NBA
Bass Unsure of Future with Celtics
Jeff Hawkins is an award-winning sportswriter with more than four decades in the industry (print and digital media). A freelance writer/stay-at-home dad since 2008, Hawkins started his career with newspaper stints in Michigan, North Carolina, Florida, Upstate New York and Illinois, where he earned the 2004 APSE first-place award for column writing (under 40,000 circulation). As a beat writer, he covered NASCAR Winston Cup events at NHIS (1999-2003), the NHL's Chicago Blackhawks (2003-06) and the NFL's Carolina Panthers (2011-12). Hawkins penned four youth sports books, including a Michael Jordan biography. Hawkins' main hobbies include mountain bike riding, 5k trail runs at the Whitewater Center in Charlotte, N.C., and live music.
All posts by Jeff HawkinsUpdated15 Oct 2021
Brandon Bass is no stranger to moving around the NBA. He has played for four teams in his 10-year career, his current stint with the Boston Celtics being the longest at four seasons.
Bass will become a free agent this summer and does not know where he will be playing basketball next season.
“I don’t know what the future holds,” Bass said following the Celtics Game 4 elimination to the Cleveland Cavaliers on Sunday. “That’s up to (President of Basketball Operations) Danny (Ainge). But Boston’s been great to me over the last couple years, so it’ll be great for me to come back.”
The Celtics traded Glen Davis and Von Wafer to the Orlando Magic in exchange for Bass in December of 2011. The 6’8 power forward maintained his professionalism while moving in and out of the starting lineup at points, focusing on being a solid contributor when he was on the court rather than worrying about his role.
After playing alongside Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce, Bass emerged into a veteran presence himself. At 29, he emphasized leading by example and did so during the regular season (10.6 points, 4.9 rebounds).
This postseason, though, he struggled in the Celtics’ first round matchup against the Cavs. Bass averaged just five points and two boards.
“It was a mental thing this playoff series,” Bass said. “I just didn’t play well. I don’t have really any excuses. I prepared well, I just wasn’t able to perform in the playoffs like I wanted to.”
Bass will focus on the mental side of the game this offseason. He doesn’t have a quick fix now, but says it is an area in which he will have to improve in order to get to the next level as a player.
“I thought I had a pretty good season. Based on how I started, I didn’t finish it anywhere near where I wanted to as far as the playoffs,” Bass said. “But it gives me great motivation to go back to the gym and improve my skills mentally and physically.”
Whether Bass adds a fifth team to his resume or returns to Boston, he knows the kind of player he wants to be next season.
