Joe Mazzulla had some friendly advice for new BC coach Luke Murray
“[Mazzulla] said, ‘Keep it very short,’” Murray quipped.
But when requested about Murray throughout his press convention previous to Wednesday’s recreation towards the Heat, Mazzulla strayed from his personal advice and shared his admiration for the Eagles’ new coach.
“I’m happy that he gets the opportunity,” Mazzulla mentioned. “The opportunity to be a head coach is obviously the dream, part of what we all do. So, he’s been great for us. He’s been to practices, I’ve been to his practices. He’s smart.
“I imply, he helps run top-of-the-line offenses within the nation on the collegiate stage and actually has to consider the sport and the way they construct a language. I’ve discovered a ton from him, so I’m glad he will get the chance. He’s made me a greater coach, so I’m grateful for that.”
Tatum nominated
Celtics forward Jayson Tatum is one of 12 finalists for the NBA’s Twyman-Stokes Teammate of the Year Award. On the surface, the nomination is surprising considering Tatum missed this season’s first 62 games as he recovered from the Achilles injury he suffered last May.
But Tatum was a visible presence around the team throughout his rehabilitation. He attended most practices when he was not even able to participate, sat in film sessions, and joined his teammates on road trips.
“It means a lot being recognized for something like that,” Tatum said. “I advised these guys earlier than I got here again they have been part of this rehab and motivating issue to get again, simply being across the staff all season and seeing the best way they competed and attacked the season, and the togetherness they performed with. I advised them I wished to be a part of that.
“Early on when I wasn’t, I obviously couldn’t practice and stuff like that, and I was rehabbing and working out, it was in the back of my mind that I wanted, clearly, to get out of my situation. And just being around the guys really helped me with my mind-set, my mental, still made me feel like I was a part of the team. So, that was big for me.”
Tatum mentioned rehab can really feel monotonous and isolating, so each second round the remainder of the staff helped uplift him. He hoped his teammates appreciated his presence, too.
“That kind of still made me feel like I was part of something,” he mentioned.
Praise for Brown
While Tatum was out, ahead Jaylen Brown willingly and eagerly stepped into the function of major scorer and has put collectively essentially the most dominant offensive season of his profession. He enters Friday’s recreation towards the Bucks averaging 28.8 factors and 7 rebounds per recreation, each profession highs, and he has positioned himself to earn first-team All-NBA recognition for the primary time.
Tatum, for one, has admired his All-Star fellow.
“I thought it was special,” he mentioned. “Obviously, someone that has always been capable and was just in an opportunity where more was required from everybody, but obviously especially him. I think a lot of times the NBA is about opportunity, and guys really make the most out of the special ones, and that’s what he’s been able to do this year.”
Adam Himmelsbach may be reached at adam.himmelsbach@globe.com. comply with him @adamhimmelsbach.
