While Philly makes noise, Celtics are quietly building chemistry in LA

The 76ers aren’t the only team that has been meeting up this offseason. Everyone saw the viral videos of LeBron James, Jaylen Brown, and Tyrese Maxey playing together in the gym, scoring some easy buckets against half-speed defense, and the countless social media comments about how it’s going to be a “problem”, and the league better watch out, and so on to the point of nausea.

The circus is already starting in Philadelphia. Great.

But just because they clipped a few highlights together doesn’t mean the rest of the East should roll over and let the Sixers rub their bellies. In fact, from the sound of things, the Celtics have been building some team chemistry in the gym as well this offseason. They just don’t need to document everything with a camera for clicks and views.

In a recent interview with Bobby Manning for CLNS, Payton Pritchard revealed that he, Jayson Tatum, Paul George, Derrick White, Mike Conley, and Sam Hauser have been working out together in LA this summer, adding that more guys are expected to join them.

Celtics have met up to work out in LA

Make no mistake, the Celtics have heard all the noise this offseason. They know how the rest of the league, fans, and media are laughing at them for their awful trade, how PG and Conley are washed, how Pritchard and White are in over their heads, how Tatum is now an injury risk, and how Philly is some kind of juggernaut.

Trust me, they’ve heard. And they’re prepared to make a statement. They don’t need to win the offseason like some other teams; they just need to put in the work, keep getting better, build chemistry, and grow as a group, and it sounds like that’s exactly what they’re doing.

Celtics building team chemistry with the cameras off

Pritchard mentioned that it's been great to be with the guys and spend time together; he talked about how he expects Tatum to be much stronger and better this season, and how the team is already bonding before training camp even gets going.

This is exactly what Celtics fans should want to hear, and the fact that they’re all meeting up to work and grow together, but not doing it for the cameras, is a beautiful thing. These are proud veteran players who have all experienced a lot, both individually and as part of a team. But at this point in their respective careers, they all know their place in the league and within the team. 

The only goal should be to win and to play like the best possible versions of themselves to make this team as good as it can be. It’s still extremely early, but it seems like things are coming together quickly. It’s going to take a lot more work, obviously, but it’s hard to ask for a better start.

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