Celtics discuss lessons from former champion at Monday's practice

Tom Thibodeau led the New York Knicks to the Eastern Conference Finals for the first time in 25 years. They came within two wins of playing for the Larry O'Brien Trophy and the chance to end a championship drought dating back to 1973.

That route required going through the Boston Celtics. Consecutive comebacks from 20-point deficits at TD Garden paved a path to a run as remarkable as it was improbable.

However, the organization still decided that it needed to make a head coaching change this offseason. They parted ways with Thibodeau, bringing in Mike Brown as their new bench boss.

No one would blame Thibodeau for being on a beach in the tropics right now, with his feet in the sand and a cocktail in his hand. However, it doesn't figure to come as a surprise that instead, he is making the rounds at NBA training camps.

After recently spending time with the reigning champions, the Oklahoma City Thunder, who Thibodeau's Knicks were on the cusp of challenging in the Finals, he returned to Boston.

The New England native, who starred at Salem State University on the North Shore of Massachusetts, was Doc Rivers' defensive coordinator and lead assistant when the Celtics won the NBA title in 2008.

Discussing having him at Monday's practice, Joe Mazzulla conveyed, "He's been, obviously, one of the best coaches around for a long time. Worked here. Won a championship here. Having him around makes me better, makes our organization better, so just a lot of respect for him."

Mazzulla wasn't the only one thrilled to have Thibodeau at the Auerbach Center.

Jaylen Brown details learning from Tom Thibodeau

Having a defensive mastermind and the head coach of the opponent that vanquished the Celtics last postseason provided an opportunity for remaining members of the team to hear hard truths about themselves.

As an individual, who, along with Jayson Tatum, is at the top of opposing scouting reports, that was especially true for Jaylen Brown. The 2024 NBA Finals MVP relished the chance to learn how the Knicks strategized to combat him.

"I think that was awesome, having Thibs," said Brown, flashing a wide smile. "Obviously, they eliminated us last year, so him being able to give us some of the thoughts that he saw in that series and some of the stuff that they broke down in our personnel or even our team, helps us grow and learn from that.

"We lost last year, it stung, losing to the Knicks. So, to have Thibs here at our practice and explaining some of the things that he saw that helped them beat us, only helps me get better, [it] only helps us get better, so I value that. Shoutout to Thibs for being here today."

As Brown gets ready for a new season, despite concerns about the hamstring injury he suffered in Boston's preseason finale last week, he is trending towards playing on opening night against the Philadelphia 76ers Wednesday night at TD Garden.

As the four-time All-Star gets ready for a new season, he was eager to pick Thibodeau's brain about how New York defended him.

"I took a lot," said Brown. "Being able to talk to him and ask questions about what he was seeing. He was breaking down some film and stuff like that, talking to Joe from a team perspective and from, like, from a top down perspective, like, what they wanted to do with me and Jayson, or what he wanted to do when the ball was in my hands. It allows you to grow. If you're humble enough to listen, it'll allow you to grow."