‘Never Going To Wear It’: Celtics Reaction To Rings Ran Gamut Of Emotions

BOSTON — The Boston Celtics got a very large and shiny new piece of jewelry before they dismantled the New York Knicks at TD Garden on Tuesday night.

And just like any jewelry item, the beauty of Boston’s championship rings, which have over 100 diamonds in each one, is in the eye of the beholder.

Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla gave an on-brand answer to his reaction to receiving his ring while Al Horford revealed a gaffe that makes his ring unwearable at the moment. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown were more reflective as they saw their rings adding perspective to their NBA careers.

Here are all of their reactions to the rings in their own words:

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Mazzulla: “When I got the ring, I don’t know, I just think it’s too big. I don’t know why it’s so big and I’m never going to wear it. But it’s cool to have was kind of what I thought.”

Tatum: “It’s just something I’ve been dreaming about for a very, very long time. A moment I’ve looked forward to since I’ve gotten into the league. A moment that before we won, I’ve been very, very close to winning a championship and falling short, so to finally get over that hump and finally be a part of Opening Night ring ceremony, something I’ve watched every year since I was a kid, it was just a wild moment. Like, I’m a part of it. I’m a part of history and it was worth the wait.”

Horford: “Honestly, I was just very surprised by the size of that ring. Have you guys seen the ring? The things was, I dislocated my finger during the playoffs and it was like super swollen, so when I took the measurements, I got it way bigger than it was supposed to be. Like right now, I can’t even wear it. My finger, the swelling came down on it and it’s just huge. I kept talking to (Kristaps Porzingis) and the guys like, ‘Man, this thing is just enormous.’ It’s just pretty cool. I just kept looking at the size of the ring and the detail on it and they really did a great job with it.”

Brown: “That ring is just an object, right? But it’s everything, the emotions, the heartbreak, the embarrassment, the work, the drive, the dedication. That’s what that ring represents. All of that is what you feel when you hold something up. For me, that’s what was going through my mind and it was an amazing feeling.”