Celtics finally make Garden return
For the first time in nine months, the Celtics took the court at TD Garden on Thursday.
The C’s held practice at their beloved home arena and soaked in that familiar ambiance that had become so oddly unfamiliar during the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. The virus put the 2019-20 season on pause in March, and the NBA didn’t return to action until summer in the Walt Disney World bubble.
CELTICS NOTEBOOK
The Celtics were last seen in the Garden on Sunday, March 8, taking a 105-104 loss to the Oklahoma City Thunder. Days later, the season stopped.
“None of us had been in the building, and just walking back in here was nice,” said Celtics head coach Brad Stevens. “It was great to be back in here, even without fans, and the change of scenery was nice, too, to do something different. We scrimmaged, played up and down a little bit more, and I think that was a real positive. There was some good moments and some bad moments. But we’re getting there and we’ll keep working towards it.”
The Celts will play a preseason game — one of the two they are scheduled to have — at TD Garden next Friday against the Brooklyn Nets. They’ll open the regular season at the Garden on Dec. 23 against the Milwaukee Bucks, and then host the Nets on Christmas Day.
Fans will not be allowed to attend games for at least the beginning of the season. However, Celtics’ ownership has stated that their hope is that fans will be allowed back in the building, probably in a limited capacity, as the status of the health crisis improves and it’s safe to do so
Still, the C’s are happy to be getting reunited with their home.
“I felt good just driving in, walking back in, being in the locker room, being on the court,” said Celtics forward Jayson Tatum. “Obviously for the new guys, it’s the first time being out there. It felt good for me, it’s been a while.”
The 22-year-old Tatum is entering his fourth season with the Celtics. An All-Star and All-NBA Third Team selection last season, the quiet Tatum says he’s willing to assume more leadership as the C’s navigate through this unique upcoming campaign.
“Everybody leads in their own way,” Tatum said. “I’m kind of a lead-by-example guy — shows up every day on time or early and stays late, get up extra shots, stay in the weight room and do my job. Obviously, I’ll be vocal when I need to be and help guys out.”
Pritchard fitting in
Rookie guard Payton Pritchard is already earning the respect of his teammates.
The 26th overall pick in the 2020 draft out of Oregon has particularly impressed perhaps the Celtics’ toughest player, veteran guard Marcus Smart.
“I kind of had a feeling that he would be a guy that would stand out, and I was looking forward to seeing what he has. He hasn’t disappointed yet,” said Smart of Pritchard.
That’s no surprise, considering Pritchard brings a lot of the same grit and intangibles that Smart brings to the court. The 6-foot-2, 190pound Pritchard had a decorated four-year career at Oregon and was the Pac-12 Player of the Year last season, averaging 20.5 points, 5.5 assists and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 41.5% from 3-point land.
“He’s tough, he knows how to play, he’s physical, he can shoot the ball, and I think he certainly has had a good couple of days,” said Stevens of Pritchard. “What that means in the long run big picture, there’s still a lot to sort out. I’m not surprised that he’s stood out to Marcus. I do think that he’s got a lot of courage, I think he’s got a lot of grit. That’s why he was picked in the first round and that’s why he’s a good player.
Add Tatum to the list of people Pritchard has impressed.
“Payton, obviously he’s shooting the ball really well and he really knows how to play,” Tatum said. “He competes at a high level, and I like that.”
Tatum also praised firstround draft pick and Vanderbilt product Aaron Nesmith.
“Aaron can really shoot and is really gifted with athleticism and strength-wise,” said Tatum.
Smart feeling fine
Back in March, Smart tested positive for COVID-19. He was asked if he’s feeling any lingering symptoms from the virus, which has sadly been the case for many people who have been infected.
“For me, I haven’t experienced any of those. I’m fine,” Smart said. “Definitely, I have heard of those lingering effects, and we test when we do our physical to make sure that some of those lingering effects aren’t within us. I had testing, the COVID test came back negative and I feel fine.”