Celtics
“I’ll always have love for the city of Boston.”
In his first press conference after the Celtics secured their sought-after 18th championship last month, head coach Joe Mazzulla opened his remarks by giving credit to the many players and personnel in Boston’s organization who set the foundation for the 2023-24 roster’s eventual triumph.
“I think the most important thing, something that’s really been going through my mind throughout this process, is you can’t lose sight of the people that came before us,” Mazzulla said. “And I want to make sure every person that’s worked for the Celtics, that’s played for the Celtics that didn’t win, knows that their work and what they have done has not gone unnoticed or it doesn’t play a part in where we are at today.”
There are several former Celtics who come to mind when reflecting on Mazzulla’s comments. Former stalwarts like Marcus Smart and Isaiah Thomas played key roles in rebuilding Boston’s standing as a contender over the years.
Speaking to SB Nation’s Noa Dalzell in Las Vegas, Thomas was appreciative of Mazzulla’s comments and said he was proud of whatever role he played to help the Celtics regain their standing as NBA champions.
“I understand I was a stepping stone in the right direction,” Thomas said. “That’s still an amazing feeling. Even though I’m not a part of their championship team, I was a piece to get them to where they are today. I’ll always have love for the city of Boston. I have love for the organization and I’m super thankful for the love they give me.”
Thomas, 35, is still a cherished figure in Boston for his commitment to the Celtics and his emergence as a star player for a team in transition from 2014-17. During his final year with Boston in 2016-17, Thomas averaged 28.9 points per game and finished fifth in NBA MVP voting that season.
Newsletter Signup
Stay up to date on all the latest news from Boston.com