Brushing off 3 of unkind
Irving sees skid as building point
CELTICS NOTEBOOK
After getting off to the hottest start in the NBA this season, the Celtics never envisioned today’s predicament, with their first major western road trip about to begin and a three-game losing streak in hand.
The Celtics begin in Los Angeles against the Lakers tomorrow night, followed by the Clippers on Wednesday night, the Golden State Warriors on Jan.27 and the Denver Nuggets on Jan. 29.
A quick fix wouldn’t hurt, though Kyrie Irving sounds like the current challenge is necessary for team growth.
“I mean — you gotta hit some adversity. We have to hit something, like we need it as a team,” Irving said after yesterday’s 103-95 loss to the Orlando Magic at the Garden. “There’s a lot more adversity down the road and we got to be able to weather the storm no matter what. That’s part of the game and learning one another and being able to figure out how do you respond from that. Us as a group, as we’ve come in the last four months or five months, it’s new.
“We need to hit something like this in order for us to grow. It’s part of the game. It’s part of being on a team, part of being a professional on any team, in any environment, you gotta have stuff like this where you gotta figure it out.”
And quickly, too.
“Oh, it definitely puts a huge emphasis on the next game, what we have to do in order to put ourselves in a great position to win at the end of the day,” Irving said. “We’re playing against some hungry teams out in the Western Conference, and they’ve come in here and played pretty well against us, except for the Clippers, I believe. Right?
“So, you know, on this trip this is great for a young developing team like we have. And it’s fun because you can learn so much more about one another.”
Fond of day games
Afternoon basketball is one of the blessings of the college game, and yet a time of day that seems to throw off a lot of NBA players when forced to break from their nightly routine.
But count coach Brad Stevens among those who love a start time like yesterday’s, when the Celtics and Magic tipped off at 1 p.m.
“I don’t know — we practice at noon or 1,” Stevens said when asked why the adjustment seems so difficult for some players to make. “End of the day I think this is a great opportunity. As a coach, I love them,” he said. “I like getting up, getting after it and having the rest of your day, especially with an 8(-yearold) and a 12-year-old. I don’t have to worry about them leaving early and getting to bed and getting to school on time. It’s something I really appreciate and enjoy. I’m glad we have a chance to enjoy it.
“If you’re lucky enough to qualify for the playoffs you have to be ready to play any time they tell you to play. I like playing at this time.” . . .
Shelvin Mack has worked hard for his place in the NBA, moving on from Stevens at Butler University to the Maine Red Claws and a succession of NBA teams, including his current place in the Orlando rotation.
“Obviously one of my favorites. It’s been fun to watch him the last few weeks and over the course of his career,” said Stevens. “He’s always a guy I’ve always admired for his work ethic and the ability to do whatever it takes to give his team a chance to win. Can’t say enough good things about him.”
On Duke brotherhood
Duke just landed another top-five recruit with Zion Williamson, a power forward from South Carolina, announcing his decision Saturday. Irving used the opportunity to do a little boasting.
“Another one. Another one. That’s all I’ve gotta say. One, two and three. That’s what we do, baby. The brotherhood,” said Irving. “So I’m just super happy for Coach (Mike Krzyzewski) and the entire coaching staff over that at Duke. I’m glad that kind of the stigma of us getting top players is slowly fading away. So I’m proud of that.
“Getting some great recruits, so I’m happy. And it’s all up to coach to kind of develop those guys. And it’s just awesome to hear that when Zion was speaking he spoke on the Duke brotherhood.”