Over the years, it hasn’t felt like the Celtics have poor chemistry or that the players weren’t connected. But it’s impossible to deny that something about the team has felt different this offseason. The players were together constantly ahead of training camp, meeting up to work out in Los Angeles, playing golf, and building relationships off the court.
The mood and the vibe shift have been apparent, and for the first time in this era, it’s as if Jayson Tatum is front and center as the clear leader of the team, taking ownership and responsibility for the team being one cohesive, connected unit.
Tatum has brought the Celtics together
On Thursday, Bobby Manning of CLNS Media asked JT about why he decided to organize the workouts, and JT was very introspective.
"With the new guys and the rookies ... trying something new. It was the 1st time we've ever done that since I've been here. Get in the gym in the summertime when we wouldn't normally be around each other & play golf & hang out. Build that chemistry."
I’m not saying that the Celtics had to get rid of Jaylen Brown for Tatum to fully flourish and create this kind of environment, but that seems to be a big part of it. There was little debate as to who was the team’s best player in the past, but Brown always came off as more of a vocal leader.
Again, I truly don’t think there was any beef or issues between players, but perhaps there was more of a quiet push-and-pull between the two stars that impacted the mood in the locker room. It’s not fair to blame Brown for this, and by all accounts he was an outstanding teammate and leader, as well as being a great player.
But with Brown out the door, Tatum has been empowered, the veteran additions, Paul George, Mike Conley, and Mitchell Robinson, have fit right in, and the roster is completely in unison, working towards a goal with everyone completely comfortable and confident in their own roles.
Roles are very clearly defined in Boston's locker room
Tatum doesn’t have to look over his shoulder or worry about stepping on anyone else’s toes. Even PG-13, a future Hall of Famer, came in and immediately talked about how he’s not in Boston to be a superstar, that the Celtics already have their superstar in JT, and that he’s just here to complement him.
This may not seem like a big thing, but it’s a drastic shift, and I have to think that, in some ways, it must feel like a weight has been lifted. It’s a brand new day in Boston, and the tides and moods have shifted in a way that wasn’t even imaginable.
There’s more to it than just Brown leaving and the vets coming in. The whole makeup of the roster has changed. The team is loaded with young guys trying to earn their keep in the league, looking to do whatever it takes to help the team.
Call it a variety of things. Call it Tatum’s growth and maturity. Call it whatever, but things have clearly changed, and from the outside looking in, they’ve changed for the better.
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