Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

You know who they are. Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and Daniel Theis will all be starters at many points in the upcoming season, and their contracts are real bargains in today's NBA. Their total salaries add up to $30.8 million for this year. Think of that!.Theis is relatively poverty-stricken, earning a mere $5M for the season, while Smart will pick up $12.9M and Brown"s $22.9M, despite the "overpaid" screams from his critics, now  looks like a steal. Many Celtics fans feel that there is little "talent-gap" between Jaylen and his Jay Team partner, Jayson Tatum. Yet Tatum is set to earn roughly that 3-man total (30.4M) in the second year (2022-23) of his contract extension.  There is little doubt that Marcus will be looking for a raise, as he is slated to make $13.8M for the final season (2021-22) of his present deal, and Daniel will be a free agent next season barring the expected moves from the Celtics to retain him.  If newly-acquired Tristan Thompson or o...

I'm feeling much better about the loss of Gordon Hayward this morning. The Celtics have finalized a sign-and-trade deal with the Charlotte Hornets with Boston picking up a trade exception north of $27 million. Celtics secure TPE for sign-and-trade of Hayward to Hornets, biggest ever https://t.co/bW5RYXMBaY — The Celtics Wire (@TheCelticsWire) November 29, 2020 Although most TPEs are never used, my feeling is Danny Ainge will use all of part of that exception to improve his team. For the best (and clearest) analysis on the transaction, read Chris Forsberg's (NBC Sports)  excellent breakdown : It's basically all about creating cap space to possibly acquire a player or players without having to match salaries. It is mostly about FLEXIBILITY. Consider the TPE as another tool in Danny's arsenal of weapons in his quest for Banner #18. To simplify, looking at the current salary cap ($109,140,000) and luxury tax level ($132,627,000), according to Forsberg , the Celtics will hav...

The positive impact the Boston Celtics had on one Canadian youngster Thanksgiving is a time when everyone reflects on what they are thankful for. Like most, I am thankful for my family, friends, health & job. I have a great life, but in my thanks I cannot forget the one team that helped me through some of my darkest times: the Boston Celtics.  Growing up in Montreal in the early 80’s was a treasure trove for sports fans.  The Montreal Expos were beginning their run as the winningest team in the 80’s while the Montreal Canadiens were perennial Stanley Cup contenders. For sports heroes a kid could chose from the likes of Guy Lafleur, Ken Dryden, Gary Carter, Andre Dawson, Steve Rogers. It was awesome. However, on Sunday afternoons in the winter, after football season had ended, there was nothing for a sports fan to watch.  My parents were going through a bitter divorce in 1980. On Sundays it would be my fathers time to see my brother & I.  He would pick us up a...

 Irving, Horford & Hayward didn't work out. Barring a trade-of-the-decade, look for roster tweaks . How did Kyrie Irving work out for the Boston Celtics? Frankly, not very well. Injuries, team turmoil and no Banner #18! He walked away. Al Horford? It looked like Al just didn't want to be here any more. And when it looked like Gordon Hayward was re-upping with Boston or heading back home to Indiana, he bolted to Charlotte. We can only guess why.  The addition of Kemba Walker has been positive thus far. He's supplies volume scoring - is a willing facilitator - and a great teammate. But now we are looking at some persistent knee issues for Kemba that may limit his production this season. With the Jay Team, Marcus and Kemba on board, Danny Ainge may see no need for any home-run moves to acquire a superstar, unless (there's always an "unless" with Danny) an Anthony Davis-level star becomes available. NBA stars peak in their mid-to-late 20's, and Jaylen Brow...

Smart's value just got bigger with Kemba Walker's knee woes I am amazed that Marcus Smart still has critics in Boston. He may come in second to Larry Bird as the Celtic who most-used the qualities that God or nature bestowed on him. So we need to change the photo wording "on the departure Kyrie Irving & Al Horford" to "on the worrisome knee issues of Kemba Walker". Flash back to the 2020 post-season. Still not known as the second coming of Sam Jones, Marcus only hit 39.4% of his field goal attempts, but in the playoffs he averaged 38.1 MPG, 14.5 PPG, 4.6 RPG, 4.6 APG, and 1.2 SPG. He was vital to The Green's making it to the Eastern Conference Finals. For those who weren't around, I see Smart as a hybrid combo of the Jones Boys, Sam and K. C. Sam attempted more than twice as many shots as his back-court partner, K. C., and for good reason. Sam's career FG% was .456, while K. C. hit .387 from the field. Once Bob Cousy retired, K. C. Jones took...

Let me first say that I doubt this will happen. The Celtics giving Isaiah Thomas another shot is ... well, a long shot. Brad Stevens doesn't favor guards in the 6-feet-and-under category. They can be a major liability on defensive switches. So why bring him back? Because this still-young guy is damn exciting. A lot of Boston fans would love him back in TD Garden, and I am one of them. I accept the fact that he can be a mis-match nightmare, but on offense he uses his speed and lack of size to drive opponents absolutely nuts. I collect game shorts and I wear them when I workout in the off-season lol https://t.co/y7wUyDmp7o — Isaiah Thomas (@isaiahthomas) November 25, 2020 Professional basketball is still a game. It is entertainment. This little guy supplies that - along with intensity and guts. When an offensive spark is needed off the bench, call his number. Put him on a second unit that will run the opposition into exhaustion - or "guerrilla warfare" as the late Tommy He...

The Boston Celtics took seven games to defeat the Raptors, - weren't able to get by the Miami Heat in the Eastern Conference Finals, - and would certainly have had everything they could handle versus the Lakers. Well, the Celtics improved ever-so-slightly, but the Lakers got significantly stronger in the last several days. So is it safe to say at this point the Lakers won the NBA offseason (still a few weeks left)? Rundown: Montrezl Harrell (reigning 6th Man of the Yr) Dennis Schroder (6th Man runner up) Wesley Matthews (3 & D) KCP (re-signed) Marc Gasol (1x champ & 1x Defensive Player of the Yr) — Ryan Ward (@RyanWardLA) November 23, 2020 Designated 6th-Man-of-the-Year, Montrezl Harrell, apparently didn't feel totally cherished in Clipper-Land and bolted to the Lakers with a 2-year deal totaling $19 million. The 6'7", 240-pound bruiser may be LA's most-valuable pickup.  Savvy veteran, Marc Gasol, also heads to the Lakers and allows his new team to play ei...

I go on record as being a major Daniel Theis fan - no superstar, but one of the top production-per-dollar players in the NBA. Now comes new acquisition, Tristan Thompson. Does he come to Boston as a starter at the center slot in place of Theis, or are the two viable together in the front court? I believe they are a workable combo when the opposing center is of the larger - and stronger - variety. Thompson at center and Theis at the PF spot just might work in that situation. Daniel has sufficient quickness to cover opposing wings, and my feeling is that Tristan has less of a chance to get bullied and manhandled by the brute centers. As accomplished a coach as Brad Stevens is, the start of this season should hopefully see him do more experimentation, and show more flexibility, in his lineups and substitutions. Enes Kanter is gone, and I doubt we will see Vincent Poirier on the roster after mid-season. That leaves Rob Williams and Grant Williams as substitutes at the 5-spot.  I believ...

Things are so vastly different in the NBA today than they were in 1956. Making comparisons between General Managers in that era and those in the modern League is difficult, but here we go. Red is listed as both Coach and Executive in 1956. He was basically the Front Office. The 2020 list goes well over 100 names. There were only eight teams in the League in the mid-50's. There are 30 now. Simplicity reigned in the 50's. Auerbach made virtually all of the decisions, from determining substitutions during games to scouting potential draft picks and negotiating player contracts. Players generally hung around on the same team for their entire careers. But today, Danny Ainge has employees to handle most of the tasks, and the game of "Musical Players" has become an epidemic. So, who has had it tougher, Red or Danny? Red worked his butt off, but the daily process was not complicated. Auerbach was in charge, and the Celtics organization was as close to a dictatorship as existe...

Even with the free-agent acquisition of center, Tristan Thompson, in the Celtics attempt to improve strength, toughness and physicality , I still maintain that Danny Ainge needs to bring back Aron Baynes. Marcus Smart already covers those three bases, and the Celtics wisely fully-guaranteed the $1.8 million contract for Semi Ojeleye for this season, despite the 6'6" wing having naysayers among the Boston faithful ( Per Celtics blog's Adam Taylor ): Fresh off an impressive season in Phoenix, where he averaged career highs in points (11.5), rebounds (5.6), assists (1.6), and three-point percentage (35.1 on four attempts per game).  Aron Baynes  is an unrestricted free agent and fits the bill of a rotation caliber center that Boston so sorely needs. Ojeleye is 240 pounds of solid muscle. To opponents jockeying for position against him, it must seem like bumping against a cement wall. "But he can't play", his critics might say. I say he can. He has been an elite ...

As a 3-year supporter of Gordon Hayward's stint in Boston, I now say goodbye. I believe Charlotte overspent with their $120 million/4 year offer, and the Hayward "family" decision to depart Beantown was made in error. Time to move on. With Hayward bound elsewhere, and the free agent market looking like the Sahara desert, I remain optimistic. I never envisioned Danny Ainge as a Red Auerbach successor, but Danny has done quite well. Don't give up on The Green. — Tom Lane (@CelticsSentinel) November 21, 2020 I have argued all along that  five tweaks to the Celtics roster  would put The Green back in the Finals, and Danny Ainge wasted no time in doing so. Cleveland center, Tristan Thompson, is coming on board via free agency with a $19 million deal spread over two years, although many Bostonians seem to favor the potential arrival of Khloe Kardashian.   The 29-year-old, 1-time NBA Champ averaged 30.2 MPG, 12.0 PPG, 10.1 RPG and 2.1 APG last season. He projects to b...

The Boston Celtics have not had a team Captain since Rajon Rondo held the position for the 2013-14 season prior to being traded to the Dallas Mavericks. Brad Stevens has indicated that he often prefers not naming a captain to give all members of the team "ownership". But I honestly believe part of the issue here is the game of "Musical Players" that the NBA has morphed into. Three names that had surfaced in the past for the role were vets Kyrie Irving, Al Horford and Aron Baynes. They are all gone. Long stints with one team are a rarity in the modern NBA. Former captains Bill Russell, John Havlicek and Larry Bird played out their entire careers in Boston, and Paul Pierce was here for the bulk of his NBA stay. Marcus Smart has also been broached as a likely candidate, and he remains in Green. He has the longest tenure on the club and has exhibited leadership qualities. It certainly appears that Jayson Tatum may transition into the Celtics main star, but he may need f...

Both former NBA stars, Isiah Thomas and Dennis Scott, labeled Aaron Nesmith as the most-exciting rookie to watch this coming season. On this morning's NBA TV broadcast, Zeke and 3-D were openly enthusiastic about the prospects of the Vanderbilt product alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.  Isiah Thomas indicated he viewed Aaron as "NBA-ready", and already having an "NBA shot". He continued with: "I don't see there's a lot in his game that needs to change. He's got that automatic shot where he's ready to go". Dennis Scott was equally  optimistic about the 6'6" rookie wing, stating that coach Jerry Stackhouse had labeled Nesmith as "... the best shooter I've seen on a day-to-day basis". Scott commented further that Danny Ainge needs shooters around Tatum and Brown, and added "You need somebody to catch-and-shoot, not catch and dribble". That certainly describes Nesmith. Aaron calls himself the "Ab...

I am not alone in my dislike of isolation basketball. All of the quotes below are from former NBA player and coach, Sam Mitchell: "I thought this was supposed to be the new NBA where its not so much iso-basketball." Many NBA fans are tired of watching a single player control the ball, ready to take their defender one-on-one while teammates streak to the corners waving for a chance to launch a 3-pointer.  "Its supposed to be space, pace and flow - and everybody touches the ball." The Celtics grabbed 6'6" wing Aaron Nesmith with the 14th pick. Not known for his passing skills or proclivity, Nesmith is tagged as a guy with non-stop, off-ball movement that can hit the long ball. We used to see a lot of that from the late John Havlicek and Detroit's Rip Hamilton. I want it back. "Last couple years, it's been your turn - my turn, and see who can get to the basket ." Danny Ainge took 6'1" guard Payton Prichard with the 26th pick. Prichar...

The quick answer to my title question is, "Not totally". Danny Ainge taking Aaron Nesmith with the 14th pick in the first round doesn't necessarily indicate Gordon Hayward will be buying his ticket out of town some time today.  First of all, I still lean in favor of Hayward remaining in Boston, and my hope is that Nesmith will not be part of a package in a trade to send Gordon elsewhere. Granted, Aaron fills the same SG/SF position as Hayward and can step in right away, but the 6'6" rookie has no shot at filling Hayward's slot in Boston - at least not this year. We know Brad Stevens has an aversion to playing the kids , but the Vanderbilt product has the wing size Brad leans on . I see him as a complement to what Gordon supplies, not as a down-the-road substitute. I really hope to see both Hayward and Nesmith on this season's Green Squad. We should know today whether Hayward is departing - or not. Danny and Gordon extended the decision date post-draft fo...

While mock drafts were appearing all over the NBA landscape, back on October 8,   I proposed only one player for the Boston Celtics to take at #14 in the first round. That player was Vanderbilt sharp-shooter Aaron Nesmith. This is what I had to say about the 6'6", 215-pound wing: Nesmith may just be a player that can step right into the Boston lineup coming off the bench for 10-12 minutes per game. He just reeks "instant offense". The only question may be whether he will still be available when Danny Ainge gets to pick at #14 in the first round of the 2020 draft.   Well, it appears that Danny Ainge and Brad Stevens agree with me on a couple of points One of which is Stevens truly wants lineups in the 6'4" - 6'9" range. If true, it supports my long-standing argument that Brad Stevens truly wants players sized in the 6'4" - 6'9" range to cut down on size mismatches & improve perimeter coverage. Ask IT or Avery Bradley. Or Enes K...

... Adam Taylor has voiced what I have argued for several years now. I truly believe most Celtics fans want their team to be in serious contention year-after-year, as opposed to making a major move to gain a high-percentage shot at a one-season Championship. . I would much rather a period of sustained contention than a singular run at a championship. And I would bet that's what Ainge is working towards, too. https://t.co/DWTrYuuOfl — Adam Taylor (@AdamTaylorNBA) November 17, 2020 I was there for the Title-after-Title years in the 1960's - the two Championships in the 70's - the three during the glorious 80's - and the single Banner acquisition in 2008. But other than the courageous and relentless play of Paul Pierce, I was not a major fan of the 90's - and that dislike is not solely based on Rick Pitino's disastrous stint with The Green at the end of that decade. The Boston Celtics have a long history of not tanking, and that is commendable. The 1969-70 season...

The BOVADA betting site has given the Los Angeles Lakers the best shot at re-signing former Celtics guard, Rajon Rondo, to a contract. They also gave the Lakers LA rival Clippers the second-best odds of landing the veteran point guard.  Rondo's former coach, Doc Rivers is now in Philadelphia, so Philly lands in third place, tied with the Boston Celtics. I recently proposed a return to Boston for the irascible, 2-time NBA Champ, a move I envision as beneficial to both parties.  The reaction to the BOVADA odds generated a mixed reaction from Lakers fans on Twitter: Odds: Lakers -150 Clippers +550 76ers +650 Celtics +650 Bucks +1000 pic.twitter.com/KULFiKBqcP — 👑📍Brandon ‘Scoop B’ Robinson, M.A. (@ScoopB) November 14, 2020 I need DeRozan odds  I think sixers make alot of sense. history with doc and morey. also wants to be a coach. mentoring ben is a move in that direction  I don’t care where he goes as long as it’s not the Clippers!!!  Lebron James will have...

The Celtics' Rob Williams is heading into his third season in the NBA, and no one is sure of his ceiling. Injuries and restricted playing time have produced uncertainty. But I do envision him as a shorter, lighter version of DeAndre Jordan , and my numerical comparison between the two players may show promise for Williams III. Jordan, at 6'11" and 265 pounds was the 45th pick in the 2008 NBA draft. Rob is listed at 6'8" and 237 pounds and slid to the Celtics at #27 in the 2018 draft. DeAndre averaged 14.4 minutes per game in his sophomore season, while Rob averaged 13.4 MPG . Their second-year points per game were close with Jordan at 4.8 PPG and Williams putting up 5.2 PPG . Rebounds were also close ( DeAndre/5.0 RPG - Rob/4.4 RPG ). While playing fewer minutes, Rob had a significant lead on assists, steals, blocks, field goal percentage and free throw percentage. With Jordan later earning All-Star and All-NBA First Team honors (once each), in addition to 2-ti...

  The following message I received from one of my followers, @CelticsCanada, via Twitter, but the sentiments are shared by me - and probably many others. I’m probably just writing this to get over my own grief. I never met Tommy (Heinsohn) but when you listen to someone as often as I had for 40 years it leaves you feeling like you lost a loved one, someone whose advice and sage you relied upon. I’m hoping that the Celtics will do something for Tommy to a degree that the league has never seen before: such as make him an official assistant coach for the upcoming season so that the fans can hear his name called out before every game for one more season, and just possibly get Tommy that ever elusive 18th title. Place Tommy Heinsohn anywhere you wish in the Celtics All-Time Hierarchy, but no one has been connected with The Green for so long, and in so many capacities, as Heiny. I love the idea of Tommy as virtual assistant coach for the upcoming season. And maybe an end-of-season Tommy ...

We should know in a few days if Gordon Hayward has decided to leave for greener fields or complete his unfinished business with The Green Team. It's his choice - or should I say it comes down to what he and his family (and Danny Ainge) can agree on. Using the "empathy test", can any of us place ourselves in Gordon's place and honestly say we would have endured that compost pile of misfortune as well as he did? Gordon Hayward embraced Boston. He's had terrible luck. He's still their biggest free agent signing of all time (sorry Nique and X, you guys were past your prime).  I hope he sticks around and tries to finish what he started. I will be bummed if he leaves. pic.twitter.com/CRM3b7UJXV — Frosty Bias (@frostybias) November 13, 2020 Hayward has the option of picking up final year priced at $34.2 million or leaving it on the table and heading into free agency. With regards to Gordon's value in Boston, there are two sides: Celtics don't need a 4th volu...

With all of the trade rumors taking flight, the NBA news front is looking like Logan Airport. The latest buzz has the Pelicans Jrue Holiday coming to Boston for either Kemba Walker or Gordon Hayward. But frankly, Danny Ainge does not have to pull of the deal-of-the-decade to get his team back to the Finals. Flash back to the 2018 Eastern Finals when Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart, Al Horford and Terry Rozier gave the Cleveland Cavaliers all they could handle in the 7-game series.  Al and Terry are gone, as are Aron Baynes and Marcus Morris, but Daniel Theis and Kemba Walker are now on board. And the present Green Crew battled well in the Eastern Finals once again. Tweak #1 is: Aron Baynes needs to come back Baynes is a proven veteran that knows the Celtics system and brings toughness and physicality ( see tweak #2 ). He earned $5.5 million last season and is an unrestricted free agent. Celtics need more strength, toughness and physicality The 2019-20 version of the Celt...

I doubt any Celtics fan ever used the term "placid" to describe the intense and fiery coaching styles of Red Auerbach and Tommy Heinsohn, but Boston's present leader certainly fits that description. A master at Xs and Os, out-of-bounds plays and switching team defenses, some fans often wonder if Brad should adopt a somewhat-more animated presence on the sidelines ( per NBA.com following 1974 win vs. Milwaukee by Boston in Game 7 of Finals ). The victory was an affirmation of Heinsohn’s coaching ideas. In what he called “guerrilla warfare,” his teams kept the pressure on opponents at all times, controlling the tempo of the game and playing with great intensity. “We made teams crack in these playoffs,” he told the Boston Globe. “We got them to points in big games in the fourth quarter where they just didn’t want to play anymore.” There you have it - "... they just didn't want to play anymore." Tommy Heinsohn coached as he had played - fast breaking at every op...

Most of you can recall what happened during the 2004 NBA draft. The Boston Celtics had the 15th, 24th and 25th picks and used them effectively. High-schooler and big man, Al Jefferson was snagged at number-15, and tough-nosed guards Tony Allen and Delonte West were taken with the 25th and 24th picks, respectively. Jefferson acquired most his fame as the major piece in Ainge acquiring Kevin Garnett from Minnesota, but he also had a solid 14-year career with his superior post moves and rebounding prowess. Allen also had a long NBA career, earning a Title ring with Boston in 2008. But it was in Memphis that he truly starred, earning the moniker of "Grindfather" with his relentless defensive efforts, while also being named to the All-Defensive First Team three times and All-Defensive Second Team three times. Despite his recent battles with mental illness and addictions, West became Doc Rivers' starting point guard in the 2005-06 season, averaging 11.8 PPG, 4.1 RPG and 4.6 APG...