Author Archives: Jolie Davis

About Jolie Davis

Boston native and BC grad class of 2016. I'm a lover of all things sports and an even bigger Boston sports fan #BostonStrong

Are the Raptors the Celtics Biggest Threat in the East?

Leave a reply

To everyone’s surprise, the Eastern conference has been quite competitive this year. It’s usually a sure bet that the Cavs get the one or two seed, then everyone else is fighting for a spot. But with all the offseason trades and quiet development of some of these Eastern teams, we’ve got ourselves a real race.

Celtics Dominate the East

The Celtics sit atop the East with a record of 34-10. They started the season by losing two straight, only to then go on a sixteen-game win streak. At that time, they led the league in defensive efficiency, which was definitely a huge shock to everyone. They hit a bump in the road after the streak ended, mainly due to spotty defense and slow starts on offense. But let’s be real: they were tired! I’m pretty sure they were the only team that played forty games before we rang in the New Year. Anyways, the Cs still reign supreme having already beaten seven of the league’s top teams and holding them all under 100 points. There’s always room for improvement of course, though a more relaxed schedule should help with that.

Raptors Quietly Climbing

With all the focus on the Cavs trying to chase the Celtics in the East, no one is paying attention to anyone else. This has allowed the Raptors to quietly make their way into second place. Currently three games behind Boston, the Raptors are 29-11. On Thursday, they handed LeBron his second blowout loss in a row. Toronto put up 65 points in the first half alone—without Lowry and Ibaka! This team has all-stars in DeRozan, Lowry and Ibaka who lead by example and have a pretty decent bench to depend on as well. After watching the way they dismantled the Cavs, all of my doubts about the Raptors went out the window.

Other Notables

If I’ve learned anything watching sports this year, it’s that you don’t count anyone out. Here are some teams in the East that I’m keeping a close eye on:

  • Miami Heat. These guys play the Celtics hard every single time. Pretty sure they won that series 2-1. But in all honestly, Spoelstra is a heck of a coach with a great group of guys. Though they’ve lost Waiters to season-ending surgery, I believe they can still shake things up come playoffs.
  • Indian Pacers. Victor Oladipo (24.4 ppg) is the best thing that could’ve happened to the Pacers after Paul George wanted out. Although we won both match-ups, the Pacers still fought hard. I expect the third meeting will be just as tough.
  • Detroit Pistons. The revitalized Pistons anger me every time we play them. I only know the names of two people on their roster, but the way they play is going to make me remember them all soon.

I’m not worried about the Wizards simply because they caught the Cs on a bad stretch. Plus, as Stephen A said, they are a disappointment. How are you going to have the fourth-easiest schedule and have eighteen losses? Not to mention having a disgraceful record against sub-.500 teams. Get it together Washington; or don’t. Doesn’t matter to me.

 

Am I Asking Too Much of Jaylen Brown?

Leave a reply

In his second year with the Boston Celtics, Jaylen Brown has become the starter at the two position. He averages14.4 points per game, 1.3 assists and 5.7 rebounds. This is a huge improvement from his rookie season stats. It’s important to remember that he was coming off the bench last season as well. Although he has given us some spectacular performances, the inconsistency still looms large.

Much Needed Improvements

When a second-year player gets the opportunity to start, there are expectations to perform well. I am in no way belittling the good games that he’s had. The opener against Cleveland, the November 18th match-up against Atlanta, and the game against Denver, just to name a few. However, I would like to point out two areas where he can improve:

  • Points per Game. Jaylen Brown now averages 14.4 points per game, and that’s great. However, I think a good eighteen to twenty points from a shooting guard isn’t a ridiculous expectation. The sporadic nature of his scoring cannot be afforded when they still have a developing bench. And with Irving stepping back a bit to let others shine, Brown will have to step it up—consistently.
  • Free Throw Percentage. I love his willingness to drive to the basket for the dunk or layup. Sometimes he gets the basket. Sometimes he gets the foul call. But if he’s going to get the call, he has to make the free throws. He’s left too many points out there, and the team could have used them! I don’t want to sound mean, but centers have better free throw percentages than he does.

Issues of Confidence?

I don’t know if Jaylen Brown’s up and down performance has to do with confidence, but it sometimes appears that way. Especially if his BFF on the team is outplaying him. Rookie Jayson Tatum plays like a seasoned pro, and doesn’t seem to get discouraged by missed shots. I think Tatum’s smooth transition and confidence in his play may make Brown feel a bit inadequate at times. Brown’s wavering confidence affects his performance and in turn affects the team. There was an instance in the game against the Nets last weekend where he gave up on a play. Not okay, especially since he didn’t have a very good game.

New Year, New Jaylen Brown

I’m not going to count the first two games of 2018, even though he had a decent one against the Cavs. We’re going to start fresh in London against the 76ers. A second -year player surrounded by so many diversely talented teammates should be thriving. But I know he missed a few games due to injury. Also, the Cs had a brutal schedule, which was not good when you consider the bench situation at the time. But with 39 games over a span of 95 days means more rest, or more time to practice! Hopefully Jaylen can use some of that time to work on his free throws and get out of his head a bit.

Remember, I’m a huge fan of this team and I never want to be divisive in any way. I’m just calling it like I see it. But I’m always rooting for my guys. Go Cs!

Rozier and Smart: Sparking the Celtics Bench

Leave a reply

The Celtics beat the Timberwolves 91-84, which was a season low in scoring for the Wolves. According to EVERY sports media outlet, the Cs have now beaten seven of the top teams in the NBA, holding them all under 100 points.  It’s also important to point out that they’ve won their last five games, with heavy contributions from Rozier and Smart off of the bench.

Rozier: Finding Comfort in His Role

I know when I used to watch Rozier with the ball, I would get nervous. Why you ask? Because he dribbles too much! But as of late, I don’t mind his dribbling because his shots are falling. In the last six games, he’s averaged 15.3 points and hit 17 threes. He’s been able to do this in an average of 23 minutes off of the bench. Impressive huh? Well, I sure think so, especially when you consider is performance against Cleveland: 20 points and 4-6 from three. After that clutch steal and basket in Indiana, I knew it was just a matter of time.

Smart: Consistent Confidence

Although Smart is only averaging 11.5 points in the last six games, as we go further back we can see his production on offense. I wrote an article back in December about him finding his confidence on the offensive side of the ball. I’d say he’s been pretty reliable since his turnaround, only having six games under 10 points since late November. And of course, if he can’t give you his best on offense, he’s always going to do his job on defense. Don’t believe me? Go watch the final seconds of that Rockets game where he drew two offensive fouls off of Harden — back to back! Though, something else I have noticed is Smart’s unwavering confidence. He’s not afraid to continue taking shots even if the first few don’t fall because he knows eventually, he’ll get hot.

Rozier and Smart Creating Depth

Rozier and Smart’s sparking of this Celtics bench has rubbed off on everyone. Theis, Larkin, and Baynes when he comes off the bench, have each had a couple of productive nights. Irving is also starting to take somewhat of a backseat in scoring, as we saw in the game against Cleveland. Him doing so is allowing for the development of all the younger guys on the team, bench and starters. This is the type of consistency we’ve called for this season. Let’s see if they can keep it going!

The Celtics have a game at Brooklyn, then they’ll be getting ready for their London match up against the 76ers. After the Brooklyn game, we won’t see our guys on the hardwood until the 11th. But don’t fret Boston fans— this means some more rest for the Celtics, which they so rightfully deserve.

32-10 and leading the East. Go Celtics!

 

Open Letter to Isaiah Thomas

Leave a reply

Dear Isaiah,

This letter is long overdue for two very different reasons. But first I would like to say, as a fan, that I could not be happier for you and how your recovery has progressed. I watched the game against the Trailblazers and you looked like your of self out there. It brought me back to watching you in Boston, and I got a bit sad.

Boston will always appreciate what you did for our team. After our big three disbanded, we went through a rough patch. Although Boston fans are loyal to a fault, it can still be difficult to sit through a game if your team is losing. Then you came along I.T, and you revitalized us. You made the game fun to watch, putting on a show night after night. It would be a sin to forget all the sacrifices you made for us, like playing through your hip injury and the loss of your sister. When I initially found out about the trade, I almost cried. I felt like we betrayed you somehow, and I couldn’t fathom it. But I tried to look at the bright side, for you in particular. You were now a member of the Cavs, a solid contender in the East.

I will say that after a while, myself and Boston fans alike had to look at the bright side for ourselves. We got Kyrie Irving out of the deal! How could we stay mad at Danny Ainge, the mastermind that took Jayson Tatum instead of Markelle Fultz in the draft? My point is, everyone benefited from this deal, as painful as it was. I know it sucks to get that call when you and the fam have already settled in. Though, as a Boston fan who loves her Celtics, I can’t take any more of the public shaming of the organization. Your frustration with Danny is understandable, but you know that the world of professional sports is a business. And I won’t get into the hip controversy because it’s too much. There are three sides to this story: yours, Danny’s and the truth— whatever that may be.

I want you to know that you have touched the hearts of all of us in Boston. We appreciate the passion you gave us and the toughness you displayed on regular basis. Thank you for putting us first when you shouldn’t have; we would’ve had your back regardless. But also remember what we gave you while you were in Boston. We won’t forget if you don’t!

Signed,

A Loyal Celtics Fan AND I.T. Fan

Should Boston College Keep Addazio?

Leave a reply

The Boston College football team’s season came to an end on Wednesday night after their bowl loss to Iowa. As head coach, Addazio is now 1-3 in bowl games and 0-2 when in the Pinstripe Bowl. He’s been able to bring the Eagles to bowl games, though not every trip was a smooth one. From questionable play calling to rude press conferences, student ‘superfans’ have been calling for his firing for some time.

Another Bowl, Another Loss

The Eagles had yet another disappointing loss in the Pinstripe Bowl. This time, they lost 27-20 to Iowa. Right out of the gate, QB Darius Wade threw an INT that led to a Iowa FG. But Addazio got his guys back on track and they went into halftime with a 14-10 lead. Unfortunately, two more turnovers late in the fourth quarter sealed the deal for Iowa, and RB AJ Dillon’s 157 rushing yards fell by the wayside. That is now three bowl losses for Addazio against Arizona, Penn State and Iowa. Two out of the three are relatively sub par, but one can argue that BC’s in the same class. You can get to the big games, but can’t win them? Something’s got to give.

Lead by Example!

Another Addazio vice: his temper, particularly during press conferences. It has been an ongoing issue for the head coach, especially during losses. Of course no one likes to lose, but that doesn’t mean you have the right to verbally attack the media when they ask perfectly valid questions. I’m sorry coach, but you are NO Cam Newton, and even so he doesn’t have the right to act that way either. He needs to have more composure because as the head coach, his guys look up to him. From personal experience, I’ve seen how his negativity can affect his players and how they interact with others. Not okay. One of the most important lessons he can teach these guys is how to communicate and carry themselves with the media, especially after a loss.

What’s Next for Addazio?

If I know Boston College, they won’t fire Addazio because deep down they know they probably should have done it already. But they don’t want to be ‘that team’ that cycles through head coaches like the Browns cycle through QBs. For now, I guess they’re satisfied with 7-win seasons and the occasional bowl win, if they’re lucky. Either way, Addazio is already looking to 2018 with excitement. He’ll get back some injured key players as well as some returning talent like AJ Dillon. Coach has confidence in his guys and the talent they have. What about the talent they will acquire? A little birdie told me that Mike Vrabel’s son Tyler committed to BC. How exciting!

Hopefully next season, people will want to stay for a whole game or show up all together. I know my fellow alums would love to see BC become real contenders again, especially with fellow ACC teams Clemson and Miami making noise. So coach, we’re all looking to you to make some magic in your fifth season. Here’s to consistency and success in 2018!

Picture credits to USA Today and BC Interruption

Somber Christmas for the Celtics

Leave a reply

It was not a very merry Christmas for the Celtics. They lost the game to the Wizard 111-103, just when it looked like a comeback was in the making. Again, the Celtics fell behind early and spent most of the game playing catch-up. They were able to grab a lead with about nine minutes left in the fourth. Unfortunately, they quickly saw themselves falling behind again with about 4:30 left in the game. Late free throws by John Wall and Bradley Beal sealed the game for the Wizards.

The Celtics Were Out _________

The Celtics were outplayed, and outscored in every quarter except the second. But let’s take a look at some categories that mattered:

  • Free throws. They have been an ongoing struggle for Jaylen Brown especially. He was only 2-5 at the line, with Tatum also missing a pair. But in this game, my point is this: they only had 17 trips to the line compared to the Wizards 28. Big problem.
  • Offensive rebounds. The Celtics only had 8 of their own, while allowing 14. Giving your opponents the opportunity for second chance points will always hurt you in the end.
  • Turnovers. The Cs committed 17 turnovers compared to the Wizards 9. And although they only gave up 8 points off of those turnovers, they still created more shot opportunities for the Wizards.
  • Points in the Paint. The Wizards scored a whopping 60 points in the paint— 54% of their total points scored for the night. The Cs protected the perimeter (Wizards shot 6-26 from three), but it wasn’t nearly enough.

Constant Inconsistencies

Everyone loves Jaylen Brown. Sometimes he’ll hit a big three, or take the ball all the way to the basket. Sometimes he’ll finish off a fast break with a dunk and wow the crowd. But he’s very up and down with his scoring. I know he injured himself in the second half, but he played 32 minutes and only scored 8 points. He was 3-9 from the field, 0-5 from three and 2-5 from the line. Horford also seems to be a slightly lesser version of himself these days compared to his early season performance. Yes, he’s had some close-to-20-point nights, but the past few games haven’t been his most productive. The bench was definitely more productive than usual; the team just needed a bit more help from their starters, who were ALL (-) in the (+/-) category.

Should Celtics Fans Panic?

At 27-10, the Celtics now sit second in the eastern conference with the Cavs hot on their heels. 2017 is coming to a close, and the Cs have one more back-to back coming up. The next three opponents: @ Hornets, then home against the Rockets and Nets. Two out the three should be fairly simple, though I’m not too sure with the way they’ve played lately. In general though, I don’t think there’s a need to panic. The Cs created these unrealistic expectations with their streak, in effect spoiling Boston fans. We’re so used to winning that the feeling of losing throws us into a panic, but it’s unnecessary. There is still plenty of basketball left to play, which means there’s plenty of time to make adjustments.

The Celtics head to Charlotte to face the Hornets on Wednesday at 7:00 pm. It’s time to get back on track Boston!

Boston Celtics Continue to Struggle: What’s Wrong?

Leave a reply

The Boston Celtics continue to struggle after losing last night’s game against the New York Knicks 102-93. While the Cs were able to shut down Porzingis, Michael Beasley stepped in and scored 32 points off the bench. Kyrie also had 32 points for Boston, but no one even cares enough to mention it because they have now lost five of their last nine.

Boston Celtics’ Second Unit Troubles

It’s no secret that Boston’s bench doesn’t have very much depth. They have role players in Smart, Rozier, Theis, Larkin, etc. but the problem is the lack of consistency. When the second unit comes in, more often than not they look sluggish and sloppy. This has led to low scoring second quarters that ultimately have a huge impact on the game. Brad Stevens has tried to find different combinations of guys to provide that spark, in hopes of avoiding the need to make a comeback. It looked as though he had something when he took Tatum and Horford out early so that they could be a part of the second unit. It worked, considering the Celtics got the win. But the Cs reverted back to their struggling ways against the Heat and Knicks.

Kyrie Carrying the Load

Although the C’s won the game against the Hornets in which Kyrie injured his face, they were definitely exposed in the game against the Bulls. If it wasn’t already, it’s clear now that he is a difference maker for this team. When things are looking bleak, we can always count on him to sacrifice his body to get to the basket or draw the foul. He has scored 30+ points in six of the last nine games. But he can’t win by himself. He needs consistency from his teammates EVERY GAME. Opponents are starting to realize what they need to do to shut down Tatum and Brown, so they must continue to make adjustments. The bench also needs to find some confidence and come out aggressive on both sides of the ball.

Necessary Adjustments

Miraculously, the Boston Celtics rank second in defensive efficiency, just behind OKC. So, the defense appears to be holding up, but in some games it has definitely been lacking. They have given up 100+ points in eight games since their streak ended. During the streak, they only had three such games. On offense, they need to find some rhythm and energy with these second unit combinations. Hopefully Marcus Morris can get healthy enough to play on a regular basis. I know there’s a plan laid out for his recovery, but we could really use him. Oh, and another thing: if the jump shots aren’t falling, be aggressive and go to the basket. By the time they decide to actually do this in most games, it’s too late. A little more awareness can go a long way.

The Celtics are home Saturday to play the Bulls in a revenge game. We’ll have Kyrie this time, so hopefully it won’t be a blowout by one of the worst teams in the league.

The last time Boston lost two in a row they went streaking. Maybe Saturday will be the start of something new…

Boston College Football: Countdown to the Pinstripe Bowl

Leave a reply

Since Steve Addazio’s hiring in 2013, the Boston College football team has appeared in three bowls and are on their way to their fourth. In four out of five seasons, the Eagles have managed to win seven games, one more than the required six for bowl contention. But at the beginning of this season, they had the fans a bit worried.

Rocky Start for Eagles Football

The Eagles began the season with a 23-20 win against Northern Illinois. Unfortunately, the next three games were what most BC fans expected: disappointing. Though in their defense, those opponents were Wake Forest, Notre Dame and Clemson. But the frustration comes from the silly mistakes and what appeared to many as a lack of competitiveness. These three teams outscored Boston College 117-37, embarrassing for the school no doubt. BC has struggled in ACC play in the past, and the games against Wake Forest and Clemson were a haunting reminder of that struggle. In addition, there were calls to fire Adazzio, who made some very questionable play calls in the past that have directly led to losses. But he, and this team, weren’t going down without a fight.

Finding Their Rhythm

BC won their next game against Central Michigan 28-8, then lost to Virginia Tech 23-10. Immediately following that loss to VT was a three-game winning streak! Included in that streak was a thrilling win against Louisville, as well as a blowout against a disappointing Florida State team. The Eagles would then go on to win two of their last three, putting their record at 7-5. The freshman running back AJ Dillon had a lot to do with that. After the three-game losing streak, he rushed for 100+ yards in six of the last eight games. He even exploded for 272 yards on 39 carries against Louisville. The defense was pretty solid too, with Lukas Denis leading the team AND FBS with seven interceptions.

Boston College Returns to the Pinstripe Bowl

Iowa, who is also 7-5, will be the opponent on December 27 at Yankee Stadium. BC has been to the Pinstripe Bowl before, so this will no doubt be a chance at some type of redemption. In 2014, they faced Penn State and lost a thriller in overtime 31-30. The missed extra point by the kicker proved crucial in the game and was ultimately the nail in the coffin. Iowa ended their season losing two of their last three. BC ended their season doing just the opposite, so hopefully they can carry that into the match up!

Don’t miss the Eagles go for their fourth bowl win since Adazzio’s hiring! The game is December 27 at 5:15 pm, live from Yankee Stadium. GO EAGLES!!

Embed from Getty Images

Is LaVar Ball Making a Mistake?

Leave a reply

LaVar Ball recently orchestrated a deal for his two youngest sons to play overseas. LiAngelo and LaMelo, 18 and 16 respectively, both signed deals to play basketball in Lithuania. This comes after LiAngelo’s indefinite suspension and withdrawal from UCLA. Many people have voiced their opinions on the Ball family, but this latest decision begs the question: Is this a mistake?

LaVar Ball: Jack of All Trades

The Ball patriarch made headlines when he announced that he was taking LaMelo out of high school. After citing frustration with his son’s coaches and school officials, he decided it was time to take over. Apparently, Chino Hills became full of distractions that Melo didn’t need to put up with. On top of that, the school hired a new basketball coach that ended up ruffling LaVar’s feathers a bit. He vowed that Melo would be homeschooled and trained by him personally, promising us his youngest would be ready for UCLA in two years. Teacher, trainer, coach— does that leave any time for being a parent?

Minimizing ‘Mistakes’

In early November, UCLA and Georgia Tech were in China for an exhibition game. LiAngelo and two of his former UCLA teammates became embroiled in a shoplifting incident. They thought it would be ‘cool’ to take some things from a Louis Vuitton store without paying. Fortunately, they were able to escape the situation after serving 20 days of ‘house arrest’ at the hotel. LaVar minimized his son’s actions from the beginning, saying the situation wasn’t a big deal. He even went as far as to criticize UCLA for the indefinite suspension placed on Gelo. Inevitably, he pulled another child out of school and vowed to have him ready for the NBA.

Lithuania Bound

This week, Melo and Gelo signed their first pro-contract to play in Lithuania. There has been tons of backlash, most notably from former NBA star Charles Barkley. He believes LaVar is exploiting his kids and making everything about the Big Baller Brand. Barkley stated, “I just feel sadness for those kids because they’re gonna do whatever he tells them to do.” On ESPN’s The Jump, Rachel Nichol’s and her guests weighed in on the development factor. Neither of these kids have enough experience to handle this type of situation. In addition, no one believes this move is going to benefit the brother’s development as ball players. In the past, players that do decide to play overseas usually have four years of college under their belt and maybe nth amount of years in the NBA. What can we expect from a former high school student and a college freshman?

Hoping for the Best

I’m not a parent, so I will never judge how someone raises their children. But I will voice a concern for those boys, especially for Melo. At 16 years old, he is in no way ready to live the life of a professional ball player in Lithuania. His brother will be with him but… I don’t know. I’m not so ready to trust someone who steals from foreign countries. Gelo needs to have better judgement than that if he’s going to be entrusted to look after Melo. All in all, I really hope this doesn’t end up being a bust like most people believe. The Ball brothers deserve to have the opportunity play the game they love, despite their father’s disagreeable actions.

Shout out to Tina Ball. I know the thought of her babies playing overseas is a stressful one. Stay strong!

Embed from Getty Images

Boston College Men’s Basketball off to Hot Start

Leave a reply

The Boston College men’s basketball team seems to have a knack for upsets. They recently took down #1 ranked Duke and handed them their first loss of the season on Saturday, winning 89-84. If one can remember, they did the EXACT same thing to Syracuse in 2014, but this time away from home. At 7-3, this is the best start the Eagles have had in a while — and one fans hope to see continue through the rest of the season.

New Season, Fresh Start

Boston College had a rough time winning games and finished with a 9-23 record last season. I asked coach Jim Christian what his message was to his guys at the beginning of this season in regards to last year’s performance. His response:

“…Clean slate… you add new players and each season is a different challenge… once the final buzzer is off… have to put that season in the rear view mirror and just move forward.”

According to last year’s team statistics, BC was either close to or better than the league average in many categories. Unfortunately, it didn’t translate into many wins. Some adjustments that were made coming into this season:

“We’ve become a better offensive rebounding team…defensive team. We knew those were the areas that really hurt us… Personnel was a big part of it too— adding some guys that can really help you.”

Well coach, your adjustments seem to be paying off.

Boston College Soars Past Duke

The Eagles entered their match up against Duke with seven days of rest. Make no mistake — it was a battle, with Duke getting 15 points off turnovers in the first half. But the Eagles went on a 13-5 run to end the half, going up 48-41. BC came out in the second half and knocked off #1 by:

  • Keeping Duke to 46% FG shooting and 26% shooting from three. Their season averages: 50.9% FG shooting and 35% from three
  • Shutting down Bagley, who only had 15 points. That’s less than his season average of 21 points
  • Shutting down the perimeter. Allen, who is shooting 43% from three this season, was only 1-9 in that area

Meanwhile, BC had their best shooting game to date: 50.8% from the floor and 57.7% from three. The team also made a season high 15 3-pointers. Here are some highlights:

  • Robinson made all five of his 3 point attempts. He had 24 points
  • Chatman hit five 3’s, putting up 22 points and 6 rebounds
  • Bowman shot 50%, putting up 30 points, 10 rebounds and 9 assists

And just because Deontae Hawkins is out with an injury, that doesn’t mean he can’t contribute. Being a grad student with four years of NCAA play already under his belt, he is able to bring a sort of “calmness” says Christian. His maturity and how he was able to communicate with the guys during the game really helped to keep them grounded. In addition, the leadership of Bowman and Robinson continues to drive this team down the path to greatness.

Knowing What You Want

What can we attribute this early season success to? Coach Cristian spoke about setting goals and sticking to them. This past summer, they got the guys to open up about the goals they had for themselves coming into this year.”I think it’s important that they know… then we just follow through on them.” Setting goals is the first step to achieving the success you want for yourself. Smart man, even better coach.

Good luck to the Eagles on the rest of their season!

Embed from Getty Images