ability to discuss to them, having the ability to see them. It’s nice. I like having him round, and everyone else feels the identical.”
