Celtics proprietor Wyc Grousbeck, President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens, and head coach Joe Mazzulla have been on the identical web page after a disappointing Recreation 7 loss within the Japanese Convention Finals: they weren’t going to run it again with out making some form of roster improve.
“We agreed to not carry again the very same group once more, however to be open to altering the combo and bringing in extra expertise,” Grousbeck informed the Boston Globe. “And the results of that to this point this offseason has been Kristaps Porzingis coming in and actually including hopefully lots to our lineup.”
Grousbeck mirrored on the “missed alternatives” of the previous two seasons, acknowledging the Warriors and the Warmth have been each good groups, but additionally noting the Celtics play was inconsistent. Developing in need of a championship in back-to-back years, regardless of such gifted rosters, led management to think about making important roster modifications that got here as a shock to many.
Photograph by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe by way of Getty Pictures
“If we’d all agreed we should always maintain issues the identical that might have been positive,” Grousbeck. “However the thought of bringing in one other gifted massive popped up early within the dialog, and we ended up executing on that concept.”
Grousbeck expressed important pleasure in regards to the Porzingis acquisition, noting that he heard the Wizards massive man had a number of different choices however nonetheless selected to be a Celtic.
“I’m actually impressed together with his dedication to being a part of a successful Celtics group,” Grousbeck mentioned. “I met with him when he got here up for the press convention and spent some actual time with him, and he’s so comfortable to be right here. He’s so able to shine at this stage of his profession. However he sees a group idea, not the KP present. He’s frequently improved over his profession, and he thinks that is his prime.”
When requested about Marcus Good, Wyc mentioned what he’ll miss most about is “his power and his smile,” whereas additionally revealing he and his spouse, Emelia, nonetheless plan on attending Good’s upcoming marriage ceremony to longterm girlfriend Maisa Hallum: “That’s the best way he and we wish it.”
Grousbeck affirmed his dedication to Joe Mazzulla as head coach, noting that Stevens strongly beneficial him for the job after Ime Udoka was suspended simply days earlier than coaching camp.
“Brad feels much more strongly about him now, and I agree,” Grousbeck mentioned. “Joe dealt with that preliminary transition and finally your entire season extremely properly. He’s acquired world-class depth, drive and information. He’s absolutely dedicated to successful a championship with this group. It’s all he thinks about. … Each breath he takes is about making the Celtics higher and doing a greater job as a coach. He’s all-in.”
Udoka signed a 4-year, $28.5 million contract with the Rockets again in April, which Grousbeck declined to say a lot about. “I’m going to depart the Ime scenario previously. We parted methods, so I don’t have extra touch upon it, besides I don’t want anyone any ill-will within the league. I clearly ship out good vibes to all people, and we’re transferring ahead.”
He additionally confirmed that whereas a number of different NBA homeowners (Michael Jordan of the Hornets, Marc Lasry of the Bucks) offered their shares this 12 months, he has little interest in doing so. “I do that for love and for Celtic pleasure, not for any worth tags. Interval.”
He additionally does it in pursuit of an 18th championship. “My companions and I made it very clear to Brad that your entire aim is to win a championship, if not a couple of.”
Grousbeck, who just lately attended Jayson Tatum’s charity golf occasion in St. Louis and Jaylen Brown’s contract extension press convention at MIT which put pen to paper on the richest contract in NBA historical past. He affirmed the group continues to see the Jays as franchise cornerstones.
“They’re the very best two folks I might think about constructing a group round,” Grousbeck mentioned. “We’ve had them for the reason that starting. We’ve been very fortunate to have them right here for his or her entire careers, and we’re constructing the group round them.”
