When it comes to the often-stacked rosters of championship ball clubs, sacrifice is one of if not the most critical aspects of such rosters having a chance at achieving their lofty goals.
Such was the case for the Boston Celtics’ last title squad in 2008, and if this iteration of the storied franchise is going to have a real shot at hanging Banner 18, history will need to rhyme if not repeat itself, to paraphrase Samuel Clemens. But the Celtics don’t just know that — they laid the groundwork for such sacrifice to work ahead of the start of the NBA’s 2023-24 season with a preemptive internal meeting.
And it has paid dividends despite individual statistical dips in the games of all of the starters as well as that of veteran big man Al Horford as the Florida alum comes off the bench.
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Star Celtics forward Jayson Tatum addressed the team’s sacrifices this season in a gutty win against the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday.
“I understand the dynamic of our team and just how talented we are offensively,” said the Duke alum. “I’m certain that none of us are averaging career highs in points.”
“They’re all taking a dip. But it’s for the better of the team,” he added.
Joe Mazzulla on why focusing too much on Jaylen Brown's assists is a bad perspective https://t.co/2xJgdeQcF9 pic.twitter.com/MIaJTHxnaB
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 13, 2023
“Our success as a unit is more important, and we understand that,” explained Tatum. “We know what the ultimate goal is, and human nature plays a part.”
“It’s not easy when you’re accustomed to playing a certain way, scoring a certain amount of points per game. You have to empathize for every guy that it’s not easy, but we’re winning, and we know we’re going to need everybody to achieve our ultimate goal. So, it is true, success looks different every night for each guy.”
“But everybody’s contributing at a high rate, and we’re winning,” added the St. Louis native. “We’re the best team in the league, so winning takes care of everything.”
How the Boston Celtics came back to beat the Cleveland Cavaliers on Tuesday https://t.co/LI5qL8VzpN pic.twitter.com/0NnEQ6wTdd
— The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) December 13, 2023
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