With Kristaps Porzingis lacking the primary few months of the season and the Celtics fastidiously managing Al Horford’s workload, Xavier Tillman Sr. can have a major function in stabilizing the middle place for the reigning NBA champions.
The former Michigan State standout was Boston's high acquisition on the commerce deadline final season, a transfer that paid dividends within the NBA Finals, particularly along with his influence in swinging the end result of Game 3 in Dallas.
As Tillman will get extra snug with the Celtics, who he re-signed with this summer time, Horford shared his evaluation of what he is seen from a participant who could also be his inheritor obvious.
“On the court, a guy that’s able to defend pretty well, that can defend out on the perimeter, that has good instincts, and then off the court, he’s blended right in with our group,” Horford informed reporters on the Auerbach Center. “He’s super easy-going, it’s just nice to have him around and it’s been like a perfect fit honestly. Him being here, him being with us, he’s about the right things. He’s trying to play to win, and when you have guys like that, it’s very easy to come out here and play.”
“I thought it was a great transition,” Joe Mazzulla stated of Tillman's capability to shortly be taught the Celtics' system. “I thought he’s really smart, and he picked up on stuff right away. So it’s really great that we have him at the beginning of the year, because I think it helps our versatility. But the transition was great, and it’s seamless. It feels like now he’s been here for a long time. He’s great at asking questions, but he’ll be an integral part of what we do.”
At media day, Brad Stevens said that Tillman had offseason surgical procedure on his knee on the finish of July. He typically needed to sit when he first came visiting final season, coping with some swelling, however he's greater than able to go, locked in as he was within the facility as early as August.
“I feel like when I got here, took me a couple weeks to kind of like really feel comfortable with everybody, really get to know everybody, stuff like that, where now, I feel really comfortable here,” Tillman stated. “It started with coach, it started with Brad, just really welcoming me in, and then me getting to know the guys and know what everybody stands for. It made it easy to know, ‘Okay, this is the place I want to be,’ in terms of this is a place where we grind, where we work hard, where we keep basketball where it is and we don’t make it bigger than it needs to be.”
Tillman has additionally gotten acclimated to the town of Boston.
“We talked about it yesterday at Jrue’s house, we’re very, very comfortable, like, very, very comfortable,” stated Tillman. “At first, when I got here, I didn’t know, because I was finishing up my contract, didn’t know how it was all gonna pan out for me. Now, as far as this city and everything, I feel like I know all the streets and I know where I’m going, I know about all them crazy potholes and stuff like that, I’m good. Slowly but surely I’m becoming a part of the city, so I love it.”
Tillman has the expertise and intelligence to start out at heart. In his second season with the Celtics, he might show as beneficial as any of their choices at heart.
Further Reading
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Jrue Holiday Sends Powerful Message as Lonnie Walker Fights for Roster Spot
Bulked Up Baylor Scheierman Learning from Celtics' Sharpshooter & Impressing Mazzulla
Jayson Tatum Shares a Part of Legacy He's Trying to Leave Behind
Lonnie Walker IV Shares Brad Stevens' Message & Outlook on Exhibit 10 Deal
Derrick White Voices His Loyalty to Boston After Signing Extension
Brad Stevens Gives Honest Thoughts on Celtics’ Sale & Luxury Tax Penalties
Jayson Tatum Discusses Balancing MVP and Title Chase and His Excitement to Start Over
Jayson Tatum Discusses Becoming an Author, Tatum 3s, 2K Cover, and More
Byproduct of New CBA Threatens Jordan Walsh's Roster Spot with Celtics
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