Celtics have all of the motivation they want: 'It was by no means about simply making an attempt to win one'

BOSTON — It’s superb what an NBA championship can do for morale.

Two years in the past, when the Celtics convened on the Auerbach Middle for a somber media day, they launched a first-time head coach to a staff surprised by the information of his predecessor’s improprieties.

This offseason got here with its personal distinctive set of circumstances, as all do. Kristaps Porziņģis underwent surgical procedure to a uncommon ankle damage. Jaylen Brown was left off the Olympic staff. Jayson Tatum made the roster however was twice benched in Paris. The staff’s possession group introduced its intent to promote the franchise.

And let’s simply say the temper was a little bit completely different this time round.

“I do not need to state the apparent,” mentioned Brown, “however we gained a championship.

“It was bliss.”

Make no mistake: The Olympics had been a factor for Boston’s two best gamers.

Brown, who was left off Staff USA, implied that Nike shared responsibility for his absence from the roster. Brown stepped to the rostrum in black customized sneakers, which he deliberate to formally unveil in a while Tuesday, vowing to show “the entire expertise that goes on within the sneaker market” sooner or later.

As for the Olympics, Brown would say solely, “I am extraordinarily motivated for apparent causes.”

Tatum made Steve Kerr’s squad however performed restricted minutes throughout his run to a second gold medal. He, too, mentioned he would draw some motivation from the state of affairs.

“I suppose you would say that if you wish to simplify it,” mentioned Tatum. “In actual time, it was robust. I talked to Joe [Mazzulla] so much, and he was in all probability the happiest particular person on the planet that I did not win Finals MVP and I did not play in two of the video games within the Olympics. If you already know Joe, it is smart. Did I would like any further motivation coming into the season? No. I am not going to present anyone specifically credit score that they motivated me coming into the season. It was a singular circumstance, one thing I have not skilled earlier than in my enjoying profession, however I am a believer that all the things occurs for a motive.”

In the long run, although, “If you are going to be extrinsically motivated, that is going to die out, and you will form of be uncovered to your exterior motivation comparatively fast,” mentioned Mazzulla, the third-year coach who, together with Boston’s entrance workplace, spent the offseason contemplating this query: Now that they’ve gained the championship, how do they keep hungry for one more? In the end, every participant should reply that himself.

“All of the issues that you just embraced final season and all of the issues that you just say you are about will likely be examined at a higher stage,” mentioned Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens, who cited human nature as an opponent this season, “and for those who’re actually about that you then elevate your self even increased.”

Tatum, for one, believes he’s about that.

“It was by no means about simply making an attempt to win one,” mentioned the four-time All-NBA choice. “Now, you get to be in the identical room with the opposite nice Celtics groups, the opposite nice gamers. All the blokes that I regarded as much as rising up gained at the very least one championship, so now it is only a dialog of: How nice are you making an attempt to be? What room or what tier are you making an attempt to be talked about in when it is all mentioned and finished?”

Even the sale of the staff, which, for higher or worse, will alter the staff’s funds, probably impacting the roster-building course of in its extraordinarily costly close to future, couldn’t dampen the staff’s outlook.

“Clearly, we have put a staff collectively,” mentioned Stevens. “This has been a longterm play to be the place we’re proper now. Plans do not at all times go the best way you need them to. This one up to now has been fairly easy. There’ll at all times be challenges that come together with that. The best way [ownership] has phrased it to me for the reason that sale was introduced was, ‘We simply must hold doing what we’re doing. Enterprise as typical and do what you possibly can to construct one of the best staff that you could, after which we’ll see what occurs from there.”

The staff they’ve put collectively is once more the title favourite and largely the identical as final season, save for the additions of veteran Lonnie Walker IV and rookie Baylor Scheierman. They are going to be with out the injured Porziņģis till what was projected to be December, although even that comes with excellent news.

“I do not know that we’re concerned about placing a timeline on him,” mentioned Stevens, who’s getting into his fourth season on the helm of the entrance workplace, “as a result of the damage is exclusive, however so far as how he feels and the progress that he is made, I would say we’re very, very happy with the place he’s — and perhaps a little bit stunned.”

It was necessary to Stevens to maintain this group collectively. Due to their chemistry, he believes of their skill to do what the final 5 champions didn’t — repeat — although he is aware of how exhausting it will likely be. For all the arrogance gained and slights perceived, the Celtics’ motivation will come from each other.

“I feel that these guys are galvanized by one another,” mentioned Stevens. “They’ve a singular chemistry that I actually consider issues, and so they deserve the chance to assault this problem collectively.”

That is proper: The Celtics’ title protection — or, as they’re phrasing it, their title “attack” — begins now.