Do the Red Sox Have a Balance Problem?

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There’s no denying that the Red Sox possess one of the most potent offenses in Major League Baseball. That’s what you get when you put together a lineup anchored by MVP favorite Mookie Betts and destroyer-of-right-field-bleacher-creatures J.D. Martinez. As of Saturday morning, the Sox rank:

  • 2nd in the Majors in runs
  • 2nd in HR
  • 3rd in SB
  • 2nd in ISO
  • 2nd in batting average
  • 4th in OBP
  • 2nd in slugging (and 2nd in OPS)
  • 3rd in wRC+

I could go on, but you get the picture. Boston’s ability to score repeatedly is one of the main reasons why they have the most wins in baseball and the second-best run differential. Yet, while the overall performance of the lineup on a night-to-night basis has been a strength, there are a few red flags regarding the sustainability of its production. Most immediately pressing? A void between the “good” and the “bad” so wide and deep that Michael Cera or Aziz Ansari might crawl out of it at any moment.

Highs and Lows

Here’s the Red Sox most-used lineup this season, substituting Mitch Moreland for the recently deposed Hanley Ramirez (wRC+ and plate appearances in parentheses):

  1. Betts (204 in 232 PA)
  2. Andrew Benintendi (149 in 300 PA)
  3. Moreland (137 in 197 PA)
  4. Martinez (177 in 286 PA)
  5. Xander Bogaerts (130 in 237 PA)
  6. Rafael Devers (83 in 281 PA)
  7. Eduardo Nunez (66 in 254 PA)
  8. Jackie Bradley Jr. (57 in 229 PA)
  9. Christian Vazquez (47 in 177 PA)

As for other players with more than 50 PA this year, only Brock Holt (120 in 133 PA) has a wRC+ over 100. The next highest non-regular still with the team? Sandy Leon, whose 58 wRC+ is somehow still 45 points better than poor Blake Swihart‘s 13(!?!?!?!?!?!?) in 70 plate appearances. A full explanation on wRC+ can be found here for the uninitiated, but it is useful because it serves as an all-encompassing stat that takes into account criteria like era, park factors, and total offensive performance. League average for any given season is an even 100. The best season per this metric: 2001 Barry Bonds (an astonishing 244 wRC+, or 144% better than league average). The worst (min 300 PA)? 1909 Bill Bergen (an equally astonishing 5 wRC+, or 95% worse than league average).

Worth Worrying About?

All of this is to say that the Red Sox could do with taking a page out of Thanos’ book. While Betts’ transcendent season has lifted the lineup from the jump, the gap between the haves and have-nots is alarming enough to start an Occupy Jersey Street movement at any moment. It’s great that Benintendi has slashed .340/.421/.673 since May 5th, and that Martinez is so comfortable in this lineup he’s moved on to fixing other guys’ swings. However, when almost than half of the everyday starters are producing at well below league average, it tempers expectations a bit. Can the bottom part of the order really be relied on come October? Is Holt really going to be the biggest PH threat off the bench all season? Will Dustin Pedroia ever come back, and if (when) Martinez makes his annual trip to the DL, who will step up?

The Sox don’t have those answers yet. As they make their way towards the dog days of summer, it might not even matter. But last night’s game in Seattle highlighted just how frustrating a lopsided lineup can be. Boston touched up AL Cy Young Award contender James Paxton for 6 runs (5 earned) in the 3rd inning. It was the only frame in which they scored, and the Mariners were able to stage a late inning rally against Heath Hembree and Matt Barnes as a result. With 6 weeks left until the July 31st trade deadline, you have to think Dave Dombrowski will take a hard look at balancing out this roster. After all, this team isn’t supposed to be satisfied with beating good teams in June. It’s meant to beat great teams in the fall.

matt grzelcyk

Boston Bruins- the Grizz Is Back

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Late Friday Night, the Boston Bruins announced that they signed restricted free agent Matt Grzelcyk to a two-year deal worth $2.8 million. The Charlestown native will be signed through the 2019-202 season.

BY THE NUMBERS

This past season, the 24-year-old defenseman had quite the season, if not impressive for a rookie. As one of the many first-year players that made an impact, Grzelcyk tallied up three goals and 12 assists over 61 games. During the Stanley Cup playoff run, he had one assist. At just 5’9″, 174 lbs, the defenseman looks to add some strength to his game:

Boston Bruin Matt Grzelcyk

“Getting in the weight room is obviously huge for me, like it is every offseason,” Grzelcyk said. “I think just quite a bit of confidence going into next year, and trying to earn a spot again, that hasn’t changed.”

A third-round pick for the Bruins in 2012, Grzelcyk spent his first season in Providence. In this past season, “Grizz” played alongside veteran defenseman Kevin Miller, adding some much-needed depth on the blue line. During the regular season, he logged 16:44 ice time minutes; in the playoffs, he averaged 15:56 minutes on ice. Grzelcyk also scored his first NHL goal this past season.

A LEARNING EXPERIENCE

Boston’s playoff run has been talked about, analyzed and dissected. No matter which way you look at it, this Bruins team will be quite the force this coming season. For Matt Grzelcyk, the Tampa series was one to reflect on, particularly the third game. For the defenseman, an unfortunate puck “hop” led to an opening goal by Tampa Bay. Grzelyck had the puck at his feet, however, because of that hop, he found himself spinning back towards the blue line. The puck, still bouncing, was fed to Tampa’s Ondrej Palat who was able to beat Rask on his high blocker side, sending it into the back of the net. A rough start in a tough series, but Grizz made no excuses:

“Yeah, just trying to gap up, [and] the puck kind of felt like it backspun on me on the ice. I thought it maybe went behind me. I just took my eye off the puck I guess and they capitalized because they’re a good team..Obviously not the way you want to start the game and that was just tough bouncing back after that.’’

NEW SEASON, NEW START

Boston Bruin Matt Grzelcyk

As GM Don Sweeney continues to make some key decisions affecting the Bruins roster, there’s was that question: would he bring back Grzelcyk? After all, he was going to be an RFA at the end of the season. Then came the good news: the Bruins re-signed Grzelcyk for two more years. Boston is continuing its focus on the youth movement by keeping Grizz. It’s always good to see a Boston native play for their home team, and fans alike see #48 at the Garden for a little longer.

 

Welcome back, Kid

Will Danny Ainge Shock the NBA on Draft Day?

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It’s that time of the year again. Draft night is a few days away from us. We are now hearing rumors and speculations about the Boston Celtics moving up to the draft. A recent trade rumor says that the Boston Celtics are willing to trade Jaylen Brown for the fifth pick belonging to the Dallas Mavericks. However, Dallas wants Jayson Tatum, according to Mike Fisher. Now that Kawhi Leonard wants out of San Antonio things, just got crazier. What will the Celtics and Danny Ainge do? Will he shock everyone again?

Current Situation

Let’s be realistic here. The Celtics just finished an injury-ridden season and defied the expectations of everyone. During the first game against the Cavs, Gordon Hayward suffered a season-ending injury. Kyrie Irving also went down because of his troubling knee issues and decided to get surgery. Daniel Theis, who is a very good role-player and shocked the league with his hustle and timely shooting also injured his meniscus. These guys never played an entire season for us. The good news is they are all expected to be back in training camp.

What if these guys played the whole season?

That is the result we will never know.

This draft class is full of promising players. We all know what Danny Ainge did back in 2013. But this time is different. We now have promising young players like Tatum, Brown, Ojeleye, and Rozier. We have a great group of experienced players like Baynes (who’s a free agent), Horford, Hayward, and Kyrie.

Will Danny Ainge pull the trigger again and shock the world? Or will he stand pat and wait for the future?

If Danny Ainge stands pat this offseason, here are the Celtics future first round picks:

2018

No. 27 overall

2019

Sacramento Kings’ top-1 protected pick

Memphis Grizzlies (If pick falls outside top-8)

Los Angeles Clippers (If pick falls outside top-14)

Boston Celtics’ own pick

2020

Memphis Grizzlies (If the pick has not yet been conveyed and falls outside top-6)

Los Angeles Clippers (If the pick has not yet been conveyed and falls outside top-14)

Boston Celtics’ own pick

2021

Memphis Grizzlies (If the pick has not yet been conveyed. Pick would be unprotected)

Boston Celtics’ own pick

Win Now Mode

If Danny Ainge decides to light up the fireworks, he can trade that future picks for a young star player like Anthony Davis. However, NBA GMs are now cautious when negotiating when Danny Ainge. We all know the Nets got finessed during that 2013 trade, and if Markelle Fultz can’t get his shot right and play minutes for the 76ers in the upcoming seasons, then they fell victim to Danny too.

Here’s what I want you to expect on draft night, and probably in the offseason. Danny Ainge will stand pat unless there’s a young star available. We should expect these same group of guys next season because we haven’t reached our full potential yet. I think that’s what Danny Ainge will do.

If we lose again or if we can’t reach the finals next season, I think that’s the time we make some changes. For me, this group of guys can represent the East next year and compete with Golden State (if they don’t break up their core) for that trophy.

Connor Clifton

Providence Bruins- Getting to Know Connor Clifton

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In the leading months the NHL regular season, the Bruins have been positioning themselves into becoming a dominant force in 2018. And to become a contender, you have to not only look at your current roster, but also develop your AHL prospects. In a league where every player is competing for a spot in the big leagues, how do you make a big enough impact for the NHL to take notice? For New Jersey native Connor Clifton, making that impact has been an improving steady climb.

BACKGROUND

Connor Clifton

The 23-year-old defenseman recently played for the Quinnipiac University Bobcats. Drafted in 2013 by the Arizona Coyotes, Clifton wasn’t able to make much of an impact and ultimately parted ways with the team. The Bruins quickly signed him in 2017, and he’s played in Providence since then. He continues to improve steadily, so much so that the Bruins recently signed him to a two-year NHL deal worth $725,000 per year.

Prior to signing with the Bruins, he joined the U.S. National Development Team in 2011.  He was later invited back to the team where he played alongside Frank Vatrano and Anders Bjork. He was also teammates with a young Jack Eichel and Dylan Larkin.

BOBCATS

In 2013, Clifton attended Quinnipiac University in Connecticut, where he played alongside his brother, Tim. During his freshman year, he posted five goals with four assists in 36 games. The 43rd captain in Bobcats history played in 43 games and potted seven goals and 21 assists. During Quinnipiac’s run in the 2016 NCAA Frozen Four playoffs, Clifton nicely showed his defensive presence as he laid out North Dakota forward Austin Pogorski in a clean shoulder to shoulder hit:

https://vine.co/v/iTqe2vFu5jv

That year was he received ECAC Hockey All-Tournament Team honors and was awarded Most Outstanding Player of the tournament. He was also named to the 2016 NCAA East All-Frozen Four Team and named Quinnipiac’s Male Athlete of the Month. He ended his college career totaling 19 goals, 37 assists and 56 points in 156 NCAA games. Bobcats’ head coach Rand Pecknold had this to say about Clifton:

“Connor was the heart and soul of our team. His character and commitment to excellence is outstanding. We wish him all the best as he moves forward with his professional career.”

PROVIDENCE

In his first year with Providence, Clifton played in 54 games with four goals and nine assists and had a  +11 plus/minus rating. On Dec 9th, 2017 the young defenseman scored his first professional NHL goal:

Clifton ended the last 26 games left in the season with ten points and a +11 rating. Could he make an appearance in the NHL this season? There’s lots of competition with the likes of recently signed Urho Vaakanainen, Jakub Zboril, and Jeremy Lauzon. For someone like Connor, he’ll have to continue to make a name for himself down in Providence. With his rugged defensive playing skills, Clifton will no doubt be a player to watch out for.

Price's

Will David Price Opt-Out?

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At the end of the 2018 MLB season, Red Sox left-hander David Price has a decision to make. The 32-year old (33 in August) has the ability to opt-out of his 7-year, $217 million contract at the end of the season. This means that David Price can end his Red Sox career and move on to another team just by deciding to opt-out of this lucrative contract. There are many factors that will play into this decision, and here are some.

Price’s Price

David Price’s potential salary next year will, of course, play a big part in this decision. If Price were to stay with the Sox, he would be earning $31 million in 2019, and $32 million in 2020, 2021, and 2022. This makes him the highest paid pitcher in the majors, which could change by the end of his deal. The point is it won’t be easy to get much more money than that, but it is not impossible. There are teams out there that are not afraid to pay big money, like the Yankees (Giancarlo Stanton for 10 years and $265 million) and the Dodgers (Clayton Kershaw for 7 years and $215 million).

Price’s Happiness

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Price’s time in Boston has been defined by conflicts with the Boston sports media and it’s fanbase. Many in Boston know about the conflict he had with Dennis Eckersley, Hall of Fame pitcher and NESN analyst. This incident has caused many in Boston to dislike Price. This universal dislike of Price has caused him to possibly dislike Boston as a city. Why would anyone, no matter the profession, want to work somewhere where they are hated? If David Price opts-out of his contract, I would most certainly bet on his happiness playing a huge factor.

Price’s Performance Down the Stretch

One of the biggest factors teams look at when they pay for free agents is their performance. David Price started the 2018 season slow, posting a 5.11 ERA in his first 7 starts of the year. Since then, Price has definitely been living up to his contract, posting a 2.69 ERA in 44 1/3 innings. If he continues to pitch like his last 7 starts, there is definitely a chance a team would give him more money than he’s making. If he looks more like his first 7 starts for the rest of the year, he will probably be on the Red Sox roster next year.

Price’s Health

David Price has had his bouts with staying healthy. We all know about the “mild carpal tunnel syndrome” and the elbow problems he had last year. If he feels that he wouldn’t be able to pass a physical, he will not opt-out. It’s as simple as that.

Prediction Time

If I were to give my prediction, I would say he doesn’t opt-out. There is no way to be sure that he will earn that kind of money from another team, but you can’t rule out the possibility that he might leave. It is something worth thinking about, as it could help the Red Sox clear up enough cap space to extend their young stars.

On This Day In Red Sox History: A Father’s Day Walk-off

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June 16, 1996 was Father’s Day. The Red Sox and Rangers squared off for the final game of a four game set at Fenway Park. The Red Sox had taken two of the first three, but had gotten spanked 13-3 the day before. The teams took the field that Sunday afternoon for a 1:08 start time.

Taking the Field

The Red Sox sent left-hander Vaughn Eshelman to the mound. Eshelman was coming off his best start of the season but still had an ERA of 7.33. He was opposed by Lynn, Massachusetts native Ken Hill. Hill was coming off his worst start of the season, having been battered by the Brewers for nine runs. However, he was still 7-5 with a 3.65 ERA for the season.

Eshelman took the mound first to begin the afternoon. Rene Gonzales hit a one out double. Rusty Greer then hit a shallow fly to left-center which Lee Tinsley made a nice play on and doubled Gonzalez off second base to end the inning. It was the first of two outfield assists on the day for Tinsley.

In the bottom half of the inning, Ken Hill got two quick outs before walking Mo Vaughn. Jose Canseco always seemed to take a walk in front of him as a personal insult, and he deposited an 0-2 offering over the Monster to give the Red Sox the 2-0 lead.

The Rangers loaded the bases with no one out in the top of the second inning. After a strikeout of Warren Newson, backup catcher Dave Valle singled to left to score two runs. A walk reloaded the bases but Eshelman was able to get out of it without any further damage.

The Red Sox would score a run in the third to take back the lead. After loading the bases, a groundout by Reggie Jefferson brought home Jeff Frye. They threatened again in the fourth. Lee Tinsley got an infield single after the leadoff walk to Troy O’leary. However, O’leary was picked off second. Lee Tinsley stole second to get a man back in scoring position but the Sox were unable to bring him home.

The Rangers Storm Ahead

Eshelman ran into all sorts of trouble in the fifth. The nine hitter, Kevin Elster, singled to left to start the inning. Damon Buford then homered to left, just his second of the season, and Texas had the lead. A single, a hit batter and another single brought home a run and chased Eshelman from the game. He was still responsible for two men on base however, and they didn’t stay there. Mickey Tettleton doubled off Rich Garces to score a run and Dean Palmer brought home the other run with a base hit. Vaughn Eshelman recorded no outs in the fifth and was charged with seven runs for the day.

The score stayed 7-3 until the seventh, when the Rangers widened the gap. Rich Garces pitched a third inning, which didn’t work out so well. Garces struck out two batters that inning, but also gave up a double to Dean Palmer and a two-run homer to Dave Valle. Valle’s home run was his first of the season. The Red Sox trailed 9-3 at the seventh inning stretch and no one in Boston was enjoying Father’s Day very much.

Dave Valle played for the Red Sox briefly in 1994 before being traded for Tom Brunansky.

Red Sox Claw Back

The Red Sox showed some fight in the bottom half of the seventh. Down 9-3, they weren’t ready to concede just yet. Mo Vaughn hit a ground-rule double to put two men in scoring position with two outs. A Jose Canseco double scored Frye and Vaughn to make it a 9-5 ballgame. A single by Reggie Jefferson and a walk to Mike Stanley loaded the bases and ended Ken Hill’s afternoon. He had been left in too long, throwing 124 pitches and allowing four straight baserunners.

The left-handed Ed Vosberg was brought in to face Troy O’leary. O’leary had his struggles against lefties, batting under .200 against them without a homer that season. He won the battle however, singling on the eighth pitch of the at-bat to score Canseco and Jefferson.

Hill, who had only allowed three runs through six innings, wound up allowing seven runs. The Red Sox had cut the lead to 9-7 after seven.

Father’s Day Heroics

Joe Hudson replaced Rich Garces on the mound and tossed two scoreless innings to keep the Sox within striking distance. The Rangers went to their closer Mike Henneman for the ninth. The Sox had come back against Henneman in the first game of the series, scoring two runs in the bottom of the tenth to win the game 8-7. The Red Sox would bookend the series by handing Henneman losses.

Mo Vaughn singled to right to begin the ninth, his fourth hit of the game and fifth time reaching base. Jose Canseco followed Vaughn with a single into left, his fourth hit of the day. The Red Sox 3-4 hitters were a combined 8-9 with a walk, home run, four runs batted in and six runs scored. After a first pitch strike to Reggie Jefferson, Henneman threw a wild pitch to move both runners up and put the tying run on second base. It didn’t matter where they were, as the next pitch to Jefferson he hit a line drive deep to left and up into the screen above the Green Monster. A walk-off home run for Reggie Jefferson on Father’s Day. The Sox had come from 9-3 down to stun the Rangers with a 10-9 victory.

When I interviewed Reggie Jefferson last September, he instantly brought up this game as one that stands out to him from his playing days.

Who Can Trade For Kawhi Leonard

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With the finals MVP and defensive player of the year requesting a trade, the news and speculation of Kawhi Leonard’s impending future looms a huge topic before free agency.

When news spread about all star Kawhi Leonard requesting to be traded, speculation of many teams came into fruition.  With breaking news such as this, this could shake up the free agency plans of almost every team. The longer this holds off, the better the potential return. Here are some projected trades for the all star.

Los Angeles Lakers receive: Kawhi Leonard, Patty Mills 

San Antonio Spurs receive: Lonzo Ball, Luol Deng, 2019 first round pick, 2020 first round pick. 

This trade ( if the spurs will trade in conference) makes a lot of sense. The Spurs duo at guard ( Parker, Ginobili.) have been on the decline for the last few years. The Lakers get their superstar to entice Lebron James, and coach Pop gets the young talent to revitalize his team for the future.

New York Knicks receive: Kawhi Leonard, Davis Bertans

San Antonio Spurs receive: Emmanuel Mudiay, Enes Kanter, 2018 first round pick.

The spurs get an athletic point guard who can score well on the one-on-one iso plays, and move the ball effectively as a floor general.  They also receive a high pick in this year’s draft ( maybe a Trae Young selection?)  The Knicks do this because they finally give Kristaps another excellent player to pare up with. It might be the jolt the Knicks have been looking for. This is a great step in their rebuild.

San Antonio Spurs receive: Jaylen Brown,  Marcus Morris, Terry Rozier 2019 first round pick. 

Boston Celtics receive: Kawhi Leonard, 2018 first round pick 

The Celtics get the ultimate team in the east with Kyrie, Gordon, Al, and Leonard. While giving up a lot of great young talent, they get another draft pick to stockpile as trade bait for anyone else Danny Ainge wants. The spurs receive a great dynamic trio, along with a draft pick in 2019. Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier proved they can start and handle any challenge that comes their way. In addition, the spurs keep Kawhi out of direct competitions hands.

 

Philadelphia 76ers receive: Kawhi Leonard, Dejounte Murray, 2018 first round pick.

San Antonio Spurs receive: Dario Saric, Timothé Luwawu-Cabarrot, 2018 first round pick, 2021 first round pick. 

If the 76ers needed any better case to covey Lebron it’s this. Kawhi Leonard. They get one of the great defenders in the game to join Joel Embiid. The Spurs get two athletic wing players who are great catch and shoot players. Coach pop would love to coach these athletic scorers who can spread the court effectively with more development.

Whoever lands this superstar is gonna have to pay a small fortune for one year of his services. With no extension hopes alive, who will win the Kawhi Leonard sweepstakes?

 

 

 

Maddy Meyer

Kyrie Irving Happy in Boston, Focused on ‘Redemption Year’

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Concerns about Kyrie Irving’s future in Boston arose due to his decision not to resign with the team this summer. There are some who speculate that because of this Irving is a “flight risk.” These views could not be further from the truth.

The Interview

Kyrie Irving sat down with the Boston media on Tuesday to discuss his plans moving forward. He spent the entirety of the meeting gushing about the team and his excitement heading into next season. His main focus is on staying healthy and doing what he can to help the team contend for a championship. He labeled the upcoming season a “redemption year”.

“I think you guys can feel my attitude is really just redemption next year. Really integrating myself with our team again and really focus on winning a championship. That’s the only thing I’m really worried about.”

Irving made a point to talk about his desire to deflect the attention he is garnishing over his impending free agency.

“The focus is solely on winning a championship next year. I don’t think [impending free agency will] necessarily have an effect. I’m doing my best to kind of deflect all that and focus on what’s in front of us.”

Kyrie praised what the team accomplished this season in his absence.

“I couldn’t be more proud of what [Boston’s young players] experienced — I mean they went to Game 7 of the frickin’ Eastern Conference finals.”

Irving went on to rave about the potential of the young guys on the team, stating that, “there are guys that are literally gonna be stars in this league for years to come.” Kyrie cracked a big smile when he mentioned Gordon Hayward’s return, adding, “and now getting my man Gordon back — I’m excited man. I’m excited.”

Kyrie believes that with the experience the young guys got in the absence of both him and Gordon the team now has championship pedigree. He fully expects the team to contend for a championship next year and many years to come.

What the world can take from this interview is that in the present Kyrie Irving is happy. He’s pumped to get back to basketball and play with a good young group of guys. Kyrie cannot wait to see fellow All-Star Gordon Hayward back at full health. He’s also ecstatic about the direction the organization is heading in, and he is excited to be a part of it.

Kyrie Will Not Re-Sign with Boston This Summer, nor Should He

Irving knew the question would be coming. When questioned about signing an extension with the team this summer, he gave a brief response.

“Contractually, financially, [an extension] just doesn’t make any sense.”

This is the statement that has fans around the NBA talking and analysts debating. Kyrie Irving is not willing to consider signing an extension with the Celtics right now. What many may not know is that he shouldn’t be expected to.

Here is a breakdown of his current financial situation.

Irving would stand to lose upwards of $80 million dollars by signing an extension with the team this year. If Kyrie waits until the summer of 2019, then chooses to opt out of his player option (which he will) he will become an unrestricted free agent. At that point Irving can choose to re-sign with the Celtics on a 5-year $188 million-dollar max contract or leave the team for a 4-year $139 million-dollar max deal.

Even for a guy worth as much as Kyrie Irving $80 million dollars is a whole lot of change to leave on the table. It would make absolutely zero sense for the man to re-up at this time. Kyrie even mentioned in his meeting with the media that he has yet to have a talk with Ainge about his contract. As much as Danny Ainge would like him to re-sign now, he won’t expect the 26-year-old to do so.

The Case for Irving’s Eventual Re-Signing

According to Adam Kaufman of CLNS Media, the Celtics can offer Irving more than anyone else can next summer. With the ability to offer a 5-year max deal Irving can make $49 million more by re-signing with Boston than he can in a 4-year max offer from anyone else. As per league rules Boston has the sole opportunity to offer Irving a 5-year deal, whereas everyone else can offer a maximum of 4.

Boston gives Kyrie Irving the best chance to win moving forward. The team consists of a very young core with overflowing potential. With Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum, the team has two future all-star talents at the wing positions. Gordon Hayward and Al Horford are NBA All-Star veterans with playoff experience. Terry Rozier is a starting caliber point guard that will be coming off the bench behind Irving next year. The team is also very deep, with Marcus Morris, Marcus Smart, Shane Larkin and the emerging German Daniel Theis rounding the meat of the roster out.

The sweetest part for Kyrie? He will be given the opportunity to head arguably the league’s most talented team for years to come.

Irving trusts Danny Ainge and the franchise’s management group. He feels that having faith in the front office “puts things at ease” and allows himself to focus on what is important going into next season. He talked about having an “open book relationship” with the guys in charge, something Irving has openly expressed a desire for in the past. In fact, it was his lack of faith in Cleveland’s front office that became one of the major factors behind his discontent and eventual departure from the Cavaliers.

The Brad Stevens Effect

Perhaps the biggest chess piece Boston holds in the eventual Kyrie Irving sweepstakes is head coach Brad Stevens. Stevens turns 42 this October and is already considered one of the greatest minds in the league today. He is a finalist for the 2018 NBA Coach of the Year award, and just capped off his fifth season as an NBA head coach. He has improved the team’s record in every year of his career. Brad Stevens has always had an ability to draw the most out of his players. He does a phenomenal job at putting them in the best possible position to succeed.

When Irving landed in Boston last summer he spoke about his desire to build upon his craft. He wants to develop his game and become a more well-rounded athlete. There is no coach who suits Irving better with his personal goals on the basketball court than Brad Stevens.

All is Well, For Now

Kyrie Irving has yet to meet with Danny Ainge to discuss his future with the franchise. When he does, this meeting will take place behind closed doors. Ainge will have the chance to ask Kyrie if he see’s himself in Boston long-term. If the world discovered anything about Kyrie Irving after last year’s Cavs drama it’s that the man is very honest. He did not shy away from his feelings with (former) Cavalier GM David Griffin when they sat for such a meeting. He gave Griffin a list of teams he was interested in, and the rest is history.

It is presumable that Irving will offer the same level of transparency with Ainge as he did with Griffin. If the unexpected happens and he shares with Ainge a desire to play elsewhere things in Boston will get interesting.

Boston’s front office is famous for getting maximum value out of every transaction they make. In the scenario where Kyrie decides he wants out, they will not hesitate to move the young star. If trade talks begin to arise surrounding Irving this offseason, then that is the time to be concerned. Assuming he isn’t dealt by the start of the season, then chances are good he will re-sign with the team.

Until then fans can rejoice in the fact that Kyrie Irving will be back and fully healthy for the team next season.

Belichick Takes Players Back in Time During OTAs

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Two Days off and an Unexpected OTA

Bill Belichick and the Patriots have a few quotes they live by: “The Patriot Way,” “Do Your job” and, of course, “No Days Off”. I attended the Super Bowl LI rally in Boston and when the team gathered outside Government Center, Belichick, the team, and the fans had “NO DAYS OFF” echoing throughout downtown. I always found this funny given we had all taken the day off to be there.

This week Belichick awarded the players with a rare “two days off”, canceling the final two days of voluntary OTAs. Bill also decided to give the team a history lesson on Tuesday in place of workouts, complete with a blast from the past, old-school football environment. Oh yes, we mean even leather helmets and black-and white-tape.

Going Old School

Many players could tell right away the day was different from most. One player told Mike Reiss, “It was a lot of fun. We walked in and you could tell something different was going on than the normal practice day.”

Belichick is always in his element when history is involved. He loves football history and while he is often a man of few words, he will go on for days when it comes to matters of the subject. “The thing I’ve learned about Coach Belichick is that he loves history, he loves military, and any time he can incorporate teaching us about that, he loves it”, another player added.

In addition to the leather helmets and black-and-white videos, the players received lunches inspired by what football players used to eat. The bagged lunch reportedly contained hot dogs and hamburgers rather than the foods players eat now. The team was fresh off a field trip to Fenway Park, which they had taken the day before, making it a week to remember.

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The History of Belichick

Belichick developed a love for the history of the football at a very young age. The game has been a facet of his life for many years. It is no surprise he takes his childhood experiences and love of this history and applies it to the way he conducts his team. Belichick’s father, Steve Belichick, was an assistant coach at the United States Naval Academy, and Bill was able to learn a lot from him. Bill has often mentioned that his father was an important mentor to him in his football career and would study the game with him often.

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Between heading to Fenway on Monday, and the history lesson on Tuesday, the team certainly had an interesting last week of OTAs. The team practices next at training camp later this summer.

Who’s Most Important? Ranking the Celtics with the Most Value

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As the trading block gets up and running this offseason, the Celtics’ staff needs to determine who is part of their future. These rankings take a look at who has the most value for the franchise right now. Factors taken into consideration were talent (obviously), age and current career trend, trade value, and contract situation. The team’s two-way players, Jabari Bird and Kadeem Allen are not included in this list. Let’s dive right in.

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15. Abdel Nader, SF

Abdel Nader doesn’t bring anything to the team. He played sparingly over 48 games this season and averaged three points a game, all while contributing negative win shares. Though he’s young and could have room for improvement, he just underwent wrist surgery. It’s unlikely he’s on the roster for much longer.

14. Guerschon Yabusele, PF

Yabusele didn’t perform all that well for the Celtics this year either. He averaged 2.4 points and two rebounds over 33 games this year. However, scouts still see massive upside in “The Dancing Bear”, and he’s just 22 years old. The team still has hope that he can develop into the player they think he can be. Yabu has also become a fan favorite with his childish charm, and there’s always value in guys like that.

13. Greg Monroe, C

Though Monroe is unlikely to re-sign, he could still bring value to the team if he did. In 26 games with Boston, he averaged ten points and six rebounds after being acquired via the disabled player exception. If Boston wanted, they might be able to get him cheap on another one-year deal. Monroe is only 28 years old. However, there might not be a role for him this year behind Horford, Theis, and Baynes if he is re-signed.

12. Shane Larkin, PG

Shane Larkin had a decent year for the Celtics until injury sidelined him in the playoffs. Though he only averaged four points and two assists per game, he provided a nice spark off the bench. He also played an important role in several of the Celtics’ late-season games. The major thing that holds Larkin so low on this list is that this season, he’ll be fourth on the depth chart. Kyrie Irving, Terry Rozier, and Marcus Smart will all be before him in the rotation. It’s unlikely that he would see the court in most games. However, if the Celtics end up trading one or both of Smart and Rozier, it is possible he can see a role.

11. Semi Ojeleye, PF

Ojeleye doesn’t provide much offense, but Brad Stevens loves his defense. It’s easy to see why. This year, the team routinely looked to him to take the toughest defensive assignments. He defended the likes of LeBron James and Giannis Antetokounmpo with relative success. He was also a rookie and has three years remaining on his deal of $1.5 million per year. At that price, Ojeleye is a steal for the team. However, like Larkin, he will be stuck low on the depth chart with Gordon Hayward returning.

10. Daniel Theis, PF/C

Theis had an excellent first year coming over from Europe. He averaged five points and five rebounds over 63 games, serving as a reliable backup to Al Horford before a torn meniscus ended his year in March. The 6’9″ German is already locked up for next year for $1.8 million. If Aron Baynes returns, the two will compete for minutes. However, Theis has a great chance at becoming an important player for the Celtics.

9. Marcus Morris, F

Marcus Morris provided big scoring boosts off the bench most nights throughout the season. Over 54 games, he averaged 14 points and 5.4 rebounds. He’s a bruiser and physical player, but he has a beautiful isolation jumper. Morris, still just 28, is locked up next season for $5.5 million. However, he is an unrestricted free agent in the summer of 2019. If Danny Ainge looks to make a big trade this summer, Morris could be an eye-catching piece in any potential offers. If he stands pat, Boston gets another season’s worth of contributions out of Morris.

Marcus Morris

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8. Aron Baynes, C

Baynes filled the center position admirably last season. He played in all but one game and averaged six points and 5.4 boards. His willingness to go up against rim attackers (although often only to be posterized) proved valuable to the depleted core. His development of a three-pointer during the playoffs was incredible, and Boston should attempt to re-sign him. However, he is 31 years old, and if the price is too high, the Celtics may walk. Nonetheless, Baynes returning to the team would boost the size of a smaller Boston team.

7.  Marcus Smart, G

Marcus Smart is below Terry Rozier on this list because though he probably has more value to the team than Rozier does in the big picture, he doesn’t garner as much trade value as Rozier does. However, it’s impossible to overstate what Smart does for Boston. He’s the everyman, and everyone who’s watched him play knows what he brings to the table for them. The stats might not be the flashiest, but it’s what isn’t in the box score that makes him so valuable to the Celtics. However, Smart is a restricted free agent, and if he receives an offer into the $18-20 million range, the Celtics may not be willing to keep him.

6. Terry Rozier, PG

Scary Terry balled out in the playoffs and put the league on notice. As previously mentioned, Rozier earns this spot not because of his contributions to the team (though those were also hefty), but for his trade value. He’s been mentioned in numerous trade rumors already this offseason, and it’s easy to envision Ainge putting him into a package for a star player. Teams love his ability to create his own scoring opportunities. Rozier is under contract for one more year and then becomes an RFA. His team value, though, takes a hit this coming season with the return of Kyrie Irving. It will also be interesting to see if Rozier’s postseason inflated his ego, and prompts Trader Dan to ship him out a la Isaiah Thomas before he has to take a backseat to Irving.

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5. Al Horford, PF/C

Arguments can be made for Al Horford having been the MVP of this team this season. In his All-Star campaign, his consistent play and leadership gave the young guns guidance throughout the year. Horford was undoubtedly a cornerstone piece for the Celtics, both this year and last. The reason he falls down on the list is that Al now finds himself at 32 years of age, and winding down his career. His current contract with the team, though unlikely, has a chance to be his last, as he is signed next season and then has a player option in 2019-20. Horford probably won’t be included in any packages this season, because a player like him just won’t gather much interest. That’s just fine for the Celtics, though they’ll be glad to have Al hang around for a little while longer.

4. Jaylen Brown, SG/SF

Jaylen Brown is one of the hottest players on the market right now. His breakout sophomore season drew attention around the Association. He has sky-high trade value right now, and his play will only continue to improve. His stats jumped up in every category this year, and at just 21, it’s likely to be the case again next year. The Celtics could certainly put together an attractive trade package with him at the center. If he stays, he’s guaranteed a spot in the starting five. Right now, there’s no limit to how far he can progress.

3. Kyrie Irving, PG

Kyrie finally got to become the leader of a team, and it paid dividends. The flashy point guard had himself one heck of a season, even throwing his name into the MVP discussion before he joined the list of injured Celtics. The reason he’s third here is because his future with the team has become foggy. Terry Rozier emerged as a legitimate starting point guard during his absence. Irving has also become extremely noncommittal to a future with the Celtics, leaving some to wonder if he’ll be gone next season. However, Irving is a star and if the team manages to hang on to him, championships could be in the team’s future.

2. Gordon Hayward, F

Gordon Hayward was on the court for all of five minutes last year, but he is nearing the end of his recovery and rehab and appears ready to get back on the court this season. When he does, he’ll immediately assume his position at the focus of the team’s offense. After an All-Star season two years ago in Utah, Hayward is hungry for some real action in Boston. He’s also locked up for the next two seasons, and a player option after that. Prepare to see Hayward lead the Celtics for years to come.

1. Jayson Tatum, F

The clear-cut choice for number one on this list. Jayson Tatum is going to be a superstar in this league. At just 20 years old, the sky is the limit for the dynamic forward. He’s on his rookie contract for three more years with the team. If Ainge decides he wants to go after an Anthony Davis or Kawhi Leonard, Tatum could be more than enough to make the deal. However, given his performance this year, he seems untouchable, and for good reason. Tatum could lead this team for many years to come.

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