Celtics media day begins at 10:15 a.m. EST on Tuesday where Brad Stevens, Joe Mazzulla and most of Boston’s roster is expected to address the start of a new season. Watch the press conferences live below and follow along with our live blog for all the developments through the afternoon.
- The Celtics released their official training camp roster this morning, featuring the full 21 players allowed on NBA rosters through camp. Their 15th and final standard contract for the regular season remains available.
- Brad Stevens said Kristaps Porzingis is recovering well but remains without a timeline due to the unique nature of his injury. He’s progressed better than they would’ve hoped. Luke Kornet (wrist) and Xavier Tillman Sr. (knee) underwent offseason surgeries too, and are ready for training camp on Wednesday. Stevens, who found out about the team’s sale not long before the public, said he’s been told it is business as usual and to build the best roster as possible while the sale is ongoing.
“It’s out of our hands,” Stevens said. “I’m super thankful (to the ownership group) … this has been a long term plan to be where we are now. Plans don’t always go the way you want them to. This one so far has been pretty smooth, but there will always be challenges that come along with it. The way they’ve phrased it to me since the sale was announced was to just keep doing what we’re doing … do what you can to build the best team that we can and then see what happens from there.” - Stevens also noted that staying together as a team will be the key to this year, and while he noted offseason changes can sometimes galvanize a roster, this team galvanizes each other. Being about the right things and sacrificing will key their ability to repeat, which he stressed will be difficult from the first night.
- Joe Mazzulla said the Celtics shouldn’t miss a beat without Porzingis and that it’s an opportunity for the team to get better. Repeating things he emphasized last year, he said Boston’s roster can’t have any expectations for how this year will go and can’t assume they’ll win the same way they did in the past. The environment will change during this season, he said, and they have to be prepared to adjust to those changes.
- Jrue Holiday joked that the last time he won a championship, the Celtics beat his Bucks. It could be a full-circle moment: “People see us at the top of the mountain now…We’ve heard good and bad. Honestly, I think it’s gonna be the same thing. People are gonna say that we suck, and other people are gonna say we’re really good. At the end of the day, I think we have to keep our circle tight and fight together.”
- Jayson Tatum said he worked on his shooting mechanics with trainer Drew Hanlen in recent weeks following his Olympic run, including pick-up points and hand placement. He struggled with his three-point shot in the playoffs and Olympics, but during that time couldn’t address his shooting form given the schedule and amount of games.
- Derrick White, who played with Lonnie Walker IV through his first four seasons with San Antonio, said he’s bringing good energy to the gym and can do some special things on the court. White said the fight he was recorded in at the Colorado game was unfortunate, and that he wasn’t punched in the head during it. He just had his hat knocked off. White also underwent three root canals as he continues to address his tooth injury from the Finals, and expects to have one more appointment. On his four-year extension that he agreed to over the summer, White said he loves it in Boston and wanted to get it out of the way so he doesn’t have to talk about it during the season.
- Porzingis said he’s walking comfortably, running, did a light contact workout earlier this week and is progressing in his recovery from June surgery. He hopes to return as soon as possible, but will remain cautious through the process. Porzingis also noted his extensive experience with injuries allowed him to play effectively while hurt in the Finals and will prepare him to join the lineup without much rust later this season.
- Brown said he’s improved at everything and feels as great physically as he ever has. He could’ve used a few more offseason weeks, he said, but isn’t complaining and would prefer the shorter summer after winning a championship. Brown will also unveil his signature shoe, which he wore in recent weeks, and explain his journey navigating the shoe business. He addressed his Olympic snub as well: “The past is the past, but I’m ready to get after it, lead our guys … not skip any steps … extremely motivated for obvious reasons.”
- Al Horford said there’ll be opportunity for himself and other centers to fill in for Porzingis. He compared the preparation to what set them up for playoff success last year when Porzingis fell with an injury during the first round. Horford never considered retirement this summer, he said, and he doesn’t want to place a limit on how long he wants to play.
- Luke Kornet said his recovery from wrist surgery went smoothly and he’s been able to return to the court to play a little before training camp.
- Sam Hauser has been impressed by Baylor Scheierman, who he called more than a shooter with a bright future in the NBA. He’s willing to be an open ear if Scheierman has any questions throughout his rookie year, whether it’s in Boston or Maine. Hauser himself has focused on being able to get more three-point attempts up, shooting threes more confidently and being able to step into two-pointers attacking closeouts.