In Boston’s 113-103 victory over the Atlanta Hawks, head coach Joe Mazzulla handed Dalano Banton the chance to start in lieu of Jrue Holiday, who missed two games due to a sprained right ankle.
According to Bobby Manning of CLNS Media, Banton received the nod for the first time this season, and the guard acknowledged that Mazzulla’s choice caught him off guard.
“I had no idea that I would begin. It certainly caught me off guard,” Banton remarked. But here’s the thing about Joe: I’ve come to understand over time that he was a coach in his own right. He has faith in everyone of us and will take different actions.
“Not just me, but all the guys part of our stay ready group,” Banton continued. Even though it was just me one day, we always know that it might be someone else the next, which just serves to inspire you to come in every day and act professionally because you never know when it will be your turn.
In 19 minutes, the rookie to the Boston Celtics scored eight points and pulled down five rebounds in the team’s victory.
Mazzulla handles the reserve players the same as he does the regular starters, Banton continued, which is crucial for when they come off the bench.
Before the Celtics’ In-Season Tournament matchup with the Chicago Bulls on Tuesday night, Banton stated that while he hoped to play, the team’s main objective was for Boston to win. “He’s very transparent with us,” Banton said. “He keeps us in the loop and we never feel like we’re out of it even if we play zero minutes.”
