Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

Almost five months ago, I wrote that Brad Stevens needed to balance his top-heavy starting lineup , and now it appears I have a supporter for my idea from NBA TV's Sam Mitchell, who proposed having Gordon Hayward come off the bench to pair with Marcus Smart. I had originally proposed the same move, specifically pointing to Semi Ojeleye as the new projected starter. This was my argument in March: The Boston Celtics have generally had their top-4 scorers in the starting unit, and that may need to change. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Gordon Hayward and Kemba Walker account for 82.4 points per game, while the Boston bench ranks 28th in points-production at 27.6 PPG. You know I have broached this before. Only Gordon and Marcus have the mindset to come off the bench and not be hurt emotionally. The offense is too centered on the starting unit. Hayward's minutes should not drop though. — Tom Lane (@CelticsSentinel) March 5, 2020 In last night's scrimmage versus the Houston ...

Isn't it time to recognize Tommy Heinsohn as a true Boston treasure? After starring at Holy Cross, Red Auerbach drafted him in 1956 with the Celtics' territorial pick, while also finagling a trade with the St. Louis Hawks to acquire Bill Russell. K. C. Jones and future Celtic, Willie Naulls (drafted by Hawks), were taken in the second round. Red was unmerciful with Heinsohn from the start, constantly berating him in front of the troops and bestowing on him the demeaning task of lugging the ball bag - not only in Tommy's rookie year but also in his sophomore season. The following from my interview with Sam Jones: (Sam): "I saw a lot of it. I loved it. That means he (Red) kept off my back. That (Heinsohn) was Red's whipping boy. Better Tommy than me." Tommy had a spectacular rookie season, putting up 16.2 PPG and hauling down 9.9 rebounds in 29.9 minutes per contest. His minutes increased to 37.0 MPG in the post-season, as did his points (22.9 PPG) and board...