Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

The Celtics have not had much luck over the past years in drafting quality players late in the first round . Rajon Rondo does come to mind, being acquired on draft night in 2006 from the Phoenix Suns who took the 6'1" guard at #21. The 4-time All-Star won Championships with both Boston (2008) and the Los Angeles Lakers (2020).  Now comes Payton Pritchard , snatched with the 26th pick in the 2020 draft. After nine games this season, the 6'1" rookie has opened some eyes in Beantown. The 9-game sample is small, but the Oregon product has played like an NBA veteran since his first appearance as a member of the Celtics. Although not a direct comparison of both players, their rookie numbers are somewhat similar: Rondo: 23.5 MPG, 6.4 PPG, 3.7 RPG, 3.8 APG, 1.8 SPG, 1.8 TOs/game Pritchard: 22.9 MPG, 8.3 PPG, 2.4 RPG, 3.2 APG, 1.2 SPG, 1.8 TOs/game Payton is the better shooter in all three categories, but Rondo, even today, is still not known as a dead-eye marksman.  Rondo: 4...

Both former NBA stars, Isiah Thomas and Dennis Scott, labeled Aaron Nesmith as the most-exciting rookie to watch this coming season. On this morning's NBA TV broadcast, Zeke and 3-D were openly enthusiastic about the prospects of the Vanderbilt product alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.  Isiah Thomas indicated he viewed Aaron as "NBA-ready", and already having an "NBA shot". He continued with: "I don't see there's a lot in his game that needs to change. He's got that automatic shot where he's ready to go". Dennis Scott was equally  optimistic about the 6'6" rookie wing, stating that coach Jerry Stackhouse had labeled Nesmith as "... the best shooter I've seen on a day-to-day basis". Scott commented further that Danny Ainge needs shooters around Tatum and Brown, and added "You need somebody to catch-and-shoot, not catch and dribble". That certainly describes Nesmith. Aaron calls himself the "Ab...

I am not alone in my dislike of isolation basketball. All of the quotes below are from former NBA player and coach, Sam Mitchell: "I thought this was supposed to be the new NBA where its not so much iso-basketball." Many NBA fans are tired of watching a single player control the ball, ready to take their defender one-on-one while teammates streak to the corners waving for a chance to launch a 3-pointer.  "Its supposed to be space, pace and flow - and everybody touches the ball." The Celtics grabbed 6'6" wing Aaron Nesmith with the 14th pick. Not known for his passing skills or proclivity, Nesmith is tagged as a guy with non-stop, off-ball movement that can hit the long ball. We used to see a lot of that from the late John Havlicek and Detroit's Rip Hamilton. I want it back. "Last couple years, it's been your turn - my turn, and see who can get to the basket ." Danny Ainge took 6'1" guard Payton Prichard with the 26th pick. Prichar...

The quick answer to my title question is, "Not totally". Danny Ainge taking Aaron Nesmith with the 14th pick in the first round doesn't necessarily indicate Gordon Hayward will be buying his ticket out of town some time today.  First of all, I still lean in favor of Hayward remaining in Boston, and my hope is that Nesmith will not be part of a package in a trade to send Gordon elsewhere. Granted, Aaron fills the same SG/SF position as Hayward and can step in right away, but the 6'6" rookie has no shot at filling Hayward's slot in Boston - at least not this year. We know Brad Stevens has an aversion to playing the kids , but the Vanderbilt product has the wing size Brad leans on . I see him as a complement to what Gordon supplies, not as a down-the-road substitute. I really hope to see both Hayward and Nesmith on this season's Green Squad. We should know today whether Hayward is departing - or not. Danny and Gordon extended the decision date post-draft fo...

Most of you can recall what happened during the 2004 NBA draft. The Boston Celtics had the 15th, 24th and 25th picks and used them effectively. High-schooler and big man, Al Jefferson was snagged at number-15, and tough-nosed guards Tony Allen and Delonte West were taken with the 25th and 24th picks, respectively. Jefferson acquired most his fame as the major piece in Ainge acquiring Kevin Garnett from Minnesota, but he also had a solid 14-year career with his superior post moves and rebounding prowess. Allen also had a long NBA career, earning a Title ring with Boston in 2008. But it was in Memphis that he truly starred, earning the moniker of "Grindfather" with his relentless defensive efforts, while also being named to the All-Defensive First Team three times and All-Defensive Second Team three times. Despite his recent battles with mental illness and addictions, West became Doc Rivers' starting point guard in the 2005-06 season, averaging 11.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG and 4.6 APG...

Aaron Nesmith stands at 6'6" and weighs in at 215 pounds, with an impressive wingspan of 6'10". But most of all, he is a dead-eye shooter whose accuracy from deep should translate well to the NBA (per NBADraft.net's Nick Mazone ): He can catch and shoot as well as anybody in this year’s class, and excels in his off-ball movement … Understands the importance of movement to free himself for looks … Very effective when catching and shooting off-ball screens and uses constant motion to get open … Muscle memory. Has a pretty quick and high release with consistent form which allows him to get his shot off in tight windows  Nesmith hit 52% of his 3-pointers this past season, and his constant-motion offense is a weapon sorely lacking in recent Celtics lineups. And his height and wingspan seem tailor-made for Brad Stevens' systems. Nesmith may just be a player that can step right into the Boston lineup coming off the bench for 10-12 minutes per game. He just reeks ...

President Donald Trump announced yesterday that he is extending social distancing guidelines until April 30. On Sunday, however, Trump seemed to acknowledge that the spread of the virus had not slowed, at least not yet. He said that modeling shows that the peak of the death rate will likely hit in two weeks, but stressed that he hopes the country will be on its way to recovery by June 1. "We can expect that by June 1st, we will be well on our way to recovery, we think by June 1st. A lot of great things will be happening," he said. The extension may bode well for the health of Americans, but it certainly puts a damper on hopes for a re-start of the 2019-20 NBA season. The playoffs were originally scheduled to begin on April 18, 2020, with the Finals set for June 4. It is becoming very difficult to imagine playoffs-as-usual with thousands of spectators filling the stands anytime in April or May. And then the question is raised, what happens with the draft lottery and draf...