The Celtics are gearing up for the new NBA season after a short but eventful offseason, largely due to their deep playoff run, which culminated in an NBA Finals appearance that stretched into mid-June. Jayson Tatum, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White had an even busier summer, cutting their celebrations short to join Team USA for the Paris Olympics, where they successfully brought home gold by August 10th.
Meanwhile, Jaylen Brown, who surprisingly wasn’t called up to Team USA, had an active offseason, traveling and working on various personal projects, including launching a nonprofit and collaborating with rapper A$AP Ferg on a song. Despite the absence of his Olympic teammates, Brown has already returned to practice, appearing in footage from an unofficial session at the Celtics’ Auerbach Center.
Joining Brown were two-way players JD Davison and Drew Peterson, alongside rookies Baylor Scheierman and Jordan Walsh. Xavier Tillman and second-round pick Anton Watson also made appearances in the video. While offseason workout clips aren’t the most reliable measure of upcoming performance, they provide some early insight into players vying for time.
Baylor Scheierman’s NBA readiness has been a key talking point, and his playmaking ability, such as a sharp pocket pass to Davison for a dunk, shows potential. However, his shooting will likely determine whether he sees significant minutes. Jordan Walsh, on the other hand, has been showcasing his defensive skills, seen in the footage challenging Jaylen Brown, the reigning Finals MVP. Walsh’s gritty defense and athleticism may earn him a role as the season progresses.
The Celtics, preparing for a season with a shorter offseason, will start preseason games earlier, including two matchups in Abu Dhabi against the Denver Nuggets on October 4th and 6th. The team’s official practices will begin on September 25th, as they look to build on last season’s success with a refreshed squad.
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