Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

 Celtics win over the 76ers (144-106) was more of a romp. Philly was short-handed, and Boston took advantage. Here are a few highlights: Tatum looking healthy and ready for the regular season Everything starts with Jayson Tatum, and he looked just fine last night.  He ended the game with 23 points, five boards, four assists and one steal. Jayson was 9-of-19 from the field and 4-of-10 from deep.  Pritchard solid in his role Payton Pritchard was the Celtics high scorer with 25 points, hitting on 7-of-12 from the field, 5-of-8 from 3-point land and a perfect 6-of-6 from the foul line. He took honors in plus/minus with a +35. This could be another solid season for the 6'1" guard. Scheierman showing his versatility Baylor Scheierman had an off-shooting night but came away with three rebounds, eight assists (high for Boston) and five steals. Who knows what this young guy's ceiling is. Shout-out to Baylor Scheierman ☘️ I love his energy. Scored just three points, but still left...

 The Boston Celtics got a win over the Cleveland Cavaliers, 124-113 , and it is obvious that Joe Mazzulla has his guys focused on retrieving their own misses. Last night, "The Green" won the board battle, collecting 56 rebounds to only 39 for the Cavs. But it was Boston's 21 offensive boards (to six for Cleveland) that stood out. Luka Garza was high man for the Celtics, hauling in 10 rebounds - while also taking team honors in scoring with 22 points . The offensive glass stats for Boston were even more remarkable since "The Green's" two main stars in that category, Neemias Queta and Mitchell Robinson, never got on the floor. Garza, Dillon Mitchell and Chris Cenac each ended the game with four offensive boards . Will this "retrieve-your-own-misses" trend continue into the regular season?  That appears to be highly likely.  This is good news. Cleaning the glass from your own misses simply comes down to effort and dedication to the task . The Bo...

 Here's the setup. It is pure fantasy, but how about a matchup between the superstars of today versus the old timers of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s - with all participants being at their peaks. When I chose the five guys still playing , it was ironic that they were all international stars - namely Nikola Jokic, Victor Wembanyama, Luka Doncic, Shai Gilgeous Alexander and Giannis Antetokounmpo . That quintet will be found in the top-10 of most present NBA analysts. My, how the game has changed. So, who do I have for my "Fogie Five"? Bill Russell, Wilt Chamberlain, Larry Bird, Michael Jordan and Magic Johnson . I fully realize how many basketball fans never got to see Russell and Wilt play, but I saw plenty of it. The very first game I attended at the Old Boston Garden saw Russell and Chamberlain in a classic duel.  Bill, Wilt and Larry would make for one powerhouse of a front court , and the backcourt duo of Magic and Jordan speaks for itself. Would the old guys be able to...

            My parents won tickets to this year's enshrinement and let me tell you I was like a little kid. We used to go to these events when I was younger. We also would go to the tip off classic and Hall of Fame games too. I remember seeing UMass beat Arkansas and take over the number one seed back on 95. In the early 90s the Bulls came and I was able to see Michael Jordan play and at halftime I touched him on the shoulder. Fast forward to Magic Johnsons enshrinement and we went out back after the ceremony. Who did we meet and shake hands with.... Larry Joe Bird and Earvin Magic Johnson. Talk about being up close and personal with 3 of the greatest to do it. I was able to meet Dr J at an event where he gave me his autograph. I also met the Chief, KC Jones, Dave Cowens and Kevin McHale.       Back to the present, we were able to meet Sean Grande, Mike Breen, Sam Cassell, Bernard King, Roy Williams, Amare Stoudimire, Shawn Marion, Calvi...

Time dulls our perceptions of the NBA stars of the 60s, 70's and 80s Bill Russell would not star in today's game? Larry Bird is overrated? REALLY? I don't agree! I will focus mainly on the Boston Celtics since I have closely  followed them for 66 years. Russell hasn't played since 1969 - when he earned his 11th Title ring . He was big (for his time), supremely athletic, and had one of the keenest basketball IQs ever. He was not a volume scorer (career 16.2 PPG) - but did not need to be . However, his rebounding (24.9 RPG), defense, team play and rim protection were phenomenal. Russ just knew how to win . And he was the ultimate team player. His comrades knew if they slipped up on defense, "Big Bill" was there to correct their miscues. Could he play, or even star, in today's game? Yes on both counts. I immediately put him at the center spot of my all-time Celtics team - and probably on my all-time NBA starting quintet. Ditto for Larry Bird . He joins R...

What cheers you up? Fame, fortune, palatial house, snazzy car? God or Nature gave us the ability to make choices , but it is up to us to try to make the decisions that improve the quality of our lives . Having choices is what has always given me a lift . It was the Spring of 1972 , and I had recently made such a choice, leaving a high-paying job as a research engineer to take a temporary position as game warden for the Commonwealth of Massachusetts. My new job was to patrol the rivers and streams close to my home and enforce the fishing laws of the state. In effect, I traded the rigors of a tough commute to the Boston area and the toxic factories of the chemical industry for the clean air and b eauty of the woods and waters of central Massachusetts. It was a time when Harry Chapin's song, Taxi , was all over the car radio. I will always mentally connect that tune to one of the best choices I ever made. "It was raining hard in 'Frisco I had one more fare to make my ...