Ramp to Camp: What’s the biggest Celtics storyline ahead of Day 1? originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
When the Boston Celtics gathered for the start of training camp a year ago, there was no lack of intrigue: The offseason was booked by the additions of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, along with the departure of core members in Marcus Smart and Robert Williams III. . This was a team still stung by a Game 7 loss at home in the Eastern Conference Finals that denied it a chance to return to the Playoff stage.
Things are a little different this time. The Celtics are NBA champions and brought back essentially the same roster. So for the fourth installment of ours Ramp to Camp 2024 series, we hit our panel with a somewhat open-ended question: What’s one story you’ll be focusing on when the Celtics huddle for Day 1 of training camp on Sept. 25?
(Check the first, second and third installments of Ramp to Camp here.)
Our pick is a storyline that could define Boston’s entire 2024-25 season: how willing this team is to put in the work necessary to end the NBA’s back-to-back championship drought, and how they approach this season after finally reaching the mountaintop ?
The 2023-24 Celtics were men on a mission. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were early reports to the Auerbach Center, setting a tone for the entire team. Training camps and even regular-season practices were commercial. The Celtics most certainly had their fun, but even the novices were amazed at the almost extraordinary focus of getting over the final hurdle and securing Standard 18.
The Celtics have so much talent — and showed how dominant they could be last season — that it sometimes feels like the only team that can stop them from their ultimate goal is themselves. So our entire focus as camp begins is how the Celtics talk about the challenges ahead, and how they accept the obstacles that await.
The good news? Early returns suggest this team won’t lack for motivation, and the Celtics already look like they’ll take on those challenges.
Tatum and Brown finally got their banner and continued to find motivation the way Team USA disrespected them both this summer. Players joked this summer about being a head coach Joe Mazzulla turned the page almost immediately to the team’s championship defense and Mazzulla recently noted how he wants a target on his team’s back (or, as Mazzulla implied, he’d rather have the team wear it right between their eyes).
These feel like encouraging indicators that the Celtics will be able to capture the same focus and motivation that fueled them a year ago, and that this team may be able to avoid some of the pitfalls that other defending champions have fallen into. .
The talent and potential of this team is obvious. Success seems to depend on being strong enough mentally to embrace the long journey back to a singular goal. After a summer celebrating their successes, we’re eager to see how quickly players can turn the page to the next chapter.
Here’s what our panel will focus on:
John ThomasColumnist: Is everyone in shape?
Or did someone let their guard down during a championship summer? It may be the first sign of a rough road ahead.
Tom GilesMulti-platform host: Motivated Jays?
How motivated will Brown be of the Olympic snub and how motivated Tatum will be by his Olympic role (or lack thereof)? Will they come out of the gates ready to set the world on fire?
Mark Hazlett, Multiplatform producer: Joe Mazzulla
You just know he cares more about his team than anyone. He’s bound to come to camp with some absolutely outrageous methods to keep his guys on their toes. Can’t wait to see what they are.
Darren HartwellManaging Editor: Mazzulla setting the tone
Mazzulla answered many critics by leading the Celtics to a title in his second season as head coach. The 36-year-old is a maniacal competitor, though, and we’re keen to hear what message he delivers to his players and the media about putting last season’s championship in the rear-view mirror.
Justin LegerOnline Producer: Motivated Jays?
How motivated are Tatum and Brown running their respective Olympians? Barring any notable changes to the championship roster, all eyes should be on the Jays to see if it’s clear they have a chip on their shoulder, especially Brown.
Nick GossOnline Producer: No KP, no problem?
What does the lineup look like with Porzingis unavailable for the first few months of the season?
Kevin Miller, VP, Content: The evolution of the Jays
Every year they come back better than the previous season. And can Xavier Tillman be a legitimate rotation backup for Al Horford?
