Banners Are Priority for New Boston Celtics Players
The newly added Boston Celtics players already appear to have the mentality they need to win
The Boston Celtics have struggled for real success in the Brad Stevens era, but that has not changed one of the most important aspects of theit long history, winning is always the number one priority. The Celtics added their most established veteran in Al Horford, and could see their 19 year old rookie Jaylen Brown have a key role, and both of them have joined the team with the same mentality.
The Celitcs have always been motivated and the elevated level of talent on the team has just continued to fuel that fire. The Celtics are itching to get out on the court and prove what they can do, and they can be confident that knowing these new additions are already committed to doing whatever it takes to win.
More from Hardwood Houdini
- Boston Celtics’ two-way contract decision will be made after training camp
- Proposed trade sends Boston Celtics playoff killer to the Cs from rival
- ‘Face of Germany’s stunning run’ in FIBA World Cup not the only ex-Boston Celtics player to win gold
- Proposed Boston Celtics trade target pitched for reunion with fired coach
- Battle For Banner 18: Will Boston Celtics battle historical foe in 2024 Finals?
Brown was asked about being drafted by the Celtics at media day, and he spoke about the truly unique position the Celtics were in drafting him last year. “I like to win. That’s what I’m about. i think this year is going to be a great one for me. It won’t be difficult at all, because I like to win. That’s how I look at it. That’s my mindset about it. I’m learning a lot. I’m about that more than any individual statistics” (Via Mass Live). Brown was a top three pick but he was not drafted by the kind of team that belong anywhere near the lottery thanks to the Brooklyn Nets.
The key for Brown is not worrying about anything individual. He understands that he will need to sacrifice in order to be successful, and he is ready to commit to whatever the team needs from him. Scoring is not where the Celtics are going to need Brown. They need his scoring to develop but they need him to be contributing in more ways that may not shot up on the scoresheet. Brown appears to have a similar mentality to that of Marcus Smart, which has lead to countless different ways he is able to contribute.
Horford also brought up what kind of impact he has been anticipating by joining the Celtics. Even before joining the team, he felt part of the magnitude of what it means to be in Boston: “The first time I played in the Garden my rookie year I couldn’t stop looking at the banners up top. Maybe some guys feel differently, but I couldn’t stop looking at them. It’s powerful, it leaves an impression on you” (Via CBS Boston). Horford is joining the Celtics fully aware of the standard that has been set throughout history, and he knows how important he is going to be in continuing that tradition.
Horford’s excitement is not only about the banners of the past. Despite how young they are, Horford had this to say about his new teammates: “Looking at my career at this point, I’m going into my 10th year and want to be able to be a part of something special and win a championship, and with the type of guys that we have here, we have that possibility and that’s something I wanted to be a part of” (Via CBS Boston).
Horford sees the commitment of the players on the team and he sees what kind of coach they have in Stevens. The Celtics clearly still need development across the board, but it is also very clear that they have played in a way that has continually allowed them to be successful without the necessary talent.
Horford and Brown should be the two most important new additions to the team this year and they can be fully confident that they are going to do everything in order to help the team win. Priorities are not an issue with anyone on this roster and they already appear to have championship motivation.
Brad Stevens has also already seen the kind of intensity that these players are going to bring every moment they are on the court. The Boston Globe talks about what kind of experience Stevens has despite wanting his players to take it a little easy for their first practice, “I think it was just a misjudging of what 30 percent is, but they were flying early on in practice”.
These players are ready to get out on the court and prove that they are ready to take the next step as a contender in the Eastern Conference. They know the kind of attitude they have in the returning players and all signs are pointing to these new players buying completely into whatever the Celtics need to win.
The Celtics have always played as a close group and there is no doubting that winning will always keep them on the same page. Stevens may have some other priorities with development but that should come with relative ease considering how much his players have bought into whatever it is he needed out of them.
Next: Brad Stevens Will not be Fazed by Expectations
The Celtics feel like they are in a great place in their rebuild and they can finally start to really feel the results, and it is time that the success starting showing in the playoffs. The Celtics need playoff success before they take another step closer to banner 18 and that is a banner that each and every player on this team is fully committed to doing whatever it takes to add to the rafters.