Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

 Past Celtics teams have had them - the big bruiser that isn't a star but can bump, grind and help wear out the burly stars of the opposition. Jim Loscutoff, Wayne Embry, Kendrick Perkins and Aron Baynes come quickly to mind. But I see no current guy on Boston's roster that fills that need. Who is going to take the buffeting from Giannis Antetokounmpo, Joel Embiid and Nikola Jokic? Al Horford, Kristaps Porzingis and Luke Kornet will tussle with that trio, but none are up to the task for extended minutes. Neemias Queta, at 7-feet and 245 pounds , was signed by Brad Stevens to a 2-Way Contract, which allows him to play up to 50 games in the regular season . He is primarily a defender, rebounder and rim protector. In Boston's win over the 76'ers on October 11 in preseason, the big guy played less than eight minutes and supplied 10 points (4-of-4 FG), three boards, two assists and a plus/minus of +14. The Portuguese big man still looks a bit raw, but at only 24 years ...

 It seems the Boston Celtics have always had one of them - a big, strong guy that can joust with the giants of the NBA and offer protection to the little guys and stars. But they seem to lack one on the current 2022-23 roster. It started with 6'5", 215-lb. Bob Brannum. Bob Cousy needed someone to have his back in the early 50's, and that was Brannum. In the late 50's and early 60's, it was 6'5", 220-lb. Jim Loscutoff . They didn't call him "Jungle Jim" for nothing. The late 60's saw 6'8", 240-lb. Wayne Embry come on board in Boston. Part of his duties was to take some of the heat off Bill Russell , particularly when the Celtics faced Wilt Chamberlain . But "Wayne The Wall" was also a ready "protector of teammates". I am putting 6'8.5", 230-lb. Dave Cowens into this mix, because "Big Red" backed down to nobody and had his share of rumbles. Opponents were a bit afraid of Cowens. They never ...

Even with the free-agent acquisition of center, Tristan Thompson, in the Celtics attempt to improve strength, toughness and physicality , I still maintain that Danny Ainge needs to bring back Aron Baynes. Marcus Smart already covers those three bases, and the Celtics wisely fully-guaranteed the $1.8 million contract for Semi Ojeleye for this season, despite the 6'6" wing having naysayers among the Boston faithful ( Per Celtics blog's Adam Taylor ): Fresh off an impressive season in Phoenix, where he averaged career highs in points (11.5), rebounds (5.6), assists (1.6), and three-point percentage (35.1 on four attempts per game).  Aron Baynes  is an unrestricted free agent and fits the bill of a rotation caliber center that Boston so sorely needs. Ojeleye is 240 pounds of solid muscle. To opponents jockeying for position against him, it must seem like bumping against a cement wall. "But he can't play", his critics might say. I say he can. He has been an elite ...

With all of the trade rumors taking flight, the NBA news front is looking like Logan Airport. The latest buzz has the Pelicans Jrue Holiday coming to Boston for either Kemba Walker or Gordon Hayward. But frankly, Danny Ainge does not have to pull of the deal-of-the-decade to get his team back to the Finals. Flash back to the 2018 Eastern Finals when Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Al Horford and Terry Rozier gave the Cleveland Cavaliers all they could handle in the 7-game series.  Al and Terry are gone, as are Aron Baynes and Marcus Morris, but Daniel Theis and Kemba Walker are now on board. And the present Green Crew battled well in the Eastern Finals once again. Tweak #1 is: Aron Baynes needs to come back Baynes is a proven veteran that knows the Celtics system and brings toughness and physicality ( see tweak #2 ). He earned $5.5 million last season and is an unrestricted free agent. Celtics need more strength, toughness and physicality The 2019-20 version of the Celt...

Don't expect to read about any outrageous Celtics moves in this blog. I am not saying they won't happen because, after all, we are talking Trader Danny here. But bringing bruising center, Aron Baynes, back into the Celtics fold is doable and may be one of the roster tweaks that brings success. Aron is an unrestricted free agent and had a decent season with the Phoenix Suns in 2019-20. In 22.2 minutes per game, he averaged 11.5 PPG, 5.6 RPG, 1.6 APG while hitting 48% of his field goals and 59-of-168 (35%) from beyond the arc. With all of the talent on the present Boston roster, the team still lacks strength and physicality . Baynes possesses both of those qualities. Heading back in time to the 2007-08 Championship season, the Celtics did very well with Kendrick Perkins at the center spot, despite Perkins' weakness as a scorer from any distance. But Kendrick was tough and fit nicely alongside Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo. Baynes can do likewise partne...

The Boston Celtics could really use a big, tough defensive-minded center that can stretch the floor. It now seems they had one until they traded Aron Baynes to the Phoenix Suns last summer in order to clear cap space. In the Phoenix Suns 127-117 win over the Portland Trailblazers last night, Baynes came away with 37 points, 16 boards and two blocks. Get this! He shot 52% from the field, 9-of-14 on treys, and a perfect 4-of-4 from the free throw line. Aron Baynes made history tonight 😤 pic.twitter.com/bVi405oRwk — Entirely Sports (@Entirely_Sports) March 7, 2020 The 33-year-old Australian is shooting 36% on 3-pointers for the Suns this season, and he remains one tough defender for opponents in the painted area. That part of Aron's game has not changed. He is virtually unmovable under the hoop and will take on any player brave enough to attack the rim. Yes, Aron Baynes hit 9 threes in one of the most dominant single game performances in NBA history. He also just stood th...

Following the Celtics 113-101 win over the Chicago Bulls, NBA TV's Grant Hill and Rex Chapman had some thoughts on the current makeup of the team and changes that may be needed for the post-season. Although there was general agreement that Brad Stevens having four go-to scorers in Kemba Walker, Gordon Hayward and the Jay Team gives The Green a huge advantage over other teams, the lack of another big man and one more perimeter bench player may hurt Boston's chances in the playoffs. Hill stated the Celtics need "one more big to complement (Enes) Kanter", and there appeared to be agreement that Kanter has been "picked on" in the past during post-season play. Grant even mentioned the possibility of going after former-Celtic Aron Baynes to fill the bench-big-man role. Chapman agreed for the need for another big off the bench, stating "I think they're a big away ... they are gonna have to go out and get an Aron Baynes type of guy." They really t...

The 10-1 Boston Celtics faced the undermanned 4-7 Sacramento Kings on the road yesterday, and just couldn't get it done - final score Boston 99, Sacramento 100. Marcus Smart's last-second floater hung on the rim, seemingly forever, and then dropped out. Marcus Smart talked to Amanda Pflugrad about the need for the Guys in Green not to ever get too high when things go well, or too low when they fall apart. Tonight's loss is a learning experience for Marcus Smart and the Celtics! #CUsRise pic.twitter.com/QeSjuMwnHc — Celtics Nation (@CelticsNationCP) November 18, 2019 The Kings were without point guard, De'Aaron Fox and power forward, Marvin Bagley III, both out with injuries. The Kings Buddy Hield played like an All-Star, pouring in 35 points on 14-of-24 from the field, including seven 3-pointers. This game should not have come down to Smart's end-of-game floater. Marcus Smart was SO close to winning Boston’s 11th straight pic.twitter.com/PhgrDXAHaT — Shane You...

Last night said it all.  The Celts moved to 5-1 with a win on the road against a Cleveland team that has two monster rebounders on it in K Love and T Thompson.  In years past we would have been manhandled by such a big physical interior.  Not this season.  The Celts outrebounded the Cavs by a 45-44 margin.....proof positive that the Celtics can bang with the big boys. This Green Team is T-O-U-G-H - TOUGH, TOUGH, TOUGH. We rebound at every position.  Heck, Kemba grabbed 8 himself last night.  The dude truly is a beast on the boards from the PG spot. This is a totally underrated aspect of his game. So now that we have pounded the Bucks and beat Toronto on the way to building a 5-1 record, let's recognize the new guys who have joined the team this season.  Kemba Walker - I said it earlier.  Oh My God is this guy a tough SOB.  He defends at an incredibly high rate.  He takes charges.  And he rebounds.  The guy truly is everythi...

As a writer for The Celtics Center @_Celtics_Center, I plan to run a season-long contest for our readers. It is a great way to get more involved with a very promising upcoming season. To get it started, we are looking for Team USA's matchup against Australia in a World Cup exhibition contest at 5:30 AM on Thursday, August 22, 2019. The Celtics Team Shamrock (Jayson Tatum, Kemba Walker, Jaylen Brown and Marcus Smart) will be facing former-Celtics Aron Baynes, Andrew Bogut, Matthew Dellavedova and Patty Mills. 🇦🇺🏀🇺🇸 @BasketballAus x @usabasketball 5:30am/et Thursday on @NBATV / @Twitch https://t.co/suLWKySCXD — NBA (@NBA) August 20, 2019 I am looking for the combined points of Team Shamrock in this contest. Ex: Walker (10 points), Tatum (12), Brown (9), Smart (6) totals 37 points. At this writing, whether Smart will play is up in the air, but I expect he will. List points for each player, along with total combined points. Submit your guess in the comment section of thi...