The Boston Celtics spent the offseason trying to acquire diamonds in the rough. It's the product of a reset forced upon them by a punitive collective bargaining agreement. After fielding the most talented team in the NBA, their roster is now defined by players eager to prove themselves with more responsibility. One of those individuals is Josh Minott.
After three years with the Minnesota Timberwolves, averaging five minutes of floor time, he found a franchise where he could showcase his capabilities. But just because Boston was entering a projected gap year from title contention, that doesn't mean Minott would have his playing time handed to him.
"Nothing's given. Everything's earned. Don't expect anything," he told Hardwood Houdini at Summer League about the Celtics' message to him. "Honestly, that's everything to me. I just need the opportunity to get the chance to prove who I am and show what I can do."
Even with the former Memphis Tigers standout not playing against the New York Knicks, he has quickly capitalized on his opportunities. The six-foot-eight forward will jump passing lanes, generate steals, and he's helped Boston win the rebounding battle in its last two tilts -- both wins.
Minott also runs the floor in transition and makes plays by staying active out of the corner, whether it's cutting for two points at the rim or crashing the glass for an offensive rebound. Plus, he'll knock down an open shot when it comes his way.
"Josh has been great," said Jaylen Brown after the Celtics' 125-105 victory vs. the Cleveland Cavaliers on Wednesday. "We just got to keep building on it. I'm talking to him. Just keep building on it. Keep being consistent, keep rebounding. All of that stuff is great; that's going to make huge contributions to our team. So, I'm just staying in his year."
Josh Minott is relishing the start of his Celtics tenure
In Wednesday's win at TD Garden, Minott got his second straight start. He parlayed that opportunity into 11 points, a game-high 14 rebounds, including five at the offensive end, three steals, and a block.
"Tonight was an excellent game from him," voiced Brown. "That's exactly what we need. Then on offense, he was able to get out and be aggressive a little bit, hit a couple shots when he was open. So, hopefully, that builds his confidence, because we're gonna need that consistently from him. And I think he can do it. I think he's talented enough to do it. So, just gonna keep building."
The latest example of Minott stacking positive days on top of each other as he continues converting previously untapped potential into production also represented his first win at TD Garden as a member of the home team.
"I can't even explain it, man, like just thanking God, thanking the fans just for the energy," said an exuberant Minott after the Celtics' victory on the parquet. "It's just a blessing to be here, truthfully. I mean, from the coaching staff to the training staff, to the equipment managers, teammates, it's just like, everyone just helps me to be the person I'm trying to be."