The NBA’s reigning champions, the Boston Celtics, are gearing up to defend their title amidst a whirlwind of offseason drama. After a thrilling championship win, the team’s celebration was short-lived, as they faced a series of unexpected challenges.
First, team owner Wyc Grousbeck announced his intention to sell a controlling interest in the team, leaving the Celtics’ front office to navigate the uncertainty of new ownership. Then, star players Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were snubbed by Team USA, with Brown being overlooked for a roster spot and Tatum receiving limited playing time.
The controversy surrounding Brown’s exclusion was particularly heated, with the player taking to social media to express his frustration. Teammate Al Horford defended Brown, saying, “You saw an evolution in Jaylen’s game [last season]. He was getting people involved. He’s making the right reads. He is making the cuts when he needs to make it to the basket.”
Meanwhile, Tatum’s sporadic playing time with Team USA raised eyebrows, particularly after he was benched for an entire game. Coach Steve Kerr later apologized for the decision, but the damage had been done.
As the Celtics prepare for the new season, they’ll be without star center Kristaps Porzingis, who is recovering from a rare ankle injury. The team is optimistic about his return, but the timeline is uncertain.
Despite the challenges, the Celtics are focused on defending their title. Tatum has been putting in extra work to address a mechanical issue with his jumper, and Horford is ready to step up as the likely starter at center.
As coach Joe Mazzulla said, “I think our job is to continue to, with everyone in the room — owners, basketball operations, [coach] Joe [Mazzulla] — our job is to build the best team that we can under the comfort level of the people in the room.”
The Celtics’ championship honeymoon may have been short-lived, but they’re determined to prove themselves as a dominant force in the NBA once again.
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