If You Were Like Me And Stuck At Work, Here Is Everything You Missed From Celtics Media Day
It happens in every sport. Pitchers and catchers report for Spring Training, OTAs in football, camp opens in hockey, and as a result fans of every team in the league get excited. Hopeful for what the future may hold. Well, when it’s NBA Media Day, you can multiply that excitement by about a billion. What is mostly boiler plate responses about how Player X is in the best shape of his life, or Player Y worked on a certain part of his game that he didn’t have the year before, I don’t think one NBA player in the history of the league hasn’t had the best summer in the history of summers. Overall this is our first chance to see whichever team you root for all together, in their fancy new uniforms, hype up what a great year is on the horizon. And we eat it up. All of it. Maybe this really IS the year Team X figures it out and challenges Golden State. It’s all in good fun, and part of what makes the NBA such a fun league.
The Celtics are no exception.
If you were like me, it was a bittersweet day. Having to watch Media Day through the lense of Twitter while trying to avoid doing real life work was not the easiest thing in the world. Mostly because of my raging throbbing Scalabrine. With each tweet/video I became more and more intoxicated, and I’m not sure I cared. No team in the NBA looks as different on Media Day than our beloved Celtics, so the fact that this was our first look at everyone together certainly did not disappoint. There’s a lot to cover, so let’s get started.
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I want to start with this quote from Brad, because it could be the most important thing we heard all goddamn day. This is a pretty pressure filled second year for Jaylen, and not just on the offensive end. With Avery and Jae gone, he and Smart are probably their most versatile defenders. Hayward is no slouch, but I don’t think he can guard as many positions as Jaylen can. I’ve always felt that part of the reason the Celts were comfortable moving on from Avery, was they believed in Jaylen’s development on the defensive end. I cannot stress how important this is going to be. No more rookie jitters, no more rookie calls, it’s time for Jaylen to show that he can play elite defense on the NBA level. Brad has been preaching this ever since Summer League and showed flashes last year
We’ve seen Brad pull Jaylen early for mental mistakes on the defensive end, so entering Year 2 I’m hoping this happens less and less.
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Celtics fans are seasoned vets when it comes to hearing Player X is in the best shape of his life. Pretty sure we heard that every year with Sully, and it was, actually false. This summer it was all about how much slimmer Marcus has become, losing 20+ pounds which we all agree was needed. While I think this is great and should make Marcus more agile, and not get tired down the stretch, it’s September. If you remember, he didn’t start last year at 240 either. Apparently he hired a personal chef and cut out fried foods, so hopefully he maintains around this weight the entire season. A quicker Smart is important when it comes to perimeter defense. As good of an on ball defender as Smart is, he gets lazy sometimes and doesn’t move his feet, instead is left reaching and fouling. I’m not too concerned about his ability to guard 4/5s because the dude is an absolte pitbull so I see this as nothing but positive.
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The big question though, is will this new in shape version of Smart finally translate to improved shooting? That’s all we REALLY care about right? On the surface I would think it does, being in better shape will help prevent him from losing his legs, which obviously impacts his shot. Entering a contract year it’s no surprise Smart is in his best shape as a Celtic, and as someone who is going to play a pretty large role in their success, I for one love to see it.
– Guys, the rumors are true. Semi is a fucking monster
I mean good God. Sure we may not have rebounding bigs, but you know what? Try boxing that dude out, you can’t. Oh and add in the fact that he shot 43% from deep in the Summer League and made over 2 a game, I am fully ready for the Semi Era.
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Perhaps no member of the Celtics has had more hype about them this summer than Tatum. He proved his offensive game was as advertised in Summer League, but don’t get it twisted, this is not Summer League. Comparisons already to Pierce, to Kyrie talking about what a bad dude he is, he’s correct in saying that there is pressure on him to live up to the hype. Between the whole trading the #1 pick for him, to the second unit DESPERATELY needing his scoring, he’s going to have to adjust fairly quickly. Fortunately for him, the Celtics are not relying on him like some of the other high lottery teams, but he will be depended on.
And much like Jaylen his rookie year, a lot of his issues are going to come on the defensive end. He’ll soon learn Brad would rather not score a single point than allow lazy or bad defense from his young players. That why for me, the pressure isn’t on his offense, I don’t care if he only scores like 9 points a night, the pressure is for him to be at least a passable defender. If he can do that on the second unit, we’re cookin.
– Lock it up. GIGANTIC season on the horizon for Terry Rozier. New name, new player. There’s a reason he’s untouchable to Danny Ainge and I think it’s because he know’s what’s on the horizon
– Why include the video below?
Simple. If you’ve watched this team at all over the years, you know how important the intro video is to their success. Don’t ask me to explain it, just know it’s true. The title year? Absolute FIRE
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And we can be honest, they haven’t had one since that was at this level. They threw out some intros with rock, with robot fucking music, and none has done the trick. The Celtics have exactly 0 titles since that 08 intro. Well, perhaps that video is our first look which brings me to my next point.
I need Semi/Marcus/Yabu as the ones to scream. I think I’m leaning towards Semi due to that post above. Don’t fuck this up Celtics please.
– OH HELL YES
The hatred is real folks.
– Now stay with me here…
Why is this important? Well, there are contract decisions to make on both Terry Rozier and Marcus Smart. Ainge tipping his hand that they are going to opt IN on Rozier, and perhaps maybe already have an extension worked out with Marcus? It’s Media Day so I’m choosing to be hopeful on both accounts
– Not a huge deal, but still a deal
From what I’ve read I don’t think there is much to worry about, but with the courts these days you never truly know. Would obviously not be ideal if Morris goes to jail.
– As mentioned in the Weekend Greenie Bag, I’m convinced Ainge is holding on to that last roster spot
My guess? Jabari Bird and his two way deal fill it most nights.
– You and me both Danny. You and me both
And that should bring you up to speed on everything you may have missed from Media Day. Camp officially opens tomorrow, and the first preseason game is just a week away.
We did it guys, we made.