Tag Archives: Russell Westbrook

How Jamal Crawford Makes The Celtics Better

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Crawford wants to add some hardware to his name before he retires

The 38-year-old veteran Jamal Crawford has reported mutual interest with multiple teams. Two of the most notable would be the Golden State Warriors and the Boston Celtics. Since entering the league in the year 2000, he has played for eight different teams. The three-time sixth man of the year recipient knows a thing or two about playing limited minutes.

Last year with the Minnesota Timberwolves, he put up some solid numbers at age 37. In 80 games played for the team, he scored 10.3 points, while snagging 1.2 rebounds per game, and collecting 2.4 assists per game. Is there anymore he can give to any contending team?

Image result for jamal crawford

What can he offer for the Celtics?

With a team that’s as young as this year’s Boston Celtics, this guy is worth keeping around. His ability is still up there to be able to perform on a nightly basis. He becomes more of an asset if he can help shape and develop the young core of guards on this roster, including Terry Rozier.

Terry Rozier got a small taste of being a successful starter in this league last season. While that opportunity will be very limited due to Kyrie Irving’s return this year, all eyes are on him to see if he can handle being put back on the bench and still showing ample amounts of ability.

In 16 games played as a starter, he averaged 15.6 points per game, 6.4 rebounds, and 5.1 assists. What stands out to me are the 6.4 rebounds per game stat. Not a lot of point guards grab boards excessively like that besides Westbrook.

This is where Jamal Crawford comes into play. Even though he has had a successful career, he was never a prominent starting guard. If it seems that Rozier loses confidence or doesn’t play well, Crawford can come in and assist in his development.

While most sources can agree at least 4 teams are in the mix to gain his services, he clearly wants to win a ring sooner rather than later. With only the threat of signing with the Warriors, the Celtics currently have the second-best odds of landing him to Beantown.

According to Spotrac, his highest paid season was back in the 2016-17 season with the Los Angeles Clippers. That season he was 36 years old, and still made a cool $13,253,012 million.

With just weeks away from training camp, we will shortly see how this turns out. Stay tuned to Boston Sports Extra for the latest updates on everything Celtics!

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Kyrie Irving

The Celtics Have Their Signature Win

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After the first half of the nationally televised matchup against the Oklahoma City Thunder, it looked like the Celtics were cooked. This was without a doubt the toughest team they have played, and it was showing. The OKC defense was stifling the Celtics’ offense, and an 18-point halftime deficit seemed insurmountable. But in the second half, the script was flipped.

The Celtics ramped up their defensive intensity, and forced OKC into a lot of difficult shots. Possessions that resulted in open layups and dunks in the first half, were swapped out for contested mid-range jumpers. While the defense was making things difficult for the Thunder, the offense exploded. Kyrie Irving shook off a 1-9, 3-point first half to drop 22 points and six assists. Al Horford added 17 of his 20 points in the second half, 13 of which came in the fourth quarter on 4-4 shooting.

The Celtics shot just 31 percent from the field in the first half. OKC’s length and athleticism were mucking up Boston’s ball movement, and forcing them to play more isolation ball. Kyrie is one of the best iso scorers in the league, but the Celtics are at their best when the ball is moving. Kyrie, Marcus Smart and Terry Rozier got back to that style of play after the break. The ball was moving from side-to-side, which opened up more driving lanes for the guards. Kyrie attacked the basket, and was effective either scoring or kicking out to open shooters. The shots that weren’t falling in the first half started to drop, and the comeback was on.

Kyrie Irving

Welcome to the Celtics, Vintage Kyrie Irving

Boston fans are still waiting for Kyrie to have a big time scoring game. Forty or 50 points, crossovers, broken ankles, and ridiculous finishes, this is the Kyrie the Celtics need. There will undoubtably be times when Kyrie goes off to carry the offense, but Boston succeeds only if Kyrie can balance his scoring and passing. Kyrie is near unstoppable on offense, but when he can break down the defense, and find shooters like Horford, Jayson Tatum, and Jaylen Brown, this team is dangerous

Not So Average Al Horford

Horford has been criminally underrated during his time with the Celtics. Casual basketball fans tend to not understand the impact that he has on both ends of the floor. Horford has been silencing his critics this season, and his fourth quarter performance was just the latest example. In what can only be described as a Defensive Player of the Year start to the season, Horford has picked up his offense and rebounding. Horford is the linchpin of the Celtics offense. His screen setting and play making ability have always been paramount, but his shot making and rebounding have spiked this year. Horford has had seven or more rebounds in eight of the team’s first nine games, something he did only 33 times last season. Big Al has been a monster, a monster the Celtics need to be successful.

Boston Celtics

Is It Too Soon for a “Signature” Win?

Games in November and December don’t typically matter much in the NBA. Teams are still trying to figure out rotations, and, in most cases, aren’t close to the team they will be at the end of the season. Why was this Celtics win so important? Two reasons: 1) This win legitimizes the team’s current seven-game win streak; and 2) It gave the Celtics an identity.

Regardless of the influx of top-tier talent, this team is going to be gritty, physical, and defense minded. They proved that against OKC last night. They will fight and claw their way back into games, and play suffocating defense. This OKC team will be near the top of the league come playoff time. After beating up on the Knicks, Kings, and Heat, a win against a high caliber team with multiple All-Stars, makes this early season win streak legit. There is work to be done, but just listen to what Marcus Morris, who made his team debut against the Thunder, had to say:

Take notice NBA, the Celtics are for real.

Celtics Must See TV – 2017-2018 Schedule Breakdown

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Now that the on-again, off-again trade finally has closure, and another preseason is among us, the Boston Celtics have yet another new look.   It makes one ponder some of the upcoming dates on the schedule. Which games are must-see TV for Celtics fans? Let’s take a look of what’s to come, shall we?

Celtics Must See TV

October 17th @ Cleveland on TNT – 8:00 PM

Could the season get off to a better start? The Celtics start against the Cavaliers, last year’s Eastern Conference Finals match-up. Coincidentally, these two teams completed a blockbuster deal with each other just a few short weeks before training camp.

While it may be bittersweet to see Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder in Maroon, the drowning out of TNT announcers to the Cavalier fans booing their newest traitor and our newest treasure will be delightful.

November 8th – Los Angeles Lakers on ESPN – 8:00 PM

I do not envision a rebirth of the past rivalry just yet.  But how can you not be interested, even a little, in how Lonzo Ball plays in his first game against the C’s?

Moreover, I can just imagine the buzz around Boston Sports Media and Lavar Ball.  The next coming of Don King in promotion of said event. Not to mention, it is always good to see the Purple and Gold get run out by the Leprechaun.

Christmas Day – Washington Wizards on ABC – 5:30 PM

A little bit of the sting has been taken out of this match-up since the trade of Jae Crowder and Isaiah Thomas to the Cleveland Cavaliers.   The Cavs escalated the battle with the poke/slap fest with John Wall where the Wizards then claimed it was the Celtics Funeral, wearing all black to their next contest.

The seven-game contest in last year’s playoffs is still fresh.  With John Wall claiming the number-one point guard crown, the Kyrie Irving and John Wall competition should make for must-watch television.

The Return

January 3rd, 2018 – Cleveland on ESPN – 8:00 PM

This will be the first return of fan favorites Isaiah Thomas and Jae Crowder to the Garden. All eyes will be on the diminutive 5′ 9″ guard with the heart and will of a GIANT.

He may not be ready for court action, but one can only imagine a fitting tribute will be played on the jumbotron for Thomas.   In Celtics green, he played with undeniable grit, passion, and fire during a most difficult time in his life and throughout the season.

The accomplishments and impact in Boston, on and off the court will not be forgotten.

February 11th – Cleveland on ABC –  3:30 PM

The game will be second to the retirement ceremony honoring Paul “The Truth” Pierce, number #34 in your program. He will be forever immortalized high in the Garden rafters, in a building where he played so many epic games.  None more memorable than the 2008 Eastern Conference Semis duel between him and King James. Fitting,  LeBron will be on hand.

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66FNMqAAmX4]

Honorable Mention

November 3rd, @ Oklahoma City on ESPN – 9:30 PM

Who doesn’t want to watch the dynamic duo of Russell Westbrook and Paul George with side kick Carmelo Anthony take on the new BIG three incarnation of Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward and Al Horford. Not to mention Marcus Smart shines in his College Alma Mater’s state.

November 16th, Golden State Warriors on TNT – 8:00 PM

This will be a great barometer to see where our new look Celtics really rate compared to undoubtedly the team to beat for coveted Banner 18. I wonder what the clever Boston fans will come up with to play off the Kevin Durant Twitter Saga this summer.

December 20th, Miami Heat – 7:30 PM

Good friend Kelly Olynyk and Jordan Mickey (who?) come back to the Garden. This might be more of my own guilty pleasure. I was big into the #KOHAIRWATCH and although he never excelled to the player we all hoped he’d be consistently (Remember Game seven last year against the Wizards?), it’s hard NOT to like KO.

A Team to Follow Throughout the Year

The Philadelphia 76ers.

With top-pick Markelle Fultz (who everyone in Boston thought was coming here until the infamous trade down to #3) and number-one pick Ben Simmons who face number-three Jayson Tatum and number-three Jaylen Brown a number of times throughout the year, will make for an interesting development to follow.

The reality, if you try really hard, you could make any game worth watching.

The Celtics retooled with dreams of having fireworks this June and a Duck Boat Parade to City Hall. Close your eyes. Can you see the Championship banner waving?

Let me know the games you are looking forward to in the comments. You can find me on twitter @bleedcelticgrn