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Showing posts from February, 2019

Jaylen Brown WAS the bench last night and deserved more minutes

It wasn't just the fact that the Celtics lost to the Bucks last night, 98-97. Boston was without Gordon Hayward and Aron Baynes , but still came close to victory over a strong Bucks team. My point is that virtually all of the bench production came from Jaylen Brown , and he still only logged 23 minutes . Jaylen scored 15 points on 6-of-9 from the field and 3-of-4 from beyond the arc - while adding five boards, three assists, one steal and one block . His four second-unit mates accounted for a combined six points on 3-of-12 on field goals and 0-of-5 on threes. JAYLEN BROWN 💪💪💪 pic.twitter.com/rQ7mM2QncH — Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) February 22, 2019 Despite the fine marksmanship, Brown was taken out at the 7:29 mark of the fourth quarter and never returned. Hindsight is always easy, but Brad Stevens often chooses to go away from the player with the hot hand. Beyond scoring, one other stat stands out from last night - Jaylen's three assists . That is one part o

Al Horford has been killing it lately - Is it the chocolate milk?

I am only half-kidding here. I wrote recently on Al Horford's promotion of ordinary, every-day chocolate milk for post-workout recovery. Well, something has ignited a fire under the 32-year-old vet. He is playing like a young superstar in his prime . Al Horford's last 3 games: ☘️ 61 PTS ☘️ 39 REB (14 OREB) ☘️ 18 AST ☘️ 7 STL ☘️ 3 BLK ☘️ 1 TOV ☘️ +40 — Taylor Snow (@taylorcsnow) February 22, 2019 Despite the Celtics 98-97 loss last night to the Bucks, they were able to hang in there right to the end against a very good team. Al was on the floor for 37 minutes and collected 21 points, 17 rebounds, five assists, two steals, three blocks and a team-high plus/minus of +12 . He did it all, and he did it well. Al Horford 🛑 ( @AAANe_MAnews ) #AAANortheast pic.twitter.com/tOaipwEls7 — Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) February 22, 2019 I don't often write about Al Horford, maybe because like many of us - I take him for granted. Plus, Al is a very low-key

Zion Williamson's Nike shoe explosion & knee injury have massive implications

How strong is this guy, anyway? Zion Williamson is Power Personified, and it showed only 36 seconds into a game last night. It was Duke versus North Carolina - Zion was on the move with the ball, when his left shoe disintegrated . His foot literally came through the bottom of the shoe, causing that traction-less foot to slide. He was forced to leave the game with what is currently listed as a right knee sprain. Make no mistake! This young man is an endorsement goldmine . He defies comparison. He is the prize in the upcoming draft, and there is no close second. Nike will take a serious hit on this one, but looking past the obvious shoe defects, Williamson's combined power and weight may have played a role in the mishap. We await further info on his injury - which hopefully is what it appears to be - a minor knee sprain. 😳😳😳 Any Zion comp is wrong haha we’ve never ever ever seen a player like him https://t.co/7ugSQCRLUR — Simon Rath (@HawksDraftNerd) February 20, 2019

Al Horford's promotion of chocolate milk for recovery is far from BS

If you watch the video/tweet below of the Celtics Al Horford promoting chocolate milk as his recovery drink-of-choice, at first glance you may think it is bullshit. Trust me, it's not. As a Personal Trainer with 26 years of experience, chocolate milk has continually proven to be one of the best choices for post-workout recovery. Al Horford loooves his chocolate milk. pic.twitter.com/We7wWpEf8d — Boston.com Celtics News (@BDCCeltics) February 18, 2019 After any workout, you need protein and carbs. Chocolate milk has both, with only roughly 120 calories per 8-oz. serving. Some may argue that the carbs in chocolate milk are not of the high-quality needed by healthy people. My argument is that for recovery purposes, your body doesn't care. It will quickly convert the natural sugars (mostly lactose) and added sugars (mostly sucrose) into glucose - or blood sugar, to replace carbs lost during exercise. The protein breaks down into amino acids that are used in rebuilding muscle

Former 2008 Celtics Champs, Kendrick Perkins & Eddie House, to join BIG3 League

Ice Cube's BIG3 League is signing players to compete in this summer's 3-on-3 competitions around the country. Two of the latest signings are Kendrick Perkins and Eddie House, both members of the Celtics team that took the 2008 NBA Championship. Former Wizards star, Gilbert Arenas, and former Laker, Lamar Odom, are also scheduled to join the BIG3. I was fortunate last summer to be chosen as part of the Press Corps to cover the BIG3 games at TD Garden in Boston. I came away impressed with the competitiveness of the games and the total availability of the players to attendees. FLASHBACK💥💥💥 Eddie brought down the house in the NBA semifinals against Orlando! Could he and former teammates White Mamba and Perk reunite in #BIG3Season3 and take the title from Big Baby and Power? pic.twitter.com/4BRvJ4FIge — BIG3 (@thebig3) February 15, 2019 Another former Celtics Champion from 2008, Brian Scalabrine, was a part of last summer's BIG3 games as a member of the Ball Hogs, and

Will Kyrie Irving try to lure Kevin Durant to Boston - or elsewhere?

It is a well-know fact that the NBA's All-Star Weekend is also a time for recruiting. And I mean by that - stars from one team will try to attract other stars to their teams. Kevin Durant is currently earning $30 million for this season with a player option for 2019-20. Kyrie Irving also has a player option on his contract with the Celtics this summer, so the plot thickens. I’m dying 😂😂😂 https://t.co/f2Bxg0yp6P — chicinthegeɘk🚺 (@chicinthegeek) February 18, 2019 Durant has been basically signing one year contracts (with player options) with the Golden State Warriors and feeling his way along from year to year. It may be major-decision time this summer. He can opt out of his contract and negotiate a long-term deal with the Warriors or any other team. So can Kyrie Irving ( per Bleacher Report's Adam Wells ): Just one of those things where you’re confident in your skills and taking it year by year,” Durant explained. “And keeping my options open was the best thing for me

Celtics boss, Danny Ainge's next move may get him the moniker of Grim Reaper

Danny Ainge's first major trade netted superstar Kevin Garnett from the Minnesota Timberwolves for Al Jefferson, two draft picks and a bunch of role players . That trade resulted in a Championship in 2008 - and contention for a few more. In Trader Danny's next move, he went against Red Auerbach's trend of retaining veteran players for their entire careers. He traded Garnett and Paul Pierce to the Nets for what turned out to be four high draft picks. Three of those picks brought Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum into the Celtics fold, and the fourth pick was used to pry Kyrie Irving away from the Cleveland Cavaliers. It’s only right pic.twitter.com/tPp6ykaEVR — Forever Green ☘️ (@ForeverGreen_) February 16, 2019 The above tweet from @ForeverGreen is brilliant. I needed to find a way to use it. Note the blood flowing out of the first three offices and Danny about to enter that of the New Orleans Pelicans in his quest for Anthony Davis . Ainge has come o

Jayson Tatum needs to remain a Celtic

It isn't merely the fact that Jayson Tatum dominated the Rising Stars Challenge, and then won the Skills Competition during the NBA's All-Star Weekend. It was the WAY he accomplished both. For a 20-year-old only in his second year in the League, this kid has star written all over him. He has extreme confidence and poise, with the talent and skills to back it all up. Jayson Tatum became the first Celtics player in franchise history to win the NBA Skills Challenge. pic.twitter.com/9VbN1QuYD7 — Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 17, 2019 There is a an almost-certainty that Celtics boss, Danny Ainge, will take a serious look this summer at trading for the Pelicans Anthony Davis. And if that does happen, it is just as probable that the Pels will be looking to acquire Tatum in any deal. That should be off the table for the Celtics. JAYSON TATUM COLD BLOODED pic.twitter.com/ErkPwUomli — Barstool Sports (@barstoolsports) February 17, 2019 As the Barstool Sports tweet shows, Ja

Future Celtics star, Jayson Tatum, dominates in Rising Stars Challenge

The Lakers Kyle Kuzma came away with the MVP award, as Team USA defeated Team World in the Rising Stars Challenge - but Jayson Tatum absolutely dominated - scoring 30 points, hauling down nine rebounds and handing off for three assists. The final score was 161-144 in favor of Jayson's Team USA, and the score clearly indicates that defense was not a major priority in the game. Tatum was clearly having fun out there. Team USA wins 🇺🇸 @jaytatum0 finishes with 30 points, 9 rebounds and 3 assists 🔥 pic.twitter.com/SoenKlS18r — Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 16, 2019 JT got the moves 🔥 Jayson Tatum | #MTNDEWICERisingStars pic.twitter.com/wKNjAWD4Hx — Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 16, 2019 In his second year in the League, Jayson keeps improving his game. He has become a solid rebounder at the small forward position, and his drives to the hoop are stronger and more successful. He will be a true star in this League shortly. . @jaytatum0 tells me the highlight of hi

Anthony Davis leaves game with shoulder injury - the saga continues

I always had a hiring rule as a supervisor in various venues. Do not hire the guy that is always out sick or injured! He is either fragile and injury-prone - has a low immunity or he is a malingerer . It doesn't matter . In any case, he won't be coming into work often . Is that what we see with the Pelicans Anthony Davis ? Davis left the game last night against the Thunder with a shoulder injury and did not return . Initial reports are that it is merely a shoulder contusion , but further tests may reveal otherwise. Anthony Davis will not return to the game due to a left shoulder injury, according to the Pelicans. — Tim MacMahon (@espn_macmahon) February 15, 2019 AD has missed 14 of New Orleans' 59 games so far this season, and his first four years in the League showed 60, 67, 68 and 61 games-played . He has missed a hell of a lot of games. And he may miss more. Pels Coach Alvin Gentry has truly had it. He called the entire AD saga a "dumpster fire" .

With 24 games to go, time to put Gordon Hayward back into the starting lineup

There are only 24 regular season games remaining in the Celtics regular season schedule. In last night's win over the Detroit Pistons, Gordon Hayward was back in the starting-5 , replacing the injured Kyrie Irving . Jayson Tatum moved back to his somewhat-familiar shooting guard slot, and almost everything seemed to work well. In 34 minutes of action last night, Hayward garnered 18 points, five rebounds and eight assists (with only two turnovers) . Over the last three games , he has averaged 21 points on 63%/69%/89% from the field, beyond the arc and from the charity stripe, respectively. You might say that Gordon is back! I see Al Horford, Kyrie Irving (when healthy) and Gordon as mainstays in the starting-5 . The Marcus Smart-as-starter experiment has worked nicely, and that may stay the same. He gets his team energized right out of the gate. But this is the way I see it. Gordon Hayward is out here tossing defenders like children lets goooooooooooo pic.twitter.com/k0

Isaiah Thomas gets standing ovation in debut for Denver Nuggets - He's Back!

Former Celtics star, Isaiah Thomas , had a successful debut with his new team, the Denver Nuggets. He entered the game to a thunderous standing ovation and ended up with eight points in 13 minutes of play - hitting 3-of-6 on field goals and 2-of-5 from 3-point land. But most of all, he looked healthy for the first time in memory. 11 months after hip surgery, Isaiah Thomas is back on the court and scores his first points 🙏 pic.twitter.com/6dt0yqSCEk — SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) February 14, 2019 Isaiah also passed off for two assists in the 120-118 Denver win ( per NBA's Pat Graham ): Thomas proclaimed his surgically repaired hip good to go prior to the game and was anxious to step back onto the court. He received a standing ovation when he entered the game late in the first quarter. The 30-year-old Thomas showed flashes of his talent in shaking off some rust. He played 13 minutes and scored eight points - all in the third quarter - in his first NBA game since March 22 wh

Opposing View: Philly's take on Celtics win over 76'ers - "Sixers not there yet"

This is the second installment of my new series, Opposing View . It is always interesting to see what the rivals , or at least the press that covers them, have to say about a Celtics win over their team. Philly.com's David Murphy feels that the 76'ers main issue facing the Celtics is a lack of depth . All block quotes are via Murphy. There are two ways to look at it. The first one is that the Sixers are not there yet, and that the smartest-looking people in the room are currently those who offered even the mildest of qualifications to their recent coronation. When the dust from the trade deadline settled, many assumed there would be another shoe to drop. If there is, it is still very much suspended. By the end of a 112-109 loss to a Celtics on Tuesday night, you couldn’t help but steal a glance up. The personnel is what it is. The Celtics knew it beforehand, and the Sixers knew it afterward. The 76'ers certainly look good on paper. Their Big-4 of Joel Embiid, Ben S

Ten quick thoughts on Celtics road win over 76'ers

The Celtics road win over the Phildelphia 76'ers was much-needed . The game was close all the way, and here are some interesting tidbits from the matchup against one of Boston's major rivals. 1.) Boston seems to have Philly's number no matter who the 76'ers put on the floor The Celtics have been victorious in all three games versus the 76'ers this season - with an average margin of roughly nine points. This game was in Philadelphia, and the Sixers have added Tobias Harris to their roster. Didn't matter. Another win for the Celtics. 2.) Kyrie Irving's teammates are forced to ramp up their games without him The Celtics are now 28-19 (.596) when Kyrie Irving plays - and 8-2 (.800) when he doesn't. Last night, Al Horford, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Morris and Gordon Hayward all came through with big games to cinch the win. The Celtics played tough and physical against Philly, and it worked. The players seem to step up when they can't rely on Kyrie's

Celtics "liability", Gordon Hayward, dispelling that claim

My first question relative to the Unknown Warrior that called Gordon Hayward a liability to his team? Who is that Masked Man? Come forward and let's hear you tell us just how fast you would recover from a foot cocked to the side at a grotesque angle . But with that aside, Gordon looked spry and athletic in last night's win versus the Knicks at Madison Square Garden. Hayward's sprint down-court and subsequent jam off the lob from Terry Rozier was great to see. He out-distanced everybody - Terry's lob was perfect - and Gordon put a little bit extra into the jam . It was picture-perfect. GORDON. HAYWARD. pic.twitter.com/0FEvY4YXQb — Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 2, 2019 For the game, Gordon played 21 minutes and scored 14 points on 5-of-8 from the field and 2-of-3 from 3-point land . He added three rebounds, two assists and two blocks with zero turnovers . GORDON. HAYWARD. pic.twitter.com/0FEvY4YXQb — Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 2, 2019 Hayward