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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!

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!

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!

 

Irving

Countdown to Celtics Tipoff: 61 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 15th). 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 (61 today). Let’s get to it!

Recent Team News

The Celtics continue to get healthier as the start of training camp nears. Daniel Theis is nearing the end of his rehab. He told reporters Tuesday that he is almost ready to go full-throttle again. He said, “Now it’s just day by day, and I progress every day and get new stuff to do.” It’s encouraging for fans to hear this type of news. Everyone on the roster who was injured seems to be rehabbing well and getting ready to return to basketball.

In other news, Jaylen Brown appeared on Bloomberg TV on Tuesday. Not only did he talk hoops, but he spoke about technology, investing, and money. It’s clear that Jaylen is well beyond his years in wisdom, and he’s already thinking about his future. It will be intriguing to track what he continues to do outside the lines of the court.

On This Date

August 15, 2013: The Celtics traded Fab Melo and cash considerations to the Grizzlies for Donte Greene. Greene would never appear in a game for Boston.

Stats (2017-18)

  • Kyrie Irving made an average of 6.1 two-pointers per game. He shot 54% from inside the three-point line.
  • Semi Ojeleye shot 61% from the free throw line. He went 25 for 41 from the stripe.

Via the Boston Globe

  • Kyrie’s True Shooting Percentage was 61%. This is a determination of shooting efficiency based on twos, threes, and free throws.

Fun Facts

  • The 1961 Celtics wrapped up the franchise’s fourth NBA Championship. Red Auerbach led Bill Russell, Bob Cousy, and Co. to a win over the St. Louis Hawks in five games to claim the title.
  • No Celtic has ever worn the number 61.

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: 71 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 5th). 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 (71 today). Let’s get to it!

Recent Team News

Many former Celtics returned to play in the TD Garden as the BIG3 League visited Boston on Friday night. Glen “Big Baby” Davis, Nate Robinson, Brian Scalabrine, and Jermaine O’Neal all returned to the parquet. Ryan Gomes, Xavier Silas, Chauncey Billups, Ryan Hollins, and Mike James also were former Celtics who revisited the old stomping ground. In the league founded by rapper Ice Cube, teams play three-on-three, halfcourt basketball. Among other altered rules, there is a four-point spot on the court. Check out more coverage of the BIG3 on the site!

On This Date

August 5th is apparently the most forgettable date in Boston history, as nothing noteworthy happened on this day in history.

Stats

  • Jaylen Brown attempted 7.1 two pointers per game last season, converting on an average of 3.8. He shot 51% from inside the arc last year.
  • The Celtics as a team last year averaged 7.1 steals per game in the month of January. They also averaged that many in losses, and also in games played at home.

Fun Facts

  • Robert Parish, who joined forces with Larry Bird and Kevin McHale, stands 7’1″ in height. He was with the team from 1980-1994. The Hall of Famer was an All-Star in nine of those seasons.

Via Getty Images

  • The 1971 Celtics were one of few Celtics teams during that era to miss the playoffs. Under coach Tom Heinsohn, the team went 44-38 to finish third in the Atlantic division.

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!

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!