The previous assistant coach of the Celtics, Charles Lee, made his first return to TD Backyard on Friday night since hiring as coach of the Charlotte Hornets. Lee has simply spent a season in Boston, but it surely was historic as a result of he helped information the Celtics to their 18th title after being added to Joe Mazzulla workers. Lee obtained his championship ring earlier than the Celtics’ victory over the Hornets and thought in regards to the expertise of returning.
“Many feelings,” stated Lee. “A number of joyful feelings. Quantity, you’ll be able to return to a reasonably historic constructing as an exceptional group. And also you construct one thing throughout your first 12 months, and to complete the season right here, it is fairly particular.
“It’s a part of my journey, it kind of helped me put together to be prepared for the place during which I’m now, and due to this fact simply loads of pleasure, loads of gratitude whenever you enter, since you are like, man, I’ve to win a championship right here, and I used to be in a position to study from so many individuals, and all of the issues that helped me put together right now are particular sufficient.”
Lee faces a reconstruction state of affairs in Charlotte, however he has a singular perspective on this workforce of Celtics from afar. Boston completed behind the horsemen and the Thunder within the basic classification of the NBA this 12 months in the midst of their protection of the title, however Lee praised this group as they strategy their protection of title within the playoffs.
“They had been good final 12 months, and I’ve the impression that they had been nonetheless enhancing this 12 months,” stated Lee. “I feel the bench has taken up extra in depth. Seeing what Payton Pritchard was ready to do that 12 months, he provides loads to the workforce. Sam (Hauser) and Luke (Kornet), these guys actually contributed too, then your major guys continued to enhance.”
Lee additionally underlined the continual improvement of Jayson Tatum in a major position as a method of enhancing with the identical assist forged.
“As, to see JT (Jayson Tatum) the primary time we performed them in Charlotte, to see the steadiness he has, the arrogance he has in all his teammates, persevering with to make the suitable cross over and once more,” stated Lee. “It’s a workforce with nice depth that appears to have simply performed a superb work of preparation, and I do know Joe and the workers, they’re obsessive about merely ensuring that these guys have all of the instruments they want for every state of affairs.”
Lee has a protracted option to go together with his new workforce to go to the qualifying collection, a lot much less difficult Boston everywhere in the line. Nevertheless, Joe Mazzulla praised his former assistant for making an attempt to get essentially the most out of a younger workforce that was ravaged by accidents.
“I feel the place during which he’s is in the long run, and also you distance the belongings you wish to enhance,” stated Mazzulla. “However I feel that in a season, you’ve seen the DNA of what he desires to do and administration, and I actually suppose that vitality, even tonight, coaching in opposition to him, the vitality and the positivity he brings to a workforce, I feel the workforce reveals vital pushes of its DNA. nice.”
The Celtics will once more compete in opposition to Lee and the Hornets on Sunday within the common season ultimate for the 2 groups.
