Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

 Start your day with a little "make-believe" . How would superstars who played 40-plus years ago fare against the stars of today? This is totally objective fantasy, so I expect differing views. My choices assume all players are at their peak. Old School Stars Honestly, I went with the 40+ year cutoff to get Larry Bird and Magic Johnson into the mix as starters. Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain are there also. Michael Jordan is obviously the 5th starter.  The bench consists of Oscar Robertson, Jerry West and Dirk Nowitsky .  Today's Elite Eight Four of the starters are non-USA players , and a two more are in as backups . That says a lot about the modern NBA. Starters are Nikola Jokic, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Jayson Tatum . The bench consists of Joel Embiid, Victor Wembanyama and Steph Curry. In a given era, any NBA team has the ability to win a contest against another - as evidenced by Philly's win over the favored Celtics i...

 I have menbtally penciled in Dennis Johnson as my choice for all-time Celtics point guard playing in today's NBA game . John Havlicek joins him in the back court. Bill Russell takes center spot. And Larry Bird takes one of the forward positions. The fifth slot is somewhat up for grabs, with Jayson Tatum (yes, Jayson Tatum), Kevin Garnett, Dave Cowens and Kevin McHale in the running as either power forward or small forward. So, why Dennis Johnson. Why not Bob Cousy, JoJo White or Rajon Rondo? Although not being a 3-point marksman, DJ had it all - athleticism, defense, scoring, distributing, rebounding . But most of all, he was adaptable to what his team needed to win ( per Wikipedia ): "During this period (with Seattle) Johnson played  shooting guard  and was known for his aggressive  slam dunking , in contrast to the more cerebral roles he played later in his career." But Johnson clashed with Coach Lenny Wilkins and was traded to the Phoenix Suns . By now, Denn...

 The present Jayson Tatum/Jaylen Brown duo may very well be the top pairing in the NBA right now - but how do they compare with the potent combo of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen during the Bulls 1990-91 Championship season? Below, I do a numerical comparison of various stats between the two superstar pairings: Tatum/Brown (averages from 17 games this season) 54.5 PPG - 14.9 RPG - 10.3 APG - 2.5 SPG - 0.9 BPG - .464 FG- .350 3s Jordan/Pippen (averages for 1990-91 Title season) 49.3 PPG - 13.3 RPG - 11.7 APG - 5.2 SPG - 2.1 BPG - .530 FG - .311 3s Admittedly, these numbers do not tell the whole story, but they are noteworthy. The Celtics twosome gets the nod on points, rebounds and 3-point accuracy . The Bulls duo wins on assists, steals, blocks and field goal percentage. Jordan and Pippen really shined in the defensive categories . Michael was 9-Time All-Defense, first team - DPOY (1988) - and 3-Time Steals Leader. Scottie was 10-Time All-Defense and 1995 Steals leader.  ...

 In an NBA TV segment called, Basketball Stories: Indiana Glory , Former-Celtic, Larry Bird , sat down with Isiah Thomas and Reggie Miller to discuss many subjects, including the "Mount Rushmore" of NBA superstars.  Larry stated the following: "I always knew how good I was. I didn't care what you thought about my games. I knew in the majority of the games I played in - with the team we had - we're gonna win most of them." "Quit whining about Lebron (James). Enjoy him while he's here. He's unbelievable. He's one of the greatest - if not the greatest ever." It is fitting that Bird mentioned himself in "the best ever" conversation. He belongs there . And it particularly noteworthy that Larry sent accolades "The King's" way. Lebron may not be the most-likable individual on the planet, but he has to be included in the "Best Ever" talk because of his skills, longevity in the League, his conditioning, his ve...

  "Anything can happen in the playoffs!" I like that quote better than the one in the title.  Flashback to Game-4, 1987 NBA Finals - Celtics versus Lakers. In the closing seconds, Magic Johnson goes to a sky hook to win the game - all the while i gnoring open teammate, Kareem Abdul Jabbar - he the of "Sky Hook" fame. A Boston win would have tied the series at 2-2 . The teams split the next two contests, meaning the series would have been tied at 3-3 as opposed to LA taking the series in six games. Meaning there would have been a Game-7. How about Don Nelson's "look-what-I-found" shot in the closing seconds of the 1969 Finals against the Lakers. Nellie's shot took a high bounce off the rim and settled right through the net. That sealed the win - and the Championship for the Celtics. The 2023-24 Celtics are the best team on paper - and the best in the regular season. They are favored to take the Title, but luck, good or bad, can intervene. It ...

 It may be controversial to some, but I place Larry Bird in my top-5 NBA. All-Time. Here's why. SIZE Larry said it himself - "My entire game changed when I went from 6'6" to 6'9." With the added three inches, The Birdman was able to get his shot off - improve his rebounding - fight for position under the basket - and see over opponents to get the ball to his teammates. He may have been good - even very good - at 6;6" - but not great. Bird averaged 10.0 rebounds per game for his career. Not bad for a guy not very quick or athletic. SAVVY Forget Larry's use of double-negatives. He is no dummy, especially on the hardwood. He almost always knew the right play and how/where/when to get it done. His knowledge of the game and instincts were some of the best the League has ever seen. SYNERGY WITH TEAMMATES "I knew my teammates"  was what Larry told former fellow Celtic, Kevin McHale . Bird knew where his teammates were most of the time - and wh...

 It's E ast Finals MVP (Jayson Tatum) versus the West Finals MVP (Steph Curry) . East coast against West coast. Memories of Larry Bird battling Magic Johnson. Youth clashing with age. The Number-1 defense confronting the Number-2 "D". It rarely gets better than this . Golden State will have home-court advantage in the series, but the Celtics managed to get three-of-their-four wins on the road against Miami . Home-court seemed to make little difference in the series. So here we go. The Bob Cousy Trophy winning Celtics versus the Oscar Robertson Trophy winning Warriors . If this doesn't excite you, you may not be a true NBA fan. "The Splash Brothers" batting "The Jay Team" - Marcus Smart wreaking havoc with the Warrior's offense - Steph firing shots from everywhere - Draymond Green doing a little bit of everything. And Rookie Head Coach, Ime Udoka, matching wits with seasoned Coach, Steve Kerr. Both coaches are disciples of Gregg Popovich...

       When did standing around the three point line become a thing in the NBA? Watching today's modern game and our Celtics, sometimes I just shake my head. While the Celtics played very well vs the Warriors, all I can see are multiple players just hanging out around the three point line having a cup of coffee.       How can you generate an offense by doing that? It really boggles my mind. I recall the days of when the ball would move and in a way that brought joy to those who watched. Anyone who saw Bird, Magic and Jordan can say they changed the game in a great way.       Bird and those Celtics teams moved the ball with pace, grace and beauty . They always came out with the best possible shot. On the fast break they would end up with points in the paint. Not like today where you have a three-on-one and someone jacks up a three . That ERA of ball brought out the epitome of what Dr Naismith invented. Basketball is a simple g...

        There Will Never Ever Be Another Larry Bird        Happy Birthday to the Great Larry Joe Bird . A true original, a guy from a small town who would lay his own gravel and mow his own lawn. A guy who could out drink anyone, then go and drop 40 on the team he faced the next day. An original on the court as well, his basketball IQ was second to no one and I MEAN NO ONE!       Larry was the ULTIMATE player, he could nail the three in your face or with multiple defenders near him and he would tell you he was gonna do it prior to it happening . He could drain shots from the midrange with ease, he could post up and get to the hoop. His passing was second to no one, he would find team mates anywhere even when he wasn't looking at them. He could rebound with the best of them, He was a damn good defender.        He gave his entire body and soul to basketball , if he played today he would DOMINATE! Today's soft...

 If I restrict the definition of athleticism to speed, quickness and leaping ability , which NBA player, all-time, combines that attribute with overall basketball skills? Starting with Magic Johnson and Larry Bird , two of the most-highly-skilled players ever , we need to admit their athleticism was not in the supreme realm.  Michael Jordan? Now we're talking! Lebron James? Maybe. Both superior athletes with amazing skills. We can only imagine what they could have accomplished with additional height. Bill Russell had that height and awesome quickness and leaping ability, but he was never known as a shooter. So, how about Giannis Antetokounmpo? At 6'11" and 242 pounds, he is big, strong, supremely athletic - and except for his long-range shooting (30% on 3s last season) and free throws (68% last season), he does everything else very well. His numbers from 2020-21 clearly show it: 28.1 PPG - 11.0 RPG - 5.9 APG - 1.2 SPG - 1.2 BPG - 57% FG Let's face it, The Greek Fre...

  You just knew the premier of NBA Lane was going to be special right from the start when the overhead cloud formation is that of the NBA logo. Masterful stuff! Then, unbelievably, it got better. Once I got over the fact that, at 77 years of age, I am two years older than the League I write about , the film was absolutely charming. 'Bout time I've been recognized for my 6-plus decades of following the NBA. pic.twitter.com/pAHhPJbaih — Tom Lane (@CelticsSentinel) October 5, 2021 NBA Lane has it all. The old guys - the youngsters - the rivalries - but most of all, the memories and the hope that the young guys bring to a League that has entertained us for 75 years through tough times and joyous seasons ( per NBA.com ):  • The morning clouds look like Logoman • Magic Johnson’s street address is 32 NBA Lane, Larry Bird’s is 33 NBA Lane – they (obviously) live across the street from each other on NBA Lane • Dwayne Wade lives at #3 NBA Lane • Oscar Robertson lives at #181 NBA Lane –...

 Both the late Dennis Johnson and Marcus Smart are not generally thought of as elite athletes, but both have shown Celtics glimpses of vertical leaps and quick moves that seemed off the scale. There are other comparisons. DJ was such an astounding defender, Magic Johnson labeled him as one of his toughest opponent s. And no present NBA player wants to be guarded by The Wolverine. But now that the buzz of possible Marcus Smart trades have faded, he may want to watch some footage of Dennis in action. Red Auerbach was right. You can't turn a poor-to-mediocre shooter into a dead-eye marksman, K. C. Jones and Don Chaney being Exhibits A and B. Exhibit C would be Marcus . His 38% career shooting from the field and 33% on three-pointers needs to rise.   DJ shot 44% on field goals - but also a putrid 17% on treys - but to his credit, he rarely took the long shot. On point production, Johnson averaged 14.1 PPG, while Smart is at 13.1 PPG. They both show up with three or four board...

            The 1992 Dream Team was one of if not the greatest assembly of basketball talent ever put on a basketball court. Imagine having a team full of Hall of Famers. Well, that was the case in 1992 Olympics and if you ask basketball fans, it was pure joy. The way in which they dominated in each and every game was masterful. Offensively and defensively was a doctorate level class in basketball .        Seeing Larry, Magic and Michael on the court as part of a team was something that will never be duplicated no matter how many super teams or other Olympic teams come together. Along with those greats the team consisted of Scottie Pippen, Clyde Drexler, John Stockton, Karl Malone, David Robinson, Chris Mullin, Patrick Ewing, Charles Barkley and Christian Laettner .       This amazing collection of Hall of Famers won their games by an average of 44 points ! Talk about total domination by the greatest team ever a...

      Climb on my back boys! No more infamous words then those before game 7 of the 1984 NBA Finals vs the Lakers. Cedric Cornbread Maxwell delivered after those impactful words. During that same series after James Worthy missed a key free throw in game 4 Max walked by him making the choke sign.       Cedric Maxwell lead his college team to the Final Four in 1977. A smaller college in UNC Charlotte not your typical big time college, pretty impressive and speaks to the talent and skills of Cornbread.       Cornbread had some of the best low post skills of any player ever to take to he hardwood. He had an uncanny ability to fake the defense into the air and score easily . Another skill of Cornbreads was to draw contact from his opponents and get to the line. He also had a pretty decent hook shot as well.       Cornbread was a two time NBA Champion winning in 81 and 84. Taking home F inals MVP in 1981. He was ...

 As a hopefully-welcome diversion to a disappointing Celtics season, I broach the following to my readers - and welcome them to join in. Here are my choices for the Magnificent-7 , along with a few guidelines in choosing them.   I broke my own rule when I put Russ into The Magnificent-7. He had a weakness. he could not shoot - at least beyond 10 feet. Only 15.1 PPG for his career, along with 56% on free throws. See my reasoning tomorrow and join in. https://t.co/99cOwo0pJR — Tom Lane (@CelticsSentinel) May 7, 2021 As I stated in the above tweet, I did break my rule for "no significant weaknesses" in putting Bill Russell into the mix. He would never be compared to Sam Jones as an outside shooter, nor would he be close to Bob Cousy as a ball handler. But he was so damn dominant in most other categories - and such a winner - he can' be left out. As far as picking the sole player still on the hardwood, Lebron James , many may not like him as a person, but this guy has bee...

My previous article on the Top 5 NBA players of all-time drew a lot of controversy, and I expect this one will do the same. I am solid and unmovable on my choices at the guard and forward slots - Larry Bird and Lebron James take the two front court positions, while Magic Johnson and Michael Jordan occupy the guards slots. 2001 MVP Shaq was the best center I have ever seen in th league. He was literally unstoppable I remember thinking there was no way his team could lose because he COULD NOT BE STOPPED except by fouling him. Such a tough decision to take Shaq over Kareem but he gets the edge... — Matty Vegas (@MattyVegas22) February 21, 2021 Younger responders will often tend to go with more-recent stars, and that showed in the Twitter posts. The major question seems to "center" around the five spot. The names of Bill Russell, Kareem Abdul-Jabbar, Wilt Chamberlain and Shaquille O"Neal all showed up in the discussion. I find it hard to argue with those that pick Wilt, Sha...

Our on-line draft of 32 Celtics stars is complete, and we have now whittled down that number to the Sweet Sixteen. The only current player to make the cut is Al Horford. The remaining 15 Boston players are either retired or deceased, having played for The Green for more than two full seasons over the past sixty years. The 16 stars from the Lakers squad is as formidable. CELTICS: BIGS Bill Russell Dave Cowens Robert Parish Al Horford WINGS Kevin Garnett John Havlicek Paul Pierce Larry Bird Tom Heinsohn Kevin McHale Reggie Lewis Dennis Johnson Sam Jones BALL HANDLERS Bob Cousy JoJo White Tiny Archibald LAKERS: BIGS Wilt Chamberlain Kareem Abdul-Jabbar Shaquille O'Neal Pau Gasol George Mikan WINGS Magic Johnson Elgin Baylor Kobe Bryant James Worthy Bob MaAdoo Jamaal Wilkes Michael Cooper BALL HANDLERS Jerry West Byron Scott Gail Goodrich Derek Fisher What sticks out immediately is the triple-tower combo of Wilt, Shaq and Kareem. The Celtics can...

Realizing the immense impact the late Kobe Bryant had on the NBA, I truly believe that the Kobe-as-logo proposal is too emotion-of-the-moment based. Making his image the logo of the NBA would certainly give a boost to those mourning his loss, but it would also demean the present Logo, Jerry West, and other League stalwarts that were never considered for the honor. I will start with West. The 14-time All-Star, 8-time Champion as Executive and 2-time Executive-of-the-Year earned the honor and is still deeply involved in the NBA. How about Bill Russell? He is an 11-time Title holder and 2-time Champion as player/coach of the Celtics. This proud man never received the accolades he deserved when he was active. And then there is Larry Bird - 3-time Champ, 12-time All-Star - and the only player to earn MVP, Coach-of-the-Year and Executive-of-the-Year. Those are fine credentials. The Lakers Magic Johnson and Kareem Abdul Jabbar would certainly be worthy of consideration. You get my point...

With Ice Cube's BIG3 League in its third season, and 3-on-3 play coming to the Tokyo Olympics in 2020, interest in 3-on-3 basketball will surely increase. Having already broached my All-Present NBA, All-Time Celtics and All-Present Celtics squads , it is time for my All-Time NBA 3-on-3 team. Versatility is king here. Players need to have multi skills, and for this one, I have gone with mid-sized stars. Here are my troops: Larry Bird Magic Johnson Michael Jordan Lebron James (bench) There is nothing Bird can't do - scoring in close and from distance, rebounding, defense, passing - he has it all. Magic isn't quite as good as Larry scoring far from the hoop, but he is good enough. And he does everything else well - very well. Michael and Lebron may still be vying for Best-NBA-Player-Ever, so they needed to be included. We go from a height of 6'6" (Jordan) to 6'9" (Larry and Magic). Among the missing by necessity are Lakers Jerry West and Kobe Bryan...