CANTON -- We're live on the scene in Canton as the Celtics kick off media day from High Output Studios. All players and Brad Stevens will meet with the media ahead of the start of training camp on Tuesday. The team will hold double sessions for the next couple of days starting on Tuesday morning. before opening up the preseason on Sunday at the TD Garden against the Charlotte Hornets.
We will update this thread periodically throughout the day with highlights from the media sessions.
BRAD STEVENS
- Head coach emphasized that the team has a lot of questions at center that will need to be answered in the coming weeks.
- Said he thought how last season went emphasized everything he believed he knew about basketball.
- On Kanter: "I think we’re going to throw him the ball in the post at times, he’s going to roll to the rim, he’s going to seal, and he’s going to rebound. He’s a capable guy stretching the floor but we’re going to let him soar with those other strengths first and foremost, and utilize that as only we need in a time where we want to drag the big out away from the basket. I think ultimately we’re going to ask him to do a lot, we’ve got a lot of question to be answered at that spot over the next few weeks, months and this season, and I think obviously he brings a lot to the table that can make us better. His ability to rebound is unique, so we want him around the basket as much as possible, and at the same time, I think he’s a guy who will be able to play in some of our hand-off and pick-and-pop actions."
- On the improvement of Jaylen/Tatum: "Well the reason the pressure increased for them is because they set the bar so high early on. Very rarely as you go through the playoffs in the last two or three years do you see rookies making impact at the level Jaylen and Jayson did, second-year players making impact at the level Jaylen and Jayson did. They are just really good players with bright futures. My deal is that just continue to grow and get better. Everything else will take care of itself. I saw a lot of good growth in both of those guys, not only in the summer in their work but also in playing with Team USA. It was unfortunate (Jayson got hurt) because I thought he was playing the best he had played with that group. I thought in the practices I was at, he played awfully well. I thought Jaylen really came on as that tournament went on and played a bunch of different positions and got totally new experiences, and they are still on a great upward trend. That’s exciting. They’re young, but we’re going to throw a lot at them as we have done each of the last two years, and I think they’ll have good years."
JAYSON TATUM
- He said he's fully recovered from his ankle injury and expects to be ready for the start of training camp.
- Wants to take more 3s and attack the basket more, also mentioned wanting to get to the free throw line as a priority. The type of stuff that is what Celtics fans will want to hear.
- He mentioned how much he loved playing for Coach Pop in China. Thought it was a similar experience to Coach K.
- Would be open for playing for Team USA in 2020 in the Olympics if given the invitation.
- On playing with Team USA: "It was a great honor playing with team USA – unfortunate that I only played two games and we didn’t accomplish our goal. I felt I grew as a player. The best part for me was playing with my teammates, and getting to know guys I normally play against. Good relationships, especially with the coaches. That was the best part for me – Jay Wright, Lloyd Pierce, Steve Kerr all great guys. I love playing for Pop. He’s the best. I enjoyed my time with him. He reminds me a lot of Coach K. I’m very fortunate to have played for two of the best."