The Boston Celtics will be embarking on a quest to become repeat NBA Champions, something we haven't seen in the NBA since 2018. Ahead of the NBA Abu Dhabi Games 2024 between the Celtics and Nuggets, Fadeaway World asked Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla if he had any concerns about his team getting fatigued over the season due to their title run and three players representing Team USA in the summer.
"They didn't say it was exhausting, so I don't know why it'd be exhausting. Hopefully, they got a good night's rest and their 8 hours of sleep on a consistent basis. At the end of the day, when you get back here, our guys are competitors and they take great care of their body."
"Obviously, over the course of the season, there's going to be small pockets and moments that you have to manage that. But we're here to compete and it's one of the great trends of this team, they like to compete at a high level. So, we have to continue to do that and as they get better and take care of themselves."
Mazzulla seems confident in his group to stay in shape while getting enough rest and recovery to prepare themselves for the 82-game slog of the NBA regular season. The Celtics will start the season short-handed, with center Kristaps Porzingis expected to be out until December .
Fadeaway World also asked Team USA Gold medalist Derrick White about potential fatigue concerns, but he maintained that he has come into the season feeling great after two small breaks at the start of the summer and the next one coming now.
"I feel good. I had some time off after the season, but then ramped up for the Olympics, and got some time off again. I feel good. I know it's a long season, and I'm looking forward to it."
No matter how much Mazzulla tried downplaying it, the statistics don't lie. The way Mazzulla runs his players throughout the season, there is a high chance they just fail to compete with others as they aren't as worn down by the season.
Coach Michael Malone, Mazzulla's opponent in Abu Dhabi, has previously spoken about his Denver Nuggets getting fatigued during their second-round loss to the Minnesota Timberwolves , so it's a valid concern.
The Celtics are overall a younger unit and the dearth of talent on their roster allows players to rest aplenty over the course of a season. That might change due to injury or any number of reasons.
Read more from my coverage for Fadeaway World at the 2024 NBA Abu Dhabi Games - Boston Celtics vs. Denver Nuggets.
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Jamal Murray And Russell Westbrook Break Down How Their Relationship Has Evolved
Related: Jayson Tatum Says The Nuggets Were The Only Team That Could Match Up With The Celtics
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