BOSTON, MASSACHUSETTS - MAY 14: Jayson Tatum #0 of the Boston Celtics celebrates a basket against the Philadelphia 76ers during the fourth quarter in game seven of the 2023 NBA Playoffs Eastern Conference Semifinals at TD Garden on May 14, 2023 in Boston, Massachusetts. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Adam Glanzman/Getty Images)
The Celtics’ main focus in training camp is to maintain the winning mindset and play style from last year while dealing with Kristaps Porziņģis’ absence.
Striking the appropriate mix between rest and winning as many regular season games as possible could lead to a closer competition in the east than it was a year ago, though it’s still difficult to picture any team becoming a significant threat.
Teams surely tried. The Knicks acquired Mikal Bridges and traded center depth for perimeter defensive versatility. The Bucks made the most of their limited resources by signing Taurean Prince, Gary Trent Jr., and Delon Wright, while Darvin Ham adds defensive expertise to their bench. The Sixers made the largest addition in
76ers
One of the five teams that faced Boston the most difficult last regular season (together with MIL, OKC, MIN, and DEN), mostly in two games in Philadelphia in November. Despite a late Celtics comeback attempt and a game-tying three-pointer by Porziņģ, Joel Embiid scored 27 points and had 10 rebounds in the first quarter. Derrick White scored 27 points in the next game, a 10-point Celtics victory in which Boston held Embiid to 20. Embiid missed the final two games of the schedule, which Boston won comfortably. With Embiid healthy, they’re a different squad, and with George added, they should be able to compete for the Eastern Conference title. Their depth makes them a candidate to fall quickly if Embiid goes down, as they did last year. Worse, Tyrese Maxey has battled to remain.
