BOSTON (AP) — Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca have been the majority owners of the Boston Celtics for the past 21 years. Grousbeck talked with sincerity after the Celtics ended their second practice of the season on Wednesday afternoon.
This is the most “energized, connected” group C has seen in years, according to management.
“We watched practice today, the rest of us, and Jrue [Holiday] was out there,” Grousbeck said. “In my 21 years of being here, for me and Steve, we’ve agreed, this was just one of the most energized, focus-driven, completely, insanely, connected groups.”
Boston has four Eastern Conference finals berths since the 2016-2017 season, as well as an NBA Finals berth against the Golden State Warriors in 2022. Boston chose to revamp the entirety of their lineup after failing to capture the Larry O’Brien trophy. The departures of Grant Williams, Marcus Smart, Malcom Brogdon, and Robert Williams made room for Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, rookie Jordan Walsh, and others.
Jrue loves the fan environment at TD Garden ☘️ pic.twitter.com/03y7IuYUDa
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 4, 2023
Despite their failed attempt to win numerous championships, Grousbeck admits to “annoyance.” Boston has now made nine consecutive postseason appearances without winning a single trophy. “What, five conference finals in the last six or seven years?” “We’ve been knocking on the door, we’ve been in The Finals, we’ve been leading The Finals, and we’ve lost,” the Celtics owner remarked. “We were down 0-3, came back, and lost Game 7 last year.” It could not be more aggravating.”
Jrue Holiday, a defensive behemoth, has been acquired by Boston.
Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens and management got their wish on the eve of training camp. In exchange for Malcom Brogdon, Robert Williams, a 2024 first-round selection, and a 2029 unprotected first-round pick, Boston acquired point guard Jrue Holiday.
Without Holiday, Media Day came and went, and several members expressed their enthusiasm for his coming. On Wednesday afternoon, #4 was finally unveiled, and Celtics management were overjoyed.
A member of the media was eager to bring out Stevens’ smile. “This is the most emotional we’ve seen you show on here.” Stevens said, “Bad day to play poker with you.”
“We just got back from practice. We got to observe this group in action. “If you were sitting anywhere near the corner, you were in danger of being hit by thrown balls,” Stevens explained. After practice, the old coach admitted that the team made countless blunders together, but there is something special about this team.
“There’s that thing, isn’t there?” “There’s a sense of community, excitement, joy, and competition,” Stevens said.
Holiday, known for his defensive abilities, made an immediate impact on that end of the floor against Jaylen Brown and Phil Pressey. “I told Jrue that getting into Phil [Pressey] and almost forcing him to quit coaching while he was guarding him made me happy.” “I guess that’s why I’m smiling,” Stevens explained. Holiday, one of the league’s top perimeter defenders, provides the Celtics with a much-needed defensive presence in the backcourt. His presence fills a huge vacuum left by the departures of Marcus Smart and Grant Williams.
The guard was able to participate in his first practice as a member of the Boston Celtics after clearing his post-trade physical. Holiday, a two-time NBA All-Star, five-time All-Defensive Team member, and NBA champion, joins a renowned institution that is solely focused on winning.
Grousbeck compares the vibes to the winning team from 2008.
Grousbeck couldn’t keep his excitement from showing. The Celtics haven’t won a championship since 2008, when they were led by Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, and Rajon Rondo. Holiday is the only active Celtic singer with a ring.
officially official ☘️ pic.twitter.com/SfYXoJIHM2
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 4, 2023
“So, there’s just a lot of championship qualities that you [Holiday] are bringing to the table,” the C’s owner remarked of Boston’s newest addition. “We’d want to warmly welcome you to the Celtics. Sincerely, your presence means everything to us. We take this extremely seriously, and when we collaborate, we collaborate.”
“I remember 2008 when that team got put together, that feeling, and Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen walked into the first practice and joined everyone else, and all of a sudden, things just felt different,” Grousbeck told the press. “I just want to say there was just a real feeling of optimism.”
Celtics ownership is committed to the long term.
As a Celtics fan, hearing Grousbeck’s long-term goals was encouraging. He acknowledged his intention to fight for a championship beyond this season, despite having a quality squad that includes multiple All-Stars. “I look at the next six years as a real opportunity for us, not to take anything away from this year,” the owner of the C remarked.
“We’re not going anywhere. It would be fantastic if it was this year, and we have the potential, but so do a lot of other clubs,” Wyc added. With a little luck, connectivity, and the correct skill sets, Boston may be able to hoist Banner 18 sooner rather than later.
Leave a Reply