Celtics alumni making a difference in Boston, ‘building a brotherhood’ originally appeared on NBC Sports Boston
This year’s preseason camp feels a bit different for the Boston Celtics. It’s not because Marcus Smart, Robert Williams, or a few other members of last year’s team aren’t there; or the many new faces, like Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis, are starting to arrive — it’s because the franchise’s alumni are showing up.
Celtics second-year head coach Joe Mazzulla envisioned something different for this upcoming season: He wanted to help “build a brotherhood.” Over the summer, Mazzulla started to get in touch with some of the Celtics greats, wanting to get the Boston legends more involved with the team. After sending an email to all Celtics alumni, his vision became a reality.
“I sent an email out to all the Celtic former players because I felt like it’s important that we share in this experience together,” Mazzulla said.
Former players have an open invitation to join practices, games, flights, and team dinners.
“They started this tradition, they kept it going, and now it’s our responsibility as an organization to keep it alive.”
Mazzulla seems to be going back to what being a Celtic is all about, building on the pride and tradition that is so deeply rooted in the city of Boston.
“The past should be the banners, but it should be the people, and so I thought it was extremely important that any and every Celtic is welcome to a practice or a game so that we can build that brotherhood of what we are.”
Over the past few days of camp, the Celtics have welcomed former Celtics champions Tom “Satch” Sanders, Eddie House, Leon Powe and Paul Pierce. Boston’s current assistant coach, Sam Cassell, was teammates was House, Powe and Pierce as well.
Pierce, a key member of the 2008 championship-winning team, was all for it.
“I think that’s what it should be all about. It’s always been that way since I’ve been in the organization, and I love that Joe has reached out to me and some of the other guys to be around more and not only just coming to the games, but coming to practice, you know, you can travel with the…
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