The Boston Celtics loaded up after losing in the 2022 NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors in six games, with the intention of not only making it back to the league’s biggest stage but also to win it in 2023.
And by all accounts, everything we are hearing from the players and interim head coach Joe Mazzulla, the Celtics are off to a great start despite multiple injuries to frontcourt players and the scandal that elevated Mazzulla to the interim head coach position in the first place. To such an end, veteran forward Al Horford spoke about what he has been seeing from his team in training camp so far in a recent interview with The Athletic’s Jay King.
“I’ve been pretty pleased with our training camp, the focus, and the commitment from each of our guys,” shared the Celtics big man.
Noah Vonleh on whether he can make the Boston Celtics’ roster for 2022-23 https://t.co/ZmMyF0H97j
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 13, 2022
“Guys are putting in the work,” added Horford of how the team’s camp has been going. “We’re not comfortable.”
“I still feel like we have an edge to our group. And I think that’s the biggest thing. Just because we did something doesn’t mean anything coming into the next year. We’re starting fresh and we have to build this thing back up again.”
And while the stinging memory of the loss is still fresh in their minds and a clear motivating factor heading into the 2022-23 NBA season, the Florida alum related that it also isn’t something they bring up.
These are exactly the type of big swings Boston ought to be making with affiliate players in Maine. https://t.co/xnFbel2rqw
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) October 13, 2022
“It’s been brought up,” explained Horford. “Obviously it has. But it’s not something we’re constantly harping on.”
Given how driven the Celtics were to finish last season and how several Boston players have made it clear the loss has stuck with them over the summer, recounting it out loud in practice is likely less desirable to the team than showing it on the court.
“The biggest thing for us was we’re ready to start the season,” he added later. “We’ve waited all summer to be in this position again.”
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Chatting with @tackofall99 about his new book, life in China, and his enduring Celtics friendships
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— Celtics Lab Podcast (@CelticsLab) October 12, 2022
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