Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

Many unknowns surround the Celtics young-and-untapped talent pool. Think about this! We have started to see rookie Aaron Nesmith emerge in the past two games, both wins for Boston. In the two contests, Nesmith logged a combined 35 minutes and scored 20 points on 7-of-11 (64%) from the field and 6-of-10 from 3-point land (60%). The 14th-overall pick in the 2020 NBA draft  also managed seven rebounds over the 2-game span and received some accolades on his defensive effort. There may be more to Aaron's game than sniper-level marksmanship. Aaron Nesmith showing off his defensive skills. #Celtics @NBCSCeltics pic.twitter.com/IiXlCOcSpk — Celtics Updates (@allhailtacko) December 16, 2020 Fellow rookie, Payton Pritchard, is another story. He has looked poised (and been productive) since he first stepped on the parquet. Despite lacking elite athleticism, he is quick, decisive - and has terrific body control. He looks more like a 3-year vet than a raw, first-year guy taken late (26th) in...

I never expected the Celtics much-depleted roster to dominate the Orlando magic to the tune of 124-97. But they did it.  J aylen Brown reappeared from the COVID-generated mist to distribute the ball (8 assists) and score a team-high 21 points on 50% from the field, 2-of-5 on threes and, get this, a perfect 7-of-7 from the free throw line. Getting better at the charity stripe has just been another part of Jaylen's journey to All-Stardom. Payton Pritchard once again stood out, producing 16 points, four boards and five assists. He seems too damn consistent for a rookie, but Celtics fans love it. By the way, get him a better nickname before it's too late! Talking of consistency, much-maligned Semi Ojeleye came through again with 18 points (6-of-10 FG, 3-of-6 on 3s) and six rebounds. He keeps getting the minutes out of necessity, and we may see that continue once the roster is back to whatever is considered normal by today's standards. Jeff Teague needs a mention here with ...

The Celtics blew a 28-point lead in this one but still managed to come away with the 116-107 victory over the Washington Wizards. The Jay Team starred as usual, with Jayson Tatum scoring a team-high 32 points and Jaylen Brown notching a double-double consisting of 27 points and 13 boards. With centers Tristan Thompson, Rob Williams and Grant Williams out for seven days due to COVID protocol, Daniel Theis had an efficient outing with a line of 10 points via 4-of-7 from the field and 1-of-1 from 3-point-territory. He added six rebounds, three assists, one steal and one block. Love this sequence. Tacko with the block - Smart gains control - quickly outlets long to Tatum for the fast break. Need more of that. https://t.co/7mYTFlrNpf — Tom Lane (@CelticsSentinel) January 9, 2021 The short-handed Celtics needed the subs to come through, and they did just that. The much-maligned Semi Ojeleye started at the power forward spot - logged 27 minutes - scored eight points - took down five rebounds ...

  The good news? The Celtics are back. After a long 2 and a half months with the bitter taste of an Eastern Conference Finals loss, we finally were able to watch some Celtics basketball last night. I'll never complain about that The bad news? It's just the preseason. After the most unprecedented season in NBA history, the 20-21 season promises to be strange as well. Some teams haven't played a competitive game in over 9 months, while the Lakers and Heat finished play about 2 months ago. Also, a shortened training camp for everyone never helps, especially rookies trying to find their footing in the league. The beginning of this season is going to be a roller coaster for every team, not just the Celtics. Regardless, let's take a look at some numbers from the C's game against Philly last night. Yes, this is an incredibly small sample size, and yes, it's still the preseason, so everything here should be taken with a pound of salt, but let's work with what we hav...

Javonte Green had what we might call a triple-quad in last night's 123-108 loss to the New Orleans Pelicans. In 16 minutes of action, Green scored four points, grabbed four boards and handed out four assists. He was high-man off the bench in all three categories and tied with Semi Ojeleye for bench-high with one steal. He is a defensive-minded guard with sky-high athleticism that adds a lot of energy when he enters the game. Javonte Green gets the rebound, helps up a teammate, then scores the and1 in transition. I love this team pic.twitter.com/s1CXvEE8lv — Dan Greenberg (@StoolGreenie) January 23, 2020 The 26-year-old rookie is signed for $0.9 million this season and a non-guaranteed $1.5 million for 2020-21. His height and frame (6'4", 205 pounds) allow him to play the small forward spot on occasion, and there is simply too much potential for the Celtics to allow him to walk away prior to next season. Javonte Green has been great defensively the last few games. He...

With dead-eye, 3-point shooter, Max Strus, being waived by the Celtics yesterday, all indications are that Javonte Green will be the guy to fill that 15th roster spot . It had to be a close call for Danny Ainge. With Boston's depth, they couldn't keep both. So why did Danny let Strus go while retaining Green? Javonte Green or Tony Allen? pic.twitter.com/GdkSYN3XYZ — Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) October 13, 2019 The above video may reveal the reason. My thinking is that Ainge allowed defensive ace, Tony Allen, to leave the Celtics in free agency prior to the 2010-11 season, and openly regretted the decision. With the Memphis Grizzlies, Tony earned his very-first NBA All-Defensive Second Team award in his first season in Memphis - and went on to be a 3-Time All-Defense First Teamer and 3-time All-Defense Second Teamer - all with Memphis ( per NBC Sports' A. Sherrod Blakely ): When Danny Ainge makes a personnel decision, it's rare that even with hindsight, he looks b...

In what comes as no surprise to Celtics fans, the team has waived Kaiser Gates, Yante Maten and Max Strus - thus opening the door to Javonte Green to take that final full-time roster spot. Gates and Maten are most-likely headed to the G-League Red Claws, while Strus may hook up with another NBA team or go overseas. Green appears destined for the Celtics bench. We have waived Kaiser Gates, Yante Maten and Max Strus. #FlywireTeamTransactions — Boston Celtics (@celtics) October 19, 2019 What was merely rumor over the past couple of days has now become official. The final roster spot was up for grabs between Max and Javonte, and Boston went with Green's athleticism and defensive prowess over Strus' ability to hit the 3-ball. It appears the roster is set for the opening of the regular season. Follow Tom at @CelticsSentinel, @_Celtics_Center and Facebook

The main purpose of exhibition games is to watch and evaluate the new arrivals - but mostly the young guys. Despite his advanced age (30), I will include Brad Wanamaker in this discussion. Here is my breakdown, by category, after four pre-season games for the Guys in Green. Points per game "The Sniper", Carsen Edwards takes this one. His 15.3 PPG comes in at number one. Tremont Waters gets the #2 spot with 12.0 points/game. This undersized duo got it done on the scoring end in pre-season. Size didn't matter in pre-season - and it may not in the upcoming regular season. Total field goals made Edwards takes this category also. He made a total of 22 field goals, and he is followed by Tremont Waters with 18 and Javonte Green with 16. Edwards is a volume scorer - make no mistake. And don't dismiss Waters as a versatile point guard that can stick on a full-time NBA roster. Field goal percentage Technically, Vincent Poirier (100%) and Rob Williams (83%) lead the pack, b...

Danny Ainge is starting to make his move towards solidifying his full-time roster. Yesterday we got the news that 2-way player, Max Strus was to be elevated to a standard NBA contract. And then very quickly we get word that we expected - namely that Tacko Fall was going to take over Max's spot on a 2-way deal. These moves do not mean Strus will end up on the full-time roster, but it seems solid that Tacko will remain on the two-way situation, splitting time with the Maine Red Claws and Boston Celtics. Max, however, is still in the fight for a place on the Celtics roster, but he is not alone. Walking bucket @Cboogie_3 pic.twitter.com/LIVGGxiRFd — Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) October 13, 2019 Right now, I don't envision Carsen Edwards or Grant Williams not making the final roster cut. They both can contribute right away. Edward's offense is unquestioned, but he also landed at the 49th ranking in the NBA's Defensive Rankings (2 games or more) after three exhibition...

The Celtics racked up yet another blowout win in exhibition play, blowing out the Cleveland Cavaliers by a score of 118-72. There are many stories here, and I will be getting them out during the day. We saw a hint of why Danny Ainge is elevating Max Strus to a 2-year, standard contract. Strus was high scorer for Boston, coming away with a team-high 14 points in 16 minutes of action. He was 4-of-7 from the field and 4-of-5 on 3-pointers, while adding four rebounds and two assists. To give you a hint, Tacko highlights here: https://t.co/Cw3uvn6fUi — Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) October 13, 2019 Despite Strus' new contract and his performance last night, it always seems that Tacko Fall gets the bulk of attention from fans. Tacko was only on the court for six minutes, but made the most of his limited time. He scored four points - grabbed two rebounds, handed out two assists - and got two steals. I wrote previously that Danny Ainge can't let Tacko get away . With more experien...

Any group places their future hopes on the young members, but in the Celtics' case, the hopes start right now. And I am not the only one that thinks that way. Add Marcus Smart to list of rookie boosters. I asked Marcus Smart what excites him most about this team. “I’m excited about our young guys,” he said. Grant Williams reminds Smart of himself. Smart told me the Celtics players call Carsen Edwards “Eddie House.” Here are Smart’s thoughts: https://t.co/iwC19x8OD9 — Jay King (@ByJayKing) October 11, 2019 Carsen Edwards  The Eddie House comparisons are appropriate. The 6'1" House spent three seasons in Boston, including the 2007-08 Championship season, when he averaged 7.5 points per game on 41% from the field - 39% on treys and 92% from the charity stripe. But it's Carsen's quick release that brings the comparisons. Eddie was a shooter-supreme, as is Edwards. When he gets comfortable with the NBA, watch out! Grant Williams Grant is most well-known right now...

After a fine Summer League showing and a dazzling performance in the Celtics exhibition win over Charlotte last night, Javonte Green continues to make a strong push for that 15th-and-final Boston roster slot. Green averaged 10.8 points, 4.8 rebounds, 2.8 assists and 1.8 steals in Summer League play and earned an $898,000 (partial guarantee) deal this season and a $1.5 million deal (not guaranteed) for 2020-21. 15 points on perfect 7-of-7 shooting for Javonte Green, including some insanely athletic dunks. Yeah, that's the first NBA game @2Xtremebounce ever attended. You read that right! Full highlights ➡️ https://t.co/UrstwirilI pic.twitter.com/NhLLRCbtyb — Tomek Kordylewski (@Timi_093) October 7, 2019 His play last night was all crammed into seven minutes and forty-three seconds in the fourth quarter. Javonte entered the game at the 10:54 mark of the fourth period and got going immediately - with a rebound 14 seconds into his stint. Over the following seven minutes he s...

The new listed heights and weights for Celtics players have been released. The height measurements used to be taken with players wearing shoes, but not so now. They measure with shoes off, so we would expect players to lose an inch or so in height. Tacko Fall is not on board with his official 7-5 measurement. He said he’s actually 7-6 without shoes. — Jay King (@ByJayKing) October 6, 2019 Both Tacko Fall and Rob Williams actually lost two inches - Tacko coming in at 7'5" (down from 7'7") and Rob measured at 6'8" (down from 6'10"). Rookie Romeo Langford also lost two inches, coming in at 6'4", down from 6'6" in shoes. I have no idea at what time of day these measurements are taken, but men in the NBA-height-range, can expect to easily lose one inch of height over the course of a day. Sleeping allows the body's discs to expand, thus increasing height, whereas walking and running compresses the discs, making a person lose heigh...

Don't get too excited by this, but the signings have become official. Per NBA.com, the Boston Celtics have signed Tremont Waters and Max Strus to two-way contracts, and Center Tacko Fall and guard Javonte Green have also been signed - with terms not disclosed. What does this mean? This has a lot to do with the still-available 15th roster spot. All four of these guys will battle for position in the Celtics training camp. The outcome will be determined there. If Danny Ainge was direct, he would admit that he doesn't totally know what he has with this crew. Who does? Training camp should clear the air. Anige is not big on small point guards, and here comes 5'10" Tremont Waters. Real big guys that can't cover the perimeter or shoot treys? Doesn't care for those either - and enter 7'7" Tacko Fall. Green is super-athletic, but his NBA potential is till unknown. Strus? Not particularly athletic, but he can shoot the ball and rebound. As I said, the high...

It is becoming obvious that the Celtics 15th roster spot is really being put up for grabs. Will it be Tremont Waters, Tacko Fall, a veteran - or Javonte Green. Danny Ainge is covering all the bases on this one. In Summer League, Green averaged 10.0 PPG, 4.0 RPG 2.8 APG and 1.8 SPG. He is a 25-year-old superb athlete who went undrafted in the 2015 NBA draft. Javonte Green is planning to sign a 2-year deal with the Celtics, with a partial guarantee in year 1 and non-guaranteed year 2, per source. I've been told by multiple sources that the Cs plan to have several players, likely partial & two-way contract guys, vie for the last spot. — Adam Himmelsbach (@AdamHimmelsbach) July 18, 2019 The Celtics have offered a partially-guaranteed contract to Javonte, and it looks like he will be fighting for that final roster spot in training camp. Boston is still trying to lock in Tacko Fall, moving on from his Exhibit 10 contract, and Tremont Waters is another candidate for the 15th ...