Troy Wayrynen-USA TODAY Sports
‘The Scary Part Is That We Can Get Better’: Celtics Stars Discuss Reaching 50 Wins
The Boston Celtics recorded their 50th win over the Portland Trail Blazers, 121-99.
Portland kept it relatively close until the Celtics pulled away in the final period with consecutive big shots.
Boston was without Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, which gave Payton Pritchard the opportunity to be in the starting lineup. The guard maintained his hot play with a near triple-double: 11 points, eight rebounds, and eight assists.
Pritchard was one of three starters with 11 points, as Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum led the way yet again, putting up 53 together. Sam Hauser also showed out with a season-high 22 points on 8-12 shooting, including faring 6-10 from three.
Brown has still been scorching since the All-Star break, averaging 28 points, 6.1 rebounds, and 3.7 assists, shooting 53.2 percent from the field and 38.3 from three. The three-time All-Star talked about not taking anything for granted regarding their consistency year after year, as he and Tatum have become accustomed to these types of seasons in years seven and eight.
The duo cited a speech that Brown usually gives to the Celtics around this time of year.
"For sure, super grateful," Brown said. "All the guys laugh, because you know, around this time of year, I say the same thing, of how much of an honor it is to be on a team to help that's won, getting to the playoffs; you also don't want to take that for granted. I'm grateful to be on a team that's winning, to be on a team that's playing the right way, has another opportunity to do something special, that's a blessing. I don't care if they want to hear it or not; I'm grateful."
Brown continued to talk about the team's gratitude when comparing the Celtics' success to the rest of the NBA landscape.
"It's been an honor giving that speech every year; you know what I mean?" Brown said. "You see what's going on in different places of the league: team chemistry, locker room, team's are in losing environments. That hasn't been us. For the most part, I've won every step of my career, and that's been just to great teammates, great organization, trying to build something special, so you don't want to take that for granted."
Tatum elaborated on the point his running mate made.
"We joked about it earlier, but it is important for us not to take these things for granted," Tatum added, "We've been fortunate enough to be on great teams for seven years and eight years now, it's not like that in every team around the league. Been surrounded by really good players and good guys and good coaches, and we just try to get better individually and as a group every single day. We're not perfect, but we strive towards that, and at this point of the season, have 50 wins, then we're doing something right. Scary part is, we can get better."
The Celtics have had multiple 50-win seasons since the Tatum and Brown era, but never one this early. With the best team Boston has had around its two franchise pillars, they know they have a much more significant focus in the ultimate goal.
Further Reading
'Always Ready': Celtics Second Unit Shines in Portland
Jayson Tatum Plays Entire Second Half vs. Suns: 'Don't Really Say That Many Times'
Jaylen Brown's Evolution Crucial to Celtics' Desire to Win with More Than Talent
Celtics Embracing Challenge to Go Beyond Most Talented
Jayson Tatum Opens Up About Sacrificing in Celtics' Title Pursuit: 'It's a Process'
Brad Stevens Discusses Celtics' Plan for Final Roster Spot
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'
