What Bill Belichick told Celtics in speech to team before NBA playoffs

by **NYCelt** Mon Aug 17, 2020 4:35 pm

In related news, Brad Stevens to wear a hoodie court-side and will start Cam Newton in the back-court...
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What Bill Belichick told Celtics in speech to team before NBA playoffs

AbChin, NBC Sports Boston•August 17, 2020

https://sports.yahoo.com/bill-belichick-told-celtics-speech-121453385.html

The Boston Celtics head into the 2020 NBA playoffs Monday night with championship aspirations.

Luckily for them, a man who knows a few things about winning a championship (or six) just happens to work down the road (OK, highway) from their usual home at TD Garden.

So, it appears, Brad Stevens put in a call. And, thanks to the wonders of Zoom technology that we're all so familiar with nowadays, it was easy to connect.

Patriots head coach Bill Belichick spoke with the Celtics Sunday morning, center Daniel Theis tells NBC Sports Boston.

Don't miss NBC Sports Boston's coverage of Celtics-76ers, which begins Monday at 5:30 p.m. with Celtics Pregame Live followed by tip-off at 6:30 p.m. You can also stream the game on the MyTeams App.

His message, according to Theis: "Be prepared and control whatever you can control. Don't be surprised on the court when they run something, because you should know and be well prepared for it."

Not a bad way to start a memorable run, right?

"Nope, not at all," Theis says. "We have a big chance. We have a great team. And, we have one goal. We came here to compete for an NBA championship and to win it all."

This isn't the first time Stevens has tapped his Patriots counterparts for insight. Stevens attended Pats training camp in 2019 and has become close friends with offensive coordinator Josh McDaniels.

The Celtics have also called on a steady stream of high profile guest speakers to talk to players and staff since the regular season was halted, including Mark Wahlberg, L.L. Cool J, and most recently, civil rights scholar Henry Louis Gates Jr.

Now, they have Belichick's words of wisdom to take them into Game 1 of their first-round series with the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night.