In a league rife with distractions, the Celtics were presented with a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
One year ago, when the Boston Celtics huddled for Media Day, a black cloud seemed to hover over an already emotionally weary team.
Just days before, the Celtics suspended head
What a difference one year can make.
According to President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens, both offseason acquisition Kristaps Porzingis and reigning Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon are healthy for the start of training camp, and the team could be at full strength for its first camp practice on Tuesday.
Celtics Talk: Early arrivals showcase Celtics’ title bid, including a talk with Jordan Walsh | Listen & Subscribe | Watch on YouTube
Stevens’ upbeat report comes as each of Boston’s main Eastern Conference rivals is mired in their own sea of intrigue.
coach Ime Udoka and elevated bench coach Joe Mazzulla. Both rotation bigs Robert Williams III and Danilo Gallinari had knee surgery in September.
After coming dangerously near to Banner 18 in June 2022, the Celtics were engulfed in distractions before their quest to return to the final game could even begin.
In Milwaukee, the Bucks must guarantee Giannis Antetokounmpo is happy with the trajectory of an aging squad following some strange offseason comments regarding his future. In Philadelphia, it has been claimed that trade-yearning James Harden would not report for the start of training camp under new head coach Nick Nurse. The Heat are in the fourth month of attempting to entice Damian Lillard away from Portland, while the Raptors appear to be considering their own drive for the All-Star guard.
The Celtics have their own set of concerns. How can Porzingis fit into this core, and will he be able to remain healthy for a possible 100-game season? How will the Celtics replace Marcus Smart, particularly his tenacity on the court and his voice off the court? How
But smoothing out the wrinkles with Brogdon, who was nearly dealt in the Porzingis deal in June, is a little less daunting than the sort of drama that Boston was faced with a year ago.
