Celtics rookie Aaron Nesmith explains how he worked his way into Boston’s rotation

Justin Quinn
·3 min read
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Boston Celtics rookie small forward Aaron Nesmith has been coming on strong in the last few weeks, finally looking comfortable playing in the NBA after some early growing pains adapting to the speed and intensity of games at the pro level.

Garnerning plenty of attention in the Celtics media sphere after inking a new endorsement deal with New Balance, the former No. 14 overall pick of the 2020 draft did an exclusive interview with the folks at CLNS Media where they talked with Nesmith about his shoe deal, his emergence, and a whole lot more. But one of the most interesting exchanges was focused on how the Charleston native managed to stay locked in on his development even after falling out of the rotation entirely earlier in the season.

“It’s just continuing to work and continuing to believe and do the groundwork every single day,” explained the Vanderbilt product.

"Not changing my routines," Nesmith continued. "Coming in early in the morning and doing what's asked of me and then trying to do a little bit more, making sure I'm paying attention to everybody." "The guys who are playing, guys who aren't playing, so that when I get my opportunity, I make the most of it." https://twitter.com/TheCelticsWire/status/1389950823929688067?s=20

"You can't get too high on the game; can't get too low in the game," he added. [I was] "not shooting the ball that great in the beginning," Nesmith related of his early struggles connecting his shot. So, he kept at his routine and stayed focus on the process. "I know they would start falling eventually," he said. "Your mind's everywhere sometimes," continued the South Carolinian. "You can't focus on that too much. https://twitter.com/TheCelticsWire/status/1389701395192950785?s=20

"You've got to make sure you live in the moment, be in the moment; in the moment we're playing a game, whether I'm playing or not my teammates are out there working hard to win a game." "So I've got to be locked in and help cheer them on, or I've got to help any way I can in that moment," he offered.

"You never know what's going to happen in the course of a game -- I might not play, I might, I might play a lot. It's just making sure I have the same mindset throughout all situations so that if my number is called, I'm not caught by surprise."

"I have to show up to be ready. I got to show up to give 110% because I never know what's going to happen," Nesmith explained. https://twitter.com/TheCelticsWire/status/1388901136493596672?s=20

Based on what we have seen late in April up to the present from the Vanderbilt product, it's safe to say his approach to the game has been paying off. And with Boston in need of reliable wing depth heading into the postseason, it couldn't be happening at a more opportune moment. Be sure to check out the full interview here. This post originally appeared on Celtics Wire. Follow us on Facebook! [lawrence-related id=49907,49902,49898,49887] [listicle id=49910]

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