Fun isn’t a distraction for the Celtics, it’s an important part of their basketball identity

Jayson Tatum and Derrick White wore headbands on Wednesday night time towards the Brooklyn Nets. It was a small, meaningless choice that each one of Boston Celtics Nation seen.

“JT stated he needed to put on a scarf, so I stated, ‘I’ll journey with you,’” White instructed Abby Chin of NBC Sports activities Boston at halftime.

The Celtics completely clobbered the Nets, earning a 136-86 victory and heading into the All-Star break on a excessive be aware. Oshae Brissett threw down a windmill dunk, Payton Pritchard loved a fourth-quarter scoring explosion, and Luke Kornet sang some Whitney Houston on the bench.

Vibes had been excessive in TD Backyard. Boston was having enjoyable.

However it’s simple to have enjoyable throughout a blowout.

At 43-12, the Celtics personal the perfect report within the league with a 4.5-game cushion between them and the Minnesota Timberwolves. They’ve been the highest canine within the NBA, however that’s anticipated of them. Greatness comes with the territory in Boston, and something much less is unacceptable.

Mentality has been at the forefront of Boston’s success. Specializing in the day-to-day slightly than the season at massive has helped the Celtics preserve their focus. However having enjoyable is simply as essential.

“I believe that it’s an idea that I believe is vital,” Joe Mazzulla stated on Wednesday night time. “Generally enjoyable could be checked out as a distraction, however I believe the flexibility to have enjoyable and construct togetherness and compete at a excessive, excessive degree is vital for the blokes.

“And so, it builds a degree of connection. However regardless if these guys wore headbands or not, they’re going to compete each night time, in order that’s actually all that issues, so long as they do it collectively.”

Photograph by Brian Babineau/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs

Throughout their latest win over the Washington Wizards, the Celtics discovered themselves down at halftime. The Wizards have gained 9 video games this season.

Washington was operating in transition as Boston lagged behind, clearly out of kinds only a few video games previous to the All-Star break. With no rhythm and no defensive stress, Mazzulla took it upon himself to ignite a spark.

He did his best stand-up routine.

“I instructed a few jokes within the third quarter,” Mazzulla stated.

Down by eight factors to one of many bottom-feeders of the East, Mazzulla tried to make his crew snicker. By the tip of the third quarter, the Celtics flipped an eight-point deficit right into a 13-point lead, coasting by the fourth quarter regardless of a late Wizards run.

They gained a sport that would have gone sideways within the blink of a watch, and all of it stemmed from their skill to play freely. Slightly than specializing in the rating and stress that comes with being the Celtics, they tried to have enjoyable.

“At any time when we’re not perhaps like simply operating by the opposite crew, we’re virtually like, ‘Ugh, like, that is closed, like, it is a sport.’ We’re sort of like, our power is a little bit bit down,” Kristaps Porzingis stated.

“I believe, in that second, it made sense for us to be like, ‘Yo, that is basketball. We’re not going to be excellent each sport. We’re not going to be up on a regular basis.’ And so, it made sense to only ease up the temper and simply sort of go on the market, have enjoyable, [and] play onerous.”

Photograph by Brian Babineau/NBAE by way of Getty Photographs

Basketball is a sport. From toddlers taking part in on child Nerf hoops to taking pictures round in your yard pretending to hit a buzzer-beater (and magically resetting the shot clock once you miss).

Even within the NBA, the place individuals are paid hundreds of thousands to don a corporation’s colours and assist them compete for a title, it’s all only a sport. And it’s meant to be enjoyable.

“Yeah, I imply, clearly we’re all locked in, and we all know what the massive aim is, however I imply, it’s a sport,” Derrick White defined. “One thing that we’ve completed since we had been little children. And I believe, for most individuals, you play higher once you’re having enjoyable. Competing, however having enjoyable with it. So, that’s all the time a very good reminder.”

Boston followers are among the most crucial in sports activities, and it’s as a result of they care. They need nothing greater than to see their favourite crew succeed. However on the finish of the day, gamers are human. Perfection is an impossibility, and happiness shouldn’t be unique to blowouts.

“I imply, 82 video games is a variety of video games,” White stated. “That’s not even together with the playoffs, particularly in the event you go deep. So, in the event you don’t have enjoyable with it, you’re not having fun with it, you’re not bringing that pleasure to the sport, it’s going to be a protracted season for you.

“So, clearly, there are going to be ups and downs. You’re taking part in effectively, you’re making photographs, and that’s simple to have enjoyable [with]. However when occasions are unhealthy, and also you’re lacking photographs or no matter it is perhaps, nonetheless having enjoyable, discovering the enjoyment within the sport, I believe that’s actually vital.”

So, slightly than permitting stress to dictate their emotions, the Celtics are centered on the other – one headband and joke at a time.