Celts
In his first press conference for the reason that Celtics won their long-awaited 18th championship last month, head coach Joe Mazzulla began his remarks by praising the various players and staff in Boston's organization who laid the inspiration for the 2023-24 squad's eventual triumph.
“I think the main thing that's really been on my mind throughout this process is you can't lose sight of the people who came before us,” Mazzulla said. “And I want to make sure that everyone who worked for the Celtics, who played for the Celtics who didn't win, knows that their work and what they did didn't go unnoticed or have no impact on where we are today.”
When reflecting on Mazzulla's comments, several former Celtics come to mind. Former mainstays like Marcus Smart and Isaiah Thomas played key roles in rebuilding Boston's position as a contender over time.
In conversation with Noa Dalzell from SB Nation in Las VegasThomas was grateful for Mazzulla's comments and said he was happy with the role he played in helping the Celtics regain their status as NBA champions.
“I understand that I was a stepping stone in the right direction,” Thomas said. “It's still a great feeling. Even though I'm not part of their championship team, I helped get them to where they are today. I will always love the city of Boston. I love the organization and am very grateful for the love they have shown me.”
Thomas, 35, remains to be a valued figure in Boston for his commitment to the Celtics and his rise to stardom on a team in transition from 2014 to 2017. In his final 12 months with Boston in 2016-17, Thomas averaged 28.9 points per game and finished fifth in voting for NBA MVP that season.
image credit : www.boston.com