Hugo Gonzalez wowed the Celtics in his NBA debut

The Celtics still haven’t won a single game, but they already have a little reason to be happy: a good rookie performance Hugo Gonzalez. friday, face auk Knicksin the Mecca of basketball, Joe Mazzula called his Spanish backcourt from the middle of the first quarter, and these were his first minutes in the NBA.

Like Peyton Pritchard, he quickly stood out for his enthusiasm, both defensively and offensively. As the Celtics tried to erase a 20-point halftime deficit, Joe Mazzula used him regularly in the second half, and more than his stats (6 points, 4 rebounds and 2 steals), his nerve was good.

“I felt good”, assures the Spaniard, who did not enter the game against the Sixers. “It was good to set foot on the field. But that day will not remain in my good memory, because we lost a match that we could have won. We are working on the details, we have to improve it.”

Bring the intensity

Hugo Gonzalez was tasked with defending Jalen Brunson on several occasions on Friday, and his four fouls are proof of his aggressiveness… but also his inexperience.

“Hugo a l’air super” s’enthusiasm Jailen Brown. “He plays with energy, fighting. That’s the mentality we need. He bullies his opponents. I like what I see from him, especially the way he defends some of the opposition’s best players. We need more of that. And not just from rookies.”

But the person in question is not really convinced by the compliments: “Honestly? Brunson scored 30 points, and today is not the day to say I’m a good defender!”

Selected at the 28th position in the draft, the former Real Madrid player has a good ticket to play in a team that assumes to be in a season of transition after a serious injury to Jayson Tatum and a summer reduction. “He understands what needs to be done” loves Joe Mazzula. “I think he has a clear idea of ​​his role: to defend at a high level and play with intensity on offense. And he’s capable of doing that. Obviously there are things that need to be corrected, but I think with his effort and toughness he contributed very well to setting the tone of the third quarter.”