SAN FRANCISCO – Gary Payton II often ends his Warriors press conferences by saying “you guys are great” to the assembled media.
But following Friday morning’s practice, the jovial wing looked straight into the rolling camera and gave a clear instruction to the rest of the district.
“Go see Mack, okay?” Payton announced. “Everyone, wake up at the Bay, look at Mack.”
Less than 24 hours before Macklin Celebrini, 19, leads Canada into a 5 a.m. PST Olympic Gold game against the USA in Italy, Payton predicted those who wake up early for the puck drop will enjoy watching one of the game’s all-time greats.
“That kid isn’t real, and I feel like he’s ending up being one of those.” You know, when it’s all said and done, it’s going to be like Wayne (Gretzky), Sid (Crosby), Alex (Ovechkin), Mac,” Payton II said.
Members of both the Warriors coaching staff and roster couldn’t wait to share the news about the hockey kid who grew up in a basketball environment before being selected No. 1 overall by the local San Jose Sharks in 2024.
Celebrini’s father Rick, Golden State’s vice president of player health and medicine, has been with the Warriors since 2018. It seemed that everyone who was associated with the organization had fond memories of young Macklin.
Coach Steve Kerr recalled watching Celebrini play full-court games against mother Robyn and older brother Aiden and younger sister Charlie at the team’s old Oakland facility.
“It’s one of the fun parts of the job, seeing the families being a part of it,” Kerr said. “One of the best things I remember about my acting career is when my kids were able to participate.”
Watching Macklin star in person in Canada was Rick and the whole family, but the Warriors have been supporting him nationally as well.
“Yesterday in the film session, we had half of the team watch the last two minutes of the game because it was 2-2,” Kerr said. “Even though it was 10 o’clock and we were supposed to start the movie, it was like ‘No, we’re going to watch to see what happens.’ Everyone is engaged, especially the guys who have been here a long time and know Rick well.”
Moses Moody went into a funny way when he recalled Macklin’s time in Golden State.
He referenced a popular internet meme about LeBron James predicting someone’s impossible future success, before saying that the good form of hockey didn’t end with Macklin.
“My younger brother (RJ), I’ve talked to him for a long time and he has this quiet confidence and competitiveness and composure,” Moody said. “Of course I told you ahead of time with this one, that he has this look in his eye.”
Celebrini’s rise has been meteoric since he left the Bay Area for one season at Boston University as a 17-year-old.
After an outstanding rookie season, Celebrini has become one of the best players in the world in his second go around. He has 81 points (28 goals, 53 assists) in 55 games, and has been in the conversation for the Hart Trophy (the NHL’s version of the MVP award) with a fun and exciting 27-24-4 Sharks team.
Now, he is leading Canada against the USA. But will the connection between the Warriors and Macklin be enough for their American players to go to Canada? Moody wouldn’t go that far..
“That’s a good question,” Moody said with a shrug.
