Each younger stars appeared to sense the urgency. The Celtics had been affected person with them, even when the followers and media weren’t. However ultimately, they each knew that persistence would put on skinny. Brown picked up the cellphone and advised they work out collectively. “We might by no means actually been within the health club earlier than [during the summer] collectively,” Tatum instructed ESPN. “Perhaps socially, nevertheless it was only a signal of the maturity of each of us, and simply rising up.” Celtics assistant coach Sam Cassell helped prepare the exercises. Tatum’s coach, Drew Hanlen, led them. Celtics standout Paul Pierce lifted weights with them and sat within the stands at Harvard Westlake Excessive Faculty in Studio Metropolis, Calif., as the 2 pushed one another and cast a bond that lasted by way of some of the dominant seasons in NBA historical past — one which culminated Monday night time with the franchise’s 18th NBA title with a 106-88 win over the Dallas Mavericks in Recreation 5 of the NBA Finals. -via ESPN / June 18, 2024