Here’s the top 20 quotes from Celtics’ Media Day

The Boston Celtics took the first steps toward their title defense on Tuesday, ushering in a new season with the team’s annual Media Day at the Auerbach Center.

Brad Stevens, Joe Mazzulla, Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, and the rest of the defending champions fielded multiple questions throughout the event — touching on topics like Boston’s hopes of back-to-back championships, the team’s impending sale, the 2024 Summer Olympics, and much more. 

Here are our 20 favorite quotes from the Celtics’ latest Media Day: 

1. “Joe was probably the happiest person in the world that I didn’t win Finals MVP and that I didn’t play in two of the games in the Olympics. So, that was odd. But if you know, Joe, it makes sense.”  – Jayson Tatum on head coach Joe Mazzulla’s message amid the ups and downs from the offseason. 
2. “I didn’t get to take the trophy all summer. No one offered it to me. So maybe I’ll get it eventually, sometime down the road. Maybe that’s the next target, right? You got to get another one in a year two, you get a chance to take it for a day.” – Brad Stevens on not getting a day with the Larry O’Brien Trophy this summer. 
3. Joe will probably have to do some new crazy drills or whatever. So super excited for that.” – Jrue Holiday on Joe Mazzulla’s approach during training camp. 
4. “I wouldn’t say I enjoyed the offseason. I enjoyed the parade. I thought the parade was a rather intense experience.” – Joe Mazzulla on his summer. 
5. “The world tries to keep you attached to the past. The world tries to keep you attached to your latest success or your latest failure, and that’s where people get stuck where they’re in — is attachment. And so it was a balance of, I can’t be attached to this past success. It would be the same as being attached to a past failure.” – Joe Mazzulla on why he didn’t enjoy his offseason.
6. “I don’t think it was ever a question that I was going to not come back. I never put a limit on how long I’m gonna play. I feel good and I’m very fortunate to be in this position.” – Al Horford on whether he pondered retirement after winning a title. 
7. “Also, thanks to Adrian Wojnarowski for all his great work. I’m sure a contingent of social media basketball fans will mourn the loss even though you’re still alive.” – Luke Kornet on Adrian Wojnarowski’s retirement from reporting.
8. “Damn, question No. 1? Can’t warm up a little? [Expletive].” – Jaylen Brown after his first question was about getting snubbed by Team USA during the Summer Olympics. 
9. “No, there’s no elephants in there.” – Derrick White on if there are any “elephants in the room” for Boston after Brown did not join his three other teammates at the Summer Olympics. 
10. “The way that they’ve phrased it to me since the sale was announced was, ‘We just need to keep doing what we’re doing. Business as usual. Do what you can to build the best team that we can and then we’ll see what happens from there.” – Brad Stevens on the Celtics’ approach amid the team’s ongoing sale. 
11. “My teeth are getting better. I had to go to the dentist on Friday. I got three root canals, so that was fun.” – Derrick White on his dental repairs after chipping his teeth in Game 5 vs. Dallas. 
12. “I’m extremely motivated for  obvious reasons. I’m ready to get out there.” – Jaylen Brown on entering a new season after the drama surrounding the Olympics. 
13. “Obviously the energy I’m feeling from the doctor, the surgeon, the medical staff is not to rush anything. For myself, if you ask me and I had to do my own protocol, I would probably go quicker, but that’s a good sign. I’m feeling really good.” – Kristaps Porzingis on the current state of his recovery from offseason ankle surgery. 
14. “That’s just a way of calling someone old.” – Jaylen Brown when a media member noted that he’s the longest-tenured player currently on Boston’s roster. 
15. “People see us at the top of the mountain now. I think last year they kinda saw that, too. We’ve heard good and bad. Honestly, I think it’s going to be the same thing. People are going to say that we suck and other people will think we’re really good.” – Jrue Holiday on the Celtics’ perception entering a new season. 
16. “All the guys that I looked up to growing up at least won one championship. So now it’s just a conversation of how great are you trying to be? What room or what tier are you trying to be mentioned in when it’s all said and done?” – Jayson Tatum on the Celtics’ approach this season after winning a title. 
17. “I didn’t actually get hit in the head; he just hit my hat off.” – Derrick White on his altercation during the Colorado vs. Colorado State football game earlier this month. 
18. “I’d much rather have this. I’d much rather play long into June, win the championship, go and play the Olympics, win a gold medal, and then not have a lot of time for a break and then go right back into basketball. I love this game, so basketball isn’t like a hassle to me or anything. I love the job that I have.” – Jrue Holiday on his short offseason amid Boston’s title run and the Summer Olympics. 
19. “Those are years my heart was broken every single year. We got closer. I don’t know what — five, six seasons we were in the conference finals. So I had six heartbreaks before I got to finally feel what it was like to win. So this summer, my heart wasn’t broken.” – Jaylen Brown on being able to enjoy the offseason. 
20. “Zero, feel zero difference. And I think if you’re ever lucky to do again, when it does feel different — that’s what I’d rather not do it anymore.” – Joe Mazzulla on whether this season feels different after winning a championship.