One of the Boston Celtics’ newest signings quickly earned the admiration of head coach Joe Mazzula.
The Boston Celtics will focus on developing young talent next season, as Jayson Tatum’s Achilles injury ends their hopes of competing for a title.
After cutting the roster to save money, the Celtics have a young team led by Jaylen Brown, Derrick White and other potential players for the 2024 NBA championship team.
The Celtics know there’s not much they can do in the Eastern Conference next season. The Celtics have a good chance of making the playoffs, but losing in the second round or more would be a huge overdelivery.
There will be new characters in Beantown, so the Celtics fanbase will have to pick a new favorite. Head coach Joe Mazzula appears to have already figured it out.
Boston Celtics new recruit Josh Minott spoke to reporters after the preseason win over the Memphis Grizzlies. During the game, Josh Minott blocked an opponent’s shot after the whistle blew.
This earned Minott a few nudges from head coach Joe Mazzula, who loved the way the young star played mind games on opposing teams.
“I’m not going for that… We don’t want any of that. Oh, actually. You can’t make them see the ball at all. It’s just a mind game.”
Minott’s attempts to demoralize opposing players may not have been recorded on the stat sheet since they took place after the whistle, but they earned him the respect of his head coach.
If this is the energy he brings to the Celtics, he could quickly become a key part of Mazzula’s rotation next season.
Both opportunities and challenges exist for this new-look Boston Celtics team. The Celtics will have to find a way to continue winning games despite lacking championship talent.
But with expectations lowered, the Celtics could give their young stars more time next season and hope they take off.
Peyton Pritchard will be the starting point guard for the Celtics, giving him the opportunity he’s wanted for years.
If he, along with the rest of the Celtics’ young players, makes the most of the opportunities in front of them, the Celtics could be a formidable team heading into the 2026-27 NBA season after Jayson Tatum returns.