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 in opposition to the Brooklyn Nets. It was a small, meaningless determination that every one of Boston Celtics Nation seen.

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

The Celtics completely clobbered the Nets, incomes 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 straightforward to have enjoyable throughout a blowout.

At 43-12, the Celtics personal the perfect document 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 on the forefront of Boston’s success. Specializing in the day-to-day somewhat than the season at giant has helped the Celtics keep their focus. However having enjoyable is simply as essential.

“I believe that it’s an idea that I believe is essential,” Joe Mazzulla stated on Wednesday night time. “Typically enjoyable might 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 essential for the fellows.

“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.”

Throughout their latest win over the Washington Wizards, the Celtics discovered themselves down at halftime. The Wizards have received 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 finest stand-up routine.

“I advised 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 snigger. By the tip of the third quarter, the Celtics flipped an eight-point deficit right into a 13-point lead, coasting by way of the fourth quarter regardless of a late Wizards run.

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

“Every time we’re not perhaps like simply operating by way of the opposite crew, we’re nearly like, ‘Ugh, like, that is closed, like, it is a recreation.’ We’re form 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 good each recreation. We’re not going to be up on a regular basis.’ And so, it made sense to simply ease up the temper and simply form of go on the market, have enjoyable, [and] play arduous.”

Basketball is a recreation. From toddlers enjoying on child Nerf hoops to capturing round in your yard pretending to hit a buzzer-beater (and magically resetting the shot clock while you miss).

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

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

Boston followers are a number of 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 plenty of video games,” White stated. “That’s not even together with the playoffs, particularly if you happen to go deep. So, if you happen to 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 enjoying nicely, you’re making pictures, and that’s straightforward to have enjoyable [with]. However when instances are unhealthy, and also you’re lacking pictures or no matter it is perhaps, nonetheless having enjoyable, discovering the enjoyment within the recreation, I believe that’s actually essential.”

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