Skip to main content

Nets edged out of playoffs - durability and fit critical in future Celtics moves

Image
By

 Apparently, 33 All-Star appearances and two MVP awards shared by four members of the Brooklyn Nets wasn't sufficient to prevent their take down by the Milwaukee Bucks in the deciding Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Semi-Finals. Granted, injuries, particularly the recent ankle mishap suffered by former-Celtic, Kyrie Irving, played a large role in ending the Nets' quest for the 2021 NBA Championship, but fate - good or bad - always comes into play in the post-season.


 I take no pleasure in injuries to opposing players, but I always felt that James Harden, Kevin Durant and Kyrie Irving conspiring to assemble in Brooklyn was overkill. Many analysts had them pegged for this year's Title. Adding Blake Griffin to the mix seemed to sweeten their pot, but in the end, it just didn't work.

Boston just doesn't seem to hold the charm for NBA stars that the warm states and/or bigger markets possess, Miami, Los Angeles and New York quickly coming to mind. Red Auerbach always had to scheme and maneuver to construct his Championship-caliber crews, and Danny Ainge followed his lead.

Which brings us to today. The lesson for the Celtics is that a team does not always equal, or exceed, the sum of its parts, the 2020-21 Boston Celtics being Exhibit A. But this will be a new season and a new era. The focus on any new moves by Brad Stevens and Company should be durability and fit. The acquisition of  Al Horford checks both of those boxes. Ainge openly admits blame in some of his past moves (per CBS Sports' Michael Kaskey-Blomain):

"There are things I could have done better, but I'm not going to mention names. I'll take this responsibility. This is a team that was put together by me, and we're not playing with enough consistency and urgency, and it's my job to look to see what we can do to improve the team."

So Brad Stevens is now at the helm, and Celtics fans await the next move. The core of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Al Horford and Marcus Smart is in place - Rob Williams, Payton Pritchard and Aaron Nesmith should see significant floor time - Evan Fournier may be a keeper - Moses Brown could prove to be a crucial addition - decisions need to be made on Semi Ojeleye and Grant Williams - and Romeo Langford remains a wild card. Should be an interesting season.


 

Labels:

Comments

Post a Comment

Popular posts from this blog

The Elm Street Nightmare

By
 A true-and-suspenseful horror tale of haunting, homicides and the hunt for triple-murderer, Daniel Laplante - as told by the cops that were there By Lt. Thomas Lane (Ret.) and Off. Steven Bezanson (Ret.) Daniel Laplante - cold, calm, clever, calculating- Photo: YouTube   Elm Street  surfaces on four occasions in the Laplante saga: 1.) He  resided on Elm Street  in Townsend, Massachusetts 2.) He  kidnapped a woman  at gunpoint on  Elm Street, Pepperell , Massachusetts 3.) He was arrested and transported to Massachusetts State Police Barracks on Elm Street in Concord . 3.) He was  tried, convicted   and sentenced for the murders at  Superior Court , corner of  Elm Stree t and Gorham Street, Lowell, Massachusetts. When evil and cleverness reside in the same mind, the stage is often set for true horror. Such was the case with triple-murderer, Daniel Laplante . As a 16-year old , he quickly transitioned from: Minor thefts and breaking into homes To: Taunting and threatening a father and
8 comments
Read more

Sign the Petition! Let's honor Tommy Heinsohn

By
  No longtime Celtics fan can watch games this year without a somewhat heavy heart. For the last 50 plus years, we have been blessed as a franchise to have Tommy Heinsohn, Mr. Celtic himself, as a part of the organization. Whether it be as a player, coach, or commentator, Tommy has been an instrumental figure for the green, and his presence is missed on every broadcast. Nobody embodied what it meant to be a Celtic more than Tommy, and I know I miss his energy and ferocity every time Scal claims the refs "made the right call" against the Cs. While Tommy obviously belongs on the Mount Rushmore of Celtics, he is often overlooked in his place among the greats of NBA history. Looking back upon his life, one would be hard pressed to find someone with a bigger impact on NBA basketball than Mr. Celtic. For those who are unfamiliar, let's do a quick review. Tommy is one of 2 people to be inducted into the Hall of Fame as both a player and coach (the other being the indomitable Len
1 comment
Read more

Anna Horford let's fan know Al's value to the Boston Celtics

By
 Some fans of pro basketball just take the contrary view just to be...well - contrary , with no solid basis for their stand. Such was the case when when Al Horford's sister, Anna Horford, overheard an argument centered around the value of her brother to the Boston Celtics . No true Boston fan doesn’t love Al!! — Stephanie (@smars319) November 23, 2021 Al's value. Let's take a look at his team stats : Scoring: 4th at 13.1 PPG Rebounds: 2nd at 8.7 RPG Assists: 3rd at 3.5 APG Steals: 4th at 0.9 SPG Blocks: 1st at 1.9 BPG (tied with Giannis for 6th place in the NBA) Minutes: 6th at 29.4 MPG   One more thing about the blocks. That is new for Al . He is the only player over 29 years of age in the top-6 in blocks. Horford is 35. This gem-of-an-individual needs to prove nothing to Celtics fans, but I bet he needs to prove something to himself. Have I ever mentioned I love this guy?
Post a Comment
Read more