It’s hard not to start to think about the new NBA season once media day rolls around.
It’s the time of year we learn more about a team’s schemes and the behind-the-scenes interactions between players.
With the preseason approaching quickly, let’s recap the media day highlights the Celtics released, along with some finer details of Mazzulla’s game plan.
Tatum is Finally “The Guy”
Credit: Boston Celtics- Twitter/XIt’s been harped on by me, by Boston media, by the entire NBA sphere, that Tatum is under massive pressure this season. Coming off his Achilles tear, being the bona fide leader of this squad isn’t easy, but if there’s anyone I’d trust, it’s him.
He’s also in a position to play alongside someone he grew up studying: Paul George.
He had this great quote that put it into perspective:
“He definitely was one of the guys that, when I was coming up, I used to watch a lot of film on. Just that archetype of a two-way player, 6-9, scoring on all three levels. So, he was definitely somebody when I was in high school, college, even early in my career, that I would always try to steal things from and watch what he was doing just because of the way that I play and his ability; just a lot of things translated.”
As we will get into later, PG is going to be a perfect scheme fit next to Tatum but also a mentor.
Mazzulla and Robinson Form Fun Bond to Cauterize Rivalry
On the lighter side of Media Day, a funny clip surfaced of Mazzulla spending time with new free-agent acquisition Mitchell Robinson this summer. Mazzulla has done an excellent job meeting with all his players; he went to Spain and Portugal to meet with Hugo Gonzalez and Neemias Queta, respectively.
The NBC Sports Boston crew got Mazzulla to talk about riding in Mitchell Robinson’s infamous truck. Robinson, who is not afraid of posting his… obnoxious? Fun? Not sure what the right word for it, truck on social media.
Mazzulla said:
“I did not drive. I was very nervous. I’m not—I can’t drive a truck. I’m not a very good driver. From New England, you know, we can’t drive.”
The Johnston, RI native also touched on his past rivalry with Robinson. The “Hack-A-Mitch” strategy has long been used to halt the Knicks‘ offense. Robinson is one of, if not the worst, free-throw shooters ever, but they seem to have gotten past this. He’ll be an elite fit next to Tatum in pick-and-roll scenarios.
Scheierman, Gonzalez, Harper Jr. Friendship Continues to Grow
The young bench unit narrative was pretty fun last year and was one of my favorite talking points when discussing the Celtics’ future. There is no guy with “star potential”, but rather “star role player potential”. The trio had plenty of entertaining antics, which in turn led to smoother play on the court.
Ron Harper talked about Baylor switching from rap to Latin music ever since Hugo joined the C’s, and Hugo teased Baylor in an interview with the NBC Sports Boston crew. It’s great to see these interactions, rather than none at all. Dysfunctional locker rooms end the season before they begin. The season is already on the right foot.
Welcome to Big Fella University
Queta emerged as one of the most improved players last year in a bigger role after the departure of Kristaps Porzingis and Al Horford. While he’s still raw and uncoordinated, he has a higher ceiling than people outside die-hard Boston fan circles would believe.
Now with Robinson behind him and Luka Garza in the 3rd unit, Queta leads an enhanced center room he coined “Big Fella University”. He also included sophomore Amari Williams and rookie Chris Cenac Jr. in the new class. I’m relieved that Queta has stepped up into a new, vocal role, as I think the media saw him as a quieter member of the locker room.
Vocal presences are necessary, and as one of the longer tenured guys on the team now, I’m glad he stepped up as the Dean of BFU.
“We bring toughness, physicality. That’s something that we do really well – all three of us. We’re all pretty down-to-Earth guys. I think that’ll mesh us pretty well. I can’t forget about Amari and Chris, as well.”
Media day isn’t the time to give up or buy fully into a team; it’s a chance for outsiders to get a better look at the personalities of the players and staff of their favorite teams and become even stronger fans.
It’s a lot of fun watching a 7-footer do a silly cup-stacking game or make a “back to school” board and get fans thinking about the season coming in a month.
Let’s just hope the Celtics offense looks better than the Patriots and Red Sox next week during the preseason opener versus the Cavaliers.
