Celtics media day highlights: Jaylen Brown ‘extremely motivated,’ Porzingis targets December return |Max Sporty|

The Boston Celtics got a one-week head start on training camp as they and the Nuggets are headed to Abu Dhabi to open the NBA preseason on October 4 (something that disrupts practice schedules).

Boston held its media day on Tuesday, and some interesting pieces came out of what can be a scripted-feeling event (for each team). Here are some highlights from the Celtics media day.

Jaylen Brown “extremely motivated”

Championship teams can come into next season a little fat and happy after a summer of partying. It can be hard to be motivated for a Tuesday night game in November after the high of playing for a ring in June and partying all summer.

These Celtics will be a little different. Jayson Tatum struggled with his shot during the NBA Finals and was then benched by Steve Kerr for two key USA games during the Paris Olympics, while Jaylen Brown felt slighted by USA Basketball as a whole and didn’t receive an invite to Paris, even after Kawhi Leonard had leave the team

“[Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla] was probably the happiest person in the world that I didn’t win Finals MVP and that I didn’t play in two of the games in the Olympics,” Tatum said. “So, that was weird, but if you know Joe, it makes sense .”

While Tatum also said he didn’t need the extra motivation, Brown was much more blunt.

“I’m extremely motivated for obvious reasons and I’m ready after that.”

Both Tatum and Derrick White — who was put on Team USA in Brown’s place as Leonard’s replacement — said they had spoken and that there was no problem between them.

Kristaps Porzingis is targeting a December return

Porzingis missed part of the NBA Finals due to a torn retinaculum and dislocated posterior tibialis tendon in his left foot/ankle, then had surgery just after the NBA Finals to repair it. He was asked about the recovery taking place during a media day:

“I’m running, I’m on the court, shooting normally…” Porzingis said. “I do a lot of things honestly. I was already a little bit with some direct contact, doing some things and, yeah, it felt really good afterwards.”
That doesn’t mean to expect him back soon, Porzingis told ESPN’s Ramona Shelburne he is looking to return in December. However, expect the Celtics to be cautious with his return, when they need him is April, not December.

Jayson Tatum says he can be better

Tatum said he spent the summer working with his coach, Drew Hanlen, to adjust some of the mechanics on his jump shot, which was off during the Finals and the Paris Olympics (it’s part of the reason Kerr cut him). Tatum said he expects to come back stronger than the MVP candidate we saw a season ago.

Al Horford is not thinking about retirement

He may be 38 years old and have already played 17 NBA seasons, but don’t ask Al Horford if he’s thinking about retirement.

“I don’t think there was ever any question that I wasn’t going to come back or anything like that,” Horford said. “For me, and I’ve said this before, I’ve never put a limit on how long I’ll play. So, I feel good, and I’m very lucky to be in this position.”

Luke Kornet talks about his mortgage

You think you don’t want to hear about Kornet’s mortgage, but you do.