Among those that are no longer in Boston were fan favorites Kristaps Porzingis (via trade), Al Horford (free agency), Luke Kornet (free agency) and of course Jrue Holiday (via trade), who made his return to TD Garden Monday night for the first time since being dealt to the Portland Trail Blazers last summer.
Holiday spoke to the media prior to tip-off against the Celtics about his former team that currently holds the second-best record in the Eastern Conference and if he's surprised that they haven't taken a step back in what many considered to be a "gap year" even with all the roster changes.
"Not that surprised. I knew that they'd do well. Knowing the type of determination that this coaching staff and organization has," Holiday said in his pre-game presser. "Being with this team for a couple of years and knowing who they are and how they prepare, I figured that they would be good. And then obviously, knowing Jaylen, I feel like he takes a lot of things personally. He doesn't accept a lot, especially when it comes to being bad."
The veteran guard spent two seasons in Boston -- as a major piece in hanging the franchise's 18th championship banner -- he knows firsthand that the winning culture begins with Joe Mazzulla and the coaching staff, coupled with his players not accepting losing as an option.
"I think people counted them out as a team," Holiday said. "Not just Jaylen. I know Payton, Sam, Neemi, Joe, and the whole coaching staff. When people say that they can't do something, they prove them wrong."
Jaylen Brown has definitely played like he's taking a lot of things "personally" this season, as the now five-time All-Star is averaging a career-best 29.6 points per contest (fourth-highest in the league) on 48.3% shooting from the field and 36.2% from 3-point range, to along with 6.8 rebounds and 4.9 assists (career-high) with Tatum sidelined.
"I take everything personally, lowkey. I'm always looking for something. But yeah, I've felt like I've sacrificed over the years in order for us to be a championship-caliber team. And I think, now, we're getting to see that a little bit. What exactly I was capable of, and what I was sacrificing," Brown told reporters postgame.
"I think, before, maybe it wasn't so obvious. I think now, being able to be at the helm of things, and us being the second seed in the East, versus last year we finished second seed in the East -- it's almost been no drop off with four players, five players that are essentially gone. The work from the coaching staff, the work from our leadership has been great."
While Holiday's averages of 11.8 points, 4.9 rebounds, 4.4 assists per game during his time in a Celtics jersey may not suggest of being a major contributor to the team's success over his brief tenure, it was what you may not if seen in the box score that stood out the most for the now 35-year-old guard on and off the court while in Boston.
"The biggest thing that stands out is who he is as a person," Mazzulla said of Holiday during his pregame comments. "You take a look at a guy who was a champion and an All-Star, and he comes in and accepts a completely different role and does it with a smile on his face, and does it with a level of respect and professionalism and is willing to do what it takes to win every night. It was great having him for the time that we did."
The Celtics are tied for the fourth-most wins in the league, the third-best point differential, the third-best net rating, and the second-most efficient offense. They also allow the second-fewest points per game so far this season and according to Holiday, the attention to film and preparation before facing every opponent was a staple when he was in Boston and continues to be for Mazzulla since leaving.
"I think how they prepare is a specific way to them. You can just tell by how Joe is. How he talks to people and how he is as a person," Holiday said. "He does things his way, and you've seen his way work. So knowing that, having him and the coaching staff here, and how they prepare, you knew they'd be good."
Holiday, who is now averaging 15.4 points and 7.1 assists over 18 games this season with the Trail Blazers, received a tribute video from the Celtics and a standing ovation from the Garden crowd prior to the start of the second quarter of Monday's game.
Joel Pavón
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