Just under a week ago, the Celtics were on the brink of a humiliating elimination after three straight losses. Today, they have the opportunity to come back to 3-3 in their series against Miami, to continue to believe in a historic achievement. What happened in the meantime for us to witness such a reversal of the situation? A certain Matt Reynolds spoke.
You’ve probably never heard his name. He works every day in the shadows, within the staff of the Celtics as an assistant coach. He’s usually low-key, not one to make big speeches. But considering the catastrophic situation in which the Boston team found itself after the Game 3 loss in Miami, he could not remain silent.
Following the traditional post-match video session last Tuesday, Matt Reynolds stood up and spoke. His speech ? It lasted less than a minute, it was only composed of a few words, but its message had the expected impact.
“I have something to say: don’t ruin this season because of a bad week. We just had a bad week, it can’t be worse.”
Reynolds didn’t stop there, but that’s what stuck in the minds of Celtics players. “We needed to hear these words to reboost us” says emotional team leader Marcus Smart, before adding: “I’ve been here for nine years and I’ve never heard him speak with such passion”. “He overassured” said full-back Derrick White simply.
Respected by all Boston players for his work ethic in the shadow of coach Joe Mazzulla, Matt Reynolds is very well placed to know that the Celtics are much better than the version offered at the start of the series against Miami and particularly in the pathetic Game 3 loss. We’re talking about a team that finished with the second-best NBA record this season (57 wins – 25 losses), a team that finished regular in the Top 3 at the offensive and defensive efficiency, a team which has enough talent to go all the way and which has repeatedly shown its resilience despite a rather worrying irregularity in the Playoffs. So in Reynolds’ eyes, the Celtics just couldn’t go on vacation like that.
As the Boston Celtics finished a film session Tuesday morning in Miami, an unlikely voice piped up.
“Don’t ruin the season off a bad week.”
Now at 3-2 in the series, the impossible could be within their reach.
— The Athletic (@TheAthletic) May 27, 2023
Since then, the Celtics have again become the best version of the Celtics. The one who is focused, the one who defends hard, the one who fights together, the one who spins the ball well and who sanctions at 3-points. In short, Boston basketball. And with that, the C’s are now ready to make history.
As a reminder, no NBA team has managed to come back from a 3-0 deficit in the Playoffs to win a series. 150 tried, 150 failed. But if there is one that seems to be able to achieve this feat today, it is Boston. A victory tonight in Miami – a scenario far from impossible given the superiority of the Greens in the last two games – would allow the Celtics to play Game 7 in front of their home crowd on Monday evening, with all the momentum in the world.
“We all felt what he said. We took that to heart.”
– Marcus Smart
Maybe next Tuesday, we will remember Matt Reynolds’ speech when Boston prepares to play the NBA Finals against Denver…
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Source texte : The Athletic
2023-05-27 11:53:00
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