Kofi Inkoom
The Boston Celtics are expressing a keen interest in extending their partnership with Blake Griffin, a seasoned 34-year-old big man who, according to reports from Gary Washburn of The Boston Globe, is currently contemplating retirement.
The sentiment toward Griffin within the organization is nothing short of enthusiastic, as evidenced by the remarks of Brad Stevens, the president of basketball operations.
Speaking at a youth basketball camp recently, Stevens lauded Griffin’s impactful contributions during the previous season, even though the veteran only graced the court for 41 games. Griffin’s influence, both as a player and a mentor, was unmistakable.
Stevens, known for his candidness, remarked,
“I’m not blowing smoke,” Stevens asserted. “It was as good as it gets. He was unbelievable when he played and even better when he didn’t. He has a fan for life from everybody in our organization. You know, if he decides to keep playing, he wants to come back out East, and he knows we’re just a phone call away.”
Furthermore, Stevens took a moment to share the behind-the-scenes efforts it took to bring Griffin on board last fall.
At the time, the Celtics were in need of a capable stand-in for the injured center, Robert Williams, who was sidelined for the early part of the season.
Stevens didn’t sugarcoat the potential limitations on playing time once Williams returned, a reality Griffin initially hesitated to embrace.
However, a second persuasive phone call from Stevens eventually secured Griffin’s commitment to the team.
Addressing the evolving leadership dynamics within the Celtics’ roster, Stevens recognized the importance of Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum stepping into leadership roles, particularly after the departure of Marcus Smart, who was traded to Memphis.
“I think Marcus is a good leader,” Stevens expressed. “And we have a lot of other good leaders in that locker room, too. Everybody does it through their own personality and their own way. We talked about it several times three, four, five years ago. One of the keys to our whole program will be when Jaylen and Jayson get to 25, 26, and 27, being two of the best leaders in the league, and they’re there. I think they will without question lead, and they were already.”
As the training camp draws near, the Boston Celtics find themselves in prime position to secure a second consecutive trip to the Eastern Conference Finals, all while harboring aspirations of clinching the highly sought-after NBA championship.
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Initially, the Boston Celtics were the frontrunners with the best odds to claim the championship in the upcoming season.
However, the dynamics shifted significantly with the blockbuster trade that sent Damian Lillard to the Milwaukee Bucks, causing bookmakers across the league to now consider the Bucks as the favorites.
Nevertheless, the Boston Celtics still hold a promising chance to earn back-to-back appearances in the eastern finals.