http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1061123452&format=textAccording to the Boston Herald, the Celtics will be taking their talents to Europe just prior to next season, holding training camp in Instabul and Milan. The C’s will also reportedly play against European squads in exhibition matches: “Sources have confirmed that, barring any logistical problems overseas, the Celts will hold workouts and face European teams in both sites. There are still some contracts to be signed, but at present the C’s will play in Turkey on Oct. 5, and in Italy on Oct. 7. Team president Danny Ainge had no comment on the matter when it was presented to him yesterday, but it appears as though coach Doc Rivers will get his wish of going away for camp. Rivers always has spoken of his fondness of taking his team away from the familiar surroundings in the Boston area so the players can bond. It is expected the Celtics will undertake a serious renovation after this season. The last time the team did so was before the 2007-08 season, after adding Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Training camp was held in Rome, while exhibition games were also played there and in London. Speaking on the overall importance of holding camp away from home, Ainge placed it low on the scale of importance. ‘I personally feel that going away can be good, but I don’t think it’s necessary,’ Ainge said. ‘I think there’s many ways to bond. The best part may be getting a little bit of a head start. But I’ve been on teams where we won championships and we had training camp at our practice facility. I don’t think that those are difference makers or that teams come together. For example, in 2007-08, I still think our team would have come together if we were in the parking lot in Waltham. That year worked because of the attitude of our team. Now do I think we benefited from going to Rome? Sure. But I do believe that the attitude of our players and the spirit was more important. I mean, you could feel it the second that those guys were put together. I think that overrides wherever training camp is. Guys who can play and who like each other and are enthusiastic about the team — those are the most important things, more than location.’”
Topic: Celtics training camp - Istanbul and Milan (Read 1494 times)