Robert Kraft : ‘Everything Is Normal’

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Kraft: ‘Nothing to See Here’

Patriots owner Robert Kraft isn’t worried about Tom Brady skipping out on OTAs this year. Kraft according to NFL Network said: “These are voluntary workouts… I think he’s in great shape. I think he’s at an age where he’s blessed to have 3 children, has responsibilities. It’s hard to fulfill those during the season.” Also, Kraft confirmed Rob Gronkowski will be at minicamp in June.” On Brady’s relationship with Bill Belichick, Kraft said, “nothing has changed.” Overall, sportsbooks tend to agree.  Many of them, including NetBet, still have the Patriots as the odds on favorite to win Super Bowl LIII.

Bill Belichick at Tuesday’s Press Conference

However, yesterday Bill Belichick said that he won’t talk about the players that aren’t participating in the OTAs. Belichicks quote on Monday was, “The guys who are here are improving, they’re working hard. Those are the guys we’re going to focus on.”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uHRZr4T4bR8

Brady’s Comments in 2013 on How the OTAs Are Important

Back in 2013, Tom Brady spoke about how the OTAs are important for preparation. Brady said, “[Bill Belichick] talks about, you think it’s just an OTA in the springtime and it’s not that important and all those things that probably could enter your mind. The truth is, this lays the foundation for the start of training camp and if you have a good training camp, it usually means a good start to the season. A good start to the season leads to good position entering the second half of the season. Everything ends up having some significance to it. You’re not just out here running plays and going through different things that aren’t going to mean anything.

We’re out here trying to get a lot of things accomplished. I think we have done that, but there’s still a lot of work to be done. It’s really never ending, especially when you play for Coach Belichick. Especially in practices when the offense goes against the defense because if the offense makes a play then the defense sucked and if the defense makes a play then the offense sucked so someone is really going to get yelled at on every play. There’s always lowlights when we come in on the next day.

Even if it was a great offensive play, he’s going to yell at someone on the defense. We’ve become a bit used to that now and that’s part of the learning process and also learning how to play for the Patriots and understand the criticism that you’re getting and hopefully use it constructively so you can improve as a player.”

Robert Kraft Is in the Middle

Kraft is sticking up for his player, while also trying to appease Belichick with granting Guerrero limited access to the stadium. Guerrero is not happy about it, which could also be the reason for Brady to not be going to the OTAs. Kraft is basically in the middle of this whole mess.

Top 10 Boston Sports Athletes Under 25

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#10: Trey Flowers

Flowers’s potential was realized when played 16 in 2016. He quickly became the starter at defensive end in 2017. In 2016 he racked up 45 combined tackles. Many may argue, however, that his breakout season was in 2017, when he picked up 62 combined tackles. He has exhibited his versatility by playing defensive tackle and end in New England. For the past two seasons, he has been a consistent defender in an inconsistent defense.

#9: Rafael Devers

The third baseman showed his potential in the second half of last season. The game-tying home run off of Aroldis Chapman being the most famous. He hit ten home runs in 58 games last year, and already has nine in 52 games this year. He has the power, and if he can get his fielding and average up, he will be a superstar.

#8: Jake DeBrusk

The former first round pick had a very good rookie season. He appeared in 70 games, recording 16 goals and 27 assists. He was the scoring threat that the Bruins had been lacking on the second line alongside David Krejci. In the playoffs, Debrusk showed grit and was not afraid to block the puck. Next season he will be even better giving the Bruins a very dangerous top two lines. Like Pastrnak, he has a very bright future in Boston for years to come and will be an impact player.

#7: Xander Bogaerts

Bogaerts was a big piece to the 2013 World Series run after getting called up mid-season. After that, the shortstop has been a key piece on a team that’s looking to claim its third straight AL East title. Bogaerts is starting to show his hitting potential. He consistently hits in the high .200s and has been a surprisingly superb shortstop after a rough fielding start to his career.

#6: David Pastrnak

Following the 2016-2017 season, the Bruins signed Pastrnak to a six-year extension after he scored a career-high 34 goals. He had an even better year this past season and solidified himself as one of the top young talents in the NHL. He set a new career high 35 goals to go along with 45 assists. When paired with Bergeron and Marchand, the three formed one of the deadliest lines in hockey. Pastrnak is still young and mistake prone, but he is a gifted goal scorer who is under team control for at least the next five years.

#5: Andrew Benintendi

Benny was a huge prospect after he got drafted, and he has not disappointed since his call-up in 2016. He has hit .278 so far in his career, and his power is on the rise. He hit 20 bombs last year and is on pace to hit 22 this year. Similarly to Betts, Benintendi is a great outfielder with great speed. If Benintendi could get smarter on the bases, he will be a five-tool player. 

#4: Jaylen Brown

The versatile athlete from California struggled his rookie season, but took off this year. His PPG jumped from 6.6 to 14.5, and his RPG went from 2.8 to five. His three-point percentage rose 0.54%, and he can drive to the rim with ease. He improved his defense and averaged 18 PPG in an impressive postseason run. He and Tatum can be a force for years to come under Brad Stevens.   

#3: Charlie McAvoy

The young Bruins defenseman received the most hype of a Bruins prospect in recent memory. Due to injuries, he made his NHL debut in the playoffs against Ottawa in the 2016- 2017 season. This past season was his first full NHL season and he did not disappoint. McAvoy dealt with injuries, but still appeared in 63 games. The Bruins expect McAvoy to anchor the blue line for years to come, and this past season McAvoy showed why. He is a rare talent and a force offensively and defensively. By some, he is already considered the face of the franchise.

#2: Jayson Tatum

He just finished his rookie season, but the forward from Duke has already proved that he can be a superstar. He averaged 13.9 PPG in the regular season, and 18.5 PPG in the postseason. He was the one bright spot in the Game 7 defeat against Cleveland, because he was the only one scoring in the fourth. He went on a 5-0 run by himself to give the Celtics their only lead of the fourth quarter. With Brad Stevens’s system and a great supporting cast to boost his game, Tatum has a good chance to be something special.

#1: Mookie Betts

The 2016 Al MVP runner-up is considered the best player in the MLB by some, and those claims are not a reach at all. Betts is one of few five-tool players in the MLB, which means he can hit for average and power, field and throw, and run like the wind. In 2016, he hit 31 home runs while maintaining a 318 average. He has a .1000 fielding percentage this season, and has only committed 13 errors in his five-season career. He has 13 steals so far this season, which ranks fourth in the MLB.

 

Be sure to follow @Prime_Kyrie2 & @JamieGatlin1217 on Twitter.

Astros Are a Big Test for the Red Sox

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Red Sox vs. Astros

Alex Cora returned to Houston last night for the first time since becoming the manager for the Boston Red Sox. Lately, the competition for the Red Sox has been pretty bad, and the Red Sox have been taking advantage of it. The Red Sox took care of business this week sweeping the no-name Toronto  Blue Jays. The real test begins with this series against the defending World Series Champions. The Sox fell 6-4 last night in the first of the four games.

J.D. Martinez is on Fire

J.D. Martinez has been on fire lately. He has belted 18 home runs on the season for the Red Sox thus far. Drew Pomeranz, who has struggled lately pitched last night for Boston. Alex Cora seems to still have confidence in the left-handed pitcher.

Tonight, Chris Sale is pitching, and the Red Sox seem to not be able to hit still when he’s on the mound. On Saturday, David Price will pitch. He had some interesting comments the other day, saying. “I’m the softest guy in this clubhouse. If it bothered me, I’d be out of the game. I’m soft. … It wasn’t painful. I’m fine. If it was painful, I would have come out.” He was referring to when he was hit by a line drive in the first inning on Monday.

Rick Porcello will make an appearance during the final game of this series on Sunday. Porcello so far this season is  7-2 with a 3.65 ERA. Against Toronto he pitched six innings and allowed just five hits and two runs. The real test begins this weekend, when the Sox can show they are a contender in the American League.

Way Too Early Predictions for the Celtics’ 2018-19 Season

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Celtics fans are currently mourning their exit from the NBA Playoffs in devastating fashion. However, they begin to look ahead to what is sure to be an exciting season next year. All-Stars Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving will return. Young guns Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will gain another year of experience. It is going to be a fun year once again. Let’s get into some predictions about what I think will happen over the course of next season.

Danny Ainge Stands Pat at the Draft

Rumors have it that the Celtics are very interested in trading up in the draft. The target is apparently Mo Bamba, a 7-footer out of Texas. Luka Doncic is also being mentioned. While it is certainly an intriguing prospect, expect Danny to make his selection at number 27, where they currently sit.

These reports are indicating that in order to move up to get a projected top-5 pick, the Celtics would have to surrender this year’s pick and one next year, as well as either Brown or Rozier. I don’t believe that is a package Ainge is willing to part with. If he can swindle someone into another poor deal (Remember last year’s draft trade?), it’s possible we’ll see the Celtics selecting high. Otherwise, expect Boston to look for talent late in the first round. Potential targets include Donte DiVincenzo from Villanova and Mo Wagner from Michigan. Danny has his pieces now, and is ready to develop them rather than selecting another top young player at a cost.

Aron Baynes Returns

Baynes was a serviceable big man in the Celtics’ rotation during the 2017-18 season. He averaged six points and 5.4 rebounds in 18 minutes played, and turned into an adequate deep shooter during the team’s playoff run. He also got dunked on quite a few times, but we don’t have to talk about that. Overall, he was a nice piece of the team this year. He’ll draw some interest from other teams as he enters free agency, but look for the Celtics to attempt to re-sign him. This season his deal was worth $4.3 million, and the team should have no problems with giving him that sum and more to keep him for next year. The team needs a big, physical center who mans the middle and provides help on defense.

Marcus Smart Sticks Around

Smart has become nearly indispensable during his four years in Boston. Albeit one of the most frustrating players to watch at times, his hustle and grit have become hallmarks of this Celtics team. He averaged ten points, five assists, and 3.5 rebounds this season, but the stat sheet never tells the whole story for Smart. He’s on the ground after every loose ball and shows no fear when taking charges. Smart is going to receive heavy interest from multiple teams and offers upwards of $15 million a year. However, he is a restricted free agent, and Boston can match any offer for him. Look for them to do just that. Smart, simply put, is a player that impacts winning, and the Celtics won’t just let him walk. Even if it requires going into the luxury tax, the team is going to retain Marcus Smart.

The Celtics Don’t Deal Until the Deadline…

Don’t anticipate the Celtics making another summer blockbuster deal. All of the pieces are in place now for a title run. We’ll (hopefully) get a full season from all of the team’s stars. The Celtics have no reason to keep flipping pieces and moving players when they haven’t even seen what this group is capable of when healthy. However, problems are inevitably going to arise down the stretch. Perhaps it will have to do with the number of touches the players are getting. Maybe there’s one player that simply does not mesh with the others. Or it’s possible that Danny Ainge hears about a player he’s interested in becoming available. There are a multitude of reasons why the Celts could make a move at the deadline this year, so look for them to do so.

…And That Deal Includes Terry Rozier

Rozier is the odd man out on the Celtics. He’s too talented to come off of the bench in the sixth man role, and there’s no way he gets a slot in the starting lineup unless another injury occurs. The team is going to be very deep this year. Smart, Marcus Morris, Semi Ojeleye, and Baynes will all come off the bench, and it’s difficult to imagine that Brad Stevens utilizes a 10-man rotation. Rozier has the highest trade value of that group right now, and that’s why he’ll be the first one to be shipped out should that situation arise. It allows for more minutes for the other rotation players and creates more shots for them. Trading Rozier also gets the Celtics out of a sticky situation in the summer of 2019 when he is a free agent. Boston would much rather get a return on Rozier than to just let him walk. Expect Scary Terry to be at the forefront of trade rumors throughout the summer and the season.

Gordon Hayward is the Team MVP

In case you forgot what he brings to the team, watch any Hayward highlight reel. You’ll see how much talent he has and how he stands to benefit most next year. With Kyrie Irving dishing him the ball and Al Horford drawing defenders into the paint, Hayward will have endless opportunities to score. He averaged 22 points a game in his last year with the Jazz. He might not match that figure this year due to the number of players that are going to need shots (Irving, Horford, Tatum, Brown). However, he’ll do much of the scoring for the group. Look forward to watching him lead the team deep into the playoffs again next year.

Boston Gets Three All-Stars

It could be Hayward-Horford-Irving. It could be Hayward-Irving-Tatum. Really, it could be any combination of players from the starting lineup. The fact is there is simply too much talent on this roster to not have a trio of representatives at the All-Star Game next year. Last year, Irving and Horford got the nod. But with Jayson Tatum blossoming into a star, Brown continuing to develop, and the return of Hayward, at least three of them have to be recognized for their play.

The Celtics Bring Home Banner 18

Call it bias. Call it a homer take. Say anything you like about it. The Celtics will run the table in the East with ease, and then they’ll take home the title. The fact that Brad Stevens took this year’s lineup to Game 7 of the ECF is crazy. Throw in two stars, and it’s a no-brainer pick. Boston will have its own power core to match that of Golden State or another other Western Conference team. Combined with the coaching genius of Stevens, and the team becomes simply unstoppable. Prepare to bring out the duck boats when next June rolls around.

Clearly, the future is bright for the team no matter what happens this offseason or during the year. The NBA is a crazy league, and things happen at the speed of light. You can bet that it’ll be another season where you won’t be able to take your eyes off of this Celtics team. Buckle up, Boston fans, and get ready for another thrilling year.

The Celtics are Interested in Mo Bamba

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There are reports that the Celtics are interested in Texas big man Mo Bamba. Boston is reportedly willing to move up moving up in the draft to take him. Bamba is a 6’11” prospect with a record-breaking 7’10” wingspan.

The Prospect

Considered the most NBA ready rim protector in his draft class, Bamba has the highest ceiling out of every prospect this year. He averaged 12.9 points, 10.5 rebounds, and an absurd 3.7 blocks per game in 30 appearances for Texas as a freshman. He possesses good lateral quickness for a guy his size, making him a deadly offensive threat if he can improve on his footwork. His 68% shooting from the charity stripe indicates potential for a consistent outside shot, adding to his respectable 28% three point percentage.

The main drawback with Bamba is his frame. As long as he is, he weighs in at only 216 pounds. As a comparison, Marcus Morris is three inches shorter and weighs 19 pounds more than Bamba. He also tends to have an inconsistent motor. He can sometimes get hot and score in bunches, and other times he is nonexistent on the court.

Bamba is a ridiculous physical specimen that, despite a few shortcomings, has perhaps the highest floor in the draft just as much as he has one of the highest ceilings. His length and athleticism will make him an instant rim protector from the get go. His most common NBA comparison is Rudy Gobert based on his physical attributes.

Will Boston Make a Move?

The Celtics have a major need for a rim-protecting big man that can hold down the paint and grab rebounds consistently. The team has implemented a rebound by committee approach that landed them ranked fifth in the NBA in boards. However, the team struggled to control the boards against Cleveland in the Eastern Conference Finals. In three of their four losses to the Cavs, the Celtics were out-rebounded, giving up key second chance opportunities from offensive rebounds.

Mo Bamba is the one prospect that has all of the attributes the Celtics are looking for. It makes sense that the team is looking into moving up to snag him. The team already interviewed him at the Chicago pre-draft combine a few weeks ago.

Boston has the assets to make a trade, but the question becomes- is Danny Ainge willing to cough up enough to make it happen?

Trade Assets

The Celtics possess the Sacramento Kings’ first round pick in the 2019 draft. They have their own 27th overall pick this year, and the Memphis’s first round pick in 2019. Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown surely will be inquired about in such trade talks. It is doubtful that Ainge includes either in such a deal.

The Grizzlies at number four and the Mavericks at five have both expressed interest in trading their picks this year. Mo Bamba has been projected as high as third but will most likely fall to the 4-6 range.

The most likely trade scenario would have to involve Terry Rozier. He has an expiring contract after next season, leaving him expendable. There has already been talk about concern of Rozier’s ultimate departure for a team willing to let him blossom as a starting point guard. His value blew through the roof during Boston’s playoff push this season, averaging 17.6 points, 6.7 assists, and 4.3 rebounds per game while shooting 38% from three.

Boston could pair him up with next year’s Sacramento pick and toss in their own first round pick this year to sweeten the deal. Boston has the assets to make it happen, it’s only a matter of if they want to pull the trigger.

Who says no? Is such a deal worth it for Boston to add another intriguing prospect to the roster? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.

Stanley Cup Final – Game 2 Recap

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Caps Tie the Stanley Cup Final Series 1-1

The Capitals held on to edge the Golden Knights 3-2, evening the Stanley Cup Final at a game apiece. Washington secured their first ever win in a Stanley Cup final series, as the team was swept by Detroit in its only other appearance in 1998. Braden Holtby made a spectacular save in the final minutes to help the Capitals secure the victory. The series now shifts to Washington for Games 3 and 4 on Saturday and Monday.

After another over the top pre-game show, Vegas drew first blood early to take a 1-0 lead.

The Capitals then fought back with three straight goals, including the Ovechkin’s first Stanley Cup Final goal. The Golden Knights shrunk their deficit to one goal, but just couldn’t tie it.

Vegas had numerous chanches to tie the game, including a 5 on 3 power play. Holtby stayed solid and handed the Golden Knights their first regulation loss at home in these playoffs.

 

Alex Cora Assessment (So Far)

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Firing John Farrell was obviously a change in direction for the Red Sox. Of course Farrell won a World Series and back to back division titles in his five-year tenure as the Sox manager, but he made questionable decisions and was a very dull personality in the clubhouse.

When the Red Sox hired Cora, I, like many others, was extremely excited to see what changes he’d bring. I was really looking forward to seeing how the 2018 season would start and the decisions Cora would make.

2018 has obviously gotten off to a great start, but let’s examine how Cora has done in managing all aspects of the game:

STARTING PITCHING

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There’s not much that Cora can do in terms of situational starting pitching. He basically constructs the rotation, and it’s up to the rotation to how they pitch. This is the harder phase of the game to determine how well a manager is doing.

One thing that Cora has done very well with his starting pitching is workload. We saw in the playoffs last year how gassed Chris Sale was by the time the season ended. Even Sale himself admitted that he burnt out by time the playoffs rolled around.

In 2018 Cora has done a great job of lowering the total amount of pitches that the starters throw during their outing. An extra 10-15 pitches doesn’t seem like much now, but it will pay dividends later in the season.

THE LINEUP

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The lineup is definitely an area that I think Cora could improve upon. I think the 1-2 punch of Betts and Benintendi is a perfect fit. I’m glad that he stuck with the idea of Betts in the lead-off role.

As far as other parts of the lineup, I think there are some improvements to be made. The DFA of Hanley Ramirez came as a surprise to many, including myself. That being said, I am not going to be talking about the first base situation, because Mitch Moreland is without a doubt our everyday first basemen going forward.

One thing that I want Cora to shy away from is using Eduardo Nunez often. I understand that we signed him to a contract this off-season, but I really don’t like watching him play. In his time with the Red Sox last year, he was absolutely fantastic. But he just doesn’t seem to have it this year. This will be easier because Pedroia is back in the lineup, which is another point. If Cora does have to rest Pedroia, I would prefer to see Brock Holt over Nunez, as Holt has had a terrific start to the season.

The catching situation is another interesting story for the Red Sox this summer. So far Cora has used a platoon of Christian Vasquez and Sandy Leon. It makes sense because certain pitchers in the rotation like throwing to certain catchers. I’d rather see a platoon of Leon and Swihart. Vazquez is sometimes good, but I have not been impressed by him on either side of the ball. If I was Cora, I would use Leon as the everyday catcher, with some Blake Swihart starts two or three times a week.

Overall, Cora has done a decent job with the lineup, all things considered.

BULLPEN

One of the most challenging parts of being a manager is dealing with the bullpen. This is an area that Cora has been very good with, but also questionable at times.

Something to consider when assessing how Alex Cora has managed this injured bullpen. Tyler Thornburg, Austin Maddox, and Brandon Workman have yet to throw a pitch in 2018 for the Red Sox.

One thing that Cora has done poorly with is giving certain guys the ball when he shouldn’t. He has repeatedly given the ball to someone like Heath Hembree or Brian Johnson when a starter comes out and men on base. Then things get ugly quickly.

Another mismanagement by Cora is not utilizing the long relievers like Hector Velazquez. There were two straight games in Toronto when there was a perfect opportunity for Velazquez to come in, but Cora gave the ball to Brian Johnson instead.

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One thing Cora has done very well with the bullpen is not being afraid to use Craig Kimbrel when he needs to. He has put Kimbrel in the eighth inning a few times to face the heart of the order, which is a great move.

Another favorable move by Cora is to put faith in Joe Kelly in high leverage situations. Joe Kelly has posted an 0.37 ERA since Opening Day, and I love the fact that Cora has been riding him into the ninth night in and night out.

Overall, considering the injuries the Red Sox have faced, I think Alex Cora has done a tremendous job. He has some areas to improve upon, but you can’t be mad at someone who is managing the best team in baseball.

Velazquez

The Rise of Hector Velazquez

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Last year Hector Velazquez made his MLB debut and went 3-1 in eight appearances as a starter and reliever. The Red Sox signed Velazquez after his 2016 breakout season in the Mexican League. Over the last two seasons he has provided the Sox with rotation depth. On May 18th of last season, he made his first MLB start and gave up six runs against Oakland. Since then he has been one of the best Red Sox pitchers whenever called upon. This season has been no different.

Injuries Test Red Sox Early

The Red Sox were tested early this year as Drew Pomeranz and Steven Wright began the season on the disabled list. As a result, both Brian Johnson and Velazquez made the opening day roster. Johnson started off the season well before struggling as his ERA has risen to 4.67. Velazquez has been of the Red Sox best pitchers as his 2.15 ERA ranks second on the team behind Joe Kelly. He has proven to be a reliable arm as a starter and a reliever. This has improved the Red Sox depth and has given them options when they’ve dealt with injury. Velazquez has rewarded Boston faith with his performance.

Velazquez

Photo Credit: AP Photo/ Michael Dwyer

Velazquez’s Value by the Numbers

In thirteen appearances this season, including two as a starter, he is 5-0. In 29.1 innings of work he has twenty strikeouts and has walked only eight batters. He has allowed thirty-two hits on the season, but he has only allowed seven earned runs. In six appearances in May, Velazquez has only allowed two earned runs. He is not a strikeout pitcher but he knows how to use the strike zone. As Brian Johnson has struggled, Velazquez has emerged as one of Alex Cora’s most trusted bullpen arms.

Velazquez

Photo Credit: Brian Blanco/Getty Images

Can Velazquez Keep This Up?

Velazquez has appeared in twenty-one games at the major league level recording a 2.50 ERA. The Red Sox showed their faith in him when they activated the righty of the disabled list and optioned Bobby Poyner who had a 1.86 ERA in nine appearances to Pawtucket. As the innings pile up, Velazquez’s durability will be tested. In Velazquez’s young major league career he has done nothing but give the Red Sox quality innings. If he can continue to pitch well, then this could be a breakout season for the former Mexican league star.

Marcus Smart’s Impending Free Agency

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Immediately following Boston’s Game 7 defeat at the hands of the Cleveland Cavaliers, Marcus Smart was asked about his future with the team.

With the Celtics’ season over, the team will shift their focus to free agency. Boston has six upcoming free agents, including Aaron Baynes, Greg Monroe, and Shane Larkin. None of these names are bigger or more controversial than Marcus Smart.

Marcus Smart and his looming free agency has been a topic heavily debated all season long. It is no secret that Marcus wants to get paid like a big time player.

“To be honest, I’m worth more than $12-14 million,” Smart told Jackie MacMullan of ESPN. “Just for the things I do on the court that don’t show up on the stat sheet. You don’t find guys like that. I always leave everything on the court, every game. Tell me how many other players can say that.”

Smart has a point. In his first four years as a pro he has made a name for himself around the league as a bulldog. His propensity to play 110 miles an hour for 48 minutes drives the energy level of his teammates up and gets in his opponents’ heads. When Smart is in the game fans know it. He is usually found on the ground under two or three players scraping for the ball, out-sprinting the fastest guy on the court for a loose ball, or finding a way to rip down a big offensive rebound.

Off the Stat Sheet

Marcus has a knack for making “game-winning plays” while elevating the effort level and skill of his teammates. Many of his teammates have called Smart the “heart and soul” of the team. Danny Ainge even told Smart that they plan on keeping him.

Why not just pay Smart the $14 million per year?

While the things he does that don’t show up on the stat sheet help the team tremendously, he has major issues shooting and turns the ball over far too frequently. He is a career 36% shooter and an abysmal 29% from three. He also gets off 4.2 three point attempts per game. Among every player in NBA history to have connected on under 30% of three pointers, only 13 of them have shot a higher volume than Smart.

Turnovers have plagued Smart his whole career. He averaged 2.4 per game this season, and 1.8 for his career in 28.7 minutes per game. He ranked 355th in the league in turnovers per game and per 48 minutes (3.8). As great as his non-statistical attributes are, he simply isn’t a $14 million player on the stat sheet.

Money

Boston will extend a qualifying offer to Marcus Smart for $6.1 million dollars. Smart can either sign the offer or see what other offers he can get. Undoubtedly he will wait it out. If the other offers inflate too much, Boston won’t be able to match and Smart will be gone. He can either sign the qualifying offer, take the highest offer on the market, or sign a long term extension with the team well below his self-perceived value.

As much as the team want’s to keep him, they also have a ton of money locked up in future contracts. Al Horford is making $28.9 million next season with a player option he will almost assuredly opt out of. The team’s highest paid player in Gordon Hayward will make $31 million next year. Kyrie Irving is going to get $20 million. Terry Rozier will be a free agent in a few years looking for a big payday. Looking even further ahead, Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown will both be getting huge contracts once their rookie deals expire.

With such a loaded roster Boston just doesn’t have the cap space to pay Smart what he wants, no matter how much they desire to retain him. At the end of the day, the decision will rest sorely on his shoulders. Though he has stated that his heart is with Boston, his wallet may ultimately draw him to another team willing to pay a premium for a player with his unique skill set.

If this season does ultimately mark the end of Marcus Smart’s tenure with Boston, he sure left the fans with plenty of fond memories and plays that they will never forget. To his core he has embodied what it means to be a Celtic, and the fans will always love and appreciate everything he gave to the organization.

 

Stanley Cup Final – Game 1 Recap

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Knights Take Game 1 of the Stanley Cup Finals

It’s over in Vegas – the Golden Knights take Game 1. They are three wins away from winning the Stanley Cup.

The last six teams to win Game 1 have went on to win the Cup.

The game also had a Boston flavor to it, with goals from Colin Miller and Reilly Smith for Vegas and Brett Connolly for the Capitals.

After the pregame ceremony that featured player introductions by ring announcer Michael “Let’s Get Ready to Rumble” Buffer, Vegas opened the scoring early. However, Washington rebounded to take a 2-1 lead with two goals in the span of 42 seconds.

It marked the first time the Golden Knights trailed at home in regulation in the playoffs. But it didn’t last long, as they made it 2-2 less than three minutes later.

Vegas again took a 3-2 lead early in the second period. Washington responded yet again to get back in front at 4-3 early in the third period.

But Vegas regained the lead with a pair of goals by its fourth line to make it 5-4. The scoring finished with an empty netter to make it 6-4.

Game 2 is tonight in Vegas, and the incredible story of this team in the Stanley Cup Final in its inaugural season continues.