One of the themes of Celtics playoff games at TD Garden over the years has been a number of Patriots players in attendance and that has included Bill Belichick, typically alongside long-time girlfriend Linda Holliday.
The two organizations, especially Belichick and Celtics coach Brad Stevens, have a great relationship and that was on full display this week when Stevens had Belichick speak to his team ahead of the NBA playoffs.
Appearing on Ordway, Merloni & Fauria, Belichick shared what he said to the Celtics as well as detailing the bond between the two organizations.
"We have a great relationship with Coach Stevens here," Belichick said. "We have several people who have worked with him. Josh (McDaniels) is close with him. I'm close with him. He actually spoke to us earlier in the spring and talked to us a little bit about their situation. We were starting our season and (they) were preparing to go back and finish theirs. It was quite different, but (he was) kind of talking about managing time and dealing with some of the challenges of being a professional athlete or a professional football team and things that were going on around us.
"But he's spoken to our guys several times and he's great. He does a great job. He did a great job the night that he spoke at my foundation event, so anything I could ever do to help him or help them, I'd do whatever I could.
"They treat us so well at Celtics games. If the Celtics were playing at the Garden, you know as well as I do, in the playoffs we could have a team meeting at halftime. We'd have 25 guys there.
"We have a great relationship with him. I was flattered that he asked and just tried to talk about playing at the time of year they're playing at. Playoff basketball, playoff football — it's a little bit different. I don't know anything about basketball, but I know a little bit about competition and trying to perform well at the most critical time of the year, which is what they're in now. It was a great experience for me.
"I appreciate the opportunity from Coach Stevens and the Celtics and I wish them nothing but the best. I know they get going (Monday night) and other than when we're in our meetings and all that I am sure we'll all be cheering for them here."
Game 1 of the Celtics-76ers series is Monday night.
