Tag Archives: #BostonCeltics

Hayward and Irving to play 5 vs 5 in 2-3 weeks

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Hayward and Irving cleared to play 5 vs 5 in 2-3 weeks

Boston Celtics guard Kyrie Irving and forward Gordon Hayward cleared to play 5 vs. 5 in 2-3 weeks. After having surgery to remove screws on his knee that caused him to miss the playoffs, Kyrie Irving will be cleared for full contact practice by August. Meanwhile Celtics forward, Gordon Hayward has shown fantastic improvements and ramping up his rehab ever since he broke his ankle during the Celtics season opener versus the Cleveland Cavaliers.

Gordon Hayward has even started dunking with his left foot. On a recent interview with Boston.com’s Nicole Yang, Hayward said “I dunked the basketball for the first time off my left foot without pain last week,” and noted “That felt awesome. I went into it very soft and gingerly, and after I did it, I was like, ‘OK, that didn’t hurt at all.’ I did it again, and it felt good.”

Hayward also said he can now do full sprints “linearly” and some lateral movements. Any movement without pain is “always exciting” according to Hayward.

Hayward posted some photos and videos of him recently of him working out with NBA trainer, Drew Hanlen.

https://www.instagram.com/p/BlgufbEg937/?taken-by=bossportsextra 

Both Irving and Hayward should be ready for training camp come September, barring any setbacks.

Meanwhile, on other Celtics news, Boston has waived guard/forward Abdel Nader which leaves a roster spot open.

Bird

What To Do With Jabari Bird As He Continues To Impress (@jaxbrown725)

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It was in April when I tweeted about some kid from the The University of California who came off the bench for the Celtics with a firey style of play. The game was vs the Chicago Bulls and I instantly became a fan of Jabari Bird. If you check out the highlights, you’ll see a quick flashy guard who finishes well at the hoop. He can throw it down and if left open enough, knock down the J. But why is nobody talking about this dude?

Photo credit: usatoday.com

 Well, 8.8 MPG to go along with 3 PPG isn’t going to get you on SportsCenter. However, he did shoot 57% on all attempts, so there’s that right? Admittedly, he didn’t play much in the 2017-2018 campaign to get a great look, but if you’ve been following the Summer League, I wouldn’t sleep on Jaylen Browns old college teammate. Here’s why.

Jabari Bird History Lesson

At 6’6” and 190 lbs, Bird was a 4-star ESPN recruit from the class of 2013. Not only did he lead his high school team to an overall 100-8 record, Jabari was also named to the McDonald’s High School All-American game and was scouted as the No. 20 overall recruit in his class. He didn’t perform great in the game, but did show flashes of his hops and energy. Bird appeared to have stepped it up a bit and improved his game in his four years of college.

From 2013 to 2017, Jabari Bird was ballin’ out from the get-go. Having played with Jaylen Brown, he took a backseat to scoring, but soon afterwards took off. His ball handling and floor control was clearly what needed the most attention, but he could score. Just check out these numbers from Birds time in college:

Photo credit: californiagoldenblogs.com

Freshman: 2013-2014

11 – 10+ point games/ 2 – 20+ point games

Sophomore: 2014-2015

11 – 10+ point games/ 1 – 20+ point game

Junior: 2015-2016

21 – 10+ point games/ 4 – 20+ point games

Senior: 2016-2017

20 – 10+ point games/ 8 – 20+ point games 

Ending with 1,227 career points and finishing fifth all-time in Cal’s history in 3PM (187), Bird led the team in scoring in his final year with the Bears. Unfortunately, his team didn’t make the NCAA tournament in his last year, so the focus switched to trying to get on an NBA squad with a summer full of workouts and pre-draft screenings. Scouting report reading being athletic and having a decent shot, shot section and ball handling were hit points for some teams. Come draft night at pick 56, Danny Ainge made the call to select another Bird to wear Boston threads.

Maine Lobstah to a Bahston Celtic 

With being drafted, Jabari’s contract was two-way, which means he spends time with the NBAs team G-league affiliate, but not more than 45 days with the NBA team. This is to get players accustomed to the NBA life and style of play – a pseudo farm system. With that said, Jabari’s time with the Maine Red Claws, the C’s G league affiliate, was not wasted. He started in the 20 games, averaging 19.3 PPG in 35.2 MPG, continuing the sweet shooting he was known for. Adding to his resume, Bird was selected as an all-star for the G-League All-Star game before being called to Boston. So far, pretty impressive.

Photo credit: Pressherald.com

Swinging back around to April, Bird made five appearances sporadically until the game versus Chicago on the 6th. In that game, he played 24 minuets, shot 7/10 (70%), 1/2 (50%) from 3, and finished with 15pts, 3ast, and 3rbs. There were slashes to the rim, shots falling, and a few dunks thrown down that got Tommy and Mike out of their seats.

From that day, I knew he was special. He ended up with 9pts and 5rbs the next game, but you didn’t hear much about him after that. Why? A deep roster with a deeper bench will do that. Plus, he needed time to develop in the G-league. But have you seen him this summer?

Time To Leave The Nest? 

Summer League hoops is pretty entertaining if you’re into following players, progression, story lines and good old round ball. Sometime you get a few competive games and get to check out the talent.

Enter the young Boston Celtics. With a team already filled to the brim with talent, the summer league unit showed no less. Yabu, Semi, Bird, and Williams were straight up mashing.

Reaching the Summer League quarter finals, the Celtics fell to the Dallas Mavericks, but that didn’t stop Bird from showing out. Jabari led the team with 16.8 PPG on 57% shooting, 6 RPG, and 3 APG. It’s clear he can get the ball in the bucket, but what’s his value to the team at the moment? With the signing of Smart, it leaves less seats on the bench at his position and more of a reason for Jabari to spread his wings elsewhere.

You might not know the name now, but if you’re a die hard you might be familiar with the thoroughbred scorer who can add a layer to the bench if utilized correctly. It’ll certainly be tough to spread minuets, and you would hate to see a talent like Bird suffocate in the G-League. So what do you do? Do you trade him? A perfect scenario for a sneaky GM would be to low-ball Boston and get a gem. Or do you keep him, and see how next year pans out? Either way, keep an eye on this Jabari Bird fella, especially if he continues to play for the green and white.

Photo credit: Celticslife.com

Dr. Robert Leonard’s Celebrity Bartending Event: Sights and Sounds

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Yesterday morning I had the privilege of receiving an invitation to Dr. Robert Leonard’s Celebrity Bartending Event. I immediately cleared my schedule, donned my favorite sport jacket and tie, grabbed a close friend of mine, and shipped up to Boston. After the rush hour traffic, flash flood warnings, and $28 parking garage fee, we arrived in Boston’s Seaport District. Leonard Hair Transplant Associates’ event was held at Del Frisco’s Double Eagle Steakhouse, where a few big names were slated to attend.

The headlining athletes there were former Patriots Wes Welker, Rob Ninkovich, and Sebastian Vollmer, former Celtic Brian Scalabrine, and former Bruin Lyndon Byers. They are all close with Dr. Robert Leonard and have received hair treatments from him personally.

Arrival

We arrived in the Seaport District at around 4:30 PM, just as rush hour traffic in the city was really picking up. We found a convenient parking garage nearby where I could keep my old 2002 Toyota Highlander for a few hours. By judging the other vehicles nearby I could tell that the Seaport District doesn’t mess around.

We made our way across the street to Del Frisco’s, which was extremely upscale and had beautiful dark decor. The event was held by the bar upstairs, which featured a stunning panoramic view of the bay and the city to our left. Even with the rain it was a nice backdrop to have.

As we were standing in line to check in and I was in the middle of realizing how much of a poor college student I am, a familiar face passed by and into the VIP area. It was Wes Welker, who I’ve only seen on TV before. Then Brian Scalabrine followed in suit. Then came Rob Ninkovich and Sebastian Vollmer. Ninkovich turned to me and said “looking good”. Well, he said it to the general vicinity of where I stood, but wouldn’t it be cool if he said it to me?

Let the Festivities Begin 

Backtracking to reality, the setup for the event was very nice. There was a secluded area of the restaurant for the event itself. The celebrities roamed around to make small-talk with a few of the  bartenders as people checked in. Hair specialists, business-people, and fans all gathered together in the same area and began to converse. It seemed like everyone knew just about everyone. A man my friend and I met told us how him and Dr. Leonard are good friends and he and his daughter get together to attend his events often. The fact that so many people knew each other is what made the event so friendly and inviting.

On one side of the room photographers set up a wall where you can have your picture taken with Scal, Welker, Ninkovich, and Vollmer. Obviously my friend and I couldn’t pass that up. I was able to remain professional as I approached them, but it just felt surreal. Scal was the first one to warmly greet me and shake my hand, and Wes was right behind him. Ninkovich and Vollmer were a little timid but were still extremely polite. It was a little ironic to see two towering football players be so quiet. It was also nice to see that I was taller than at least one guy in the picture. To put things into perspective, I’m 6’0″.

They all told me that they liked my palm tree bow tie.

After everyone became settled, servers set up tables of some really great food. There were steak sandwiches, smoked ham, cheese and fruit- anything you’d see from an upscale steakhouse. It was my first taste of the high life in my very young career. Everyone was very nice, and the food was even nicer.

Taking over the Bar

Around 6:00 PM, the celebrities tried to exhibit their best bartending skills. People were joking and conversing with the former Boston athletes as they attempted to make their orders. Brian Scalabrine claimed his own side of the bar and told shouted to everyone in the area that he had them covered. Sebastian Vollmer really got into his role as well, finally coming out of his shell.

https://twitter.com/MikeClementBSE/status/1019646949228711937

https://twitter.com/MikeClementBSE/status/1019647218935123969

“RUM?”- Scal

A huge thank you to Boston Sports Extra and Leonard Hair Transplant Associates for inviting me to this great dinner event. My friend and I had a great time meeting some of the athletes we grew up watching and spending time at such a great restaurant in Boston. This was truly a once in a lifetime experience.

ShamRock Garden: Celtics Inspired Court in Philippines (@JCEFS27)

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The ShamRock Garden in Ugong, Valenzuela City

(Photo courtesy of Cong. Eric Martinez’ Facebook account)

The Philippines is known for a passionate basketball country. In a nation full of Los Angeles Lakers and Golden State Warriors fans, a fantastic basketball court in Ugong, Valenzuela City is a place for the Celtics fans. This Celtics inspired court is dubbed ShamRock Garden.

You definitely know it’s a home court for the Celtic Nation as you see a massive image of Larry Bird greeting you at the entrance. Leading into the building is a staircase filled with historic posters of the greatest moments in Boston Celtics history. Similar to the TD Garden in Boston, a signature of the great Red Auerbach lies on its wooden court.

A Celtics inspired court is never complete without championship banners hanging in the rafters. Large photos of Celtics Hall of Famers like Larry Bird, Paul Pierce, Robert Parish, Danny Ainge, Kevin Mchale, and Bob Cousy can be seen throughout the building.

I recently visited this fantastic court and took some pictures. I wasn’t able to take pictures of the court because there was a private team practice going on.

This court opened on June 14, 2018, through the effort of Congressman Eric Martinez.

The great thing about ShamRock Center is it’s free to use. You get to embody and learn the great Celtics history while playing basketball.

Williams

Report: Robert Williams Injury Not Too Serious

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Robert Williams Injury Update:

Robert Williams, the Celtics most promising rookie, has been sidelined by a knee contusion. He has only played two games in limited minutes this summer. Williams has been dealing with “an artery condition in both of his legs,” according to Fred Katz of Mass Live.

According to a source the condition is “not too serious.” However, this specific injury requires a procedure in the near future.  Williams is dealing with a condition called popliteal artery entrapment syndrome. PAES is commonly found in athletes.

“Because of where the muscles and tendons around Williams’ knee are positioned, they end up compressing the “popliteal artery,” the main one behind the knee, restricting blood flow to the lower leg. It can lead to cramping and calf pain during exercise, per Johns Hopkins Medicine.”

The Celtics and other NBA teams were aware of this situation at the time of the draft. It may have caused him to fall to the 27th pick. Williams has been playing with this condition for years, according to MassLive. The Celtics will regularly continue to monitor and treat his PAES.

After missing his first flight and summer league practice, Williams has been “putting up the work,” says Brad Stevens. Unfortunately, with injuries like this, patience and constant treatment is required. Robert Williams can be a crucial cog in the Boston defense if healthy, even in limited minutes.

Hopefully, this injury will not start the injury bug that bit the Celtics last season, ultimately costing them a chance to represent the Eastern Conference in the NBA Finals.

 

No Fireworks Yet: Are the Celtics Striking Out This Offseason?

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If you’ve ever read an article of mine, you’d know that I’ve mentioned the ever-revolving door that is Celtics theatrics. From trading away near and dear to a franchise-altering trade, Danny Ainge has put the 2018-2019 Boston Celtics in position to reclaim the East. However, with names like DeMarcus Cousins, LeBron James, and Paul George each being linked to the Celtics this offseason, Boston has remained mum in the news and headlines. We’re all aware of the Game 7 loss to Cleveland in the ECF. But now that Lebron James has taken his talents to the West, do the Celtics need to make ANY changes to get to the next level? Some would say they’ve struck out, including with draft pick Robert Williams III, but have they? Let’s analyze the offseason so far, and where the Celtics either hit or miss…

Photo Credit: Getty Images

If it’s not broke, don’t fix it 

Lebron James – SF

From the time LeBron was linked to possibly becoming a member of the Boston Celtics, there were mixed reviews on the potential addition. Without question,  Lebron would immediately help any team he chose to be on; except maybe the Celtics.

With Tatum and Brown having exceeding expectations, there wouldn’t have been a need to add another ball-dominant wing player like Lebron James. He would ultimately hinder the young C’s development while possibly alienating them with the sideshow that comes along with an LBJ. His track record with players doesn’t fit the Boston mold, and the Celtics already have a GM and coach. If he decided to re-sign with Cleveland, there would have had to be a sign-and-trade which would force Boston to give up valuable assets. This is something Ainge worked hard to attain from New Jersey, then rob from the Cavaliers. Secondly, the Celtics would have had to rid itself of its three major contracts in order to make room for James, messing with Boston’s already high-caliber chemistry.

Hayward’s coming back from injury, and the young guys will certainly continue to get chances at offensive production. Oh, and how about that whole Kyrie Irving hating Lebron thing? As uplifting the idea may have been for LBJ to come to hang out with Tom Brady and David Ortiz, it would have done more harm than good in the long run. Any squad could use a Lebron James type player, but not everyone needs a Lebron James personality. Plus, what competitor joins their main adversaries when they struggle with beating them anyway?!

Hit/Miss: Home Run

 

Photo Credit: Bleacher Report

Ye’ Olde Faithful 

Rajon Rondo – PG

There’s nothing like a classic: Pizza and fountain soda, the Mario theme song playing through your TV during childhood … and Rajon Rondo on the Boston Celtics.

Before there was Kyrie Irving, Rondo made it look easier driving to the hoop at will while dishing the regular no-look pass. Of course, playing with Pierce, Garnett, and Allen helps, but make no mistake that Rondo will forever be a fan favorite. From 07-14, Rondo averaged double-digit points, while averaging double digits in assists from 09-14 – all with Boston. Leaving the team in 2014, Rajon saw a dip in both categories. Even though he was playing for four different teams, his steady passing seemed to remain. Personality issues were what always surrounded Rondo, though you can’t take away the 4 all-star appearances he made while donning the green and white.

With Smarts free agency decision seemingly on the back burner (i.e. Aaron Baynes – $11 MIL/2 years, or $5.5 MIL/yr), Rondo would have made a sweet backup to Kyrie and would have most likely had a welcoming visit back to TD Garden. His defense shouldn’t be taken for granted, as he’s averaging 1.7 SPG and has been selected to four all-defensive teams to Smart’s goose egg. Rondo’s also a better ball handler and floor general. Though age is on Smart’s side, Rondo signed with the Lakers for $9 MIL/2 years, or $4.5 MIL/yr. Cheaper than what Baynes was, and a hell of a lot cheaper than the $12-$14 MIL/yr Smart thinks he deserves. Boston didn’t need to bring Baynes back, but they do need to prepare should Smart take off.

Hit/Miss: Grounded out 

 

Photo Credit: Bleacher Report

One mans trash is another man’s treasure

DeMarcus Cousins – C

By now, names have come off the free agency board and the pickings are gettin’ slim. We get it, Al Horford is getting old and needs help. With that said, you might find yourself asking why the Celtics re-signed a center – Baynes – who averaged 6 PPG/5.4 RPG, over one who averaged 25.2 PPG/12.9 RPG – Cousins – for more money. In any world, you would never do that. Unless your name happens to be DeMarcus Cousins.

Cousins isn’t the friendliest guy you’d meet in a dark alley. Still, he’s the same guy you’d want on your basketball team. Being an all-star for the past seven seasons, Cousins should be a household name. At 6’11 and 270lbs, there aren’t a lot of dudes, if any, that’s going to push him around down low. Already in the league for 10 years, Boogies averaged a double-double in eight of those seasons. He’s constantly in double-digit rebounds and points, can play the team’s bodyguard, AND won’t let you give dap to the other team .. what more do you want? Check out his unearthly stats below; Why didn’t the Celtics make a move for numbers like this when the Monstars of Golden State signed him for only $5.3 MIL/1yr??

Photo Credit: basketball-reference.com

Welp, because they didn’t get a chance. According to the Boston Globe, on Tuesday, a league source mentioned Boston never offered a contract. Having reached out to Cousins’ reps to gauge a possibility of signing the 6-time all-star, they were told he had decided with Golden State. Since Kobe, there hasn’t been another Achilles injury to a star player. It’s unclear how Cousins will heal and progress. Cousins did lead the league in technical fouls, but that didn’t stop him from posting eye-popping numbers before the injury. Interesting note, DeMarcus declined a $40 MIL/2yrs from the Pelicans to sign with Golden State. Tough loss for Boston, as DC will probably heal fine and be as dominant. Sure, Cousins comes with attitude. But wouldn’t you rather have a big man who does the dunking rather than one who’s getting dunked on?

Hit/Miss: Struck out looking with the bases loaded 

 

Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated

Who, What, Where, When, Kawhi

Kawhi Leonard – SF

Having taken the Kyrie Irving approach, Kawhi Leonard silenced himself in an effort to find a way to get traded from the San Antonio Spurs. Aside from James and Cousins finding new homes, Leonard’s names been a common denominator within sports columns and chat groups. While where he’ll end up is most questioned, which coast he plays on has taken a front seat on the latest episode of “As Kawhi’s World Turns”.

With stats not being the question, Leonard has been adamant that he wants to play for the LA Lakers. It’s widely assumed that if traded East, he’s leaving the year after. Same idea if traded West – though he might wind up going to the highest bidder per San Antonio “wanting to remain relevant”. Tall task. With the Rockets, Lakers, Warriors, and Thunder making headway, San Antonios aging team may have already seen its best days. Aside from Aldridge, can you name anyone on San Antonio that’s not Tony Parker, Manu Ginobili or Greg Popovich? Me either. The Celtics don’t look ready to sacrifice their future to the Spurs for a question mark. Asking close to a king’s ransom as a price, San Antonio surely realizes it must prepare for a life that doesn’t include Kawhi Leonard. Are his plans set for Boston though?

Probably not. San Antonios been eyeing Tatum as a centerpiece in talks involving KL but were quickly shot down. Danny would never trade the prodigal son of Bostonia, would he? Brown could be dangled with Rozier/Morris combo, but adding more than a Sacramento pick would be overkill. Plus, medical reports aren’t clean with Kawhi, and we don’t know what issues loom. Recent developments by Yahoo! reporter Shams Charania indicate that Kawhi has “little interest in the Boston Celtics scenario”. He also mentioned that the Clippers or 76s, if big enough players, could get Leonard to re-sign now that Lebron is in LA. There hasn’t been a bidding war – and it’s well known he’d like to go back home to Southern California. Chalk this one up in the ‘L’ column for Boston, no palm trees and surfboards over here.

Hit/Miss: 0-3 in discussions with San Antonio 

 

Photo Credit: The Boston Globe

‘Sleeper‘ Pick

Robert Williams III – C

If you haven’t seen my profile of the newest Boston Celtic, check it out here. Now that’s out of the way, someone gets this guy an alarm clock! Robert Williams III is the literal definition of a “sleeper pick”. Not only was he snoozing through an introductory conference call, he also missed his flight to his first day of practice with his new NBA club. The rookie is not off to a good start.

Williams mentioned that Brad Stevens had a conversation with him and that it was a “wake up call”. The irony of it is laughable

He did own up to his mistake(s) and indicated that he wanted to move past it as quickly as possible. These early issues and red flags could be a distant memory should he produce at a high level. Lest we forget, he was passed up on due to lack of effort by other teams. Here’s hoping those wake-up calls do the trick. His work ethic will need to do the talking, and that already needs attention.

Hit/Miss: AAA assignment (G-League)

Honorable Mentions:

 

Dwight Howard – C

A serviceable center who could’ve been useful off the bench. He put up good numbers in Charlotte with 16.6 PPG/12.5 RPG, but hasn’t stayed with a team longer than a season in the last five. Now with Washington, signed a $5.3 MIL/1yr deal that was the same as Cousins, but cheaper than Baynes. Locker room issues may have kept him away.

Hit/Miss: Pop Fly 

 

Jamal Crawford – G

A crowd pleaser off the bench and a lifeline for Kyrie. With just as much handle as the next guy, Crawford can pull up from half court and drain 4-pt plays in your grill. Or, break whichever ankle you need least. Always one that could go for 30+, a league veteran like Jamal would elevate the C’s bench aside from adding lethal scoring. Another NBA “old guy”, youth is Crawford’s only demerit. Cheap buy, big reward.

Hit/Miss: At-bat 

 

Report Card: C+

Not involving themselves with the LBJ sweepstakes was a major win for the Celtics alone. It didn’t take away from the main goal – defeating him. Also, resigning Baynes wasn’t terrible seeing the issues at Center for Boston. They could’ve done better though with Monroe most likely not returning, saving more cap space.

The circus of Kawhi Leonard docks Boston, time to put up or shut up at this point. Marcus Smart’s situation will figure out itself. Though it might be more of a loss if Boston can’t retain him without a plan B.

The Celtics don’t need a superstar or big name, they need to stay healthy. The East will be tough, but the West? Even tougher. A move for a bigger name big man could’ve possibly been a final piece. So far, so good. Bonus points for not adding anyone and destroying what you’ve built, yet.

Happy 4th of July!

Please be sure to follow me on Twitter @JaxBrown725

Potential Trade Packages for Jimmy Butler

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It looks like All-Star shooting guard, Jimmy Butler, does not want to play in Minnesota anymore. He has grown tired of playing for a young, nonchalant Timberwolves team, according to recent reports. As reported by the Chicago Sun-Times, Butler is looking to team up in free agency with Kyrie next season.

The question is if the Celtics should pursue Butler or wait to see if they can get him in free agency.  Butler has not stated that he is interested in playing for the Celtics, but has said that he would love to team up with Kyrie. Both Kyrie and Jimmy Butler are set to become UFAs in 2019.

With the Golden State Warriors adding Demarcus Cousins to their team, this could be the Celtics counter-move in the war of attrition. Butler has proven that he is top-20 player in the NBA. He is a four-time All Star, Most Improved Player, four-time All-Defensive second team, and two-time All-NBA third team. He even looked like he was on his way to being a nominee for MVP last season before he got injured.

Jimmy had 22.2 PPG, 4.9 APG, 5.3 RPG, and 2.0 SPG in 59 games. Over the past four seasons, he has averaged over 20.0 PPG, 3.0 APG, and 5.0 RPG. He is an inarguably solid scorer and one of the best perimeter defenders in the NBA.

With Butler saying he won’t re-sign with the T-Wolves next season, he is most likely on the way to the trade block. If the Celtics were going to get him, it would cost some big assets, but nothing too big since Butler already said he is out of Minnesota. Here are some trade packages the Celtics could do for Jimmy Butler:

Terry Rozier, Sacramento/Philadelphia Pick, Marcus Morris

Photo Credit: NESN

This trade involves Terry Rozier, Marcus Morris, and the first round pick which will either be from the 76ers or Kings. Rozier has one year left on his contract and will look to get paid this upcoming season. His role was significantly increased after Kyrie got injured. He started 16 regular season games and all 19 playoff games.

Marcus Morris also has one year left on his contract. Morris was acquired from the Detroit Pistons in exchange for Avery Bradley last year.

Lastly, the first round draft pick the Celtics would give up will most likely be a high pick with the recent history. This adds even more value to the pick.

https://twitter.com/TheRenderNBA/status/988941821299625984

Jaylen Brown

Photo Credit: Sports Illustrated

Jaylen Brown has been thrown into a lot of trade scenarios this offseason. Brown was the third overall pick by the Celtics in the 2016 NBA Draft. He showed last year why he was selected so high with 14.5 PPG, 4.9 RPG, 1.6 APG, and starting in every game in which he played (70). Jaylen is one of the best perimeter defenders in the Eastern Conference. He is a target of interest for many teams. However, Brown looks to be a future all-star in the NBA and would be tough to give up.

Other Considerations

If the Celtics do acquire Jimmy Butler, they would have no cap space to sign Marcus Smart. The Celtics are placed in a tough scenario with Jimmy Butler. Butler and Kyrie want to play together, but the C’s would have to break up the core chemistry to acquire him.

But at the end of the day, Celtics are among the favorites to make it out of the East. Jimmy Butler could be the reason the Celtics hang banner number 18.

Anthony Bennett

From #1 Overall to the D-League: The Rise and Fall of Anthony Bennett

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Anthony Bennett – The Rise and Fall

Photo credit: thesportspost.com

16.1 PPG/8.1 RPG at 50% FGM are hardly the numbers that say “Let’s draft this guy with the #1 pick”. Still, that’s what happened in 2013 when the Cleveland Cavaliers selected Anthony Bennett to go first overall. Granted, the crop was slim with talent so anyone could’ve been a hit or miss, though in hindsight it couldn’t have gotten much worse. What a miss he was.

With the likes of Victor Oladipo, CJ McCollum, Rudy Gobert, Otto Porter, and even Giannis Antetokounmpo available, Cleveland rolled the dice and went with the 6’7” 240lb star out of UNLV. His defense was non-existent and he’d shown slight effort offensively to muster up the 16.1 he averaged while being visibly undersized and out of shape. There were red flags coming out of UNLV, so how did he go number #1? Move over Kwame Brown, there’s a new ‘biggest bust of all time’ in town.

Ceiling: Larry Johnson/Floor: Himself

Kwame Brown, Michael Oliwakandi, Kent Benson (who?). All of these players were drafted high but fell off the face of the planet very quickly. Bennett may be the worst of all.

Coined “the most talented player at UNLV in a generation,” Anthony Bennett started receiving serious interest coming off his one and only college season. That was disrespectful to the former UNLV star Larry Johnson, as Bennett didn’t put up superstars numbers. His frame and potential are what had scouts talking, but he was never in the discussion to be the #1 overall selection that year. Some GM’s even had him falling out of a lottery pick. Labeled a combo forward, reports focused on his length (7’2” wingspan) with game and athleticism of a “high-level wing scorer.”

Weird to hear this report in hindsight, right? It gets better. He was believed to have shooting range from distance with the ability to beat his man off the dribble, all while having the explosiveness to play above the rim. The premature projections were borderline outrageous:

“When he’s hitting from deep, he’s essentially impossible to defend. If you put Bennett in a 1-on-1 tournament against the rest of this class, he would win pretty handily.” – SB Nation, 2013

“Down the road, Bennett could give his team the best of both worlds as a small-ball 4. He has the size to match up with bigger 4’s on defense and the skill level to play on the perimeter on offense.” – SB Nation, 2013

Photo credit: nba.com

But the NBA is much more than a 1-on-1 tournament and guys are a lot bigger and faster at the next level. Even at the time, it was a strange pick, and as soon as he stepped on an NBA floor he was an immediate bust. Shoulder surgery certainly didn’t help his cause. His numbers took a serious dip and his career was short lived. Playing for four teams in four years, Bennett lasted 151 games and four NBA seasons. Where did it all go wrong?

The Lone Holdout

Chris Grant – former GM for the Cavaliers – was the only person that questioned Bennett as the first overall pick. There was a meeting before the draft with Cleveland’s front office regarding who should be selected and the 9-1 vote was in favor of Bennett. Who was the lone holdout? Grant. He wasn’t sold on Anthony’s work ethic, among other glaring factors, and noted that Bennett didn’t participate in the Draft combine nor played in the Summer League. There weren’t any clear sneak peaks at what he’d do in the NBA.

To no surprise, his conditioning limited him to 4.2 PPG/2.9 RPG in 12.8 MPG over 51 games. Some blame Mike Brown for not playing him consistently or during meaningful stretches. There may be some validity to this claim, but a strained left knee in March of that year led him to miss significant time. Though short, check out Bennett’s rookie shot chart over the course of the season:

Photo credit: SBNation.com

Aside from not being able to shoot, weight issues contributed to his conditioning, which ultimately led to his degradation. Sure, being the first overall pick comes with pressure that you’d have to overcome. Anthony Bennett did exactly the opposite. Grant also noticed that when things got tough for Bennett, he would often throw in the towel. Going so far as to question Bennett’s desire, David Griffin – current GM of the Cavaliers – was quoted as saying:

“The issue with Anthony was, and we had no way of knowing it at the time, the kid had no desire to overcome adversity whatsoever. As soon as it was hard, he was out”

Bennett sported below average numbers in his rookie campaign. A year later, the Cavs fired Grant and Griffin took over. In the 2014 draft, Bennett was traded in a package with Andrew Wiggins to the Minnesota Timberwolves for Kevin Love. The Philadelphia 76ers were used as a third team to help facilitate the trade, but essentially the trade was Wiggins and Bennett for Love.

But Wait, There’s More  

The Minnesota Timberwolves exercised Bennett’s rookie contract third-year team option in 2015, giving him another year and opportunity with the team in hopes of a revival. But the injury bug came back to bite him again in February of 2015; Bennett was out for two more weeks due to an injured right ankle. After recovering, Bennett appeared in only four more games to finish the 2014–2015 season. In 57 games for the Timberwolves, he averaged career and anemic highs of 5.2 PPG/3.8 RPG in 15.7 MPG.

Photo Credit: Chris Young/The Canadian Press vis Associated Press

That same year, Bennett was waived by the Timberwolves via a contract buyout. From 2015-2017, Bennett hopped around the league and eventually ended his NBA career with the Brooklyn Nets. He was released and out of the NBA at the age of 23. In 2017, he signed with the Turkish League and averaged 1.2 PPG. He was released after one season. It was the conclusion of his professional career.

Rise From the Ashes? 

No one said being an NBA player is easy, never mind being the first overall pick. Anthony Bennett has been most recently affiliated with the Maine Red Claws, an NBA development team of the Boston Celtics. He’s been traded a number of times to get to this point but hasn’t given up on his NBA dream. Having posted some decent numbers in Maine, it appears that he has the backing and support of his coach and teammates. He averaged 14.8 PPG/6.3 RPG in the 2017-2018 season. The confidence seems to be coming back:

“Just having someone there that believes in me and tells me to keep shooting is definitely great to have in your corner .. While I’ve been in Maine, I definitely have that from everybody. Down the line from the coaches to the players. It’s definitely an important piece to anybody’s game, just having that confidence.” – Anthony Bennett 

Bennett scored double-digit points in 17 out of 20 games. In nine of those games, he posted more than 20 points. Seven of those games saw Bennett in the double-digit rebound column. All in all, that is not bad for someone who’s labeled as the worst first overall pick in history. Check out these stats from his time with the Red Claws this past season:

Fifth Times a Charm?

Like weathermen, you can be dead wrong as an NBA scout or GM and still have a job the next day. It’s true that you’ll never know how a player will turn out once the lights come on, but you have to have some sort of an idea how a player’s game will translate to the NBA. The Cleveland Cavaliers and their scouting team didn’t, but Danny Ainge might have an interesting situation waiting for him up north.

Bennett’s worked on his shot and has improved his range to go along with a solid field goal percentage. His rebounding numbers saw an increase as well. It’s nothing that’s out of the ordinary, but some respectable stat lines are occurring more often than not for Bennett in the G-League.

Will he bring life back into his NBA career? Should he have spent time in the G-League in the beginning to develop his game? Will the G-League be the road to get his name back on an NBA roster? Will the Celtics give a former first overall pick a shot to maybe win an NBA title? There’s a lot of questions surrounding Bennett. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.

So far, Bennett has worked hard and has yet to throw in the towel. Bennett, now 25 years old, might have time to get his game to where it once was projected to be. Keep an eye out next season on the G-League; Bennett could be making a comeback.

Please be sure to follow me on Twitter @JaxBrown725

Big Boom or Big Bust: Robert Williams III

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What’s the old saying? The rich get richer? That’s what appears to have happened for the Celtics this past Thursday at the 2018 NBA Draft. Big names fell to where most mock draft boards had them going, but perhaps no bigger name (or shoes) in the draft felt more like a steal than the 6’10″ 240lb Texas A&M center Robert Williams III. Falling all the way to #27, Brad Stevens commented:

”Each pick we were hoping more and more he would be available at 27 .. The ability to block shots, the ability to alter shots, the quickness to catch up to guards shooting if they get a step and still be able to alter that …  and then, if you can have four shooters on the floor and a guy like that rolling to the rim, you can just throw it up in the air and he can go and get it and finish.”

Pretty much nailed it, and high praise for sure. The kid seems like he could fit the mold of a DeAndre Jordan or a poor man’s Dwight Howard (the good one) at best. At worst, he could resemble a Stromile Swift or Joakim Noah. For now, save your money on that Williams III jersey. The defense is elite from this guy, but he could use some work offensively, though. Let’s button down some projections and outlooks for the newest member of the Boston Celtics, Robert Williams III.

A Numbers Game 

With 2017-2018 behind us, Boston looks to recharge from an ECF exit. How do you add more electricity to an already supercharged team? You go to Texas and find Robert Williams III. Remember when you had that Nerf hoop and would put all your friends on posters? That’s pretty much what he does with any open look at the rim. RWIII has a wingspan of 7’6”, rivaling fellow draftee Mo Bamba of the Orlando Magic, who measured a record 7’10”. To put it in NBA perspective, Rudy Gobert measured at 7’9”, which was the best in the league before Bamba. Williams III averaged four blocks per 40/min, which is incredible. Gobert is one of the best defenders in the NBA because of the measurement, and it’s an important one for Williams game too.

A smidge undersized for a center height-wise, Williams III’s 240 pounds of physical nature and bully-ball frame will be what gets him off the pine for Stevens if not for his at-the-rim athleticism. Not only does RWIII excel in transition, he’s a solid rebounder that pursues the ball well. With his length and frame he’s often bigger than his opponents, though adding some muscle and establishing a good footwork regimen could help this young spark plug establish a more dominant foundation down low. Don’t sleep on his blocking ability either. With reach like his and being a shot hunter, don’t expect any easy buckets when taking it to the hole.

Lob City 2.0? Possibly! Throw the ball anywhere near the hoop and Williams III will catch it and hurt your feelings. His added energy and try-hard attitude is exactly what Boston needs at the five spot. Baynes gets dunked on while Williams does the dunking. Monroe was serviceable, but he’s past his peak and could be gone sooner than later. Al Horford is where you get what you can’t teach, leadership. Theis will be back as well which could slide Al to his natural four spot, and falling into a mentor role wonderfully. Williams would be the second wind Horford desperately needs as his career winds down.

Adding someone like RWIII to the already #1 defensive team in the NBA seems unfair, and having him being able to throw it down from anywhere seems inhuman. He could be something special in a year or two, but he’s young, and college isn’t the NBA. Rim protector? 100%, as he did win the SEC DPOY his two years of college. Offensively, however, is where RWIII could spend some time on the farm.

Old McDanny

Lately, DA’s been right on the money when drafting young talent. Someone who would make any AAA team proud,  Ainge might be the best GM in the NBA. That Nets-Celtics trade that launched DA into GM superstardom was the most crucial moment for the Celtics post-2008. Out with the old, in with the new. Sure, he broke some hearts along the way, but that’s what rock stars do. With a cast of Brown, Rozier, Smart, and Tatum, Williams III seems to be the missing link between Game 7 and hoisting the Larry O Brien. Point of interest, Ainge addressed a major issue that Celtics had without giving up anything to get it. After all, defensive does win championships, and as previously mentioned, the new guy will bring that and then some.

His offense is the biggest question mark when translated to the NBA, though. Bluntly, he’s a poor shooter and fades in and out of games when he reverts to relying on teammates. Luckily he plays in Boston now, so he’ll have plenty of help putting the orange in the hoop and won’t have to carry a high volume scoring load. Still, even getting the ball to teammates might be tough as he’s even worse at passing out of tough situations or double teams, averaging 2.8 turnovers per 40/min. But, not all is lost. Someone named Irving usually handles the ball, so really Williams III just needs to get open. He won’t wow you with points, and his offensive blunders could have him spending time in the G League. If that is the case he won’t be there for long, if at all.

With recent, unexpected success coming so early from the Celtic youth, it’s hard to argue Danny didn’t get this one right too. RWIII isn’t going to blow you away on the offensive end every night, Boston has other players for that. DA drafted the exact player the Celtics needed: a defensive anchor. Another case of the Luck of the Irish seems to be the culprit, because a lot of teams needed the skill-set that comes along with a Robert Williams yet passed up on him twenty-six times. Why? Even tougher to find a real center anymore in the NBA, RWIII’s name could soon be coupled with Ayton and Bamba in years to come.

The Good, Bad, and Ugly

Williams was suspended to start his sophomore season at Texas A&M for an undisclosed reason that was dealt with at the school level. No doubt Danny Ainge did his own research, and even mentioned the red flags that come with Williams in a post draft interview. His college coach was quoted, “unfortunately, young people make mistakes”. Hopefully he was just caught self-medicating instead of some straight up criminal act. Which is better, right?

We’ve covered Williams offensive struggles, but pay very close attention to this. His complacency in the offensive when he can’t get things going slows him down as well as forces him into bad shots and passes. He shoots reminiscent of JaVale McGee taking a jumper, something no one wants to see. He also shoots free throws like Shaq. Not the most consistent player on either end, either. He might have a big frame but he hardly goes left. If you can stop him going right, you’ve most likely stopped him all together. Also, yes he has “hops”, but that’s a double edge sword as he falls for the slightest of fakes. A could be defensive star, Williams would benefit from getting minutes to keep his at-times-questionable motor running.

Rosters moves could propel or prevent Williams from getting some love, but he’ll bring an instant impact when his name’s called. Having a sweet baby hook when his backs to the basket will be in for a treat. Tatum exceeded expectations, while Rozier and Brown have become household names. DA might’ve found himself another diamond in Williams III, and with elbow grease and polish to his game, there’s potential to be the center of the future for not only Boston, but possibly the NBA.

Rookie Projection

Watch out Easten Conference, Boston has its defensive juggernaut. Ainge didn’t have to make a major trade or give up assets for one, and that’s a win right there. He does appear far behind offensively, so as a rookie he might be able to only offer easy baskets, putbacks, rebounds and blocked shots. Which hell, isn’t too shabby if you ask me. He’ll most likely be used for his athleticism around the basket, though it wouldn’t be surprising if he spent time developing in practice. Can he follow in the footprints of a Clint Capela or a DeAndre Jordan, similar athletes who don’t need the ball or jump shots to be effective? Expect him to be mostly a role player for now with potential to anchor an NBA team down the road.

please make sure to follow me on Twitter @JaxBrown725

REPORT: The Celtics are Including Terry Rozier in Draft Trades

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Danny Ainge and the Celtics are reportedly involving Terry Rozier in potential trades to move up in the draft. This was first reported by Brian Robb of the Boston Sports Journal. Robb says that, “the Celtics have discussed Terry Rozier with other teams as part of a trade package to move up.”

Rozier, 24, is entering the final year of his contract next season. He expects to cash out on his next deal considering his 2017-18 performance. He was the 16th overall pick by the Celtics in the 2015 NBA Draft and has made a massive contribution to this team. His first two-years for the Celtics were pretty quiet. He started no games and averaged 1.8 PPG and 5.5 PPG. However, in his third year Rozier exploded into one of the best bench-options in the NBA. In the 80 regular season games that Rozier played, he started 16 of them. This was due to the injuries Kyrie Irving accumulated throughout the year. Rozier averaged a career-high in PPG (11.3), RPG (4.7), APG (2.9), FG% (.395), and 3-point FG% (.381).

Scary Terry became a national star in the playoffs as he started every game for the Celtics. He averaged 16.2 PPG, 5.6 APG, and 5.3 RPG. Terry Rozier was a major reason as to why the Celtics made it all the way to a game-seven of the Eastern Conference Finals.

Possible Options with Rozier:

Rozier has one year-left on his rookie contract, leaving the Celtics with a big decision. Do they keep him and try to negotiate a new deal with Rozier, or do they trade him? In this scenario the Celtics use Rozier as leverage to move up in the draft. This does not mean he is the center of the trade. However, it means he will be one of the reasons it will happen. The Celtics have had reported interest in top-10 prospects Mohammad Bamba and Michael Porter Jr.

The Celtics could be looking at a potential major trade to help them not only compete with teams around the league, but win the NBA championship.