Tag Archives: celtics

Why Brad Stevens is the Most Underrated Coach in the NBA

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When will Brad Stevens catch a break? After guiding Boston to the Eastern Conference Finals the past two seasons with a depleted squad each year, some analysts are refusing to acknowledge Stevens as a bona fide coach in NBA ranks.

To understand the truth to this matter, we need to break down the accomplishments that Stevens has achieved during his tenure in Boston.

The first year in Boston

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Brad Stevens got the opportunity to coach for Boston after a very successful tenure in the college ranks as the head coach of Butler. After a national championship run that fell short in the 2012-13 season, Stevens was interviewed by multiple NBA teams.

Stevens landed the Boston job on July 3rd, 2013. Does anyone remember any of the players from that 2013-14 squad? Going, going and gone. I didn’t think so.

Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley played the guards, but Rondo was hurt the majority of the season so Jordan Crawford moved into the starting role. I repeat- Jordan Crawford. Jared Sullinger played center, only after Kris Humphries got hurt. Brandon Bass and Jeff Green held down the forward positions.

The team crawled to a miserable 25-57 record and finished fourth in the Atlantic Division.

The 2014-15 Season

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The Celtics added Tyler Zeller to play the five, and Evan Turner replaced Jeff Green after an injury. Late in the season, Boston traded for Isaiah Thomas, with intension to have him come off the bench. The young Celtics started to emerge, with Thomas averaging 19 points per game off the bench. Avery Bradley becoming a reliable 2nd option, then Marcus Smart, Jae Crowder and Kelly Olynyk all earning more playing time throughout the season.

Boston went 40-42, sneaking into the playoffs just to be swept under the rug by the Cleveland Cavaliers.

The Pieces come together

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Stevens liked the youth on his team. Boston allowed the older players to leave and started adding multitudes of young talent. Terry Rozier, Jordan Mickey and Jaylen Brown arrived to the squad. Isaiah Thomas became an offensive star and suddenly had a ton of offensive talent around him. Crowder, Bradley and the addition of Al Horford at center proved to be extremely useful. Boston made their first Eastern Conference Finals run in the 2016-17 season, without Thomas who had fallen victim to an ankle injury halfway through the playoff run.

The team leaned on Smart and Rozier to shoulder the load, which they did well. However, Boston was unable to contain both Kyrie Irving and LeBron James, and fell again in game six, again, to the Cavaliers.

The 2017-18 Season

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This season, the Celtics were truly primed to make a big run. They added Duke star Jayson Tatum to their lineup. Kyrie Irving was acquired from Cleveland. Boston signed Gordon Hayward from the Utah Jazz in free agency. This squad was so loaded, it didn’t seem like they could fall short of a title run.

Alas, disaster struck. Hayward went down with a broken ankle five minutes into the first game while Kyrie missed the entire month of April and the entirety of the playoffs. Instead, the team leaned on Tatum and Jaylen Brown to carry the load, which they did admirably. They went toe to toe in a seven game matchup with the Cavaliers before falling, 87-79.

What does Brad Steven have to do?

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What does Brad Stevens really have to prove? What accomplishment does he have to achieve before people outside of Boston recognize how gifted this man truly is?

Let’s explore some of his former players to see how they are faring with other teams. Jae Crowder? All but forgotten in Utah. Avery Bradley? Traded to the Detroit Pistons and then to the Los Angeles Clippers later in the season. Isaiah Thomas? Now on his fourth team in the last two years (Boston, Cleveland, Los Angeles Lakers and now the Denver Nuggets.

Stevens takes talent and finds the best way to play them and then he utilizes each player to his strength. What other coaches have done well in doing that? San Antonio Spurs head coach Gregg Popovich is about the only one that comes to mind.

Brad Stevens took a team missing two NBA All-Stars to the Conference Finals and then leaned on a rookie forward to lead his team into game seven. That accomplishment alone is incredible! All we hear about is how Brad Stevens doesn’t yet belong on the list of elite NBA coaches.

I beg to differ. He definitely does.

Jabari Bird Arrested for Assault on Friday

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Jabari Bird is in a whole lot of trouble.

The young Celtics guard was arrested Friday night in Brighton, Massachusetts. As of this morning, he was in custody at St. Elizabeth’s hospital. The matters appear to be very serious- the Domestic Violence Unit of the BPD became involved in the situation. Charges against Bird include assault, strangulation and kidnapping. There’s no doubt that this is going to be a sticky situation for the 24-year-old. While allegations against athletes are always hairy, this certainly does not look good for Jabari Bird.

The Boston Celtics released a statement regarding the matter on Saturday morning. It read, “We are aware of the incident involving Jabari Bird and are taking it very seriously. We are actively gathering information and will reserve further comment at this time.” It was a pretty standard statement for this type of situation, but it’s clear that Boston is on top of the situation.

What it Means

After the Summer League concluded, many fans had high hopes for Jabari Bird. He appeared to intrigue the Celtics as well, as the team inked him to a contract in late July. Bird, 24, spent last season as a two-way player, moving between Boston and the G-League affiliate Maine Red Claws. The NBA Summer League in Las Vegas is where he really stood out, though. He averaged team-highs in both points and rebounds, gathering 18.6 PPG and 6.0 RPG.

Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images

Though Bird wasn’t expected to play very much at all this season, fans were still excited about him. After this arrest, however, his future with the team becomes far more cloudy. According to sources, the Celtics aren’t expected to make any roster move regarding him on Saturday, but if the Celtics’ findings reflect poorly on the guard, there’s a good chance he’ll be swiftly shown the door. Seeing as he’s not likely to contribute to the team much, the Celtics won’t hesitate to cut Bird the second they decide that the allegations carry weight.

Fans will now play the waiting game to see if more information will trickle out throughout Saturday afternoon and over the weekend. Hopefully Bird is innocent and the allegations are false, but it certainly doesn’t seem that way. If true, there’s no place for someone like that on the Celtics.

You Won’t Believe What NBA Legend Grant Hill Had to Say About Jayson Tatum

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Spoiler Alert! Jayson Tatum is a good basketball player. The expectations for Tatum’s sophomore season, and his career, are soaring. After polishing off one of the greatest individual playoff runs in NBA history for a Rookie, people are talking about BIG things for the young star.

How Big, You Ask?

Naismith Memorial Basketball Hall of Fame big. Fellow Duke basketball alumni and NBA legend Grant Hill will be enshrined into the Hall of Fame on Friday, and he believes Jayson Tatum will follow suite one day.

“I think he’s on his way,” Hill told MassLive’s Tom Westerholm. “… He’s in a great situation, which is really good. In some ways you could say it’s a blessing and a curse. Because (the Celtics) are so talented, he doesn’t have to do as much, which is great for a young player, and they have a chance to win a championship, and have a lot of runway for the next five, six, eight years. But also it doesn’t really allow us to see the full package. I think we did see that last year when injuries hit that team, and now it was like they needed him to show and prove, and he did. And he was just a rookie. 19 years old. I think time. Time is what he needs, and I can’t wait to watch and see what he ultimately becomes. It’s scary.”

This comes on the heels of comments made by former NBA All-Star turned ESPN Analyst Stephen Jackson. Jackson was speaking about Boston’s expectations for the upcoming season, and casually mentioned that he believes Jayson Tatum will be a top 10 player in the NBA by season’s end. Wow.

So, there you have it. The bottom line is- Tatum has an immense amount of expectations to live up to. These former NBA legends believe he has what it takes to cement his place among the league’s best. If Jayson Tatum proved anything his Rookie season, it’s that he has all of the talent necessary to get the job done.

Who Would You Want at Your Side for a Bar Fight: Boston Sports Edition

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Patriots: Rob Gronkowski -By @Boston_sports18

If I had to pick a Boston athlete to win a bar fight, it’s got to be Gronk. Rob grew up in a house with four brothers, and each has gone pro. They pushed each other every single day, making Rob an absolute beast.

The Gronkowski’s

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Gronk’s father had them all on a training regimen at an early age. This eventually led Gronk to become arguably the best TE the NFL has ever seen. He has incredible blocking skills and unmatched work ethic. While running with the ball after the catch, forget about bringing him down without a cheap shot to the knee. He’s known for swatting linebackers and corners off of him like annoying mosquitoes at a BBQ. Gronkowski finished one block to the point he actually threw the defender off of the field into the media section. “I had to throw him out the club,” Gronkowski said after the game. THIS IS THE GUY I WANT.

Bar fight Champion

Keith Bedford Boston Globe

Besides Gronk’s football toughness, I’m pretty sure he can hold his own at the bar. He’s also good friends with WWE star Mojo Rawley, who Gronk has actually been training with. Last year Gronk even stepped into the ring. He got into a three-point stance and clotheslined another wrestler. Real or fake, Gronk is an animal and would be my top choice of Boston athletes to have in a bar fight. Tough, big and known to party. For me, this is an easy choice. It’s Rob Gronkowski.

Bruins: Zdeno Chara -By @TheBigBlue30

If I am picking any Boston sports athlete to win a bar fight, it is without a doubt Boston Bruins defenseman and Captain Zdeno Chara. At 6’9″ and over 250 pounds, Big Z is a physical powerhouse. If you follow him on Instagram, you would know how much of freak of nature the guy really is. His workouts put superheroes to shame, whether he is climbing up a 30-foot rope and back down in the blink of an eye, riding the Tour de France every summer, or shoulder pressing over 400 pounds. Chara is a physical specimen, unlike any other human being. The scary part, however, is that Chara’s physique and fitness are the least of people’s worries. His father is a former Olympic Roman Greco wrestler, which Big Z has been practicing since a young age.

On top of all that the guy is a genius. He earned a financial planning diploma from Algonquin College in Ottawa in 2015, and took classes at the University of Harvard over this past summer. There is a reason why nobody in the NHL fights Zdeno Chara. Just ask former NHL winger David Koci, who Chara beat so bad in a fight you would have thought he was making a blood donation to the Red Cross. In conclusion, if you don’t pick Zdeno Chara for a bar fight, you are just downright stupid.

Celtics: Marcus Smart -By @jackbuffett_

If I’m picking one player from the Celtics to have my back in a bar fight, I have to choose Marcus Smart. No matter what situation I’m getting into, if he’s on my side, he’s going to fight. Doesn’t matter how many guys, how big, how menacing, Smart will challenge each and every one of them. Ever seen an altercation during a Celtics game? Every time, without fail, Smart is either the one causing it or the first one to a teammate’s defense. It also helps that Smart is the most all-out hustle player on the team, so I’d assume he’d take the same attitude in a bar fight. Smart is an incredibly passionate player. Some players on the court are always emotionless- that’s never him. No matter what he’s doing, he’s going to get super into whatever that activity is. It also helps that Smart is built like a tank at 6’4″, 225 pounds, and absolutely ripped. If I get one phone call to fight some guys at a bar, it’s to Marcus Smart.

Red Sox: Joe Kelly -By @_porchie

BOSTON, MA – APRIL 11: Tyler Austin #26 of the New York Yankees fights Joe Kelly #56 of the Boston Red Sox during the seventh inning at Fenway Park on April 11, 2018 in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images)

If I were to pick any Boston Red Sox player to be on my side in a bar fight there would only be one option. Joe Kelly would totally have my back! Did you see not only the way he taunted Tyler Austin, but throw him down and was ready to beat him down. If it wasn’t for Aaron Judge that man would probably not be alive right now! He has the fire and intensity that I would want in my corner 100%. That’s why my pick is Joe Kelly.

Claude Dielna Working Out | Photo Credit | Claude Dielna

  Revolution: Claude Dielna -By @Marbies3762

While Claude Dielna is only 6’0″ tall and only weighs 190 pounds, he can pack a punch. Anyone who follows him on Instagram knows when he isn’t at practice he is in the weight room. There are plenty of taller guys on the Revs that could be good picks as well, but none are as good as Claude. He has a much different work mentality than everyone else on the team. When he leaves practice, he trains at home. If he isn’t playing in a game, he is training. When Claude goes to Chipotle, he orders double meat. Every game he plays, he out muscles and throws guys to the ground. In a bar fight, there’s no doubt that Claude would go off. The guy is jacked. Without a doubt, when it comes to bar fights, he’s the guy I want by my side.

Are the Boston Celtics Too Deep?

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I’m sure the Brooklyn Nets, Phoenix Suns, and Sacramento Kings among others would love to be in the position the Boston Celtics are in. The franchise hasn’t missed the playoffs since the 2013-14 Season, yet lottery picks continue to pour in due to Danny Ainge’s brilliancy in the trade market. They boast three perennial All-Star talents in Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, and Al Horford. Oh, and the ‘other’ two guys in the starting lineup aren’t too bad, either. Boston has the potential to send five guys to the All-Star game this season. In more ways than one, this team stacks up relatively well to the likes of the juggernaut Golden State Warriors. They also happen to be younger.

Boston Boasts Arguably the Deepest Bench in the League

SOURCE: AP Photo/Charles Krupa

Depth on this roster is no issue, either. Terry Rozier blew up last season as a key contributor down the stretch and throughout the playoffs. The 24-year-old point guard out of Louisville has been mentioned in the same sentence as Kemba Walker and Dame Lillard, both All-Star talents. Oh, and he isn’t even this team’s sixth man. That role belongs to $52 million-dollar man Marcus Smart. After signing a $13 million per year deal that retains his services in Boston for the next four years, Smart has now become one of the league’s highest paid bench players.

Worth it? Undoubtedly. The bulldog out of Oklahoma State won’t blow anyone away on the stat sheet, but he is the ultimate competitor and a true winner. He does all of the dirty things needed to be done to win, whether it’s ripping down a big rebound over a seven-footer to secure a big possession, or diving on the floor for a loose ball seconds after returning from a major injury.

The bench depth continues to roll on from there. Marcus Morris adds a lethal one-on-one option. ‘All of Australia’ Aron Baynes is a big body that started in 67 games for the C’s last season. Baynes is a starting caliber center that also happens to statistically be one of the best defensive players in the league. German forward Daniel Theis will assuredly compete for some quality minutes this season, perhaps against Rookie first round pick Robert Williams. Semi Ojeleye played some big minutes last season, often times tasked with locking down the opposition’s best player. Anyone remember when Semi bodied up Giannis Antetokounmpo in the Playoffs?

Believe in Brad Stevens

BOSTON, MA – MARCH 22: Brad Stevens of the Boston Celtics goes over the next play with Jaylen Brown #7 of the Boston Celtics during the game against the Indiana Pacers on March 22, 2017 at the TD Garden in Boston, Massachusetts. (Photo by Brian Babineau/NBAE via Getty Images)

No matter how you slice it, this team is DEEP and talented. Regardless of the position on the floor, there is a guy on this team that can step in and more than hold their own. That is just how Brad Stevens has designed this team to be. He likes interchangeability and trusts each player on his roster to perform when called upon. He gets the most out of the players he coaches because he believes in allowing them to play within themselves and refuses to limit a guy because of a weakness they may have. The trust he offers each player is returned, and that trust builds confidence. That confidence translates into production.

Now, Brad Stevens has yet another major task ahead of him. How will he find a way to manage arguably the deepest roster the NBA has to offer? Quite honestly, it’s a curious problem to have. Every team out there across any sport or level of play would love to have this ‘problem’.

Good Problem or No Problem?

Stevens, known as a bit of a playful guy with the media, had a humorous but logical response when asked about this ‘good problem’.

“I don’t think it’s any secret to anybody that there’s only 240 minutes in a game,” Stevens said. “If we all struggle with that more than just the human nature of being disappointed if you get taken out — that’s OK, that’s part of it — but if we struggle with that, then we won’t be very good. And if we don’t, we’ll have a chance to be pretty good.”

Of course, this would be an easy problem to solve if there were 240 minutes in a game. But to Stevens, it sounds like there isn’t an issue at all here. He even has the rotations written up ahead of training camp, and at this point is more concerned with ‘how’ they will play versus ‘who’ will play.

“I’m more focused on how we want to play than how we’re going to rotate,” Stevens said. “I mean, if last year’s not the best example, I don’t know what would be. Things can change. Your rotation can change in a heartbeat. So, you can work all summer on it, and you’ve got to adjust in one day. I think the bottom line is we have an idea of who will play together and who best fits together and what lineups we think we’ll try to use, but we’ll see how it all shakes itself out.”

It All Comes Down to Coach Stevens

(11/12/2017- Boston, MA) With 12 wins in a row, Boston Celtics head coach Brad Stevens has a lot to smile about during a victory over the Toronto Raptors at TD Garden on Sunday, November 12, 2017. Staff Photo by Matt West

The bottom line here is that as long as the team buys into the Brad Stevens philosophy and trusts that he will steer them in the right direction, this team will be successful. If this group of individuals can find a way to set aside their egos and personal desires for the betterment of the team there is no limit to what they can accomplish. Depth is a good problem to have, so long as the players have faith in their leader. Lucky for Boston, Brad Stevens may just be the finest leader out there.

Boston Celtics’ Rookie Robert Williams Still Not Cleared for 5-On-5 Action

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Robert Williams has been battling knee tendonitis since the end of his college tenure with Texas A&M. The big man managed to play in only six minutes of Summer League before colliding with a 76er, and missed the rest of the action after reaggravating the injury.

With Training Camp Around the Corner, Williams Looks to Get Back on Track Quick

Training camp is just a few weeks away, but Williams has been working hard to make a comeback as efficiently as possible.

“Still taking it day by day,” Williams said. “There’s people that have a lot of time, a lot of money invested in you now, they don’t want to mess up what they got going. But I’m thankful for the trainers and the coaches, just taking it day by day.”

He understands the situation he is in and just wants to get back to healthy playing shape as soon as possible. Williams has spoken highly of the Celtics organization and their patience in dealing with his injury. He also see’s this down time as an opportunity to learn the X’s and O’s of the offense and all of the other technical aspects of being an NBA player.

“Just strengthening places I need to strengthen,” Williams said. “Obviously my knee, obviously knowing what’s going on out there on the court, knowing the calls before (Brad Stevens) throws in me a 5-on-5 game. He’s been teaching me actually the past couple days, just hammering in the calls, all the play names, all the big names for things, so it’s just been a great perspective, a great opportunity.”

Williams Expected to Be ‘Full Go’ by Training Camp

After a rough start to his career with the post Draft issues, Williams already looks like he is maturing and beginning to take a more level-headed approach moving forward.

Brad Stevens expects a fully healthy roster by the start of training camp, so chances are Williams will be cleared for 5-on-5 in the near future. Hopefully the big man can stay healthy this season, as he will have his plate full proving that he deserves a spot on this already loaded roster.

Countdown to Celtics Tipoff: 43 Days

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Welcome Back to the Celtics Season Tipoff Countdown!

Each day, we’ll give a review of news surrounding the Celtics. We’ll also look back in history to see what happened on today’s date in team history (September 3rd). To round out the day’s post, we’ll give you stats and fun facts related to the number of days remaining before the first game (43 today). Let’s get to it!

Recent Team News

Danny Ainge recently opened up about the Kyrie Irving trade from last summer, and had this to say;

“I feel like there’s opportunities that you have to look at and explore, and Kyrie was one of those opportunities that, unanimously, internally it was something that we all felt like we should do,” Ainge said told ESPN. “Everybody, unanimously, wanted to do it.”

There is no doubt that Boston has zero regrets regarding this move. Both Isaiah Thomas and Jay Crowder finished the season on different teams, and the Brooklyn pick landed at No 8.

That being said- watch out for Collin Sexton (Cleveland’s selection with the pick). He averaged 19.6 points in the Summer League and is highly regarded by his fellow Rookies. If he pans out then Cleveland will be in decent shape post fallout of the Irving trade.

On This Date

Not a whole lot going on for this date in Celtics history, but on September 3, 2008 Oklahoma City team officials unveiled their new team name and logo. On this date in history the Seattle Supersonics became the Oklahoma City Thunder.

Stats (2017-18)

Image Courtesy of Sports Illustrated

Jayson Tatum shot 43% from 3 for the season, good for 8th in the NBA. Not bad for a guy with shooting range question marks entering the league!

Boston collectively shot 43% from the field in the 2017-18 postseason. The team played in 19 total games, finishing 1 win shy of reaching the NBA Finals.

Fun Facts

Image Courtesy of Cavs Nation

NBA.com ranked Kendrick Perkins as the 43rd best Celtic of all-time! He had a solid 8 year career in a Celtic uniform, from 2003-2011. Perkins was an integral piece of the 08’ Championship run, holding down the paint as one of the better centers in the league. He averaged 6.4 points and 6.0 rebounds per game in his tenure with Boston.

On March 18th, 2013 Jeff Green put up a whopping 43 points in a 105-103 loss to the Miami Heat.

That concludes today’s Countdown to Celtics Tipoff. Check back here tomorrow as the clock continues to tick towards the 2018-19 season!

After a Trade Offer from Phoenix, is Terry Rozier on His Way Out?

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Terry Rozier might be the most polarizing Celtic of the summer.

After a monster playoff run from the young point guard in June, rumors flew about a future role with the team. As Kyrie Irving returns to the court, Rozier has to return to the bench and play behind the superstar once again. On Friday, a report from an Arizona radio station got rumor mills churning again.

Arizona Sports 98.7 broke news that the Suns had apparently attempted to trade for a “front-tier point guard”. Among their targets were Damian Lillard, Kemba Walker, and-you guessed it- Boston’s own Terry Rozier. Obviously, their efforts were unsuccessful. However, even after a big trade with the Rockets, Phoenix may not be done yet. Even if the Suns don’t end up with Rozier, is he on his way out of Boston?

A Potential Suns Exchange

After dealing Brandon Knight away to Houston, the Suns are extremely thin at point guard. Devin Booker is an established star at the shooting guard, but Phoenix is in need of a ballhandler. Terry Rozier appears to be a prime candidate for the position. It’s unclear what the Suns would send to Boston in return for Rozier, but it’s unlikely they’d want to deal any of their young core. Players like Dragan Bender and Josh Jackson are probably off the table. That doesn’t leave Phoenix with very many valuable players.

Photo by John Tlumacki/The Boston Globe via Getty Images

However, there are still intriguing assets on the Suns. TJ Warren, just 25, could be another addition to Boston’s stash of lengthy wings. Troy Daniels, a shooting guard, is another potential target. There’s also the potential that Danny Ainge wants to add to his draft pick cache. The Suns have their own first rounder next year, as well as a protected first from the Bucks. If Danny plays his cards correctly, the Celtics could end up with some valuable assets if a trade materializes.

Aspirations of Stardom

Even if Terry Rozier doesn’t end up going to the Suns, there’s still a lot of support for the idea that he’ll be shipped out soon. As mentioned before, Rozier is going to have to take a backseat to Kyrie. Only time will tell if he’s going to accept that role. He’s said that he’s ready and willing to return to the bench, but will he walk the walk?

There’s also the matter of Rozier’s impending free agency. He’ll be a restricted free agent next summer. Now that he’s showed he has what it takes to lead a team, the offers Rozier will receive will likely far exceed what Boston is able to shell out to retain him. If he wants a starting role in the league, he’ll be eager to sign with another team in free agency. That deal will likely be worth a large sum of money. Now that Marcus Smart has resigned for four years, Rozier might not be willing to fight with him for minutes forever.

If the team knows that’s going to happen, they’ll be quick to deal him to a team that is in need of a point guard. Whether it be for players or draft picks, Danny Ainge won’t run the risk of having Rozier walk in the offseason. He definitely won’t allow the Celtics to be left empty-handed. If there’s an opportunity to get a good haul for the point guard, Boston will seize it.

photo by Christopher Evans

There’s no doubt that Rozier is an extremely valuable player on this Celtics roster. However, he might not be part of the team for much longer. If teams keep pursuing him, an offer might be too good to pass up.

 

 

ESPN’s BPI Predicts Celtics-Warriors 2019 NBA Finals Matchup

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News flash everyone! The Boston Celtics are going to be a great team this year. As long as Gordon Hayward doesn’t attempt another alley-oop dunk or Kyrie Irving doesn’t have a zen moment and realize he doesn’t want to play basketball, this team is on a direct flight to the NBA Finals.

Boston Lands in a Favorable Spot in the Finals Odds Prediction

ESPN’s BPI, which is a machine generated predictive metric, gives the Celtics the best odds to win the Eastern Conference and plots them at 2nd to win the whole enchilada. Shockingly (kidding), the Golden State Warriors are once again the overwhelming favorites to win it all.

Here’s ESPN’s rationale behind these odds;

“Two reasons. First, the aforementioned departure of James, which helps free up the East and removes a major obstacle in Boston’s path,” ESPN’s Neil Johnson and Seth Walder wrote. “Second, rising expectations for the Celtics, given how well the team played in the face of major injuries and the breakout of Jayson Tatum. Boston’s defensive BPI rating (3.7) has more than doubled from this time last year (1.5).”

Think Twice About Betting Against this Celtics Squad

Image courtesy of the Boston Globe

At this point, who would realistically bet against this squad? This is a team that was a single win away from an NBA Finals birth a few short months ago despite season ending injuries to arguably their top 2 players. The man who beat them last year just enrolled his son into a school in LA and will be playing ball in the Western Conference. The East leading Toronto Raptors fired the Coach of the Year and shipped out one half of the deadly duo that made them relevant the past few seasons. To replace DeRozan, they got a talented yet disgruntled player who quit on his team last year. Oh, and he doesn’t even want anything to do with Toronto.

The 76ers are good, and will be a threat to the Celtics’ dynasty run moving forward, but not quite yet. Boston dismantled Philly in 5 games last year while Terry Rozier consistently made a mockery of their defense. I know it is tempting to ‘Trust the Process’, but I would be cautious about dropping the confetti too early on the 76ers’ championship aspirations.

Boston boasts the best finisher and ball handler the league has to offer in Kyrie Irving. They employ a duo of some of the best two-way players in the league in Gordon Hayward and Al Horford. Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum have superstar level ceilings and just finished embarrassing their opposition throughout the playoffs. The Celtics have debatably the top bench in all of basketball, making them the deepest team in the league. Brad Stevens is already one of the NBA’s best coaches and is only getting started.

A New Era

All of the stars are beginning to align on a new era for the Celtics. An era without a King. The Eastern Conference is completely up for grabs now more than it has been in nearly 10 years. It’s time for a new participant in the championship series, and, at least according to ESPN, that team is the Boston Celtics.

Terry Rozier Believes the C’s are in for a ‘Truly Special Season’, Speaks about LeBron’s Departure

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Boston Celtics’ guard Terry Rozier said he’s on a very special team. He is not going to make predictions about the upcoming season, but he was very confident.

Rozier Sees Something Special

 

Terry took a few minutes off from his youth basketball camp to talk about the Celtics’ expectations. He used the term ‘special’ often when referring to his team.

“We are special. Super special. We are good on paper, we just gotta get it together, and make sure everyone comes in with the same mindset. And I feel this will be a special group.”

When asked to give specifics about his expectations for this team, he didn’t want to make any predictions.

“We look good on paper. With the two main guys back, along with guys added through the draft and re-signed.” He reiterated, “We are special, It’s special. It’s going to be a special, special year.”

Rozier Shared Some Thoughts About LeBron’s Departure

Disappointed that LeBron left the East, Jaylen Brown commented how he wanted to go through LeBron to reach the NBA finals. Along with his prediction of making the finals this year, the interview brought a great reaction from ‘Scary Terry’.

“I really don’t care…The league is watered down as it is.  Everyone’s making different moves, I’m only worried about the Boston Celtics…We’re just trying to figure out how we can get better.“

Personally, I wanted to see if he shared the same sentiment as Brown does with the finals guarantee. After asking the guard if he would second that prediction, he smiled and repeated, “It’s going to be a special year, a special year.”

At the end of the day, the kids had a great time. Terry Rozier was teaching them to be like him and always have confidence in yourself. With Irving and Hayward coming back this year, Rozier acknowledged that guys will have to sacrifice, saying “There’s gonna have to be if you want to win a championship.” This year’s Celtics team has a shared goal which is to win it all. Rozier let everyone know that this year is “going to be a lot of fun.” Banner 18 coming soon?