During last season’s training camp, the Celtics knew what to expect. Most faces around were the same. That’s not the case anymore. There’s no Jayson Tatum, who is probably out for the entire season. Moreover, the face of the team has changed after a busy offseason. So this time around, Joe Mazzulla approached the training camp with intensity.

The likes of Anfernee Simons, Chris Boucher, and others need to catch up. Jaylen Brown and Derrick White have renewed expectations. So training camp has been different. It’s been unforgiving and full of intent. “I’ve been in this business 34 years. And this is the hardest training camp [I’ve seen] right now,” said Sam Cassell, the Celtics’ assistant coach.

That’s not just for the players on the roster. Joe Mazzulla is big on establishing culture. For those reasons, even the non-rostered players stay prepared with their system. “Everyone’s got to know what they do really matters, and whether it’s the first guy or the 15th guy. If they don’t feel like they’re empowered, [that] they can impact winning, then we just can’t have the balance, and the depth, and the culture that we need,” he said, according to Celtics Blog.

Since the Celtics are missing three of their starters from last season, they have lost their status as contenders. But Mazzulla isn’t willing to drop the standards because of the current circumstances. To remain competitive, the team has to be cohesive, hence the rigorous work right now. However, they have also spent time off the floor.

Jaylen Brown has emerged as a leader in uniting the locker room. Recently, he and six of his teammates watched a Patriots game. Those activities are crucial because Brown is trying to build a “family,”. The team is beginning to gloom. It’s also the reason Tatum hangs around in training camp.

Jayson Tatum focuses on recovery

Since having surgery in May, Jayson Tatum has shown incredible progress in recovery. He is already on the court, moving without any noticeable difficulty. Of course, it’s a long road from recovering still, but Tatum wants to attack rehab as if he can return this season. He has done his entire rehab in Boston.

Even as training camp begins, the Celtics forward remains with the team. He is limited to individual workouts.  However, he has a big presence among his teammates. Jayson Tatum spends time watching practices, being as involved as he can be. It allows him to be part of the journey, where the Celtics face a rough challenge.

Tatum hopes he can be part of the journey. While difficult, Tatum hasn’t ruled out a possible return late in the season.

However, for the most part, the Celtics’ new additions will be pivotal. While Mazzulla has been hard on them in training, he is equally welcoming of them. Anfernee Simons revealed the head coach has sent things to his house, and often asks about the players’ family. Josh Minnot said, “He takes a lot of time to personalize his relationships with people. He doesn’t talk to any two people the same way,”.

With such demeanor in the building, Simons is enjoying time in Boston. Moreover, Mazzulla has managed to inspire the Celtics to fight this season. No matter what players they have, this is part of Boston’s immortal culture. Winning is also the expectation. And the team is preparing to go to any lengths to make it happen.