Category: .Interviews

Mazzulla on Derrick White’s game vs. the Heat: ‘The plays he made tonight were sick, right?’

Joe Mazzulla couldn’t resist marveling at Derrick White, who made some “sick” plays for the Celtics against the Heat Friday night.

The Boston Celtics earned a 119-111 win over the visiting Miami Heat Friday night. It was a solid first game back at TD Garden and a bit of revenge for the Celtics, who fell to Miami in Boston during Game 7 of last season’s Eastern Conference Finals. Friday’s outcome doesn’t undo the past, but a loud team win certainly helps the team start this new regular season campaign on the right foot.

Derrick White was a big part of that victory for Boston. He led the Celtics in scoring with 28 points, 3 assists, and 6 rebounds. On defense, he was even more effective. White made several key stops for Boston, including emphatic blocks, including a big play to stop Jimmy Butler from connecting on a breakaway dunk. After the game, Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla spoke candidly about White’s effort.

“The plays he made tonight were sick, right?” Mazzulla asked with a smile. “They’re just sick plays. That’s the only way you can describe it — that’s just what he does.”

Celtics’ Kristaps Porzingis impressed with Jrue Holiday’s defense vs. New York Knicks

“I’m very happy he’s on my team” said Porzingis.

New Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis knows what it feels like to be guarded by also-new Celtic Jrue Holiday, and he doesn’t miss being on that side of the UCLA alum’s press much at all. Speaking to the media via NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg after Boston’s 108-104 season-opening win against the New York Knicks on Wednesday, the Latvian center said “I’m very happy he’s on my team” of Holiday after witnessing his defensive chops as a teammate for the first time.

“He might be the only guy that — only like one or two (guards) — that wasn’t a mismatch when you get the switch with him,” added Porzingis.

“He’s such a strong 1-on-1 defender. I have to admit, I’m very happy that he’s on my team now.”

“We’re excited. Obviously, he’s an offensive talent, that’s there,” shared the big man. “But I think what everybody just loves about that guy is how much of a dog he is on the defensive end, and that’s going to be very big for us.”

And even though his offensive game was still a work in progress vs. New York, Holiday’s smother defense was indeed a critical part of a Celtics win already.

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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Jaylen Brown likens new Boston Celtics teammate Jrue Holiday to a boxer on defense

Jrue Holiday, champion boxer? Maybe not at this point in his life, but he certainly made All-NBA Boston Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown think of one.

Jrue Holiday, champion boxer? Maybe not at this point in his life, but he certainly made All-NBA Boston Celtics teammate Jaylen Brown think of one while watching his defensive style in the Celtics’ 108-104 win over the New York Knicks at Madison Square Garden on Wednesday. “He’s like the fighter that is always like walking you down,” said Brown via NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg. “Do you watch boxing?”

“He’s always like putting pressure on you. Just not always trying to swing or throw a punch but just always in your space. That’s kind of Jrue. He’s always in that (boxing ring when he’s defending), you know what I mean?”

Despite a rough shooting night from the floor for Holiday, going 4-of-10 overall and just 1-of-5 from beyond the arc, the UCLA alum’s teammates raved about how his defense helped open up their games.

Newly equipped with players who can help influence winning even on nights when they can’t hit the broad side of a barn, Boston is in a good position to start their 2023-24 NBA season.

And with a win banked vs. a quality opponent at that.

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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‘When the Knicks made their run, we stayed poised,’ said Kristaps Porzingis of Boston’s 108-104 win

Porzingis said that Madison Square Garden can become electric when the Knicks make a run.

In his postgame interview, star Boston Celtics big man Kristaps Porzingis expressed his happiness and satisfaction after his debut with the Celtics. He credited their ability to stay calm and composed when the game got intense, especially when the New York Knicks made a strong comeback in the game’s second half.

Porzingis said that Madison Square Garden, where the season opener for both teams was played, can become electric when the Knicks make a run, and the fans’ support can be overwhelming. Despite this, the Celtics managed to maintain their poise and seize their opportunities. He highlighted the importance of Jayson Tatum as a leader and also talked about how the Knicks’ defensive coverages changed during the game.

To hear what The Unicorn had to say after his debut with Boston, take a look at the clip embedded below courtesy of the folks at “NBA on ESPN”.

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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Impacting winning is Al Horford’s focus with the Celtics – starting or off the bench

“For me, it’s seeing how I can impact winning. That’s always my focus,” says Horford.

Veteran Boston Celtics big man Al Horford, who has typically started in most of the games of his NBA career, played off the bench for the first time during the Celtics’ second preseason game against the New York Knicks last week.

This change in his role may become more common following offseason trades bringing back Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, both of whom have at least as good a claim on being starters in terms of what the team needs. Horford is open to this sacrifice, focusing on how he can contribute to the team’s success. “We’re all looking at the same thing, trying to accomplish the same thing,” said Horford via Boston Dot Com’s Connor Roche. “In that particular game, we were trying to win the game. That’s the focus.”

“For me, it’s seeing how I can impact winning. That’s always my focus.”

Horford ended up playing 23 minutes off the bench, scoring 8 points and making a positive impact. He believes that the team’s depth and versatility will require different lineup configurations throughout the season.

The Celtics aim to be flexible with their starting lineups, and Horford is willing to adapt to whatever is necessary to win an NBA title.

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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Former Celtics point guard Marcus Smart says he heard he was traded via social media

“You always want to be where you’re wanted, and another team’s trash is another team’s gold,” said Smart.

Former Boston Celtics point guard Marcus Smart says he heard he was traded to the Memphis Grizzlies via social media in a recent interview with The Athletic’s Jared Weiss. “If I’m being quite frank, I knew I would be traded eventually,” said the Flower Mound native.

“Just figured it would be the next season, just based off my contract and with the new (collective bargaining agreement). We already knew that,” he added. “But it was just the way it happened. I was told everything was good after asking multiple times. Like, ‘I’m hearing (rumors), what’s going on?’ And they’re like, ‘No, you’re good, you’re good, you’re good.’”

“And then when I do hear about the trade, it’s from Shams (Charania) on Twitter before I hear from the team.”

“You always want to be where you’re wanted, and another team’s trash is another team’s gold. So I’m glad to be here,” explained Smart.

“I’m glad to be on an organization that wants me and sees me (have) great value. So I’m ecstatic and I’m ready to get going.”

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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Jaylen Brown, 7uice Brand collaborate with Johnny Cupcakes to offer new merchandise for fans

Jaylen Brown mingled with fans at the launch event for a new collaboration between 7uice brand and Johnny Cupcakes.

Boston Celtics All-NBA wing Jaylen Brown continues to plant deep roots in the city of Boston, this time collaborating with the clothing brand Johnny Cupcakes to create new merchandise for basketball fans and fashionistas alike. On Saturday, Brown hosted an event in the city’s Back Bay neighborhood to celebrate the launch of the new partnership. Brown signed autographs, took pictures, and modeled some of the new shirts for folks who showed up to check it out.

Brown has stayed busy off the court since joining the Celtics in 2017. He’s worked with the Massachusetts Institute of Technology and Harvard University to advance his educational goals and has helped provide opportunities to underserved youth through his 7uice Foundation in Boston and beyond. Through his 7uice apparel brand, meanwhile, Brown has worked to connect to the city’s cultural landscape.

Creative director for 7uice Malclom Durr explained that working with Johnny Cupcakes helps Brown’s mission of doing exactly that.

(Photo by Ermis Martinez/Ermartinezflics)

“I think that collaborations like this can kind of jump-start the work and energy within the community,” Durr said. “And then build on it and spread and spread. It’s all piece by piece coming together.”

Boston alum Rajon Rondo a fan of Celtics trading for Jrue Holiday

In the absence of Marcus Smart — dealt away as part of the package that helped land star big man Kristaps Porzingis in the first of those two blockbusters — the player Rondo describes is exactly the sort of addition Boston needs to contend.

In a recent visit to the Boston Celtics during their 2023 training camp, former Celtics point guard and 2008 NBA champion Rajon Rondo took a moment to weigh in on the two blockbuster trades Boston made over the summer, zeroing in on veteran floor general Jrue Holiday in particular. “(The Celtics) are pretty impressive, like on everything thinks, on paper,” offered the 2008 titlist.

“But I love the Jrue Holiday pick-up,” added Rondo. “He’s one of my favorite teammates I’ve ever played with all-time and I’m excited for you guys to see what he can bring night in, night out.”

“His mentality, his mindset, his professional approach to the game, and just what he brings out there on the court,” said the Kentucky alum.

“He does a lot of intangibles, he’s a very unselfish guy, and he’s fun to be around, but he’s a winner. He’s a competitor.”

In the absence of Marcus Smart — dealt away as part of the package that helped land star big man Kristaps Porzingis in the first of those two blockbusters — the player Rondo describes is exactly the sort of addition Boston needs to contend for another title on paper.

And based on what we are hearing from Rondo, the fit should work in the basketball court as well.

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 head coach Joe Mazzulla rejects starting lineup concerns for this Boston team

“They’re not our starters, they’re the first five guys who happen to be starting the game,” explained Mazzulla.

Much ado has been made about which players the new-look Boston Celtics will start given the star-studded transformation the team’s roster underwent in recent months.

To Boston head coach Joe Mazzulla, that frame does not properly encapsulate the attitude of the team in its pursuit of Banner 18.

“They’re not our starters, they’re the first five guys who happen to be starting the game,” explained Mazzulla via NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin. “We can’t get into this narrative of Al (Horford) sacrificing or Jrue (Holiday) sacrificing. At the end of the day, I have to sacrifice, our assistants have to sacrifice.”

“All 17 players are going to be asked to do things they don’t want to do,” he added. “If we want to win, we all have to lose at something, and we’re willing to lose a little bit of ourselves, and that’s the goal.”

“So, that’s the narrative,” Mazzulla said. “I think all of our guys are open-minded (enough) that if you want to win together, you have to lose individually at stuff.”

“That’s the route we are going to take.”

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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