Oh boy, here we go.. the NBA season is just 3 weeks away, and today is Media Day. I could not be more excited to start this season after how rough of an ending it turned out to be last year. Losing Game 7 to Gladys Knight and the Pips after an amazing first quarter and sticking it to them the rest of the way until we imploded in the last 5 minutes, was really really tough for the fans and especially these young players. But, if there is anything the NBA should know by now, it’s do not give any Celtics players another chip on their shoulder or they will make you pay. Now the entire team has a chip on their shoulder. Let’s talk about Media Day and “The Irish Exit”.
First up Kyrie “Little Mountain” Irving. No larger gift on Media Day than him stating, “I believe Boston is the place for me.” Or when he said, “There are times I think of having number 11 in the rafters, that’s the dream.” It truly appears that he is going to be in Boston for the long run and why wouldn’t he? He will get max money this summer, he has the best GM/Head Coach in the league, he has amazing young players who he can help mold into even better players through his leadership, and of course, there’s an amazing fan base to pick him up when he’s down. Trust me when I say this Kyrie, the feeling is mutual, we all bleed green.
Now onto some more interesting notes from Media Day. Robert Williams III. He showed up and on time! Now he might not know what are props and what are actual Gatorades he can drink at press conferences but Aaron Baynes and Al Horford will teach the rook the ropes, just as they have all summer. I am really looking forward to seeing him healthy this year even if he only gets 10-15 minutes a night. Watching his college tape and the half of a summer league game that he played, you could truly see how well he can move and crowd the ball carrier, which will be a dream for Brad on defense. Downside is the mental aspect of the game where you can see he has taken large steps this summer to make it to events on time, put in the work, make the necessary changes for success. He isn’t going to be Rookie of the Year, we all know that is going to Simmons this year anyways (if he can develop a jump shot).
The biggest thing I am taking away from media day is that I have never followed a team like this before. In any sport. This time last year I truly could not see the chemistry until the All Star break. Once injuries started to happen and all of our giant comeback wins, not only did the team chemistry start forming but if feels like they all became best friends. Now, after losing Game 7 the way we did and running it back with the same players, they will go to war together and will raise the 18th banner together.
B.W.A. might be the scariest part for the rest of the NBA. No teams bench is going to be able to compete with the now self-branded “Bench With Attitude” in swag and toughness. The “Irish Exit” lineup is going to be tough enough for the NBA to compete with but when they sub out to take a breather they’ll still have to compete with players like Mook Sr, Scary Terry, Smart, and the Semi Truck (Don’t forget about Bangin Baynes, Theis Theis Baby, Yaboosele, and Robert “Where Am I” Williams III).
Obviously, I am really looking forward to this years season because not only do I believe that the Celtics will be hanging banner 18 after its all said and done, but I believe that this will be one of the most entertaining NBA seasons and Celtics team to follow of all time. #CusRise
By Bennett Yetra
1204 Sports 