Watch CBS News

Celtics Introduce Draft Picks Johnson & Moore

BOSTON (CBS) – Two of the newest Celtics were in Boston Monday morning, not just to show off their new jerseys, but to give back to their new home during the season.

JaJuan Johnson and E'Twaun Moore were introduced by the Celtics, but not before the team donated 25 Celtic-themed Macbooks to the Edison K-8 school in Brighton.

"It's great. Any time you can do anything in the community, for them to see us and for us to meet them. It was definitely exciting on the way here," said Moore, the Celtics second-round pick in Thursday's draft.

After playing a Celtics trivia game with the students, it was time for the rookies to introduce themselves to the Boston media.

WBZ-TV's Dan Roche talks to Johnson

"I was just really excited to have the opportunity to play alongside those veteran guys," said Johnson, who is projected to back up Kevin Garnett at the power forward spot if Glen Davis bolts town.

Listen: Gresh & Zo: Big Baby Getting Help?

"Just winning and championships, that's the first thing you think of," said Moore about the Celtics. "It will be great to play with those guys. They're guys that won; they know what it takes to be successful."

WBZ-TV's Dan Roche talks to Moore

Options were limited for the rookies, but they came away with a couple of meaningful numbers on the back of their first professional jersey. With 25 retired for KC Jones, Johnson took number 12; the number his mother Rhonda wore during her basketball days. Moore took 55, the number pick he was in Thursday night's draft.

"It's motivation," he said, also noting he was a Jason Williams fan growing up.

"There wasn't a lot to decide from," Johnson said of the 21 retired numbers that hang in the Garden rafters.

With only six players under contract for next season, there is a chance the two could get some playing time next season.

"I can bring length, athleticism," the 6-10 Johnson told WBZ-TV's Dan Roche. "Just my ability to run down the floor, knock down shots, rebounding; I definitely think I can bring a lot to the team."

Read: Celtics Rivers: Boston "Where I Want To Be"

"I'm a guy that can lock down on defense and knock down shots. In pressure situations, I like to be under control and help win ballgames," Moore told Roche.

Johnson is also excited to not only play with, but learn from one of his childhood favorites; Kevin Garnett.

"It's going to be huge for me. Growing up he was definitely one of my favorite players," Johnson said of Garnett. "Just having the opportunity to play alongside him and learn from his is going to be big for me."

"I'll definitely listen to him, if he tells me something I'll do my best to execute what he's saying. I don't want him to shut me down," said Johnson.

They also have the luxury of being very familiar with each other. Both graduated from Purdue, playing four years side-by-side.

"I was just really excited," Johnson said of having his college teammate joining him in Boston. "Just to have someone you're familiar with, you're comfortable with go through this process with you makes it easier."

Their four years at Purdue gave them a chance to fine tune their games and come into the NBA much more mature than some players that declare after only one or two years in college.

"These guys have both improved a lot over their college careers years," said Celtics president of basketball ops Danny Ainge." They've played in some very big games, some hostile environments. They've been ranked very high and expected to win. They've been through a lot and I think that can only help."

"Playing four (years) helps for the next level," said Moore." You play in a lot of big games and it helps you go in and be ready to play right away."

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.