Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

 The quick answer to my title question is - Yes, I believe so. I must admit that Luke Kornet has surprised me - somewhat. My fear was that Joe Mazzulla may never give him a shot at significant minutes - or Joe would use him as a 7'2" 3-point threat . Instead, Kornet is averaging 13.7 minutes per game and is displaying more of an old-school type of center play. In 21 gamnes thuis far this season, he has attempted a mere six treys and made two of them. He is averaging 5.0 points/game and hitting 71% from the field and a remarkable 15-of-16 from the free throw line.  On defense, Luke moves his feet much better than I anticipated and almost always seems to be in the right spot - both on offense and defense. In limited minutes, he is averaging 1.0 blocks per game . We already know what Rob Williams can do. He also avoids 3-point attempts (which I view as a positive) - and like Kornet - blocks shots, intimidates others, and gets great position for lobs and offensive boards. Ro...

 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 ...

 There was only one Johnny Most. There will never be another. I was remembering some of the nicknames that Johnny assigned to Celtics players, and I have used them often in my writings. Here are a few of Johnny Most's Monikers : Rapid Robert (Cousy) Jarrin' John the Bouncin' Buckeye (Havlicek) Dynamite Don (Nelson) Wide Clyde (Lovellette) Wayne The Wall (Embry) Jungle Jim (Luscotoff) Big Red (Cowens) Tall Paul (Silas) Small Paul (Westphal, who wasn't much shorter than Silas) Buckshot Bailey (Howell) High Henry (Finkel) The Kentucky Colonel (Frank Ramsey) Leapin Larry (Siegfried) Slippery Sam (Jones)

Red Auerbach was known for acquiring All-Star players who were nearing the end of their careers. Here are some of the most-notable additions that the wily legend brought to Boston. Shaquille O'Neal Shaq was picked up by the Celtics in 2010 on a 2-year, vet-minimum contract totaling $2.8 million. An assortment on injuries limited the 15-Time All-Star to 37 games, in which he averaged 9.2 PPG and 4.8 RPG. Boston traded center Kendrick Perkins in February, partially in the hope that O'Neal would overcome his injuries and return to form. That never happened, and Shaq retired from the NBA at the conclusion of the season. Dave Bing The 6'3" Bing played most of his career with the Detroit Pistons and totaled seven All-Star appearances. He played his final NBA season in 1977-78 with the Celtics, averaging 13.6 PPG, 2.7 RPG and 3.8 APG. After retiring from the League, Dave transformed himself into a successful business owner, political activist - and finally was elected May...