Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

  Joel Embiid is back in the Philly fold following recovery from a torn meniscus , and the 76'ers finished the season on an 8-game winning streak . Those two facts are totally related. If the Celtics spar with Philly at some point in the post-season, the question remains of how to defend the 7', 280-lb. "Cameroonian Colossus" . Joe Mazzulla's strategy of putting d efensive whiz, Jrue Holiday , on Embiid during the regular season worked quite well. Jrue Holiday defense ✅ Jrue Holiday offense ✅ pic.twitter.com/XVgKsaHWlH — Celtics on NBC Sports Boston (@NBCSCeltics) November 9, 2023 Jrue did a commendable job on Joel on the perimeter and worked his butt off making it hard for the big man to gain ground in the paint. Holiday often had Kristaps Porzingis coming over as a second defender, but don't be surprised to see Xavier Tillman given the task of covering Embiid for limited minutes. As Joel Embiid goes - so go the Philadelphia 76'ers. Mazzulla will go w...

 The size differential between the Celtics Al Horford (6'9", 240 lbs.) and The Sixers Joel Embiid (7', 280 lbs.) appears greater than the measurements indicate . Still, Boston's 36-year-old center/forward did one terrific job defending the League MVP. It was obvious from Game-1 of the East Semis versus the Philadelphia 76'ers that The Dominican Gentleman was up to the task . Al was annointed as Embiid's prime defender in the series, and he was not going to allow the Philly center's size, strength and MVP status to detract from his task. It probably helped that Joe Mazzulla (or was it Brad Stevens?) decided to play his 2-big starting lineup for the final two games of the series - bringing in 6'8" Rob Williams to pair with Horford. In a post-game interview, Al put it right out there, stating: "I was just out there trying to fight for my life!" "I had to put my imprint in the series. I had to figure it out." Al Horford on guard...

 OMNIPOTENT (DEFINITION): Having unlimited power and authority The Milwaukee Bucks still hold the best record in the NBA , but the Celtics performance in their Thursday win over "The Deer" showed that The Green fear no opponent . The victory was decisive - and, yes - revealed the omnipotence of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum and their compadres . No other team has a legit replica of The Jay Team . Tatum and Brown are so skilled and athletic, opponents find it nearly impossible to stay with them away from the hoop. They are lightening-quick and have become masters at evading defenders.  Time and hard work have seasoned both stars, and Boston's other cast of characters now appear ready for the post-season. Bring on Miami, Philly, Milwaukee, Phoenix or whoever. There have been legit questions about the team's dedication and work ethic during the regular season, but the guys in green may have answered the call. They seem ready for the real test.

 That was the buzz early last season when the disgrunted Ben Simmons decided to sit out the season in Philly. One such proposal broached sending Marcus Smart, Josh Richardson, Grant Williams and two first round picks to the 76'ers for Ben. Another had Smart, JRich and Rob Williams III heading out for Simmons. Back to the present, and more sanity. The Celtics lead the entire NBA with a 32-12 record and Marcus just keeps getting better-and-better as main point guard. Over the last four games - all wins - he is ranked third in the League with 11.0 assists per game. Smart doesn't exactly burn the rim from the hinterlands, but this season he is hitting at a 33% clip on treys. How about Ben? He has attempted one 3-pointer this season - and missed it. He seems plagued by a fear of taking any shot from distance and having to go to the free throw line after being fouled. So any potential deal sending Marcus Smart to Simmons' new home in Brooklyn would be total folly . Smart...

 Yes, we could have been the equivalent of the present version of the Philadelphia 76'ers . You know, "The Process" that never worked.   All of Jaylen Brown, Jayson Tatum, Rob Williams, Al Horford - and even Coach Ime Udoka - could have been in Philly rather than Boston this season.  The 76'ers grabbed Ben Simmons at number-1 in the 2016 draft instead of Jaylen Brown . Then they took Markelle Fultz number-one the next year (2017) instead of Jayson Tatum. In 2018, Philadelphia chose Mikal Bridges at #10, while the Celtics went with Rob Williams when he dropped to #27. Al Horford left for Philly as a free agent in 2019, but the 76'ers felt that Al was not a good fit (definitely flawed thinking!) and traded him to Oklahoma City after one season. How about Ime Udoka . He signed with Philadelphia as an assistant coach in 2019 and rightly felt that was not the place for him at the time. Udoka signed with the Nets as an assistant in 2020, and quickly grabbed his fi...

      1st Quarter       What was that quarter all about, lack of energy, not very good ball movement. The Sixers came out to play while the Celtics are still stuck in Indiana . Offensively I'm watching a bunch of guys just standing around the three point line and it makes me sick. This is a total turn around from what they did the other night. This team looks out of sorts tonight.       I usually like watching the games because it's a nice escape from reality but so far tonight I want to turn off the game and watch anything else! My mind is already drifting to tomorrow night vs the Bulls . Not to mention Pat's vs Bills. I hope the next few quarters can keep Celtics fans engaged.       2nd Quarter       We all remember the Where's the Beef Commercial?! WHERES THE D!!! What is going on out there tonight, we win a few games in a row and we stop doing what got us there? You finally get yourself  b...

 The Celtics have completed 38 % of their season and sit with a record of 15-16 . I have seen enough to post what I consider the core-trio and a few guys that, barring a significant trade, need to be retained. Feel free to disagree . It all starts with Jayson Tatum . Chosen as Eastern Conference Player of the Week , it was no coincidence that Jayson also ignited the Play of the Game against the 76'ers, saving the ball from going out of bounds and getting it to Jaylen Brown - who in turn lobbed it to Marcus Smart for the jam. Coach Udoka says he sent Jayson Tatum a text the other night to let him know how much he appreciates the work JT has put in: “He’s pretty much carried the load for us all year.” — Boston Celtics (@celtics) December 20, 2021 Yes, that is my core-trio. Jayson has carried the team on his back this season . Brown was high-scorer for Boston with 30 points , and forget the noise about the Jay Teams' skills being redundant. Give me more of that redundancy. ...

 It's simply another case of the Boston Celtics projected as middle-of-the-pack this season. Sports Illustrated has them ranked 14th as "best teams to follow based on watchability" . 14. Celtics Always a little bit more function over form, the Celtics seem primed for a bounceback season in 2021–22. Jayson Tatum is one of the most gifted scorers in the league, and the addition of some quality vets (Dennis Schroder, Al Horford, Josh Richardson) should have Boston more closely resembling the team that nearly snuck into the Finals in 2020. Makes the team appear boring, doesn't it? "Function over form"! Kind of suggests - t ry to win the game but don't be entertaining. Let's compare the 14th-ranked, borderline-boring  Celtics with the (allegedly) supremely-entertaining, 2nd-ranked Brooklyn Nets . 2. Nets Kevin Durant  is perhaps the most talented scorer in the history  of people to pick up a basketball, yet it’s possible he may not even be the best score...

I just like to get the other side of the story. The Philadelphia 76'ers beat the Celtics 117-109 on Wednesday night, and a rematch comes this evening. A Philadelphia sports writer feels that the Wednesday contest was Philly's first game versus a legitimate Title contender, and he wasn't exactly enthralled with the win or the structure of his home team ( per Philadelphia Inquirer's David Murphy ): In an ideal world, the game that unfolded in front of his eyes will be the last of its kind, a showdown between two championship aspirants that revealed almost nothing about the future that awaits either team. In the visiting corner, the Boston Celtics, minus their best player. In the home corner, the Sixers, playing a seventh straight game without their full starting lineup. Murphy agrees with most of us in Boston that the Wednesday game, and outcome, was not representative of what CAN  occur with both teams having full active rosters. One region of concern for Philadelphia i...

The Boston Celtics lost to Philadelphia last night, 108-99, but the defeat hardly matters. Brad Dtevens experimented big-time with his lineups, and here are my 10 takeaways from the contest: Payton Pritchard looked like he has been in the League for 3-or-4 years It wasn't just the rookie's stats that stood out (16 points, 4 rebounds, 2 assists, 1 block) in only 22 minutes. He played like a veteran out there. At one point when he was at the free throw line, I saw that "nothing-is-going-to-stop-me" look that Dave Cowens aften displayed. This kid is a keeper. Brad Stevens is experimenting big-time in Exhibition Season We saw a lot of small-ball in last night/s game versus Philadelphia. At one juncture, Brad put out a quintet of Tremont Waters (5'10"), Carsen Edwards (5'11"), Pritchard (6'1"), Aaron Nesmith (6'6") and Grant Williams (6'6").   Jeff Teague proved himself to be a wise addition Teague scored a team-high 18 points ...

The Celtics road win over the Phildelphia 76'ers was much-needed . The game was close all the way, and here are some interesting tidbits from the matchup against one of Boston's major rivals. 1.) Boston seems to have Philly's number no matter who the 76'ers put on the floor The Celtics have been victorious in all three games versus the 76'ers this season - with an average margin of roughly nine points. This game was in Philadelphia, and the Sixers have added Tobias Harris to their roster. Didn't matter. Another win for the Celtics. 2.) Kyrie Irving's teammates are forced to ramp up their games without him The Celtics are now 28-19 (.596) when Kyrie Irving plays - and 8-2 (.800) when he doesn't. Last night, Al Horford, Jayson Tatum, Marcus Morris and Gordon Hayward all came through with big games to cinch the win. The Celtics played tough and physical against Philly, and it worked. The players seem to step up when they can't rely on Kyrie's...