With Horford leaving the team and Tatum injured, the Celtics urgently need to rebuild their team culture.

For better or worse, the atmosphere inside the Boston Celtics training facility has changed.

"It feels completely different, " Jordan Walsh admitted.

This is not only due to the successive transfers of Horford, Holiday, Porzingis and Cornette, but also because the injured Jayson Tatum is temporarily unable to display his full capabilities as usual. According to Sam Houser, Tatum put in a "very charismatic" training investment during the offseason this year while recovering from a torn Achilles tendon. Still, Tatum was unable to participate in joint practices when the team opened training camp on Tuesday, and he also failed to participate in any recent games between players.

"This also has a profound impact, " Walsh said frankly, "Although he is not as vocal as Al (Horford) or Luke (Cornet), more like a silent leader. Not seeing him in the training hall is indeed difficult for some players to adapt-after all, we have long been accustomed to his presence. "

This is what Jaylen Brown calls the "New Era of the Celtics." Even with several core players led by Brown returning healthy, Mazzula's team still had to reshape the team's character under the double blow of Tatum's injury and offseason salary cuts that led to the disintegration of the championship lineup. Payton Pritchard pointed out that some of the changes will be reflected in a significant increase in the pace of the game, but more transformation will occur off the field - the team needs to rebuild the winning foundation that has supported the glory of recent years.

"This is inevitably sad, " Brown said, "The time spent with many teammates is precious. We have had such a great team over the past few years, and their departure will inevitably have an impact. But now we need to help the five new players integrate into the system, and I am fully committed to accelerating the team The establishment of chemical reactions and trust ensures that fans will see wonderful performances on the field. "

The Celtics still have many leaders, but they did lose many core players during the offseason, especially the 39-year-old Horford who chose to join the Golden State Warriors. How big of a void will the veteran's departure leave? As early as 2019, when Horford left Boston as a free agent for the first time, then-coach Stevens repeatedly mentioned the center's influence - always in the present tense.

In Stevens' view, Horford has set such a strong example for his teammates that even if he has left the team, his spiritual legacy continues to nourish the team. When Horford played for the Thunder in March 2021, Stevens pointed out that the defensive communication system he and Aron Baynes created forced Daniel Theis and Robert Williams III to inherit this tradition.

"When people discuss leadership, they tend to focus on external performance, " Stevens explained, "This is true leadership. This is the team wisdom passed down from generation to generation, and it is the dedication of the five people on the court to maintain the overall inheritance of the five people on the court. "

Looking back at the scene of Horford's return to Boston in 2021, it was surprising how little attention the outside world paid to his return at the time - almost no one realized the significance of this deal to the team.

The 35-year-old Horford had just experienced the downturn in Philadelphia and the disappointing season in Oklahoma City (how disappointing was it? After the All-Star Game, the team hid him in order to train new players). The Celtics are facing reorganization after being eliminated in the first round: Ainge announced his retirement (although he later came back), Stevens became president, and the team urgently needs to regain the direction of team building.

Horford and the Celtics are like confidants reunited after a long separation: Horford needs a strong team that can properly use his talents to help him pursue his unfinished championship dream; the Celtics are facing the crisis of depleting their assets and urgently need an all-around insider to assist the two top picks on the court and catalyze the growth potential of young superstars on a daily basis.

Basketball talent aside (despite some doubts, he still maintained a respectable level at the time), Horford's professional attitude alone was enough to lead the team. His focus and consideration of every detail paved the way for the continuity of his career as early as his twenties - when he realized the evolution of the league's style, he developed a three-point shooting in the middle of his career; with decades of hard work, countless teammates have used him as a role model. From All-Stars to late bench players, everyone unanimously listed him as one of their most admired teammates in their career. He explained what it means to be a perfect professional model.

The power of such an example will not disappear just because Horford leaves. Pritchard revealed on Monday that he plans to strengthen his physical recovery after games this season, inspired by his predecessors. With the possibility of heavier playing duties, he believes rest and recovery will be more important than ever.

"Increased playing time means that I must ensure a high level of recovery quality," Pritchard said. "Having witnessed with my own eyes how professional players such as Holiday and Horford take care of their bodies, this experience is precious. (I) have indeed learned experience from the most outstanding role models. "

The Celtics' remaining players need to inherit the team culture that Horford helped establish. His outstanding performance in key battles has helped the team win countless victories over the years, but his most profound impact can be found in all the small moments - it is the little things that set the stage for the highlight moments. He always speaks out when the team needs it most, but more often than not he delivers his belief through his physical actions day after day. Successive coaches and teammates recognized that Horford's diligent professionalism and enduring selfless character set the tone for the team's glorious era of continuous playoff appearances. And he isn't the only veteran veteran the Celtics are missing this summer.

"We have lost many important voices in the locker room, " Derrick White said frankly, "so we all need to take the initiative in this regard. "

"The players who remain on the team shoulder a heavy responsibility, there is no doubt that, Stevens said, "Jaylen, Derrick, Payton, Sam and others must set an example and lead the team with their competitive spirit and best skills."

White revealed that head coach Mazzula has urged him to take on more leadership responsibilities.. He and the rest of the core players have a responsibility to show new players how the Celtics operate and ensure that the fine traditions formed in recent years continue.

"The Celtic spirit we have established is to be selfless and versatile, and to give each player the confidence to stand up and be themselves freely, " Brown elaborated. "At the same time, we must set the defensive tone and ensure that the defensive intensity is consistent. What is more important is to go all out-fight hard, cooperate selflessly, and advance quickly. This will be the team characteristics we are committed to shaping, and will also be It is the focus of continuous strengthening during the training camp. "

"I am deeply excited. Although I cherish the farewell of old teammates-they help us hang the 18th championship banner, I sincerely wish them success in their new journey with a new lineup. I have unlimited expectations for this year.Mini-game recommendations:SeaDragons.io