Maine Takes Training Camp Trip to the City of Champions

BOSTON, Mass. - They say breakfast is the most important meal of the day. It's even better when it's free.

"The free breakfast every day. They got an app where you put in your breakfast order and we are very fortunate to have that," said Celtics two-way player Drew Peterson. "Anytime we get to come here is awesome. It's definitely an experience to be here."

The Maine Celtics took a trip down to the City of Champions for two days of training camp at the Red Auerbach Center in Boston this week. With just over one week to go until the start of the regular season, the trip south gave the team a chance to improve their team chemistry in an environment that exudes inspiration in every direction you look.

"It's cool for them to see it and be a part of it and see the history. You see the banners; you see last year's banner and the quotes on the wall. You sort of understand that you get to be a part of it and you're not far away from it," said first year head coach Tyler Lashbrook.

For Maine's two-way players JD Davison, Drew Peterson, and Anton Watson, practicing in the Auerbach Center isn't a new experience. The guys have their own locker and have spent the majority of the offseason in Boston. For Watson, a rookie out of Gonzaga and second-round draft pick, the Celtics' team facility feels more familiar than Maine at this point in the season. Watson has spent just four days in Portland for training camp since joining the organization.

"For the past two months I've been here (Boston) pretty much every day. So being back here for a couple days is nice. You could say this is my second home," said Watson.

While Portland, Maine doesn't feel like home yet, Watson has already noticed one of the key differences between the two cities.

"Traffic. Being in Boston you wait a little while. Being in Maine, it's nice to go to practice and know you're going to get there on time," Watson joked.

For the majority of the roster, the two days of training camp in Boston provided a special opportunity to set foot in an NBA practice facility and enjoy all the resources that come along with it. That said, it's still a business trip as the Celtics prepare for the start of the season.

"It definitely brings some joy. Not a lot of guys have been in an NBA setting gym so a lot of rookies are experiencing their first time being in a good, NBA practice gym and this is one of the best you could be in. A lot of guys get good food, treatment, the ice tub and a lot of things that they can use," JD Davison said.

"It's an extra level of motivation," Peterson added. "Anytime you're around here, you see the banners and all the access to the stuff we have, and it reminds you that you need to take care of business. Top to bottom, the staff is incredible at giving us all the right tools to succeed>"

Whether it's the Auerbach Center or the Portland Expo, a high level of energy and competition continues to define this year's camp for Maine.

"Some of the guys have said this is one of the most competitive camps they've ever been a part of at any level. It's a hard camp. We ask a lot of them physically and they give it to us, and they get better. It's one of the more competitive settings that I've been in," Lashbrook said.

Maine tips off the 2024-25 G League regular season on Friday, November 8 on the road against Long Island. The Celtics will return to Portland for the team's home opener on Friday, November 15 against the Westchester Knicks. Tickets are available here.