Celtics media day highlights: Jaylen Brown 'extraordinarily motivated,' Porzingis targets December return

The Boston Celtics have been granted a one-week head begin on coaching camp as a result of they and the Nuggets are headed to Abu Dhabi to open the NBA preseason on Oct. 4 (one thing that disrupts follow schedules).

Boston carried out its media day on Tuesday, and some fascinating bits got here out of what is usually a scripted-feeling occasion (for each workforce). Here are some highlights from Celtics media day.

Jaylen Brown “extraordinarily motivated”

Championship groups can come into the following season a bit of fats and glad after a summer time of celebrating. It may be troublesome to be motivated for a Tuesday night time recreation in November after the excessive of taking part in for a hoop in June and partying all summer time.

These Celtics are going to be a bit of bit totally different. Jayson Tatum struggled together with his shot throughout the NBA Finals after which was benched by Steve Kerr for 2 key USA video games throughout the Paris Olympics, whereas Jaylen Brown felt snubbed by USA Basketball altogether and didn’t get an invitation to Paris, even after Kawhi Leonard needed to go away the workforce.

“[Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla] was most likely the happiest individual on the earth that I did not win Finals MVP and that I did not play in two of the video games within the Olympics,” Tatum stated. “So, that was odd, but when you understand Joe it is smart.”

Whereas Tatum additionally stated he did not want the added motivation, Brown was way more blunt.

“I am extraordinarily motivated for apparent causes and I am able to get after it.”

Each Tatum and Derrick White — who was placed on Crew USA as an alternative of Brown as Leonard’s substitute — stated they talked and there’s not situation between them.

Kristaps Porzingis targets December return

Porzingis missed a part of the NBA Finals because of a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon in his left foot/ankle, then had surgical procedure simply after the NBA Finals to restore it. He was requested out the restoration was going throughout media day:

“I am operating, I am on the courtroom, capturing regular…” Porzingis stated. “I am doing plenty of stuff actually. I used to be already form of with some dwell contact, performing some stuff and, yeah, it felt actually good afterwards.”
That does not imply to count on him again quickly, Porzingis told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne he’s seeking to return in December. Nevertheless, count on the Celtics to be cautious together with his return, once they want him is April, not December.

Jayson Tatum says he may be higher

Tatum stated he has spent the summer time working together with his coach, Drew Hanlen, to tweak among the mechanics on his leap shot, which was off throughout the Finals and the Paris Olympics (it is a part of the rationale Kerr benched him). Tatum stated he count on to come back again stronger than the MVP-candidate we noticed a season in the past.

Al Horford not considering retirement

He could also be 38 years outdated and has already performed 17 NBA seasons, however do not ask Al Horford if he is fascinated with retirement.

“I do not assume there was ever a query that I wasn’t not gonna come again or something like that,” Horford stated. “For me, and I’ve stated this earlier than, I’ve by no means put a restrict on how lengthy I am gonna play. So, I really feel good, and I am very lucky to be on this place.”

Luke Kornet talks about his mortgage

You assume you do not need to hear about Kornet’s mortgage, however you do.