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Countdown to Celtics Tipoff: 52 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 (August 25th). 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 (52 today). Let’s get to it!

Recent Team News

Jayson Tatum recently appeared on The Bill Simmons Podcast and touched on a wide variety of topics. He talked about his hatred of the Celtics as a kid growing up in St. Louis. Kobe Bryant was his idol growing up, and as a Laker, he had to hate Boston. He then went on to discuss his summer workouts with Kobe and the episode of Kobe’s show, Detail, about Tatum (He says he watched it 70 times). Tatum says he was able to pick the legend’s brain before they got into the workouts. He said “I tried to get into his mind and see how he went about things.” It certainly sounds like Kobe’s had a big influence on the budding star.

On This Date

August 25, 1965: Bill Russell demanded and received a new contract worth $100,001. The contract came one day after rival Wilt Chamberlain became the first player ever to earn a salary of $100,000 dollars. The two legendary centers had become fierce competitors over the years of playing against each other, and the contracts took it to another level. Even the great Bill Russell can be petty sometimes!

Via NBA

Stats (2017-18)

  • Aron Baynes attempted 5.2 shots per game from two-point range. He converted on 2.6 of them per contest.

  • The team as a whole had a 52% Effective Field Goal Percentage. This stat weighs three pointers as worth more than two pointers.

Fun Facts

  • Seven players have worn number 52 for the Celtics. The most recent to don the jersey was Chris Babb, who wore it in 2014 for the 14 games in which he played.

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

Countdown to Celtics Tipoff: 53 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 (August 24th). 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 (53 today). Let’s get to it!

Recent Team News

On Tuesday, the tribe that Kyrie Irving’s mom is a member of invited the Celtics point guard. The tribe celebrated the heritage of Kyrie and his sister, Asia, as they welcomed the siblings as members of the Standing Rock Sioux. The tribe gave Kyrie a traditional Lakota name of “Little Mountain”. He has been a vocal opponent of the Dakota Access Pipeline in the past, and the tribe based in North Dakota wanted to honor him for being outspoken about his heritage.

In other news, Jayson Tatum turned some heads when he said he would be okay with the idea of coming of the bench. “I understand how deep our team is,” he said. “I just care about winning and doing what I can while I’m on the floor.” On a team loaded with talent, fans had to have been wondering about who would see their role reduced. It’s great to hear Tatum taking on the team-first mindset.

Tatum

: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

On This Date

Apparently nothing happened on August 24 in previous years.

Stats (2017-18)

  • Daniel Theis averaged 5.3 points for the team. He did so while shooting 54% from the field before a season ending injury.
  • Jaylen Brown averaged 5.3 made shots per game. He took 11.5 each game, shooting 49 percent from the field.

Fun Facts

  • Four players have worn the number 53 for the Celtics. The most notable is Rick Robey, who wore it in his time with the team from 1979-1983.
  • The 1953 Celtics went 46-25 and finished third in the East.

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

Looking Back at the Kyrie Irving Trade

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One year ago today the Celtics and Cavaliers pulled off a blockbuster trade. Kyrie Irving requested a trade from Cleveland, and Danny Ainge pulled off another heist a few weeks later. The Celtics traded Jae Crowder, Isaiah Thomas, Ante Zizic, a 2018 1st round draft pick (Collin Sexton was later selected) and a 2020 2nd round draft pick to the Cleveland Cavaliers for Kyrie Irving. (2020 2nd-rd pick from BOS to CLE is MIA’s pick, and was added as compensation for Isaiah Thomas’s injury). Let’s take a look back at each player’s last 365 days.

Kyrie Irving

Kyrie Irving did not disappoint in his first year in Boston. He averaged 24.4 points, 5.1 assists, shot 49.1% from the field and showed improvement on the defensive side of the floor. After Gordon Hayward went out on opening night, Irving proved that he can lead a team by himself. He was obviously the second option in Cleveland but shined as the man in control in Boston. He worked very well with Al Horford and did a great job getting Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown involved in the offense. These were simply things IT could not accomplish in Boston. He needed the ball in his hands and is not nearly as good of a facilitator as Irving.

However, everything took a turn for the worst on March 11th against the Pacers. He suffered a knee injury, which led to surgery that sidelined him for the remainder of the season. The Celtics ending up falling in seven games to the Cavs and the consensus opinion is that the Celtics would have won that series if Kyrie were playing. Kyrie will be back for the Celtics next year, but rumors about his upcoming free agency next summer are already swirling. The Celtics need to resign Irving next year to ensure that they win the trade.

Maddy Meyer

Jae Crowder

Crowder averaged 8.6 points and 3.3 total rebounds per game with Cleveland. These numbers were a step down from his final season with the Celtics. The Cavs made the decision to flip Crowder to Utah before the trade deadline when they blew everything up and completely revamped their roster. Crowder ended up shining alongside Donovan Mitchell in Quin Snyder’s system. Crowder improved in points per game, rebounds, and assists while he was with the Jazz. However, the biggest knock on him is that he wasn’t very efficient. He got worse in field goal%, three-point%, two point%, and effective field goal%. In Boston, Crowder took a lot more shots than he should have which led to distaste between him and the fans.

Isaiah Thomas

It has been an interesting 365 days for Isaiah Thomas. He was on the Celtics, then traded to the Cavs, flipped to the Lakers, and signed the veteran minimum with Denver. After being out until January with a hip injury, IT played in just 15 games with the Cavs. It was a disaster. His style of play and personality just did not fit with LeBron’s. They are both egomaniacs and need the ball in their hands at all times. Thomas was hated by Cavs fans during that time, and clubhouse craziness was reported.

LeBron James, the former owner, coach, and general manager of the Cavs traded Thomas to the Lakers as part of the roster overhaul at the trade deadline. Thomas settled in nicely and played well off the bench. He averaged 15.6 points and exactly five assists in 17 games played. The offseason and free agency process were very frustrating for Thomas. After telling the Celtics to back up the Brinks truck, he ended up signing a one year, two million deal with Denver.

Collin Sexton

The biggest unknown in this deal is rookie guard Collin Sexton. He was selected eighth overall in this year’s draft. Sexton was a superstar at Alabama and single-handedly dragged Alabama to the round of 32 before they were stopped by eventual champion Villanova. Sexton is a rookie, so nobody really knows what the Cavs are getting. He could be a franchise-altering player or a bust. He is all the Cavs have left over from the trade, so it is up to him to save the deal. To make the deal a win for the Cavs, Sexton has to be better than Kyrie and win championships in Cleveland. He needs to fill the shoes that Kyrie left in Cleveland

Bottom Line

So far, it is obvious that the Celtics won the trade. Irving was great in his first year. The Cavs got rid of two of the three main pieces of the deal, and now they are counting on Sexton. If Sexton is better than Kyrie, then the Cavs will win the trade. Should Kyrie stay in Boston and wins championships, the Celtics will remain winners of the trade. If Kyrie leaves in free agency and Sexton does not turn into a superstar, then the trade is a wash. It is possible that Ante Zizic or the second round pick turns into something, but that is extremely unlikely. If Crowder and Thomas shine on their new teams, Cleveland may regret shipping them out.

Countdown to Celtics Tipoff: 55 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 (August 22nd). 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 (55 today). Let’s get to it!

Recent Team News

The Celtics officially signed guard P.J. Dozier to a two-way contract. Dozier, a guard from the University of South Carolina, spent last season with the Thunder on a two-way deal. He played in 43 games in the G-League, averaging 13 points and 5.6 rebounds per contest. He appeared in two games for the Thunder, totaling just three minutes of action. Per the terms of a two-way contract, Dozier can spend no longer than 45 days with the Celtics. This means he will be spending a lot of time with the team’s G-League affiliate Maine Red Claws.

Via NBC Sports

On This Date

August 22, 2017: Fireworks. The Celtics make the biggest deal of the summer. The team trades Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and Brooklyn’s 2018 first rounder to the Cavs for Kyrie Irving. A 2020 second round pick later completed the transaction. The blockbuster swap saw fan favorite IT shipped out of Boston on a bum hip just months after the death of his sister. The return was Kyrie, who took over the team and was an MVP candidate before going down with an injury. Many pundits saw this trade as a victory for the Cavs initially. It’s safe to say that the Celtics won this one.

August 22, 2008: Boston signed forward Darius Miles to a deal. He would never play for the team due to an injury.

August 22, 2005: The team signed point guard Tyus Edney. He appeared in 52 games that season for the Celtics, averaging 5.3 points per contest.

August 22, 1969: The Rockets traded Hank Finkel to Boston for cash considerations. The center played six seasons in Beantown, averaging 4.6 points and 3.7 rebounds per game.

Stats (2017-18)

  • Aron Baynes averaged 5.5 shots per game, netting the big man 6.0 points per contest.

Fun Facts

  • The Celtics won 55 games this season to finish second in the Eastern Conference.
  • Greg Monroe wore number 55 last season for the Celtics, becoming the 11th player in franchise history to don that number.

Via Hardwood Houdini

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

Countdown to Celtics Tipoff: 56 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 (August 21st). 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 (56 today). Let’s get to it!

Recent Team News

In a thought-provoking piece about mental health in the NBA, Paul Pierce spoke out about his depression and anxiety. After Pierce was attacked and stabbed 11 times at a nightclub in September of 2000, he said he battled depression for a year. He was so anxious and nervous in public settings that he had the police around his house 24 hours a day. He played all 82 games that year, not because he was fully healed but because “The only thing that saved me was basketball.” He also said that he should have sought professional help far sooner than he did. “My depression was bad-really bad,” he admitted. “I never want to feel that way again.”

Via USA Today

In a year where multiple stars have opened up about their personal struggles, Pierce decided to share his story as well. Read the full story here on ESPN.

On This Date

August 21, 2000: The Celtics sign free agent Chris Carr to a deal. The shooting guard appeared in 35 games for Boston that year, averaging 4.8 points and 1.3 rebounds per contest.

August 21, 1997: The team traded Eric Williams to the Nuggets for a 1999 second rounder and a 2001 second rounder.

August 21, 1972: Boston signs first round pick Paul Westphal. Westphal played with the Celtics for three seasons, winning a title with the team in 1974. He averaged 7.3 points and 2.1 assists during his time with the franchise.

Stats (2017-18)

  • Terry Rozier had 5.6 win shares on the season. Win Shares is an estimate of the number of wins a player contributed to a team.

Jim Davis/Globe Staff

Fun Facts

  • The 1956 Celtics team went 39-33.
  • Two players have worn the number 56 for the Celtics, most recently Sean Williams in 2012.

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

Ben Simmons adds fuel to the Celtics-76ers Rivalry

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The Celtics-Sixers feud is starting to heat up

The teams faced off against each other four times in the regular season, and again in the Eastern Conference finals. Things got heated, and each game they played became must-see television. Joel Embiid got in a scuffle with Terry Rozier, and also had an altercation with Marcus Morris during the series. He’s been very vocal about his desire to beat the Celtics, and now Ben Simmons has joined the fray.

The Quote

Simmons said during an interview, “We’ve got to get past Boston, those are the guys at the top right now. Beating them, that’s our next goal. Obviously getting further than the second round and winning the Eastern Conference Finals and then moving on to the Finals.”

Via CBS Sports

What It Means

It’s clear that he and the Sixers know who the alpha dog is in the East. Including both the playoffs and regular season, the Celtics were 7-2 against Philadelphia last season. Interestingly, of the three playoff series Boston played, the Sixers were the only team not to take it the full seven games. They have a ways to go to become serious threats to the team.

However, they certainly have the potential to do so. Simmons isn’t even close to his prime yet, and Embiid is just entering his. If Markelle Fultz finally lives up to his number one pick, this team could have the firepower to challenge Boston. Now that Simmons has publicly identified beating the Celtics as the Sixers’ goal, they’re going to be ready to meet the challenge.

Via NBC Sports

It won’t take long to see if Philly can back up their young star’s words. The two teams meet on opening night in the TD Garden. They’ll also see each other again on Christmas Day. Be prepared to grab the popcorn – this rivalry is only getting started.

Countdown to Celtics Tipoff: 57 Days

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Welcome back to the Celtics season tipoff countdown!

Recent Team News

Brad Stevens recently sat down for a Q&A with the Eagle Tribune. A couple of the more interesting quotes: when asked about the defensive success of his teams, he said, “It’s something players have to be really committed to, not only defending individually but defending together, and we’ve had guys willing to do that.” Stevens is always one to shift the praise to his players, and he continues to do so.

head coaching

Photo by Maddie Meyer/Getty Images

He also said, when the Tribune asked him about his first five years, “Well, it’s been a lot of fun. I just enjoy going to work every day and working to get better.” It comes as no surprise that Stevens refuses to settle, just as he implores his players to do.

Read the full interview here.

On This Date

August 20, 2015: The Celtics signed free agent Coty Clarke to a deal. The small forward from Arkansas did not make the team after one preseason game. However, he would sign with the D-League affliate Red Claws shortly after. In March, he earned two ten-day contracts, in which he played in three games. He finished out the season in the D-League and was not retained afterwards.

Stats (2017-18)

  • Al Horford played 57% of his minutes at the center position. The remaining 43% were at the power forward.

Fun Facts

  • The 1957 Celtics team won the franchise’s first-ever NBA title. The team went 44-28 and defeated the Hawks in seven games to capture the championship.

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

Countdown to Celtics Tipoff: 58 Days

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Welcome back to the Celtics season tipoff countdown!

Recent Team News

Chris Forsberg recently tweeted out a series of quotes from Jayson Tatum concerning his offseason. He talked about his workouts with Kobe, his focuses this offseason, and the recent articles about him being “overhyped”.

It sounds like overall Tatum has had a great offseason. The strength and muscle that he’s putting on is a great sign for his craft, especially if he wants to develop his inside game more. That inside game is apparently what he was working on with Kobe. It must have been an awe-inspiring experience for Tatum to work alongside his childhood hero and learn the game from him. Lastly, it’s good to hear that he doesn’t care about the media comments. It’s going to be an exciting second year from Tatum.

On This Date

August 19, 2005: The Celtics signed guard Will Bynum as a free agent. Bynum would not play a game with the Celtics, and was ultimately waived that October. He would go on to play sparingly with the Warriors that season.

Stats (2017-18)

  • Jabari Bird shot 58% from the field. He appeared in 13 games, averaging 8.8 minutes.
  • Both Al Horford and Greg Monroe had a 58% True Shooting Percentage. This stat measures shooting efficiency by taking twos, threes, and free throws into account.
Al

Stephen M. Dowell/Orlando Sentinel/TNS via Getty Images

Fun Facts

Countdown to Celtics Tipoff: 59 Days

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Welcome back to the Celtics season tipoff countdown!

Countdown to Celtics Tipoff: 60 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 (August 16th). 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 (60 today). Let’s get to it!

Recent Team News

Not a lot is going on in the Celtics universe right now, but Bleacher Report recently released an article of the most overhyped players going into this season. Guess who’s number one? Jayson Tatum. The piece argues that he’ll have to reduce his role going into this year, and that the sample size is too small. I guess there’s just another place where the Celtics will have to show the media what’s really happening.

In other news, Danny Ainge’s Twitter account has been pretty entertaining as of late. He recently took shots at both Jaylen Brown and Terry Rozier after videos of them were posted. Check it out:

On This Date

August 16, 2000: The Celtics take part in a four-team transaction. The team ships Dana Barros to the Mavericks and Danny Fortson to the Warriors. In exchange, they received Hot Rod Williams from the Mavericks, and a first round pick from the Jazz.

August 16, 2004: The Celtics sign Tom Gugliotta. The forward played sparingly over 20 games for the team.

Stats (2017-18)

  • Kyrie Irving appeared in 60 games for Boston, starting in each one before a season-ending injury in March.
  • Aron Baynes averaged 6.0 points over 18.3 minutes per game.

Fun Facts

  • Since the 2009 season, with the exception of the 2012 season, every Celtics team has had at least one player under 6’0 in height. (Nate Robinson, Phil Pressey, Isaiah Thomas, Shane Larkin)
  • The 1960 Celtics won the NBA finals in seven games against the St. Louis Hawks. Red Auerbach coached the team to a 59-16 record that season.

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