The Boston Celtics are in full rebuilding mode, with the recent acquisition of veteran Tayshaun Prince from the Memphis Grizzlies (in the Jeff Green deal) originally supposed to end in him either being bought out or being traded to a contender.
However, that's less of a sure thing now with head coach Brad Stevens reportedly enamored with Prince's willingness to take over a leadership role with the younger Celtics players.
While Prince of course wants to be competing for a championship, his respect for the game of basketball is immense enough to ensure that he gives his all in Boston or wherever he eventually ends up.
“If you love the game and you respect the game, no matter what position you’re in, you’re supposed to be professional and go out and play the game," Prince said recently, via Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe. "Once I got traded here, my main concern that all options were on the table and see what situation would be best."
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Prince, 34, could still very well be shipped off to a contender or bought out before February's trade deadline (and it's still likely), but team president of basketball operations Danny Ainge hopes that his professionalism will rub off on the team's young players before taking his next step.
"Hopefully our players can learn from just watching Tayshaun,” Ainge said. “How efficient he is. How calm he is. He has great length and great experience and has always had a great feel for the game even when he was a young player. Hopefully some of that experience and calmness can rub off on the young guys.”
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