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Countdown to Celtics Tip-Off: 72 Days

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Welcome Back to the Celtics Season Tip-Off 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 4th). 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 (72 today). Let’s get to it!

Recent Team News

Yesterday, Boston signed PJ Dozier to a two-way contract. The 6’6″ guard spent last season splitting time between the Thunder and their G-League affiliate. The team now has both of their two-way players under contract, the other being Walt Lemon Jr. A fun side note for fans- with the Thunder, Dozier wore number 35. This is because Dozier is a second cousin of the late Reggie Lewis, and wears it in his honor. The number is retired by the Celtics, so it’s unclear what number he will take, but it’s a cool fact to know.

Via ESPN

In other news, ESPN has projected the Boston Celtics to finish second in the East behind the Toronto Raptors.

There will be no further comment on that.

On This Date

August 4, 1978: Boston makes a blockbuster trade with the San Diego Clippers. They ship Kevin Kunnert, Kermit Washington, Sidney Wicks, and Freeman Williams to the Clippers. In return, they receive Nate “Tiny” Archibald, Marvin Barnes, Billy Knight, a 1981 second rounder that turned into Danny Ainge, and a 1983 second round pick.

August 4, 2010: The Celtics sign 38 year-old Shaquille O’Neal to a two-year, $2.8 million dollar deal. The legendary big man only ended up appearing in 37 games, averaging 9.2 points and five rebounds before retiring the following year.

Via CelticsBlog

Stats

  • Last season, Al Horford appeared in 72 games, starting every single one.
  • Marcus Smart averaged 72% from the free throw line.
  • Marcus Morris had a total of 72 assists last year.

Fun Facts

  • In the 1972 season, The Celtics went 56-26 to finish first in the division. They lost in the ECF to the New York Knicks in five games. John Havlicek’s squad was no match for Walt Frazier’s Knicks.

That rounds out today’s Countdown to Tipoff. Keep checking back every day for the latest news, history, stats and more!

 

Countdown to Celtics Tipoff: 73 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 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 (73 today). Let’s get to it!

Recent Team News

I guess we can call 2K ratings news, since it was a slow day yesterday. Jaylen Brown is reportedly revealed to be an 84 overall, which many consider too low. Teammate Jayson Tatum was revealed as an 87 overall a week ago. I’m sure you all agree that this is groundbreaking news.

Also, apparently Brown is going to write a book:

So there’s something.

On This Date

August 3, 1949: The BAA (Basketball Association of America) merges with the NBL (National Basketball League), and the NBA is born. The Celtics were at the time members of the NBL. At the time of the merger, there were 17 franchises.

August 3, 2014: Former Celtics center Vitor Faverani is arrested in Spain for DUI.

August 3, 2015: Corey Walden signs a multi-year deal with the Celtics. He would go on to be waived just two months later, and never appeared in a game.

Stats

  • Semi Ojeleye appeared in 73 games this season, averaging 16 minutes per game, three points and two rebounds.

Via the Boston Globe

Fun Facts

  • In the 1973 season, Boston went 68-14 to finish first in the division. They lost in the Eastern Conference Finals in seven games against the New York Knicks. The aging JoJo White and his team could not fend off Walt Frazier and Dave DeBusschere’s New York squad.

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

Examining How The Celtics Rotation Will Shape Up

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This year’s Celtics rotation will be the strongest in years.

With Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving both returning, this is likely the deepest roster we’ve seen since the ’08 team. With 15 guaranteed contracts, the current roster is likely going to be the same as the opening day roster, barring an August trade. Let’s examine which players will get big minutes this upcoming year, as well as which players will see a rise or fall in their roles, and who is likely to ride the pine all year.

Image result for celtics starters

Via CBS Boston

The Starters

PG- Kyrie Irving                                                                                                                                                      SG- Jaylen Brown                                                                                                                                                  SF- Gordon Hayward                                                                                                                                            PF- Jayson Tatum                                                                                                                                                  C- Al Horford

This was going to be the starting lineup last year before Hayward’s injury. This season, were are likely to see it opening night. Kyrie, Hayward, and Horford are locks to be in the starting lineup on a nightly basis. If the Celtics decide to go with a bigger lineup in some games, they’ll slide Aron Baynes in at center. If that happens, either Brown or Tatum will come off the bench (probably Brown). Brad Stevens has shown willingness to adjust the lineup depending on the opponent. With everyone healthy, he has more freedom to do so. The Celtics can go big with Baynes, and if they want, they can go even bigger by taking Kyrie out of the lineup for stretches and running with the remaining starters and Baynes. Brown, Tatum, and Hayward all have shown their ability to be ballhandlers in the past. Even Horford brings the ball up confidently and efficiently. Lineup flexibility is going to be a huge advantage for the Celtics this year.

As far as minutes go, Irving and Horford won’t see much fluctuation in theirs. Kyrie averaged 32.2 MPG last year and Horford averaged 31.6. These numbers won’t change much. The main variable is Hayward returning. He’s going to get around 30 MPG as well and he’ll draw them from a lot of different places. Tatum and Brown could see their minutes drop to accommodate Hayward, though not drastically. They both averaged 30 MPG last year. They could drop to around 28, but it probably won’t dip much farther than that. Things are pretty straightforward in the starting lineup, but the bench is where it gets interesting.

Image result for celtics bench

Via Boston Herald

The Bench

Guards- Terry Rozier, Marcus Smart, Brad Wanamaker, Jabari Bird                                                      Forwards- Marcus Morris, Semi Ojeleye, Robert Williams, Guerschon Yabusele                            Centers- Aron Baynes, Daniel Theis

As previously mentioned, this team is crazy-deep. Four of these players could easily be starters on other teams, and you can make the case for more. There are a few interesting situations to watch this year. One is what the team will do with Rozier. Last season, Smart played more minutes (29.9) than Rozier (25.9). However, with Rozier’s breakout at the end of the year, we’ll see if their roles change. I’d guess that their roles are similar this year; they’ll be the first ones off the bench. I don’t see Williams playing too much this year – he’s got Baynes and Theis both ahead of him on the depth chart. He’ll see some garbage time minutes, but probably not much more as the Celtics develop him.

Another story to watch is what happens with Marcus Morris. He’s still of value to the team, but Hayward is going to usurp much of his role. He played 26.8 MPG last year; that could take a big hit with Hayward and the continuing evolution of Ojeleye. Another player who will see their minutes drop is Baynes. His starting role is gone now, and though he’s the first big off the bench, his minutes will be reduced as well. Brad Wanamaker is a wild card, as he’s an overseas signing. It’ll be interesting to see if he plays.

This roster is a beautiful sight after the depleted stretches last year. This team has a lot of players that can contribute, but there are only so many minutes to go around. With lots of talent, Brad Stevens has some tough decisions to make. The starters are set in stone, but after that, the waters get murky. No matter who ends up playing, the Celtics are ready to go for the 2018-19 season. Let’s leave it in the hands of the best head coach in basketball to figure out the optimal rotations.

Who do you think will get big minutes? Let me know on twitter- @jackbuffett_

Fresh Take Friday: Why Re-Signing Marcus Smart is Key

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Bringing Back Smart Was an Awesome Move by Boston.

After weeks of rumors and reports surrounding restricted free agent Marcus Smart, he finally resigned on Thursday. The guard inked a four-year contract worth $52 million after spending three weeks assessing the market. This is a huge deal for Boston, who retains a key piece of the rotation, and the heart and soul of the team. It’s easily the most impactful move of the summer, and will pay dividends now and down the road. Here’s why.

His Play

Anyone who questions Marcus Smart’s value hasn’t watched the Celtics play basketball. Quite simply, he makes everyone around him better. Though his shooting needs work, especially from three, he makes up for it with his hustle plays. His contributions don’t always show up on the stat sheet, but the team knows what he’s worth, hence the contract. Just look at this tweet from ESPN Stats to see what Smart does for the Celtics:

There’s no doubt that Smart will get decent minutes for Boston this year, and rightfully so. Having him available as the first man off the bench is invaluable to the team due to his ability to play either guard position. He can also guard a wide range of positions due to his length and bothersome defense. Smart is worth every penny of this contract. And in case you needed a refresher on what he brings to the table, here’s this iconic moment from the past season.

Future Implications

Smart’s signing is also big for another reason- contracts. He is now one of just a handful of Celtics that are locked up after next season. Marcus Morris is an unrestricted free agent next summer. Terry Rozier and Daniel Theis will be restricted free agents. Kyrie Irving, Al Horford and Aron Baynes all have player options on the 2019-2020 season. Horford could opt in, but Baynes is a question mark and Kyrie is likely to opt out, whether to seek more money here or at a new destination. In what’s sure to be a hectic summer, it’s nice to have one less player on the books for Danny Ainge to worry about.

Another reason why Marcus’s contract is good for Boston is that it’s not unreasonable in terms of money. He’ll average about $13 million per year, which is right about what Boston was willing to give. It also means that his contract is tradeable, should the team choose to go in that direction. If the team needs to create cap space or believes it’s over-staffed at guard, his contract won’t be terribly difficult to move. They shouldn’t look to move him (see above reasons), but if it becomes necessary, his contract makes it easier to do so.

The Bottom Line

This is an excellent signing for so many reasons. Smart is the longest-tenured Celtic on the roster, and it’s clear he loves the city. The feeling is mutual; he’s become a fan favorite in Beantown among the Boston faithful. The contract is reasonable, it locks him up for the future, and his play will help propel the Celtics to a title run this season.

Irving

Does Kawhi Leonard Make the Raptors a Threat to the Celtics?

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The big news of the day was that Kawhi Leonard is finally being shipped out of San Antonio en route to Toronto. This move is set to shake up the Eastern Conference in a major way. But are the young and talented Boston Celtics any less likely now to see their way into an NBA Finals bout with the big, bad Warriors?

Absolutely not.

Kawhi Leonard

Courtesy of Laker Nation

There’s no denying that Leonard is an all-NBA, all-world talent who can dominate on both ends of the court. Adding a wingman like that would bolster every roster in the league not already housing LeBron James. But let’s not forget that we haven’t seen Leonard play in practically two years.

When fully healthy, he’s among the best. But is there a person out there who knows the fullest extent of his injury? I’d be willing to bet there isn’t anybody other than Leonard himself and those he keeps close to him. It’s a tight-knit circle, that’s for sure. As far as we know, Leonard is no more ready to play this season than he was last season.

Grading Out The Raptors

Raptors

Courtesy of Getty Images

The Raptors gained Leonard and Danny Green, who can best be described as an aging three-point specialist who can put in work on the defensive end as well. On the flip side, the Raptors lost DeMar DeRozan – a surefire point-scorer with pure offensive talent – and Jakob Poeltl – a young center who evolved into a crucial player in their lineup. Oh, let’s not forget that a protected 2019 first round pick was handed over to the Spurs as well.

While Leonard and Green will bring some value to this young and hungry Raptors team, Toronto will be hard-pressed to replace the night-in-and-night-out scoring presence that DeRozan brought to the table and the frontcourt presence to be reckoned with that Poeltl was becoming.

There’s a fair argument that the Raptors are just as good or even worse than they were a day ago. But they certainly did not get any better.

Grading Out The Celtics

Rozier

Courtesy of Getty Images

Now, let’s talk some Celtics. This team is built to win right now. Led by veteran all-star caliber players in Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward, and Al Horford, the C’s are primed to run away with the Eastern Conference. Young studs by name of Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Terry Rozier, and Daniel Theis are sure to add that extra push to get this team in the right direction.

The only legitimate threats to Boston in the east going into this season were the Sixers and maybe the Pacers. The “Process” has finally swung the Sixers way and they are positioned to sport a winning record through 82 games. The Pacers are regarded as a young, scrappy team that can go toe-to-toe with just about any team with hard-nosed, bullish effort.

But the Raptors weren’t even in the conversation until they (apparently) are now. To put it lightly, arguing that the Raptors could make a run at the Celtics this season is fundamentally flawed. We don’t know if Leonard is fully healthy. It’s a longshot that he will step into Toronto’s rotation and be able to drop 23 points per night over the course of the entire season like his predecessor.

The Verdict

The Raptors are no better today than they were yesterday. So tell me – why are they all of a sudden a threat to the Celtics now?

The answer is simple. They aren’t.

First Ever BSE Podcast (@alykins32)

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Boston Sports Extra has a Podcast!

Get all your Boston sports news. That’s right, get your Red Sox, Celtics, Patriots, Bruins, and Revolutions news and information, now in podcast form.

On this Episode Anthony, Zack, and Justin get in deep about where the Red Sox stand at the break and where they can and should move forward from here. And a bonus! Get into the latest Celtics news and what it means for all the pieces that Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens has available. Get it right here for all your unbiased news of your favorite teams.

 

Download the Episode Here!

Could the Celtics Bring Back Isaiah Thomas? (@jackbuffett_)

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Is Isaiah Thomas Going to Return to Boston?

The dust has pretty much settled on another hectic offseason, with most of the big names having signed with teams already. However, one of the names that is still on the market is none other than Isaiah Thomas. The former fan-favorite was rumored to be close to a contract with the Orlando Magic last week, but all is quiet on that front. Then, Isaiah Thomas commented this on NBC Sports Boston’s Post:

The question has to be asked: could Isaiah Thomas be coming back?

The Benefits

Before Danny Ainge shipped out Thomas in the Kyrie Irving deal, he was one of the most beloved Boston athletes in a long time. The point guard averaged 29 points per game in his last season in Boston, and had an unforgettable playoff run after the tragic death of his sister. It goes without saying that many Celtics fans would love to see him in green again.

He was far less successful in Cleveland and Los Angeles, but keep in mind he would be returning to play under Brad Stevens. If anyone can return Thomas to his former glory, it would be this coach. He wouldn’t be starting as long as Kyrie Irving is still present, but he could provide a major scoring boost off the bench. It also provides an opportunity to trade Terry Rozier as part of a package to net a big-name player. If Marcus Smart signs elsewhere this offseason, Thomas can also serve as the replacement to him.

The other great thing about signing Thomas is that it likely wouldn’t break the bank. Last season saw the point guard’s value drop drastically, and while that’s unfortunate for him, it’s great news for the team. Thomas would be more apt to sign a team-friendly contract, which is necessary if the cash-strapped Celtics are going to bring him aboard. This could potentially be a huge signing towards a title run.

The Downsides

However, there are multiple concerns regarding Thomas potentially returning. First and foremost, his health. His hip injury nagged him throughout the entirety of last season. It’s safe to say it’s still an issue for any team looking to sign him. The Celtics already have a point guard in Kyrie that isn’t the healthiest player in the world, and bringing aboard another injury-prone guard could prove disastrous.

There is also the issue of Thomas’ severed relationship with Danny Ainge. Though Isaiah said previously that he and Ainge had resolved their differences, there was open hostility immediately following his departure. Fans have to wonder if there are still hurt feelings. Pride could also be a problem- remember when he told Boston to “bring out the Brinks truck”? It’s unclear whether Thomas would be able to swallow his pride and take a reduced role-and much less money-to sign in Boston.

Finally, there’s the issue of an overcrowded backcourt. If Marcus Smart is eventually resigned, then the Celtics will have four point guards with the addition of Thomas. The team has made it clear that they are high on Rozier. If Marcus Smart resigns, there must be a role for him as well. Where would Thomas fit into that scheme? He’s also an obvious defensive liability, as fans learned during his time here. Would it be worth it to sacrifice the defense for some scoring? There’s upside to signing the 29-year-old, but there are also a lot of question marks.

Via Brian Babineau/Getty Images

The Bottom Line

Obviously, bringing back Thomas is a high-risk, high-reward situation. There’s clearly some issues surrounding his arrival. With the team declaring Smart their top priority this offseason, it’s unlikely that Thomas comes to town again. However, he’s already proven that he’s a top point guard in the league when he’s healthy. It’s likely that the majority of Boston fans would be thrilled to see him return. It may be a long shot, but it could be time to break out those green number four jerseys once again.

Fresh Take Friday: Terry Rozier Should Be Traded this Summer

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The Celtics should find a trade partner for Rozier — soon

It’s been relatively quiet this summer around Boston. While other teams have gone after big-name free agents, the Celtics have focused on retaining their core and not much else. This is perfectly fine: the team doesn’t seem to have any need to make a splash. However, one move they should attempt to make this summer is moving Terry Rozier, sooner rather than later.

Credit: Winslow Townson-USA TODAY Sports

The Reasoning

Rozier is coming off of an elite performance from the back end of the regular season through the playoffs. As a starter in the regular season, he averaged 15.6 points, 5.1 assists and 6.4 boards, including a stretch of 25 straight games scoring in double digits. He only got better in the playoffs, averaging 16.7/5.7/5.3 as “Scary Terry” emerged early on in the run. As a result, Rozier’s value is sky-high right now after showing the league what he can do.

The catch? It’s probably as high as it will ever get. Rozier will return to his role on the bench behind Kyrie Irving this season. With a fully healthy team, he’s likely to see the majority of his minutes disappear. The returns on Rozier would be higher this summer than at any other point down the line.

The other issue is that the young point guard becomes a restricted free agent come season’s end. Many fans are more concerned about the reports that Kyrie Irving wants to go to the Knicks. However, Rozier could be far more likely to leave if he wants to chase a starting role in the NBA, a role in which many teams think he is more than capable. Danny Ainge is more than intelligent enough to know that one would rather get something for a player than let him walk. Ainge is known for making smart decisions for the franchise. One such decision for him to make right now is shipping out Rozier.

Potential Trades

The Celtics can attempt to go in multiple directions with Rozier this summer in terms of a transaction. He’s certainly an attractive asset in any deal. Sure, he’s a scorer and a play maker, but also for his contract value. He carries a cap hit of just $3.05M this season. That’s a steal for a player of his caliber. With that in mind, here’s what Rozier could potentially fetch this summer.

If the Celtics decide that they don’t want to package Rozier with anyone, he could help Danny Ainge replenish his stash of draft picks. For a team in need of a point guard, Rozier could be worth at least a few second round draft picks, or even a top-10 protected first round selection for a team that really wants him. The Celtics could also potentially swap him for another player, a la Avery Bradley for Marcus Morris last year. They could target a true center that they’re still missing, or go for a point guard who’s locked into a longer deal.

However, if the team decides to add Terry Rozier to a package deal, it could fetch far more. His name has been included in packages for Kawhi Leonard, and if the Celts wanted to go get Jimmy Butler, his name could certainly entice the TImberwolves to pull the trigger. There could be any combination of Rozier and draft picks, as well as Marcus Morris, or one of Boston’s young end-of-the-bench players in Guerschon Yabusele or Abdel Nader. However, the Celtics would make Terry Rozier the forefront of any package.

AP Photo/ Michael Dwyer

 

The Bottom Line

If there’s any player that has the most potential to be traded this summer, it should be Terry Rozier. The talent that he showed last season, coupled with his team-friendly contract, should make him the centerpiece of any trade discussions. If the team doesn’t decide to go in that direction, then they have another reliable role player to help them contend for a championship this year. That being said, it’s in the team’s best interests to trade Scary Terry, before it’s too late to get a good return for him.

Follow me on Twitter for more (@jackbuffett_) and look out for next week’s Fresh Take Friday column on Boston Sports Extra!

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.

Williams

Robert Williams Not Off to a Great Start in Boston

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Robert Williams Hasn’t Made the Best Entrance in Boston

Robert Williams…it’s been rough so far. The first-round draft pick missed his introductory conference call because he overslept. Though he eventually did connect with the team and with media, it wasn’t a great start. Then today, reports surfaced that Williams missed the first Summer League practice with the team-because he missed his flight to Boston. Jay Larranaga, the Celtics’ Summer League team coach, told media that the team was disappointed in Williams, but will handle the matter internally.

Come on now, Robert. You’d think that after one mishap like this occurred, he would have learned his lesson. This now marks two instances in which simple negligence led to a headache for the team. It’s no coincidence that one of the big question marks for Williams before he was drafted was his work ethic. It’s now concerning to see this occurring from Williams again. However, there’s no doubt that Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens knew what they were getting into when they chose him. Hopefully, they can whip him into shape soon.

This isn’t the biggest problem in the world. Remember when Marcus Smart punched a picture in a hotel and was out for weeks? This isn’t nearly as bad as that. It just isn’t something you want to see from a guy in his first few weeks with the team, especially not after the oversleeping incident. This was Williams’ first team activity in Boston, and he missed out because of mistakes of his own accord. He can’t keep pulling stuff like this if he wants to make a good impression on the team and the fans. He should be present at the next team practice, as he was en route to the facilities, according to recent reports. If he performs well in Las Vegas, people will soon forget about his shaky start with the franchise.

Image via NBA.com

Follow me on Twitter for more: @jackbuffett_