Author: @papa_seltz

Positives of Gordon Hayward on Celtics second unit

Positives of Gordon Hayward on Celtics second unit

Posted by | Nov 15, 2018 | ,

In a docu-series released by The Athletic called “The Return”, Boston Celtics forward Gordon Hayward exclaimed: “I won’t be the same player… I’ll be a different player. I think something of that magnitude changes you as a player. Does that mean that I’m not going to be able to get to the same level or better than I was? Absolutely not.” Being just over a year removed from a devastating foot and ankle injury, a slow start was expected for Hayward. Though, not many expected the former All-Star to have a career-low .390 field goal percentage while averaging just...

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Celtics stun Suns in OT: 116-109

Celtics stun Suns in OT: 116-109

Posted by | Nov 9, 2018 | ,

The Celtics stole a win in Phoenix last night. Boston trailed 32-13 after the first quarter, though managed to overcome a 22-point deficit to edge out the Suns. Leading the way was Kyrie Irving, who scored 18 of his season-high 39 points in the fourth quarter and over-time. Here are three takeaways from the Celtics first win of their current road trip. Celtics atrocious shooting performance The Celtics shot a mere 32 percent through three-quarters of Thursday night’s game. The only starters to score in double figures were Irving and Jaylen Brown, who shot a combined 46 percent and...

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Three Takeaways: Pacers 102, Celtics 101

Three Takeaways: Pacers 102, Celtics 101

Posted by | Nov 4, 2018 | ,

The Celtics suffered a heartbreaking one-point loss at the hands of Victor Oladipo and the Indiana Pacers. Boston had control of the game throughout, though lost the lead with 3.4 seconds remaining in the fourth after an Oladipo 3-pointer. Despite the loss, the Celtics showed signs of promise. Marcus Morris lead the way with a season high 23-points in 33 minutes off the bench. Morris was one of the five Celtics to score in double figures, as well as one of seven to have at least six-rebounds. The team is playing unselfish basketball, though needs more time to gel....

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Celtics Daniel Theis Out Indefinitely

Celtics Daniel Theis Out Indefinitely

Posted by | Oct 30, 2018 | ,

Boston Celtics big-man Daniel Theis is out indefinitely with a tear in his right plantar fasciitis. He suffered the injury against the Detroit Pistons on October 27. The German missed the remaining 15 games of the 2017-18 season with a torn meniscus. In his 68 career games, Theis is averaging five points and four rebounds in 15 minutes per game. In his most recent games against Detroit, Theis recorded season highs in minutes (19:19), points (17), rebounds (8) and plus/minus (20). Others role players will be forced to step up with the 26-year-old out indefinitely. https://cdn.bostonsportsextra.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Brad-Stevens-says-Daniel-Theis’-injury-won’t-be-season-derailing.mp4 Although the word...

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Three Takeaways: Celtics 101, Thunder 95

Three Takeaways: Celtics 101, Thunder 95

Posted by | Oct 26, 2018 | ,

After a disastrous start, the Celtics pulled off a miraculous comeback after a 16-point deficit at half-time. Boston scored just 34-points in the first half, going 0/11 from the 3-point-line in the process. Luckily, they outscored the Thunder 40-23 in the 3rd quarter, giving Boston a 74-73 lead entering the fourth. They finished off the winless Oklahoma City Thunder with a 16-1 run in the final 4:22 minutes of the contest. Here are three takeaways from the Celtics third win of the season. A Tale of Two Halves The Celtics played a horrific first half, shooting 0/11 from beyond...

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Three Takeaways: Raptors 113, Celtics 101

Three Takeaways: Raptors 113, Celtics 101

Posted by | Oct 20, 2018 | ,

The Boston Celtics first road game of the season concluded in a disappointing 113-101 loss to the Toronto Raptors. Boston was losing 101-99 with 2:30 left in the fourth quarter, though the game ended as the Raptors went on a 12-2 run. Toronto and Boston will face-off three more times during the regular season. Here are three takeaways from the Celtics second game of the season. Celtics Second Half Woes The first half was competitive, ending 53-49 in Boston’s favor. The second half was a different story. Toronto scored 64 points on 56% shooting and grabbed 32 of their...

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Terry Rozier Situation Breakdown

Terry Rozier Situation Breakdown

Posted by | Oct 18, 2018 | ,

Trade rumors continue to surround Terry Rozier. The 24-year-old will become a restricted free agent come the end of the season. This means Rozier can agree to an offer sheet with any team, but the Celtics can retain him by matching the terms. Unfortunately, there are two major issues complicating the situation. Salary Cap The Celtics are already over both the salary cap and luxury tax threshold. Signing Rozier would push Boston further over the threshold, restricting the Celtics from signing any outside players this offseason, or in the near future. This forces Boston to replace any impending free...

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Anthony Davis to Celtics is Inevitable

Anthony Davis to Celtics is Inevitable

Posted by | Oct 12, 2018 | ,

The future of Anthony Davis is uncertain. He is currently under contract with the New Orleans Pelicans through the 2019-20 season with a player option for 2020-21. In six seasons with New Orleans, Davis has made two playoff appearances compared to the Celtics’ five. With the departure of DeMarcus Cousins, Davis is not expected to exercise his player option. Rather, he will be traded prior to the 2019-20 trade deadline or will enter free agency prior to 2020-21. Unfortunately due to stipulations around the “Rose Rule”, trading for Davis may be difficult. That said, let’s look at why Anthony...

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Jerome Allen Facing Suspension

Jerome Allen Facing Suspension

Posted by | Oct 7, 2018 | ,

Allen Pleads Guilty Boston Celtics assistant coach Jerome Allen pleaded guilty to accepting an $18,000 bribe in 2014. At the time, Allen was the head coach at the University of Pennsylvania. In six seasons, Allen lead the Quakers to a 65-104 record. Allen stated he accepted the bribe from a parent of a prospective student “for the purpose of using my position as coach to help his son get admitted to the school as a ‘listed’ recruit”. “I failed on many levels,” said Allen in a statement. “Primarily, I had a failure of character. I did not live up...

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Greatest Celtics to Never Win a Championship

Greatest Celtics to Never Win a Championship

Posted by | Oct 6, 2018 | ,

The Boston Celtics have a league high 17 NBA Championships. The franchise is represented by champions like Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, Larry Bird, Kevin McHale, John Havlicek and many more. Despite the abundance of champions, there are many great Celtics who never won in Boston. The following players deserve to be recognized despite their lack of hardware. Reggie Lewis Lewis was selected by the Celtics with the 22nd pick in the first round of the 1987 NBA draft. In Lewis, Boston added a young scorer to their aging core of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish. In his...

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Key Dates for 2018-19 Boston Celtics

Key Dates for 2018-19 Boston Celtics

Posted by | Oct 1, 2018 | ,

The 2018-19 NBA regular season is approaching. Here are a handful of dates to mark on your Boston Celtics calendar: Tue, Oct 16 vs Philadelphia 76ers The Celtics open the season at home against the Philadelphia 76ers. Led by Ben Simmons and Joel Embiid, the Sixers will be a legitimate contender in the Eastern Conference for years to come. The two teams faced off on nine occasions in 2017-18, though the Celtics won seven, with four coming in the Eastern Conference Semifinals. Fri, Nov 9 @ Utah Jazz Just 12-games into the season, Gordon Hayward will make his return...

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Comparing 2018-19 Celtics with 2007-08 Championship Team

Comparing 2018-19 Celtics with 2007-08 Championship Team

Posted by | Sep 29, 2018 | ,

Expectations are through the roof for the 2018-19 Boston Celtics. They have appeared in back-to-back Eastern Conference Finals, though both times falling short to LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers. With James moving to the Western Conference, as well as superstars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward returning from injury, the Celtics are favored to reach the NBA Finals. That being said, lets compare the 2018-19 starters to the 2007-08 NBA Championship team to see if they have what it takes. Point Guard – Kyrie Irving vs. Rajon Rondo Irving and Rondo have converse playing styles. Irving is a high volume efficient...

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Kyrie Irving Avoids Minutes Restriction to Begin the Season

Kyrie Irving Avoids Minutes Restriction to Begin the Season

Posted by | Sep 19, 2018 | ,

Injuries Plagued Boston All Season The major story line from the Celtics’ 2017-18 season was injuries. Recently acquired Gordon Hayward suffered a gruesome ankle injury to begin the season. Kyrie Irving would miss the final 15 games of the regular season and all of the playoffs after undergoing another knee surgery in mid-March.             Irving’s procedure involved the removal of two screws which were implanted in his left patella after his knee fracture in the 2015 NBA Finals. The time-table for his return was originally set at four-five months. Luckily, he was cleared for...

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Which NBA teams should Celtics fans keep an eye on?

Which NBA teams should Celtics fans keep an eye on?

Posted by | Sep 19, 2018 | ,

The Boston Celtics will be must-see TV with superstars Kyrie Irving and Gordon Hayward returning. It will be important for Celtics fans to pay attention to other NBA teams as well because they will determine the placement of Boston’s draft picks at the end of the year. In order to make mid-first-round draft picks sound exciting, the following is a list of notable Boston Celtics first-round draft selections outside of the lottery: Terry Rozier (No. 16 – 2015), Avery Bradley (No. 19 – 2010), Gerald Green (No. 18 – 2007), Al Jefferson (No. 15 – 2004), Rick Fox (No. 24...

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