Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

 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 ...

I really like the acquisition of 6'7" sharpshooter, Evan Fournier. He fulfills Danny Ainge's stated need for "shooting with size". What he does not supply is toughness. Ditto for big men, Moritz Wagner and Luke Kornet. I really don't want to hear about Kornet's ability to hit shots from the hinterlands. The Celtics have enough (too much?) of that. Remember the Celtics last Championship crew? That was 2008 - 13 years ago. The Paul Pierce-Kevin Garnett pairing was not only super-skilled - it was rugged. And don't forget Rajon Rondo and Kendrick Perkins. Perk may not have been a star, but he was tough as nails - and just what that team needed at the center spot. And Rondo may have been an irascible, but he never backed down. I won't go into depth about the toughness of the 60's teams or the 70's and 80's, but the numerous Titles speak for themselves. Bill Russell, Jim Loscutoff, Dave Cowens, Larry Bird, Dennis Johnson. Ever hear of Bob Br...