Josh Minott came off the bench in the Celtics' preseason opener Wednesday at Memphis to play 26 minutes.
Josh Minott came off the bench in the Celtics' preseason opener Wednesday at Memphis to play 26 minutes.Brandon Dill/Associated Press
TORONTO — Etched in black ink on his right shin is the word “NOW” and “LATER” is tattooed on Josh Minott’s left shin.
It’s definitely a conversation starter. Was the 22-year-old Minott a fan of the popular candy as a kid? Nope. He’s never tried it.
Those two words are connected to an important life lesson taught to him by his uncle, who basically told him, “You can work now or later, but eventually you’re going to have to work.”
It was a message to capitalize on the moment, to see an easier path in the future by putting in the work now. And that’s how Minott is viewing this opportunity with the Celtics after playing just 93 games in three seasons with the Timberwolves. He was buried behind veteran players, garnering just five minutes per game, waiting for a chance that never came.
That is not the case in Boston. The Celtics need athletic, young wings and Minott could fill a pivotal role in coach Joe Mazzulla’s defensive arsenal. He was a busy man Wednesday in his return to Memphis, where he played one year of college, scoring 8 points with seven rebounds and three steals in the Celtics’ preseason win.
“I’d like to think (Wednesday) was a carryover in terms of the things I was talking about: hustle, mucking up the game, steals, staying in front of my man,” he said. “Everything else is just a plus. This is year four. I feel like I’ve got a pretty good sense of the spacing of the game and where to be.”
Josh Minott joined the Celtics on a two-year contract in the offseason.
Josh Minott joined the Celtics on a two-year contract in the offseason.Michael Dwyer/Associated Press
Minott displayed a knack for being around the ball, a pesky defensive intensity and the ability to score around the rim. Mazzulla, of course, wants his wings to take open threes and that will be a work in progress. Minott attempted only 59 threes in his three Minnesota years and he missed all five against the Grizzlies.
But his impact left the hard-to-please Mazzulla impressed.
“He just has a knack for the situational play on both ends of the floor,” Mazzulla said. “Whether it’s getting an offensive rebound. He had the one (play) where he poked it from behind and got an extra possession there. A couple of steals, couple of blocks. He’s got some good versatility. But he has a knack for the ball and a knack for being in the mix and he was able to generate some steals and some deflections and some offensive rebounds.”
In reality, it appears Minott is competing with former second-round pick Jordan Walsh for those swingman minutes. Both made plays in the preseason opener but Walsh left with an oblique injury. Mazzulla unleashed all of his younger new acquisitions to play harassing defense and pound the boards.
Minott appears to fit that new style perfectly because of his versatility. The Celtics needed to go the inexpensive route to acquire new players and Minott was a completely under-the-radar free agent because of his lack of exposure in Minnesota.
This is his moment, his now, and he plans to take advantage of the opportunity.
“I definitely consider this a great transition,” he said. “I love where my feet are. I love the environment. I love the people around me. Great (coaching) staff, training staff, group of guys. Couldn’t ask for anything better from top to bottom.”
And those tattoos on each shin are reminders to remain relentless and passionate.
“Basically what it means to me is you can invest now, set up a good future for yourself, kids, grandkids, etc. or you could slack off now and end up working some job you hate,” he said. “You have to invest in yourself at some point, you might as well do it now. So everything I look down (at my legs), that’s probably the most noticeable tattoo I have, everybody always likes to talk about it. It looks funny but to me that’s what I’m thinking every time I see it. Being in the now, focusing on the present.”
Josh Minott has "NOW" tattoed on his right shin and "LATER" on the left shin, reminders of a work ethic instilled by an uncle.
Josh Minott has "NOW" tattoed on his right shin and "LATER" on the left shin, reminders of a work ethic instilled by an uncle.Brandon Dill/Associated Press
Minott said he was 12 when his uncle Andrew passed along that gem of advice.
“And ever since that day I’ve tried to live in the now,” he said. “Even to 22.”
And he’s slowly become a Mazzulla favorite with his pettiness. He swatted away Memphis shots after the whistle, an act originated by the great Kevin Garnett, and Mazzulla loved that competitive spirit.
“We’re not going for that (expletive), hell nah,” he said of those post-whistle shots. “You couldn’t let the opponent see the ball go in the rim at all. That’s just mind games.”
Gary Washburn is a Globe columnist. He can be reached at gary.washburn@globe.com. Follow him @GwashburnGlobe.