Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

Time dulls our perceptions of the NBA stars of the 60s, 70's and 80s Bill Russell would not star in today's game? Larry Bird is overrated? REALLY? I don't agree! I will focus mainly on the Boston Celtics since I have closely  followed them for 66 years. Russell hasn't played since 1969 - when he earned his 11th Title ring . He was big (for his time), supremely athletic, and had one of the keenest basketball IQs ever. He was not a volume scorer (career 16.2 PPG) - but did not need to be . However, his rebounding (24.9 RPG), defense, team play and rim protection were phenomenal. Russ just knew how to win . And he was the ultimate team player. His comrades knew if they slipped up on defense, "Big Bill" was there to correct their miscues. Could he play, or even star, in today's game? Yes on both counts. I immediately put him at the center spot of my all-time Celtics team - and probably on my all-time NBA starting quintet. Ditto for Larry Bird . He joins R...

What cheers you up? Fame, fortune, palatial house, snazzy car? God or Nature gave us the ability to make choices , but it is up to us to try to make the decisions that improve the quality of our lives . Having choices is what has always given me a lift . It was the Spring of 1972 , and I had recently made such a choice, leaving a high-paying job as a research engineer to take a temporary position as game warden for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. My new job was to patrol the rivers and streams close to my home and enforce the fishing laws of the state. In effect, I traded the rigors of a tough commute to the Boston area and the toxic factories of the chemical industry for the clean air and b eauty of the woods and waters of central Massachusetts. It was a time when Harry Chapin's song, Taxi , was all over the car radio. I will always mentally connect that tune to one of the best choices I ever made. "It was raining hard in 'Frisco I had one more fare to make my ...

 Celtics center, Neemias Queta is known for having only a limited offensive arsenal of put-backs, lobs and short-range hook shots. That may have changed. The Portugese big man really needed a mid-range jumper added to what he already has supplied to "The Green". It now seems he may have added it to his offensive game. I could be wrong, but I don't think I've ever seen Queta take THIS. I've seen hooks, but this kind of fadeaway is new. pic.twitter.com/rUKyxgaPxv — John Karalis 🇬🇷 (@John_Karalis) September 1, 2026  Karalis is correct. Since the "Portugese Man O' War" has been with Boston, I have never seen him attempt a mid-range, fallaway or 3-pointer. This is good news for the Celtics upcoming season .

 Despite the drop in Northern New Hampshire moose sightings over the past several years, encounters with the huge creatures on the roads are still inevitable. Here are some of my experiences: Moose in my driveway - photo by Linda Lane 1.) Have you ever talked to a moose? I have! My wife, Linda and I were walking along interstate route 26 in Northern New Hampshire when an infuriated. bellowing cow moose came crashing out of the woods and headed right at us. The ears were back and the hackles were up - not good signs for our welfare. We slowly backed away as I verbally assured the enraged animal, in a clear-but- calm voice, that we meant no harm. It worked! The ears went up - the hackles came down, and the attack (either real or bluff) ceased. We continued our walk. 2.) Moose calls sound a bit like flatulence. It's true, and I have proof . I was sitting on my deck lakeside in Western Maine and having a few bouts of flatulence, with each episode resulting in chiding from my wif...

 A Tale of Lost Youth The young couple were in love with their vacation camp . It sat on the south shore - and across the road - from Merrymeeting Lake in New Durham, New Hampshire - with a 20-foot wide right-of-way to the water. Merrymeeting lake - photo credit - Sky Viking Records revealed the refuge had been built in the mid-1950s by an elderly man with advanced cancer. His name was Joe, and the camp's original name was "Joe's Haven" . The cottage was a true refuge for the new owners, but there was something strange that needed an explanation. What they originally thought was the wind blowing through the uninsulated walls was a mystery. But the sound had a human quality to it - sounding somewhat like the muffled voice of a young boy. At times, the wife thought she heard the names "Joey" and "Tony" being called and spoken in a very low tone. This continued with no explanation - and then it happened . One night the wife was awakened by ...

Late August is when deer mice start to set up housekeeping in our home in Northern New Hampshire. Old fashion mousetraps and glue traps keep them in check, but we welcome the assistance of the foxes and coyotes that roam our yard on a nightly basis. The photo below is one such sentinel - a red fox. Photo via Tactacam Reveal trail camera In years past, foxes could be seen frequently during daylight hours on our lot, but it is rare to see one during the day anymore . The population of our town hovers just below only 400 residents, but visitors and vacationers have multiplied in recent years. Red foxes (and most other wild animals) r eact to increased human activity and vehicular traffic by becoming more nocturnal.  Coyotes , on the other hand, stick consistently to nighttime activities - and since they can be hunted year-round in New Hampshire, they avoid human contact as much as possible. We get an occasional photo on our trail camera, but coyotes don't frequent our lot nearly...

  Youth, enthusiasm, riveting defense, non-stop movement . Those are only pieces of what last-season's Celtics rookie brings to the Boston Celtics. Could he prove to be a bust? Yes, but I certainly doubt that will happen. Hugo Gonzalez is already a fan favorite in Beantown. I personally love this kid. Brad Stevens' plan right now is development of a youngster I call "The Spaniard". K C Jones, Sam Jones, John Havlicek. All three spent their entire careers with "The Green", and the "Jones Boys" particularly spent their early seasons as understuddies for Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman.   "Hondo" came to Boston primarily as a defensive whiz , and that - along with his tireless on-court motion - got him on the court right away. But the offensive clout came alive and "Jarrin John" still remains the Celtics all time scoring leader . I envision Hugo Gonzalez' ceiling resting somewhere between valuable rotation guy and eventual ...

 Let me start by clearly stating that the following is NOT a condemnation of New Hampshire Fish and Game . I love the NH game wardens I frequently used to encounter in forays from my home in the northern part of the state - and respect tham totally.. As a retired police lieutenant, former temporary game warden, and lifelong hunter, fisherman and hiker , here's my view of the situation. I wrote about this dilemna years ago , but the issue has worsened. Hiking in the north country has blossomed, as have the number of inexperienced, poorly-equipped hikers. Here is a piece on such a rescue that took place three days ago where four hikers went on a 7-9-hour trek, starting at 3:30 PM . The "late-starters" were unprepared for the "adventure" and had to be rescued. They were f ound at 1:30 AM the following day. All-Terrain Vehicle (ATV) traffic has skyrocketed in Northern NH, as have the accidents and injuries resulting from rider inexperience, recklessness, speed a...

 In pro basketball, synergy simply means the whole (read: TEAM) is better than the sum of its parts (individual players). Think of the Champion 1985-86 Celtics team . That Celtics crew may have had the top talent ever assembled at the NBA level, but that g roup also played so damn well together . How many times did Larry Bird send a no-look pass to a cutting Robert Parish or Kevin McHale for an "easy" layup? And at least 1-or-2 times a game, Dennis Johnson would rifle a pass to Bird for a bunny.  Bird may have demanded the ball at times, but he usually came through with a successful score or laser-like pass to a teammate. Boston fans may see flashes of that this season with Jayson Tatum in charge of outcomes. The 2026-27 version of "The Green" may not have the most-talented lineup in the League, but it will be intriguing to see how well this crew plays as a unit. Newly-acquired Paul George is not ready for a rocking chair, and if he sticks with the team, his ...

 Now, all of a sudden, many Boston Celtics fans are up in arms against the reigning executive-of-the-year, Brad Stevens. Give me a break! An NBA fan since 1960 , I also have been disgruntled with the "Celtics ownership and leadership . But for good reason . Former Celtics owner John Y. Brown and "Head Honcho" Rick Pitino immediately come to mind.  Brown trading away three first-round picks for Bob McAdoo almost sent the basketball genius, Red Auerbach , away to New York. Pitino basically put Auerfbach on a shelf and proceeded to make bad decisions that led to a losing stint in Beantown.  Brad Stevens is a class act, and he has done a great job at the helm, both as coach and team president. There is no way he deserves the bitter criticism , mostly based on his trade of Jaylen Brown to the rival 76ers. He is taking the "long view" of a franchise that may be the most-successful sports franchise ever. There is no immediate gratification for Stevens. He is p...

 Here we go again. The Boston Celtics and Philadelphia 76ers have always been fierce rivals since I started following the NBA.in 1960. Bill Russell versus Wilt Chamberlain. Larry Bird against Julius Irving. Now it looks like Jayson Tatum versus Lebron James. Yes, that is the word. Lebron James is leaving the Lakers behind and joining former Celtics star, Jaylen Brown, in Philly. The pressure on Brad Stevens post Jaylen trade has just hit a new level https://t.co/qv0ypR2Waa — Brian Robb (@BrianTRobb) July 24, 2026  Despite a number of seasons pitifully tanking, the 76ers have not been able to equal,, or surpass, Boston's 18 Championships. Well, Lebron's plans for the upcoming season focused on winning another Title - or maybe a few more. And it is no surprise he chose Philly. On paper, the 76ers are loaded. Apparently, "The King" felt that Philadelphia was a better choice for his quest. Really curious to see how this 76ers team is actually gonna look VJ Edgecombe Tyres...

 Larry Bird did it in the Celtics Championship 85-86 season. John Havlicek did it in the 69-70 "transition" season. Both stars led their teams in average points, rebounds and assists . In the 1969-70 season, following the retirement of Bill Russell and Sam Jones , Hondo averaged 41.6 MPG, 24.2 PPG, 7.8 RPG and 6.8 APG - to lead his team in all four categories. Bird did the same in the 1985-86 season, averaging 38.0 MPG, 25.8 PPG, 9.8 RPG and 6.8 APG . Now to Jayson Tatum . In six post-season games played in 2026, coming back from a torn Achilles tendon, he averaged 23.3 PPG, 10.7 RPG and 6.8 APG in 36.3 minutes per game . It is ironic that all three Boston superstars had the identical number of assists per game {6.8 APG), and that shows the versatility of the famed trio. We all knew that Tatum would be a scorer in the NBA, but he has also become an ace rebounder and adept facilitator . I expect a solid season for Jayson in 2026-27, probably leading "The Green" i...

  Chris Cenac, Jr . was taken with the 27-overall pick in the 2026 NBA draft. His size (6'11", 240 lbs.), wingspan (7'5") and athleticism are obvious "positives", but beyond that, he moves like a wing, has a great stroke on his shot, and has a nose for the ball. Cenac, Jr. was originally expected to be a lottery pick - but dropped to Boston towards the end of the first round. Yes, I know it's only Summer League, but I am pleasantly surprised by his scoring ability from in close and out to the perimeter. Another strong performance from Chris Cenac Jr. at summer league: ✅ 16 PTS ✅ 5 REB ✅ 4 BLK Celtics first-round draft pick looking really promising out there ☘️ pic.twitter.com/23TUPr9xcL — Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) July 14, 2026 It is doubtful if he will contribute significantly in the regular season in his rookie campaign, but Chris could be a real find for Brad Stevens in a few years. With some polishing, he could partially fill the role previ...

 It is quickly becoming obvious why Brad Stevens and Joe Mazzulla have high hopes for the Spanish import, Hugo Gonzalez . In the Celtics first Summer League contest, he was team-high in minutes (36.57) and field goals attempted (16). Boston won the game in OT, 83-80, versus the Raptors and "The Spaniard" was everywhere - on offense and defense. He came close to a triple-double, with 17 points, 10 boards and eight assists . The problem was Hugo's shooting efficiency. He was only 3-of-16 from the field and 1-of-9 on 3-pointers. But Stevens knew this kid needed work on his offensive game prior to the draft - so no surprises here. The real pluses with Gonzalez are his length (6'6" in height} - age (20 years old) - versatility (close to a triple-double) - and his hustle and tenacity at both ends. He takes no plays off . Particularly if Hugo improves his offensive game significantly, the Boston fans will love this guy. And with Brasd Stevens, defense gets a player o...

      I'm beyond disgusted and at a loss for words. This is the worst trade in Celtics history bar none. An NBA Finals MVP, coming off his best season and you trade him for 36 year old Paul George and meaningless draft picks. George has never been a winner and I've always said that. Now I'm stuck seeing him in my beloved green and white... He's never healthy and this is who the Cs wanted in return for JB?! I believe he's on the last year of his contract... Not shocked to see this ownership group continue to cut costs.       I've watched this young man grow on the court. I remember his first preseason game vs Philly and he had two of the loudest dunks I've ever seen. The game came on the same day we buried my grandfather and it was so therapeutic to watch the Celtics with my dad. So many incredible games and moments from him that I will never forget. If he had stayed in Boston he would have been a sure fire Hall of Famer. I mean he probably still will. ...

 The Boston Celtics wasted no time in signing two free agents, Mitchell Robinson and Mike Conley. Neither signing automatically launches "The Green" into winning Banner 19, but the roster is shaping up for the upcoming season. Robinson is listed at 7' and 240 pounds . He is not a stretch-5 by any analysis (has never attempted a 3-point shot), but he rebounds and defends very well. Last season he averaged 5.7 PPG, 8.8 RPG and 1.2 BPG. Mitchell is 28 years old and was the 36th-overall pick by the Knicks (his present team) in the 2018 NBA draft. He supposedly signed for three years at a total of $47.4 million Free agent center Mitchell Robinson has agreed to a three-year, $47.4 million deal to sign with the Boston Celtics, with a player option in third season, sources tell ESPN. Robinson departs the Knicks after serving a key role on the historic championship team. pic.twitter.com/tl3R6nlU1m — Shams Charania (@ShamsCharania) July 1, 2026 On the smaller side, Conley stand...

      What in the world is going on with the Celtics... if they were all in on Giannis then why not seal the deal! Right now we could lose JB for 40 cents on the dollar. If you are going to dangle a future Hall of Famer in a trade then get it done now the Celtics are in a stage of Flux. Where is this all stemming from? Is Billionaire Bill cheating out? Are we in a rebuild? Is there a player and or players that better compliment JT? I'm calling Denver right now and seeing what it takes for Jokic. I'm dead serious folks him and JT would be unreal.       We are a few hours away from free agency and this team has no true direction. Like we are lost at seas with a boat and no paddle. I trust Brad whole heartedly but Bill is ruining our beloved Celtics. He doesn't want to win he just wants to make money and that sickens this writer and I don't care who knows it! Realistically what can be done to keep JB in Boston I would say a 2 year 140 million dollar exten...

 The media has pegged the Celtics Brad Stevens as willing to trade everyone except his close family members over the past several weeks. That won't end entirely, but the furor should subside . NBA analysts, whether pro or amateur, have as much chance at predicting Stevens' future transactions as a "snowball in Hell" . He is smart , but he is also clever enough to obscure his plans until they come to fruition. At 6:00 PM ET this evening , NBA teams can start negotiations with free agents from other teams, and actual signings can begin on July 6th . Most GMs have already talked with ttheir own free agents. Just as "everything is for sale at the right price" , League players are always facing possible trades . It is a general manager's job to try to keep their individual teams in the fight for a Title, and that certainly holds true for Boston sports teams, particularly for the Celtics, winners of 18 Championship trophies. And many Celtics fans have a st...

 The Boston Celtics went with Chris Cenac, Jr. with the 27th pick in the 2026 NBA draft. He is listed as a power forward/center out of Houston - at 6'11" and 240 pounds. His wingspan is a massive 7'5". Chris is 19 years old and won't turn 20 until February. Brad Stevens needed to add more size to his roster, but it is doubtful if Cenac, Jr. will contribute right away. He remains a work in progress< Chris Cenac Jr: 6'10 (barefoot), 240lbs / 7'5 wingspan, 9'0.5" standing reach Pre-Draft Analysis from ESPN: Strengths: Cenac has excellent length, moves fluidly for his size and has made strides as a rebounder. He has also flashed natural shooting touch, giving him an… pic.twitter.com/3lpQp8MK1S — ThrowbackPATS (@ThrowbackPATS) June 24, 2026 The Houston product's college numbers don't stand out - with averages of 9.5 points and 7.9 rebounds per game, but the word out there is that the kid is "fluid" , particularly for someone...

 The Milwaukee Bucks ended up reportedly sending Giannis Antetokounmpo to the Miami Heat. Rumors are that the Celtics' Brad Stevens was unwilling to deal away Hugo Gonzalez and/or Baylor Scheierman, in addition to Jaylen Brown . As usual, Stevens sees the whole picture and is looking to the foreseeable future - as well as the coming season.  Brad did not capture the Exec-of-the-Year without a solid basis for the award. The Boston Celtics may be the most-successful franchise in sports history, and he fits Boston like a glove. Miami was looking for the best deal possible, and that apparently included acquiring a couple of talented young guys from the Boston ranks. Boston didn’t want to give up Hugo Gonzalez AND Baylor Scheierman on top of Jaylen Brown & two first-round picks they offered to Milwaukee. (via @ShamsCharania ) pic.twitter.com/mVcjfgoCu8 — Polymarket Hoops (@PolymarketHoops) June 23, 2026 Stevens is looking down the road . He obviously feels both Hugo and B...