Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

 The Celtics Marcus Smart will be suspended for tonight's game versus the Miami Heat for a violation of a rule specified by Coach Ime Udoka . That violation is supposedly for missing the team's flight to Orlando for Wednesday night's game. The alleged infraction did require consequences, particularly for a key player that seems destined for co-captaincy this coming season. Udoka is not fooling around with his newly-acquired and talented squad. But the suspension is for a pre-season game where the win-loss status means little. Coach Udoka has set the tone for the season! Join in - follow the rules, and we should have a successful season. All is well in Beantown!

   Get into the playoffs and anything can happen. In a nutshell, Danny Ainge's mindset is the old NBA axiom -  Get into the playoffs and anything can happen. Two former-Celtics refugees are thriving with their newly-chosen teams in the Eastern Conference. Coach Doc River s has his 76'ers in first place with a 23-12 record, while the dearly-departed Kyrie Irving has partnered well with James Harden to put the Nets in second place at 23-13 - with much of that happening with Kevin Durant out of action. The Bucks hold down the third spot at 21-13, but the next seven slots are huddled together with records varying from 18-17 (Knicks - 4th spot) to 15-18 (Pacers and Bulls - 9th and 10th spots). The Celtics sit in sixth place with a 17-17 record. Danny Ainge knows this just may not be the Celtics year. The Nets getting Durant back is simply scary for the rest of the League, and Philly just keeps winning. And it doesn't get any better for Boston out West where four teams (Jaz...

  "Small ball" has been around for awhile, popularized by none other than former Celtic Don Nelson. Traditionally, this style of play has been associated with a plethora of threes, which is not a  strength  of this Celtics squad. Looking at the numbers, however, it seems that playing small ball could be a source of life for an offense that sputtered in it's two preseason games. For the fore-knee-able future (looking at you, Kemba), Marcus Smart, Jaylen Brown, and Jayson Tatum are going to be the offensive focal points for your 20-21 C's. Nominally, Smart will play the 1 or 2, Brown the 2 or 3, and Tatum the 3 or 4. Across the board, all 3 of these players have a healthier offensive contribution when moved up one digit position-wise - Smart at the 2, Brown at the 3, and Tatum at the 4. First, let's look at Smart  Marcus Smart Position Splits ASTD % = Percentage of makes that were assisted upon % Freq at Rim = Percentage of shots taken at rim % Freq from 3 = Percent...

Training camp starts today for the United States entry into the World Cup. A number of NBA starts have dropped out already, including Damian Lillard, Bradley Beal, Anthony Davis, James Harden, Andre Drummond and Kevin Love. Four players that have not left are Celtics Marcus Smart, Jayson Tatum, Jalylen Brown and Kemba Walker. Aka the Celtics on the move to their first USA Basketball meeting. https://t.co/IQPP4dAZXg — Jay King (@ByJayKing) August 5, 2019 USA Basketball will eventually whittle the field down to 15 players. Right now it appears that the Celtics quartet wants to stick - in part, I believe, to help win a Championship for their country after a disappointing 2018-19 NBA season. This also gives Kemba a chance to battle tough competition with his new teammates. It is great to see the Jay Team and The Cobra together and smiling. Best of luck guys. It all starts today. Follow Tom at @CelticsSentinel and @_Celtics_Center