New-look Brooklyn makes Garden debut
Nets are more than just Kyrie, KD
The Brooklyn Nets made their first of two visits on Friday night — the second, on Christmas, will be part of a nationally-televised showcase — and the Celtics thus have an early reminder of just how hard the climb will be through the Eastern Conference hierarchy this season.
The Celtics don’t need an introduction to their former lightening rod, Kyrie Irving, or Kevin Durant.
But the combination of these two mega talents and what they can accomplish has been the stuff of anticipation and conjecture since the summer of 2019.
“I think when you have a player the caliber of Kyrie and the talent, that inevitably everything changes,” Marcus Smart said of his former teammate. “The conference gets better, the division gets better, their players only get better.
“We all know what Kyrie’s capable of at any given moment, and he doesn’t care who’s in front of you,” he said. “For us, it’s going to take a full-team effort. Not just on Kyrie, but on Kevin as well, and the rest of those guys.
“They’ve got their confidence, they’re playing really good, they’ve got some really good players around those guys, to help those guys. So, for us, it’s going to take every last one of us. But to have those type of players on your team, and in your conference, in the league, only makes that league, that team, and their confidence that much better.”
Brad Stevens only needed a look at the Nets’ exhibition win over Washington to know how the conference is about to change.
“I don’t think there’s any doubt, there are obviously some really good teams in the East. They’re up there with anyone, and when you watch them play the other night, it’s very clear,” said the Celtics coach. “I think Kevin has been one of the great players of this generation, and Kyrie is super special. And you had on those two to a team that’s been in the playoffs the last two years. They’re super deep, I like their additions in the offseason, adding ( Landry) Shamet, adding JeffGreen in addition to those guys. So, excellent team, and you can tell — all you have to do is watch five minutes of the Washington game, and you can tell that this is an elitelevel team that will be very, very good all year.”
Rotation shuffle
Brad Stevens plans to rotate his fifth starting slot, though he started Javonte Green for the second time, also going with DanielTheis at center instead of RobWilliams.
Semi Ojeleye, one of the Celtics coach’s most valued subs, will get his share of minutes during the feeling out process. But Ojeleye has no better idea than anyone else regarding where he will be in the rotation this season.
“I’m not sure what they want as far as what they want out of me, but I just continue to work, and whatever happens this season, that’s what’s going to happen,” the forward said. “In my four years here, if anybody watched, I’ve not played, I’ve started, I’ve come in in the fourth quarter and played, I’ve played all over the place. So I go into each game as if I’m going to play every minute. If I play, great, if I don’t play, great. I’ll just work.”
Praise for Pritchard
The mutual admiration between Smart and rookie Payton Pritchard continues to grow. Smart clearly sees something of himself in the young point guard.
“His upside is, you know, he’s still a young guy who’s new to this league, but he’s very savvy,” said Smart. “He spent four years in Oregon and his IQ is through the roof. So for his potential, it just depends on the work that he continues to put in. The sky’s the limit for that kid. Especially at the size that he is and the way that he plays. That’s what really impressed me.
“He’s not a bigger guard like I am but he’s able to get out there, and he’s scrappy, and he fights and he knows how to play,” he said. “You know, where most rookies coming in and trying to figure it out, he’s coming in, and he’s taking it full, head on, and he’s really out there trying to do his best to help himself and help his team. But being able to come right away in and make an impact like he has on both ends, the defensive end and on offensive end … if he gets the ball, he’s a threat and you have to be prepared for it.”