Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

 Now it starts. It is NBA All-Star weekend as I write this, and some inferior teams have their focus on losing enough games to "earn" a high lottery pick . Danny Ainge , never one to previously tank as Head Honcho of the Boston Celtics, and his Utah Jazz took a half-million-dollar  hit for failing to play his stars in the final period of two close games. Unnecessarily resting star players has been a major issue in the League this season, and Adam Silver has decided to make teams pay for such a practice. Silver stated that such behavior "undermines the foundation of NBA compeition" . That may be so, but what may eventually be undermined might be the popularity of the League itself - and the massive amount of money it acquires.  The blatent "losing to gain a high draft position" needs to stop , but large fines are hardly felt by the offending teams. Resting star players to avoid injuries is one thing, but benching them after overstating the seriousness ...

 Celtics sophomore, Baylor Scheierman , seems to be getting a lot of attention from his coach, Joe Mazzulla . In last night's win over the Chicago Bulls , Scheierman started his 8th contest of the season and contributed 10 points, five boards, one assist and one steal. The 6'6" shooting guard hit 2-of-7 from the fieeld and 2-of-5 from deep . Baylor is averaging 45% on field goals for the season and 39% on threes . He has started 4-of-the-last five games - four of them wins. His floor time contunes to rise. Scheierman's 4-year contract at an average of $3.2 million per year is fully guaranteed through the 2028 season - with team options for 2026-27 (already exercised by Celtics) and 2027-28. He looks to be a  "keeper" for Brad Stevens.

      While he may have doubts which is understandable getting JT back will put us into a great spot. Adding an MVP type player to a team with an MVP player plus this roster could be a recipe for success. JB and JT will be stronger together than apart. The rest of the NBA is shaking in their kicks. If JT is ready and hitting on all cylinders I can't see why we won't make a nice long run in the playoffs. Tonight we welcome the Bulls right before we head into All Star Break. With a win the Cs will be the second seed in the East. Amazing for a team who most said would be in the lottery.       A first quarter that showed us how damn good JB is! He was en feugo and yet cool as the other side of the pillow! He was hitting from deep and his patented midrange. Nice to see Sam get a few shots in. Vuc has some shifty post moves and they could be very valuable. Queta was solid per usual grabbing boards and scoring inside. He has learned the game and puts it into ...

 Boston Celtics versus New York Knicks. Baylor Scheierman and Luka Garza in the starting unit, along with Neemias Queta, Derrick White and Jaylen Brown. Boston starts 0-5 on their shooting. Scheierman breaks the ice with two free throws. Baylor looks to be a keeper for Brad Stevens. With both Payton Pritchard and Nikola Vucevic coming off the bench, it appears Joe Mazzulla is still experimenting to find a solid 8-9-man rotation for the second half of the season and playoffs. Celtics hitting 1-of-7 on the long ball - not a good sign. Then it''s "Vooch" with a "3", But Boston is only 2-of-12 on threes. It's 35-24 in favor of NY at the end of the first quarter. Mazzulla once again goes to his 2-big combo of Queta and Vucevic for quarter #2, but Vooch goes out quickly with his 3rd foul. Scheierman with six boards and five assists midway through the second quarter. He can do a lot out there. Baylor is having a great game. Now up to eight rebounds and five ass...

      Cs could not have played worse in this first half. So many missed shots and way too many turnovers. You wait all day to see them ball and they come out flat. The only upside is it can't get any worse. Cs will need a huge third quarter to get back into this game. It's going to start on the defensive end. Let's see if they have it in them especially since Superbowl Sunday they will welcome the Knicks.       JB starts the third getting to the cup for the And One opportunity. JB from the midrange and he's heating up. He's been the only guy who looks like he's ready to play. Cs made a little headway only to get punched in the mouth. JB gets no love from the refs at all. Garza and Queta have been busy with this two big lineup. Huge shot from Sam and that's his first bucket of the game. Crazy especially since we are into the third. Cs need a run here or the fourth is not gonna be fun.       PP with the three, followed by DWhite for t...

 Newest Celtic, Nikola Vucevic comes to the Boston Celtics a a big man who can score - inside and out, control the boards - and be a major "plus" for Joe Mazzulla , particularly in the post-season. But what we have not heard yet is whether or not he is a man of high character. That question may have been answered by long-time Chicago sports writer, K. C. Johnson . And Mr. Johnson's analysis of Boston's new center is all positive (via "X") Post See new posts Conversation K.C. Johnson @KCJHoop I was told this deal (for Nikola Vucevic) was discussed earlier in season but didn’t gain much traction. Deadlines have a way of creating action . . . Bulls are busy. And on a personal note: Happy for Vooch to chase a title but will miss covering him. As accessible and professional as they get "As accessible and professional as they get" . That suggests that "Vooch" is an NBA player of high character - a quality looked for by most League teams, ...