Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

 Some people are not getting the message. The weather in the higher altitudes of the White Mountains are always more severe than the climate at the base . In the past four days, six hikers had to be rescued by New Hampshire Fish and Game, and this morning, a male hiker was found dead  on the Kinsman Pond Trail in Franconia Notch.  Glen Lucas, former NH Fish and Game Sergeant Bad weather and lack of preparation are almost always the culprits. Hikers are often fooled by the placid weather conditions when they park their cars alondside busy Route 93, the route that runs through Francoia Notch. I wrote previously on the tragic, and useless, death of Emily Sotelo in this same area. I have hiked this area many times and can attest to the weather changes experienced as the hikes advanced up the various peaks. Cold, snow and high winds can wreak havoc on those that are unprepared mentally and physically for what can beome an ordeal. Fish and Game personnel and other search...

 I took my usual walk on Corser Brook Road in Errol, New Hampshire this morning, and I found something - if not alarming - then somewhat concerning . The woodland road is gated, but it can be accessed by those having a key to the lock. Roughly 100 yards past the gate I spotted a cell phone a yard or two off the logging road . It did not fall from a vehicle, but probably was thrown . About 50 feet further, I found a number of discarded drink cans (not an unusual sight) and a black bra . The bra definitely was not there on my walk yesterday , but the cell phone may have been - and I missed seeing it. As a former police investigator , it did not sit well . Here is an appraisal via AI : "Throwing a phone from a moving vehicle  typically occurs during intense arguments, as a form of domestic abuse or intense frustration, or accidentally . It is often a deliberate act of destruction to prevent communication, restrict tracking, or cause distress to a partner." I retrieved the phone...

 Start your day with a little "make-believe" . How would superstars who played 40-plus years ago fare against the stars of today? This is totally objective fantasy, so I expect differing views. My choices assume all players are at their peak. Old School Stars Honestly, I went with the 40+ year cutoff to get Larry Bird and Magic Johnson into the mix as starters. Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain are there also. Michael Jordan is obviously the 5th starter.  The bench consists of Oscar Robertson, Jerry West and Dirk Nowitsky .  Today's Elite Eight Four of the starters are non-USA players , and a two more are in as backups . That says a lot about the modern NBA. Starters are Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum . The bench consists of Joel Embiid, Victor Wembanyama and Steph Curry. In a given era, any NBA team has the ability to win a contest against another - as evidenced by Philly's win over the favored Celtics i...

It's April - and probably time to make the push towards getting fitter. This is a true battle for most of us, but the "SMART" method can really work for most of you.  S. M. A. R. T.  Fitness Goals  Specific - Forget "I need to lose weight". It has to be something like, "I will lose 30 pounds". Measurable - You need numbers here. I use weight and body fat percentage with my clients, both measurable quantities. Achievable - Don't reach too high in the sky. Make the goal reasonable - something you have a decent shot at accomplishing. Relevant -  Is your goal consistent with what you are trying to accomplish, such as gaining strength, energy or self-esteem. Time-Bound - Set a time limit.   "I will lose 30 lbs. by Memorial Day". Don't try this alone. Do this with another person, a small group, or a crowd. Competition helps, as does being accountable to someone other than yourself. Good luck!  

 Prior to the 2023-24 NBA season, in an article, I asked the question , "Is Joe Mazzulla an acceptable replacement for for Ime Udoka" (as Celtics coach)? My answer at the time was an emphatic "NO". That has changed. As a college student , Mazzulla was arrested and charged with domestic battery for grabbing a woman by the neck in a bar room. With Udoka being banished from the Celtics due to allegations of misconduct, my feeling at the time was that "The Green" did not need a repeat with Joe at the helm . What did counter my negative thoughts on Mazzulla was the fact that Brad Stevens , well known for hiring - and promoting - guys with character - fully backed Joe for the position of head coach. The positive result is history - with Mazzulla listed as one of the three finalists for NBA Coach of the Year . Frankly, I love this guy. He turned his life around from his wayward college days and is not only a superior pro basketball coach - he is a fine ...

       Cs take on the Sixers yet again in the playoffs. Cs own a huge advantage historically. If the Cs lock in on both ends they will win this series in 4 or 5. Maxey is friends with LBJ and flops just like him. Cs have moved the ball really well so far this afternoon. Defensively they are running down shooters. Cs need to force other guys to beat them and lock down on Maxey because he knows how to get calls. I like what I'm seeing from JB and JT. They will need to be at their best today and all playoffs. Cs with a solid start and decent lead after one.       Nice to see Garzilla getting some early run here. Grabbed the offensive board and heads to the line. Dude has been a beast all season! Baylor is in and already making impact plays, on both offense and defense. Garzilla for three! Bang! Brown is starting to pick it up and I love it! Cs are exposing the Sixers in the post as we speak. Queta especially here in this second quarter. Imagine this ...

 Prior to this season, I wrote that - despite the ravaged Celtics roster - the brain trust of Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla would adapt to the changes and firgure out a way to win. And they certainly did, ending the regular season with the second seed in the East. Losing Kristaps Porzingis, Al Horford, Luke Kornet, Jrue Holiday and Jayson Tatum caused many Boston fans to fear the 2025-26 season would be a waste . But Stevens brought in a number of guys that played beyond expectations, and Mazzulla juggled lineups to find what works and what doesn't. This regular season saw Jaylen Brown excel in his role of on-court leader  - to the point where his name is deeply involved in any MVP discussions. Payton Pritchard went back to a bench role but delivered in starter-type minutes. Derrick White had an off-season shooting the ball, but he was a vital cog in the Celtics fabric. Neemias Queta failed to develop any type of outside shot, but he was spectacular on the defensive end...

      Cs have shown us vs the Raptors and Hornets that come playoff time they will beat them. Overall the Cs have been playing solid basketball and are coming together at the right time. Queta has been solid and Vuc is back which helps a lot. Garza when called upon comes in and does his job. JT seems to be averaging just about a triple double every game. JB continues his MVP like performances. This roster is deep and suited to cause problems in the playoffs.       The fact that espn keeps riding that Knicks train is a joke. That team is so blown out of proportion its insane. What's also horrendous is how Brunson flops constantly. He's a damn joke as a player. Cs will beat them when they face them in the second round. Cs come playoffs will have the best duo in the game of basketball going. Not to mention a complete roster that gives all they have out there. Tonight the Cs will face the Pelicans and claim the second seed in the East.      ...

      Cs have come out throwing punches vs this bad Bucks team. Sam Hauser has been en fuego. He looks locked in and the Cs are finding him in rhythm. Congrats to Doc for getting into the Hall, but KC Jones deserves to be put in as Coach. I admire Doc as a Coach but KC did so much more as a coach. NBA needs to get their crap together and get KC in! Cs have totally dominated this first half. These Bucks should just forfeit the second half  because they suck.      We have five guys in double figures and DWhite isn't far off with 8 points. Now that's some balanced scoring right there. The mark of a damn good team. I mean I have complete confidence in this team making it to the Finals. Whether it's OKC or San Antonio I like our chances against them as well. This team defends extremely well and when needed can lock teams down. Offensively we have the Jays who both can put a team on their back. Winning players make winning plays and our roster is full of the...

      How about that first quarter and first half from the Cs! JB was straight balling and the entire team came out to make a statement. This Celtics team is gearing up for a deep playoff run. Goodness gracious the Jays are the best duo in the NBA! The Cs have made the Heat look like a g league team so far tonight. Man do I love this Celtics team. Brad Stevens has done an amazing job with this roster. Brad will go down as one of the greatest GMs of all time. The man us a basketball savant! Joe Mazzulla has been incredible this season.       Early in the third and JB is over 30 points! He looks locked and he should be the MVP. The Cs lead has shrunk to eighteen and Joe calls a timeout. I expect to see a much more focused group. Time to land some knockout blows and send the Heat home with a loss. Off the timeout we get back to back buckets from our two stars! Now that's how you answer the bell after being a bit lax. JB is destroying everyone who tries to...

 It was Celtics versus Warriors - Bill Russell against Wilt Chamberlain . But one incident stole the show. Sam fouled Wilt - hard -  and Chamberlain thought the hit was over the hill and went after Boston's shooting guard. Wilt was pissed! He hated getting fouled because that meant he probably had to go to the foul line. Chamberlain was a menace on offense close to the hoop, but he shot better from the field (.540) than from the foul line (.511). What fans may have been watching was an early version of "Hack-a-Shaq", a strategy to foul Shaquille O'Neal and send him to his personal torture chamber, the foul line.  I can picture Coach Red Auerbach possibly telling his guys, "When you foul Chamberlain, make sure he doesn't score. Send him to the foul line. He can't hit shit from there."  The confrontation came down to a "David-vs.-Goliath" scenerio, and Sam's only weapon was a wooden photographer's stool . It slowed the giant'...