David Butler II-USA TODAY Sports
Derrick White Details Origins of Celtics' Selfless Mentality
With the Boston Celtics assembling the NBA's most talented top six, Jayson Tatum called for a meeting amongst the group before the 2023-24 NBA campaign kicked off.
The five-time All-Star wanted everyone to have a chance to voice their honest thoughts and express any concerns that come with knowing they can't all start or close contests and maximizing their collective ability requires sacrificing minutes, shots, and touches, and embracing whatever role they get asked to fulfill on a given night.
Jrue Holiday's quarterbacking the defense and bearing considerable responsibility at that end, while his usage rate offensively is the lowest of his career, exemplifies that.
So does Kristaps Porzingis stepping out of his comfort zone defensively, Jayson Tatum's approach in the Celtics' 126-115 win in their Christmas clash vs. the Los Angeles Lakers, taking on the job of facilitating and screening for his teammates to step into the scoring spotlight, and Al Horford being the member of Boston's top six who doesn't start or finish games when the rest of that group is in the lineup.
Derrick White, appearing on WEEI's The Greg Hill Show, shared his perspective on the origins of the C's willingness to sacrifice individually, prioritizing their championship pursuit.
"Joe (Mazzulla)has definitely mentioned it, but we as players gotta buy in. JT has probably been the most vocal about it... A guy at his position willing to make that sacrifice definitely means a lot. JB (Jaylen Brown) has done the same thing, too."
While some may consider it a given that a group would take a step back individually for the best chance at ascending to the NBA's summit, as Boston saw in 2019, that doesn't always happen.
Revisiting what unfolded that season while on Podcast P with Paul George, Gordon Hayward conveyed, "We all had too many agendas."
Hayward was trying to re-establish himself that year after a horrific injury six minutes into his Celtics tenure. Kyrie Irving wanted to prove he was still the team's leader after they nearly went to the Finals without him and plotted his Boston exit. And the group's younger players that almost propelled them there wanted to build off that success and continue carving out their place in the league.
But this iteration of the Celtics is a mature group that's achieved considerable individual success, has signed lucrative contracts, and knows what it takes to win a championship in the case of Holiday.
It's a vital aspect of why this team's embraced a selfless and sacrificial approach that's allowed them to cultivate impressive chemistry, with Brown stating after a 117-98 victory vs. Victor Wembanyama and the San Antonio Spurs in late January it's, "I've been on some great teams, and we've had some great locker rooms, and this marks up with one of the best groups and teams and character that we've had."
The group's intangibles are essential to them sitting atop the NBA standings with a 43-12 record, while no other team has reached 40 wins. It's also paramount to their hopes of lifting the Larry O'Brien Trophy in June.
Further Reading
Jaylen Brown Praises All-Star Snub: 'Excelling His Game at a Rapid Pace'
Jayson Tatum Addresses Discourse Around His MVP Candidacy
Jaylen Brown Doesn't Win Dunk Contest but Delivers Most Poignant Moment
Jayson Tatum's Approach vs. Nets Tale of Two Halves and Steadfast Commitment
Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot
Brad Stevens Sheds Light on Celtics' Motivations for Xavier Tillman Trade
Marcus Smart Shares How Boston Shaped Him, His Message to Celtics Fans
Celtics Maturation Molded by Experience: 'It Builds, Like, an Armor'
Jaylen Brown Quieting Doubters, Validating What He Always Believed: 'Earn Everybody's Trust'
Joe Mazzulla Discusses Identity, Evolution of Celtics' Offense: 'Balance of Pace and Execution'
