The Celtics’ acquisition of Malcolm Brogdon, whereas undoubtedly deepening their roster, initially raised some questions. Would Marcus Smart’s position change? Could Smart and Brogdon coexist?
More than two weeks into coaching camp, and because the common season opener looms subsequent week, none of these questions appear to be a priority. Smart began, and Brogdon got here off the bench in each of the primary two preseason video games. Brogdon has continued to emphasise that he desires to sacrifice. All indicators level to the 2 having embraced one another’s new partnership.
Brogdon was a starter and the very best participant on a rebuilding Pacers group, however escaped that to affix a championship contender. In Boston, there’s no query who holds the keys: Smart. Brogdon as soon as once more reiterated his happiness to play a supporting position to him on Wednesday.
“He’s a great guy. Always as spirited, always as positive, always wanting to hold guys accountable,” Brogdon stated. “He’s the leader and the type of point guard you want for a team like this. So to be able to work with him and play with him, it’s gonna be great.”
Smart had his most interesting season on each ends of the ground final 12 months, when he was named the NBA’s Defensive Player of the Year whereas engineering the Celtics’ offense as their lead guard to the NBA Finals. Entering his ninth season and the longest tenured participant on the C’s, it doesn’t seem Smart’s position is altering.
New Celtics coach Joe Mazzulla joked Wednesday that Smart instructed him what his position goes to be this season. Truth be instructed, Smart doesn’t should after establishing himself final season.
“I trust Marcus completely on both ends of the floor,” Mazzulls stated. “I believe he’s an necessary piece for us in each facet of offense. And so, he’s finished an important job of simply figuring out how he can affect the sport with and with out the ball. We requested all of our guys to have the ability to try this. I belief him utterly. …
“Me and Smart have had great conversations. We were both point guards. Both been around each other for a long time. Our conversations are about how we can affect the game on both ends of the floor and make the right play. He’s done a great job focusing on that. Like I said, I fully trust him to make the right play.”
Brogdon sheds mild on Indy exit
Brogdon has made no secret that he needed to discover a new state of affairs for himself after three underwhelming seasons with the Pacers. On Wednesday, he revealed some extra on what led to his departure this summer season, and when he began having ideas about it.
“It was probably when we started rebuilding last year,” Brogdon stated. “I felt like the team, the organization was moving in a different direction, going a little bit younger, which teams are doing nowadays. You can’t fault Indiana for that because we weren’t having a level of success that granted to keep all your guys. So, at that point, I think the front office and I thought it was best to maybe find a contender for me. Indiana did me very well. They did a good job by me.”
In the primary two preseason video games, Brogdon was the primary participant off the C’s bench and was the lead guard for the second unit. He’s having fun with his new position after three seasons of carrying the scoring burden in Indiana.
“It’s been great,” Brogdon stated. “It’s a new adjustment, of course, but for me, I embrace it, man. I took on a lot of load in Indiana. I enjoyed it. But this is a new role, a new team, a new level of team, to be honest, that’s competing for a championship. So we’re gonna have more ballhandlers, more guys that have more skills and more strengths. So I enjoy playing with them. They make the game easier for me.” …
Luke Kornet is continuous to progress from his left ankle sprain however is unsure to play in Friday’s preseason finale in opposition to the Raptors in Montreal.
“I hope so,” Mazzulla stated. “Taking it day by day. He’s gotten better (from) yesterday. So we’ll see how he feels. I know he wants to.”
What is Mazzulla on the lookout for within the Celtics’ ultimate tune-up earlier than Tuesday’s common season opener in opposition to the 76ers?
“I think it’s (about) how can we get momentum from the Toronto game when we were fully healthy, how can we maximize that and then how can we build off of what we’ve worked on these last four days so that we can have the right momentum going into the regular season,” Mazzulla stated.
Source: www.bostonherald.com