Here are the 20 best quotes from Celtics media day

The Boston Celtics took the first steps toward defending their title Tuesday, kicking off 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 answered numerous questions throughout the event, touching on topics such as Boston’s hopes for 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 get MVP of the Finals and didn’t play in two of the games in the Olympics. So it was weird. But if you know that, Joe, it makes sense.” – Jayson Tatum on head coach Joe Mazzulla’s message amid offseason ups and downs.
2. “I haven’t had a chance to win the trophy all summer. Nobody has offered it to me. So maybe I’ll get it eventually, one day. Maybe that’s the next goal, right? We have to get another one in two years, we have a chance to win it for one day.” – Brad Stevens on not getting a chance to win the Larry O’Brien Trophy this summer.
3. Joe will probably have to do some crazy new exercises or something. So I’m really excited about that. – Jrue Holiday on Joe Mazzulla’s approach during training camp.
4. “I wouldn’t say I enjoyed the offseason. I enjoyed the show. I found it to be a pretty intense experience.” – Joe Mazzu has his summer.
5. “The world tries to keep you attached to the past. The world tries to keep you attached to your last success or your last failure, and that’s where people get stuck, in attachment. So it was a balancing act: I can’t be attached to this past success. It would be like being attached to a past failure.” – Joe Mazzulla explains why he didn’t enjoy his offseason.
6. “I don’t think there was ever any question that I wouldn’t come back. I never put a limit on how long I could stay. I feel good and I’m very fortunate to be in this position.” – Al Horford on whether he considered retiring after winning a title.
7. “I also thank Adrian Wojnarowski for all his great work. I’m sure there will be a contingent of basketball fans on social media who will mourn your loss even though you are still alive.” – Luke Kornet on Adrian Wojnarowski’s retirement from journalism.
8. “What the hell, question #1? Can’t you warm up a little?” [Expletive].” – Jaylen Brown after his first question about being snubbed by Team USA during the Summer Olympics.
9. “No, there are no elephants in there.” – Derrick White on whether there are “elephants in the room” for Boston after Brown didn’t join his three other teammates at the Summer Olympics.
10. “Since the sale was announced, they’ve said to me, ‘We just have to keep doing what we’re doing. Business as usual. Do what we can to build the best team we can and then we’ll see where we go from there.’” – Brad Stevens on the Celtics’ approach to the team’s ongoing sale.
11. “My teeth are better. I had to go to the dentist on Friday. I had three root canals, so that was fun.” – Derrick White on his dental repairs after chipping his teeth in Game 5 against Dallas.
12. “I’m extremely motivated for obvious reasons. I’m ready to get started.” – Jaylen Brown on entering a new season after the drama surrounding the Olympics.
13. “Obviously the energy I feel from the doctor, the surgeon and the medical staff is to not rush anything. For me, if you asked me and I had to do my own protocol, I would probably go faster, but it’s a good sign. I feel really good.” – Kristaps Porzingis on the current status of his recovery from off-season ankle surgery.
14. “It’s just a way of calling someone old.” – Jaylen Brown when a media member pointed out that he was 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 saw it too. We heard good and bad. Honestly, I think it’s going to be the same. People will say we suck and people will think we’re really good.” – Jrue Holiday on the perception of the Celtics heading into a new season.
16. “Every guy I looked up to growing up has at least won a championship. So now it’s just a matter of how good are you trying to be. What gym or level are you trying to be mentioned at when it’s all said and done?” – Jayson Tatum on the Celtics’ approach this season after winning a title.
17. “Actually, I wasn’t hit on the head; he just ripped my hat off.” – Derrick White on his altercation during the Colorado football game against Colorado State earlier this month.
18. “I would much rather have that. I would rather play until June, win the championship, go to the Olympics, win a gold medal, and then not have much time to take a break and get right back to basketball. I love the game, so basketball is not a problem for me. I love the job I have.” – Jrue Holiday on his short offseason amid Boston’s title run and the Summer Olympics.
19. “Those were years where my heart was broken every year. We were getting closer. I don’t know what – five or six seasons where we were in the conference finals. So I had six heartbreaks before I could 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, zero difference. And I think if I have the chance to do it again one day, when it feels different, that’s what I’d rather not do anymore.” – Joe Mazzulla on whether this season is different after winning a championship.