With the season over, the Celtics mirrored on the previous, current, and way forward for the group on Saturday.
After fouling out within the third quarter, Jaylen Brown had given the whole lot he had.
Regardless of 20 factors, 6 rebounds, and 6 assists, the Knicks have been up 35 and the Celtics’ season was successfully over.
“Shedding to the Knicks looks like demise,” Brown mentioned after elimination. “However I used to be taught that there’s life after demise. So, we’ll prepare for no matter’s subsequent.”
Proper now, the “no matter’s subsequent” is a giant query mark. Jayson Tatum might not return from an Achilles rupture till subsequent subsequent season. Brown didn’t disclose a meniscus tear that he’s been coping with since March and he might doubtlessly have offseason surgical procedure. Rumors and hypothesis are swirling that Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Vacation, and Sam Hauser could possibly be cap cuts with second apron penalties on the close to horizon.
After only a day to course of the loss and the tip of their back-to-back bid, the group returned to Boston and a number of other gamers addressed the media with questions on their collective future collectively.
Vacation put it bluntly.
“We had a reasonably good common season,” Vacation mentioned. “Clearly, took care of enterprise there with a 60-win season [with] all people pretty wholesome…I simply felt like we fell quick.”
With the sting of a second-round exit — similar to each championship group’s destiny since 2019 — nonetheless recent, it’s simple to overlook simply how spectacular this squad has been over the previous two seasons. It took over fifteen seasons for the Celtics to report back-to-back 60-plus wins. If it weren’t for the brand new collective bargaining settlement and its restrictions, it wouldn’t be inconceivable to run it again once more.
We nonetheless have a very, actually nice alternative and an ideal window to achieve success and win a championship once more,” Vacation continued.
“I believe that we had the most effective group within the league. Clearly, we did it final yr, however the chemistry that we constructed final season after which coming into this postseason and the way we have been feeling, I really feel like we’re dissatisfied in ourselves, and we let the group down and town down.”
For the veteran who has gained two championships in two completely different cities, he has a eager consciousness that alternatives like this may be fleeting. Payton Pritchard provided a extra massive image perspective although.
“I take a look at it just like the Spurs. You take into account them like a dynasty. They by no means went back-to-back, however since they by no means went back-to-back — all these years that they didn’t win, are they a failure or did all these years assist them win the subsequent championship?,” Pritchard provided. “It’s about attacking the subsequent yr and the yr after that and by no means giving up on making an attempt to realize being on prime of the mountain once more.”
If subsequent season does transform a niche yr like many have instructed together with CelticsBlog’s Jeff Clark, don’t be stunned if we don’t see both of the Jays on Opening Night time. Gamers deeper down into the rotation might see extra minutes early. Pritchard, the reigning Sixth Man of the 12 months, might see himself thrust into the beginning rotation. Hauser might use the summer time to heal from the again subject that plagued him all yr and proceed his enchancment attacking shut outs and changing into greater than only a wing shooter. After years in growth, it’s time to seek out out what Baylor Scheierman, Jordan Walsh, and even JD Davison can convey to the group.
Nonetheless, the chilly actuality is that the CBA was constructed to dismantle dynasties. If Brad Stevens elects to go younger, Boston’s getting old core might quickly be out the door. The Warriors and Nuggets know that lesson all too effectively after Klay Thompson, Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, and Bruce Brown left their respective groups as cost-cutting departures.
After which there’s Al Horford, the venerable pillar of Banner 18. He enters free company at age-39 with loads of fuel within the tank. It’s unimaginable to think about #42 suiting up in something apart from the inexperienced and white, however timing and tax penalties might dictate not simply the entrance workplace’s determination, however his as effectively.
On Saturday, Horford was requested about his plans.
“For me, it’s simply too quickly to speak about that stuff,” Horford mentioned of his looming free company. “I’ll take a while right here with my spouse, with my youngsters. It’s not even been a day. There’s nonetheless quite a bit for me to course of, simply feeling the whole lot out from final night time. That was tough.”
Whether or not he’s again in Boston is a query for an additional day. It’s clear although that he’s had a long-lasting influence on not simply the end result on the parquet, however his impression on Celtic Pleasure.
However, maybe much more necessary than his on-court influence has been his regular presence within the locker room.
“You possibly can’t exchange Al,” mentioned Payton Pritchard. “So, I positively hope we get that found out. As a result of his locker room presence alone is simply essential, after which having him on the courtroom. For all of the younger guys, simply to see how he goes about his enterprise, how skilled he’s. He’s only a chief.”
Horford was nominated for the NBA’s Teammate of the 12 months Award for the second consecutive season. He in the end didn’t win the award — however in his teammates’ eyes, it didn’t matter.
“Al’s about nearly as good a teammate as I’ve ever seen,” Luke Kornet mentioned. “Actually, the most effective one I’ve ever seen.”
His presence permeated its approach into all his teammates and if Boston is to rebound shortly from this devasting finish, it will behoove Stevens to attempt to replicate the tradition that’s been within the room since he began.
“I actually just like the aggressive character of all the fellows within the room. Staff to group, there generally is a wide selection of issues, however the quantity of friction you will have with guys in the end making an attempt to do no matter it takes to win could be very low and I really feel like everyone seems to be so prepared to purchase into no matter that takes and no matter it appears to be for the scenario,” Luke Kornet mentioned of this yr’s group. “Up and down the roster, everyone seems to be taking part in to win and for the group’s success, and I really feel like that’s a reasonably uncommon factor to have.”
After the Celtics season led to 2021, Stevens made the transfer from the bench to the entrance workplace and two weeks later with the playoffs nonetheless in full swing, he made the shrewd commerce of bringing again Horford from Oklahoma Metropolis for Kemba Walker and a primary spherical decide. That transfer would usher in a collection of trades that might finally culminate in a championship in 2024.
For now, there’s no telling what Boston’s future holds. The primary domino could possibly be as seemingly inconsequential as that perceived wage dump of Walker. However in addition to he understands constructing a basketball group when it comes to Xs and Os, Stevens can also be a meticulous decide of character and what it means to play right here. Don’t suppose that this summer time will solely have the wage cap and steadiness books in thoughts.
“We all the time need to symbolize the Celtics and Boston in one of the best ways attainable,” Horford mentioned. “Once we play and we’re on the market, we need to be sure that we replicate town and the individuals and the followers.”
