Blake Griffin, who officially signed with the Celtics on Monday, was pleasantly surprised by how the team greeted him upon his arrival, Darren Hartwell of Yahoo Sports relays.
“I’ve talked to pretty much everybody,” Griffin said. “I was talking to some guys (Sunday). … I’m actually very — not surprised, but the amount of maturity and welcomingness (that the Celtics’ players showed) … it’s a different atmosphere than I was sort of used to, in a good way. They were very welcoming: everybody, one through 15. Practice today was focused, very encouraging, helpful. I think you kind of take that for granted because it’s not always the case everywhere you go.”
We have more on the Celtics:
- Marcus Smart, the reigning Defensive Player of the Year, hopes Boston is the only team he plays for, according to Adam Himmelsbach of the Boston Globe. “That’d be special, especially playing for a franchise that’s known for greatness,” Smart said. “So it’s something I’ve been thinking about and it’ll continue to be something I think about. It’s a great thing to think about. You see those banners when you walk into the Garden. You feel the history and the past. You feel the blood, sweat, and tears that the people in front of you left, and you want to be part of that.”
- Though they looked a little sloppy at times, the Celtics had an eye-opening start to the preseason, routing the Hornets by 41 points. One of the interesting twists from interim coach Joe Mazzulla, as Jared Weiss of The Athletic notes, was a small-ball lineup he used in the second quarter with Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown at the power positions and guards Malcolm Brogdon, Smart and Derrick White rounding out the unit.
- An informal poll conducted by Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston during Media Day revealed Sam Hauser as the player who could have the most surprising impact this season. Hauser, who re-signed with the club on a three-year deal, appeared in 26 games off the bench last season. “Sam, in open gym, didn’t seem like he ever misses,” White said. “He didn’t miss much last year. And so just getting that year under his belt, being more assertive, and more sure of himself.”
Not sure if Blake Griffin is directing his negative comments toward “other” teams toward Brooklyn, Detroit or the Clippers. Probably Brooklyn though.
Blake is now writing checks that a washed, often-injured, veteran player no longer good enough to be a starter can cash.
“Different atmosphere than he was used to”. Shouldn’t a player of Blake Griffin’s stature been the one “setting” the “atmosphere” on the teams he played for????
Blake Griffin, Devin Booker (why post the LeBron video??) and Ben Simmons (only getting a ring if KD gets him one this year). These guys need to be teammates.
I don’t totally disagree, never a big Blake fan and he is way way way past his prime. However after Kyrie in game 1, Blake was the Net putting out the most effort every game against the C’s last year.
Not sure why anyone cares about these throwaway quotes to the media.
Love the idea of small ball Celtics
Brogan/White Smart Brown Tatum and Rob Will or Horford.
Smart is obviously a terrific defender, Brown is great and Tatum showed last playoffs he’s really good at that end too.
Rob obviously blocks shots and protects the rim, Horford can do bits aswell at the centre spot.
The only issues I could see that would arise from that is having to share the ball with another ball handler and star players sacrificing shots to another guard. Ultimately I don’t see it as a full time thing but it’s a great idea to play at times and against the right opponents.
Can play slightly bigger having Grant Williams at the 4 and sliding everyone back. Grant doesn’t demand to many touches, spaces the floor well and also is good defensively. Long term wise that’s the direction I think they should head
Just hoping Mfiondu Kabengele makes the Celtics & can play a bit like our missing TimeLord. He’s the only big we’re lobbing to & he put down lobs by a few Celtics last night with good quick springs up to catch & dunk. Seems quick moving his feet as well. Kabengele adds a bit of his own with energy, hustling quick to the floor & speed up the floor & a three point shot. Maybe he’s our find this year. Go Celtics!
He’s on a two way contract so even if he doesn’t “make” the Celtics he will play a lot until Williams comes bac k.