Early Sunday afternoon, as I destroyed a strawberry banana smoothie whereas out to brunch with some buddies, I checked my cellphone and noticed a textual content from my mother.
She used the attention emoji completely, and easily mentioned: “Twitter.” I opened the app (alright, alright…X, not Twitter) and began scrolling, and it didn’t take lengthy to determine what she meant.
Whoa. It truly occurred. Eye emoji, certainly. The Celtics actually did purchase Jrue Vacation. They actually did quit Malcolm Brogdon, Robert Williams and picks. Brad Stevens actually determined to go all on this season.
I politely excused myself from the very nice however not-at-all-basketball-related dialog and “went to the lavatory.” My thoughts began racing. When Damian Lillard was traded, and the Vacation to the Celtics rumors began swirling, my preliminary take was primarily, “Do it should you can, however don’t embody Rob.”
Once I first noticed the Woj and Shams tweet, I didn’t discover the half about Rob. Then I noticed it, and it didn’t sit proper. My mother texted me: “Loopy!!! Dad and I should not comfortable!” Then a couple of minutes later, she mentioned: “I don’t know sufficient about Vacation to actually weigh in, however I simply actually, actually like watching Williams and Brogdon play.”
Nicely, Mother, you’re not alone, however I’m right here to inform you that every part shall be OK. You’re going to love Vacation; I assure it.
On my drive house, the extra I considered it, I noticed a easy and overarching reality: The Celtics are completely higher as we speak than they had been yesterday.
Vacation is factually the most effective defenders within the NBA, factually the most effective teammates within the NBA and factually has the one factor each Celtic is desperately pursuing: a hoop.
“He performs with a sure drive you could simply really feel,” Jaylen Brown mentioned Monday at Media Day. “He’s tremendous stable. As a competitor, he’s an murderer. To be enjoying alongside him it’s going to be an amazing honor.”
I can’t keep in mind an offseason for any Boston workforce that’s been concurrently extra draining and exhilarating. Marcus. Grant. Rob. On different websites, they want final names. On this one, they’re household.
This workforce will look completely different, however I genuinely consider its ceiling is greater than it was final yr. The Celtics’ high six is totally, preposterously, loaded. The truth that Stevens assembled a star-studded core of Jayson Tatum, Brown, Kristaps Porzingis and Vacation, with both Derrick White or Al Horford coming off the bench, is laugh-out-loud spectacular.
This quote from Stevens says all of it: “There’s a listing of men within the league that you just all the time assume you’d by no means have an actual likelihood to get however you assume are good matches.”
Brad Stevens on Jrue Vacation: “There’s a listing of men within the league that you just all the time assume you’d by no means have an actual likelihood to get however you assume are good matches.”
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) October 2, 2023
Stevens noticed what the Bucks did, smirked and swiftly spat of their face: ‘You bought Lillard? Nicely, I’ve obtained somebody to protect him. And guess what? You would possibly know him.’
Vacation beat Stevens to the health club Monday morning.
One thing tells me they’ll get alongside fairly nicely. You could possibly describe Vacation in some ways, however to me, the one which stands out is “reliable.” The Marcus Good loss will all the time sting, however this transfer makes that loss extra digestible.
Vacation is a man who brings Good-like focus and defensive depth. He carries himself like Al Horford on and off the court docket and is extensively revered as a veteran chief. He can play level guard or taking pictures guard, is a superb passer and playmaker and might create his personal shot. When Tatum and Brown want a carry, he’ll present it. After they’re cooking, he’ll get them the rock.
You don’t simply coincidentally win Teammate of the 12 months three out of 4 seasons. That’s a heck of an accomplishment and shouldn’t be taken without any consideration.
“Any person that I respect a lot and checked out from afar with admiration,” Horford mentioned. “Simply the kind of participant that he’s. The kind of particular person that he’s. He’s about the precise issues – successful and competing. I’m actually enthusiastic about that.”
When Horford admires you from afar, you’re doing one thing proper.
The emotional aspect of a largely retooled roster will take some getting used to, with out query. Informal Celtics followers will want flashcards for the primary few weeks.
“Is that the rookie? He’s fairly good.”
“How do you spell it? OK, I’ll simply name him Svi.”
“He’s 6-foot-7 and a degree guard?”
“Possibly unicorns are actual, in any case.”
“Can we truly name him ‘The Jrueth?’”
It’ll take time to regulate with out some acquainted faces, however time heals all wounds (OK, perhaps not the 2010 Finals, however you get the concept).
Sure, the Celtics might use one other large (don’t sleep on Wenyen Gabriel, although). Sure, the roster could be very top-heavy. Sure, they’re banking on Porzingis staying wholesome.
However Joe Mazzulla loves enjoying the six guys he can belief probably the most within the playoffs. That’s actually all you want ultimately. With a Vacation-White-Brown-Tatum-Porzingis-Horford high six, that is one of the best workforce within the NBA.
Williams and Brogdon will definitely be missed, however this was, with out query, the precise determination.
I’m formally all in on the commerce. The Celtics obtained higher. That’s all you may ask for. Tatum sums up the Vacation expertise succinctly.
“He’s as revered as anyone on this league.”
