Starting minutes up for grabs for Celtics
With Kemba Walker out until January on a knee strengthening program, and Tristan Thompson on track to miss the majority of training camp with a strained hamstring, there’s a lot of short term opportunity on Brad Stevens’ roster.
But now that team workouts have barely begun, with the first exhibition game six days away on Dec. 15 in Philadelphia, the Celtics coach has only begun to determine who will get that crack at extra minutes.
CELTICS NOTEBOOK
“We are very much in evaluation phase,” the Celtics coach said during a Wednesday Zoom conference.
“I know it’s a question you have to ask and I know it’s something that everybody talks about, but starting is so often inconsequential to what happens throughout the whole game. I think starting the second half has an even bigger impact. It’s such a big talking point and it’s been made into such a big deal by everyone where I think what we are trying to do is just find how it best fits together. Obviously, the guys that are most impactful to winning will play the most. Whether that means they are starting or not, I don’t know.”
Playoffs bolster readiness
Odd training camp circumstances aside, this group does have one invaluable recent experience on their side — the unparalleled conditions that come with reaching the Eastern Conference Finals only three months ago.
“That’s for sure. There’s no doubt about the playoffs,” said Stevens. “I think when you compare the experience that we got versus some other teams that didn’t play as long or ones that had longer off-seasons, that emotional test of going through a long playoff run, a physical test, having to prepare for the same team, four times, seven times, six times, there’s nothing that replaces that experience.
“When you are talking about offseason and guys working on their own individual games, guys were working super hard in the bubble daily. There wasn’t much else to do so I really think they took advantage of the gym time,” he said. “Several of our guys right after the season — some of our hardest workers — were like, ‘I have to get away from basketball.’ I think that took place but I think everyone got back at it at the right pace. I think we are still in pace mode a little bit, understanding that we have to be ready quickly, right? There’s such a fine line and a balance. It is a unique experience. To answer your question, guys didn’t have a chance to do the normal offseason routine where they are ramped up individually and even as a group. Aaron Nesmith hadn’t played a 5-on-5 game since January until his first practice and everybody is asking me if he’s going to be in the rotation or not. He was just trying to get down the court. There’s so much growth that we all have to go through, we are just on an expedited timeline here.”
Green light
Despite having surgery on his left knee, Javonte Green recovered on time to be in the early training camp mix for increased minutes.
“It’s a bummer last year with the timing that it happened, when it happened. But, you know, it was a great, great experience, the bubble is a great experience,” he said. “Making it to the Eastern Conference Finals and everything, that was a great experience. For me, as a teammate, my teammates, I feel it in as a jumping board to this year.
“I feel great. Coming into training camp last year versus coming to training camp this year is a huge difference,” said Green. “Last year, I didn’t know what to expect, like how to carry anything. I was just here just to work, you know, here, now I know what I have to do and and places that I have to be in. I know the defensive schemes and all kinds of plays and stuff like that. So I feel like I have an advantage this year, just going out there and at the end of the day, just keep playing hard.”