Boston - There seems to be a certain buzz around the Auerbach Center as newfound Celtic Jrue Holiday made his practice debut on the parquet Wednesday. This season seems to have a different feeling for the men in green. They know that it's time to get it done.
Different: the key word for the 2023-24 Boston Celtics. In the past it has felt like a group of friends having a reunion in the first week of training camp. This year however, it is completely different. The entire roster came ready to play on day one and the message is clear; championship or bust.
This may be due to the presence of roster members from the 2008 championship team. Joe Mazzulla brought in Sam Cassell to the coaching staff and Celtics legend Paul Pierce was in the building for the first practice.
This season seems to be similar to the 2008 season. With the addition of Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, the Celtics now have arguably the best starting lineup in the NBA.
Hopes are high for the Celtics, both with the starting 5 they have, and the development of players. Peyton Pritchard signed a four-year, 30 million contract and led the second unit with 26 points. Luke Kornet is also expected to step up into a serious role this season.
But the story is still the same. At this point it is beginning to look like a broken record.
The weight of the Celtics success lies on the shoulders of veteran stars Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, who are in their eighth and seventh seasons respectively.
This season will be chalked up to disappointment if there is anything less than a golden trophy in the Auerbach Center at the conclusion of it. If the starting five can replicate their numbers from last year they will be bringing 111.1 points per game, which is more than 4 teams’ totals last season.
Signs point towards good things, and with injuries preventing, the green are in position for a favorable ending to this season.
The Celtics won their first preseason game over the rival 76’ers 114-106 in Boston on Sunday.
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