Category: .Interviews

Jayson Tatum on belonging in Boston with the Celtics

“I didn’t even want to come (to Boston) because I didn’t think I was going to play,” said the Duke alum of the year he was drafted by the Celtics.

At a mere 25 years old, All-NBA Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum recently became the youngest Celtic of all time to reach 10,000 career points over the course of nearly 80 years of records being kept. In a recent interview with the Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn, the St. Louis native emphasized the importance of connecting with the people of the city of Boston and the impact he has on the community, especially among underrepresented youth.

Tatum has actively engaged with the city’s residents, visiting children’s hospitals and surprising high school students, bringing joy to their faces when he encounters them in public.

With star athletes like Tom Brady and David Ortiz retired and the Patriots and Red Sox in rebuilding phases, the city is now embracing the Celtics, who are competing for the NBA championship, with Tatum as their franchise player.

Lakers champ Derek Fisher is hoping L.A. and Boston collide in the 2024 NBA Finals

Asked if he thought a Celtics-Lakers final was on the table, Fisher shared that he “hopes so.”

The Los Angeles Lakers and Boston Celtics meeting in the NBA Finals has always been among the best of the league’s great rivalry moments, but it has been some time since both ball clubs were conceivably good enough for both to get back to the Association’s promised land.

With the Celtics the last undefeated team in the league at 5-0 and the Lakers seen as a potential dark horse to make the finals after a major overhaul of the roster during the team’s 2023 offseason, such a postseason collision is conceivably back on the table. And in an exclusive interview with the Celtics Wire, former Lakers champion guard Derek Fisher shared he’s rooting for such a matchup to take shape once again.

Asked if he thought a Celtics-Lakers final was on the table, Fisher shared that he “hopes so.”

Jrue Holiday on what the Boston Celtics did to get separation from the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday

I think we started locking in and getting into the lanes and having guys like Cam Thomas and Spencer Dinwiddie see more than one person,” said Holiday.

The Boston Celtics got some of the stiffest resistance they have encountered in their still-young 2023-24 campaign vs. the Brooklyn Nets on Saturday night, and new Boston floor general Jrue Holiday thinks he knows what sparked their early success vs. the Celtics in Boston’s 124-114 win.

“Brooklyn plays with pace,” said Holiday of what the Nets did to take it to the Celtics at Barclays Center this weekend via CLNS Media. “They play really fast, they have a lot of good one-on-one guys, so I think they got us into their game trying to play fast. And then defensively for us, we were leaving each other on an island a little bit.”

“I think we started locking in and getting into the lanes and having guys like Cam Thomas and Spencer Dinwiddie see more than one person, not just going one-on-one, making plays and kickouts,” said the UCLA alum.

“From there, we have just got to be solid, and run them off the (3-point) line because we know they want to shoot 3s too,” he explained. “I think in that second half, or even 10 minutes left in that second quarter, we did a good job of stopping their runs.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis a fan of the NBA’s new in-season tournament

The NBA’s version of a midseason tourney has Boston in the league’s East C group for the start of tournament play.

Not everyone is a fan of the NBA’s new in-season tournament, but for Boston Celtics star big man Kristaps Porzingis, the Latvian center is a fan of the new addition to the league calendar. “I love it. In Europe, we always have some sort of tournament in preseason or during the year,” explained Porzingis after practice earlier this week via Boston Dot Com’s Khari Thompson.

“When I was growing up, I always enjoyed those kind of tournaments,” added the Celtics center, who played professionally in Europe for Seville’s Real Betis Baloncesto before coming to the NBA in 2015. “It kind of just put more of a spotlight on something that’s midseason and stuff like that.”

The NBA’s version of a midseason tourney has Boston in the league’s East C group for the start of tournament play.

That group also has the Brooklyn Nets, Chicago Bulls, Orlando Magic, and Toronto Raptors, with play beginning for Boston in the tourney on Nov. 10 vs. the Nets at TD Garden.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Ex-Celtics draft pick Aaron Nesmith on taking a Bleacher Report tweet as motivation

Nesmith recently spoke about a Twitter post made by Bleacher Report that suggested the Pacers didn’t receive anything of value back in return for Brogdon.

Former Boston Celtics draft pick Aaron Nesmith recently spoke about a Twitter post made by the popular sports news outlet Bleacher Report last summer, which suggested that the Indiana Pacers didn’t receive anything of value back in return for their trade for former 2023 Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon to the Celtics in the 2022 NBA offseason, reflects a personal source of motivation following his standout 26-point performance against the Cleveland Cavaliers earlier this week.

The Vanderbilt alum admitted that “I do take things personally — I saved it to my favorites,” indicating that Nesmith used that negative assessment of himself as a player as a source of personal inspiration, potentially fueling his drive to prove his worth on the court with his new ball club.

CLNS Media reporter Bobby Manning discussed all the above after Nesmith’s return to Boston following the Celtics’ 155-104 blowout win against the Indiana Pacers on Wednesday night.

Check it out above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Joe Mazzulla likes where the Boston Celtics’ effort is at

With an undefeated start to their season, it’s hard not to.

In a recent interview with WEEI’s Zolak and Bertrand ahead of the Boston Celtics’ blowout win over the Indiana Pacers, Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla shared his thoughts on the team’s undefeated start to the season. Mazzulla expressed satisfaction with the team’s effort and toughness and emphasized the importance of continuous improvement and developing good habits.

Mazzulla also discussed the potential of Kristaps Porzingis, praising his mindset for wanting to get better despite his already impressive performance. He echoed Jaylen Brown’s message about the challenges of being talented and the need to guard against complacency. He also emphasized the importance of trust, sacrifice, and communication among the team.

Mazzulla acknowledged the pressure but also stressed the importance of humility and focusing on taking away the opponent’s strengths in each game.

To hear the interview in full for yourself, take a look at the clip embedded above.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Pacers’ Daniel Theis was unhappy about benching vs. Boston, open to Celtics reunion

“I’ve learned to say ‘never say never,'” said Theis about a prospective Celtics reunion.

If the War On Theis continues after the German big man left the Boston Celtics, center Daniel Theis is now in a cold war with his current squad, the Indiana Pacers, having elected to bench the Salzgitter native in Wednesday night’s historic blowout of Indiana.

And while it might be seen as a blessing to have left no fingerprints on that defensive debacle for the Pacers, Theis did not sound too pleased when interviewed postgame by MassLive’s Brian Robb. “Obviously after a great summer, I’m not happy with the situation I’m in right now,” said Theis, referring to his outstanding FIBA EuroBasket play and lack of playing time at all this season for Indiana.

“I want to play and take all the good stuff from the summer into the season but it’s a long season. We are going to see what’s going on and what’s happening.”

“There’s communication but it’s also coach’s decision,” he added regarding the call by coach Rick Carlisle to leave Theis on the bench. “I just stay ready, do my thing, and whatever happens, happens.”

Intriguingly, the German center hinted at interest in a reunion with the Celtics, who need a third big capable of playing in the postseason. “I’ve learned to say ‘never say never’. Obviously, I’m open (to a Celtics return). I want to play and want to be part of the team, which is the most important thing.”

Such a move would almost certainly require a buyout given the size ($92 million) Theis earns this season, but if more DNPs head his way, such an outcome is not out of the question.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Paul Pierce reflects on special relationship with iconic Celtics broadcaster Mike Gorman

The Inglewood native remembers their pre-game conversations and how Gorman knew his game better than himself.

Hall of Fame Boston Celtics small forward Paul Pierce recently took some time to reflect on his special relationship with fellow Hall of Famer (for broadcasting) Mike Gorman, the voice of the Celtics.

The Inglewood native remembers their pre-game conversations and how Gorman knew his game better than himself, often offering Pierce advice on his game in areas The Truth hadn’t even thought to consider. Pierce appreciates Gorman’s sideline coaching and iconic calls. The 2008 Celtics champion talked about how he feels honored to have shared the sideline with him and considers Gorman one of the great voices in basketball broadcasting history.

The folks behind NBC Boston Sports put together an interview with the legendary Celtics player about his thoughts on and relationship with the iconic Boston broadcaster.

Check it out in the clip above!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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Danilo Gallinari reflects on season spent with Boston Celtics: ‘I could have helped the team a lot’

Danilo Gallinari reflected on his time spent with the Celtics and what could have been during a recent conversation with the Athletic’s Jay King.

The Boston Celtics recently defeated the Washington Wizards 126-107 on the road, and before the game, former Celtic wing Danilo Gallinari spoke about his experience in green in an interview with the Athletic’s Jay King.

Gallinari joined Boston during the 2022 offseason, figuring to be a key rotation piece for a team with real title aspirations. Two months later, Gallinari tore his ACL playing for his native Italy during the 2022 FIBA World Cup qualifying play. The injury sidelined him for the following season. Gallinari was later traded to Washington as part of the deal that landed Kristaps Porzingis in Boston. A player with a long list of previous injuries, Gallanari reflected on the missed opportunity.

“I had the chance to decide to go to a championship team,” Gallinari said. “And just like all my career, the timing with injuries has always been terrible. So it was just bad timing.”

Dalano Banton, Lamar Stevens on the Boston Celtics’ bench vs. Wizards

Banton and Stevens discussed their community outreach efforts and experiences with the team.

The Boston Celtics, with New England Baptist Hospital, hosted a Senior Celtics Dance Clinic at Tobin Community Center in Roxbury on Tuesday. Dalano Banton and Lamar Stevens discussed their community outreach efforts and experiences with the team afterward.

The two players were enthusiastic about their involvement with the local seniors and the joy they brought to them. They spoke about their inspiration for their costumes and their surprise at the seniors’ mobility and dance moves. Banton, originally from Toronto and a former student in Massachusetts, expressed his delight to be back in the area and the valuable relationships he still maintains. Stevens, from Philadelphia, confessed to a change of heart towards the Celtics now he is part of the team.

To hear more of their interview for yourself, take a look at the clip embedded below courtesy of CLNS Media.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

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