Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

      Bruno Fernando is an unknown for Celtics fans except for a small taste in Summer League. A player like Bruno, who was willing to play in the G League, shows character and willingness to stay and contribute in the NBA.       For this writer, let's look at what he said about KG. “That’s a no-brainer,” Fernando said, when asked about Boston greats he admires. “Kevin Garnett. That’s my favorite player of all the time. I’ve always looked up to him, I remember my days of high school, my days of college, you know I was watching a lot of his highlights.” With that quote, let's see what he can offer over guys like Grant Williams or Jabari Parker .  If Bruno can come in off the bench and bring even a fraction of KGs intensity, Celtics fans may have a winner on hand. He could be the guy who comes in and spells Al, Enes, or RW. If he truly models his game after KG, let's hope he can D up and rebound like him! The offense will eventually come.  ...

 Building the 1986 Champion Celtics team was Red Auerbach at his very best. Grabbing Larry Bird as a junior-eligible out of Indiana State in the 1978 NBA draft meant Larry would not be coming to Boston for a year - but the wait proved worth the move. The Robert Parish/Kevin McHale heist from the Warriors in 1980 stands in the top-3 exploits by the Redhead, in contention with acquiring Bill Russell and Bird . Effectively bringing in Parish and McHale for a guy that earned the name, Joe Barely Cares (Joe Barry Carroll) tells the tale . Danny Ainge came on board via the 1981 draft, where Red chose him with the 31st overall pick . Dennis Johnson joined the Celtics when he was brought in via a trade of Bird's drinking buddy, Rick Robey , to the Phoenix Suns. They were so good they often toyed with opponents. They had it all - talent, size, rebounding, shooting, fast breaks, defense, team play, character, facilitation, synergy. https://t.co/r2cNiQDdlI — Tom Lane (@CelticsSentinel...

      Jabari Parker has truly made the rounds in his career. He's played for the Bucks, Bulls, Wizards, Hawks, Kings, and your beloved Celtics . Is he even worth keeping in this roster? Does he have the desire to give it his all? Have injuries taken its toll on him?       A star at Duke his NBA career has been a dud . Not to say he hasn't had decent moments as a pro but overall you would say he's been a bust. The injuries he's had could definitely play a role in why he hasn't reached his full potential. Let's also think about this. Sometimes the one-and-done just doesn't pan out in the NBA.       Is it his work ethic on the floor that has truly made him the player he has become. To most basketball fans, he hasn't done much. With that said, is it possible Danny saw something in him or was that more just a desperate move of a GM who saw his team just didn't have it last season .        Does he even deserve a spot ...

 Here I go again! I truly miss the run-the-opposition-into-the-ground, fast-paced basketball we saw from the Celtics in the 60's and 70's. Coaches Red Auerbach and (later) Tommy Heinsohn demanded it. Few centers could match Bill Russell and Dave Cowens at ripping the ball off the boards and starting the fast break. Bob Cousy preferred the long outlet pass, while his replacement, K C Jones , would drive the ball down court before passing off to the open man. Cowens, JoJo White and John Havlicek were just born to run . That tradition carried on in the early 90's with former-Celtic, Don Nelson , and his RUN TMC  Warriors trio of  Tim Hardaway, Mitch Richmond and Chris Mullin . . Nellie was an integral part of that  70's Celtics crew as a player under Tommy Heinsohn.  Now, back to today. We might expect a little more running game from the projected starters for Boston, but more-likely we may see it from the bench, possibly from A aron Nesmith, B r uno Fernando...

      Who is the X Factor off the Celtics bench this season ? Is there that bona fide come-in-the-game, lead-the-second-unit- bucket maker? Will it be PP, Aaron, or newly acquired JRich? Who do Celtics fans want to see be that sixth man. Historically the Celtics have always found that player. Hondo or McHale anyone!      We saw last season Payton Pritchard had the ability to make plays off the bench. Now with a year under his belt, can new Coach Ime Udoka give him the Green light?! With that being asked of him Celtics fans know he can score at will. He did it in summer league and the Pro Am! Time will tell for PP!       Then there's Aaron who showed plenty of promise in his first year. Willing to drive to the hoop, run the break, and knock down threes! He also showed flashes of lightning in the summer league. He could be instant offense for this year's Celtics team .      What about JRich,a guy fans saw as an opponent co...

 Lately, nothing seems to generate heated discussions among Celtics fans as the question of who starts for Boston - who is the sixth man - who comes off the bench - and who finishes critical games . Take it or leave it, here my take : At the center spot, Rob Williams needs to start games, at least as an early experiment . The reason? The Celtics from last season had trouble scoring easy baskets , and Rob is surely Boston's main Lob Guy . And his per-36-minutes numbers show 12.3 rebounds per game, 4.3 of which are off the offensive glass . His putbacks are easy hoops . Ditto for Enes Kanter at the five off the bench . He is a capable scorer down low, and like Williams III, he is a strong rebounder , including ones of the offensive variety . Did I mention easy hoops ? I put Al Horford into the starting-5 because he deserves to be there in a season when he will be trying to resurrect his career after disappointing stints with Philadelphia and Oklahoma City. Fans can recall his ef...

        Quinn Buckner was a college champion for the Indiana Hoosiers and Bob Knight . He was a four year starter and three year captain. Had a heck of a career with the Bucks until Red traded Dave Cowens for him . Quinn won a ring with the good guys in 1984.       Quinn himself said his strength was defense and his overall knowledge of getting his teammates involved. To back that up Red himself said, "He's a winner, a leader and rises to the occasion", He's got a great personality, he's a team-oriented guy, and he's disciplined. Quinn always admired the way the Celtics played ball.       QB made small but regular contributions to the Celtics which eventually led to him winning a ring in 84.  Quinn not only played but coached the Mavs for a bit, but those players were not ready for a Bob Knight tough minded coach. He was a broadcaster for ESPN, NBC and CBS sports . Want to know what puts him in a pretty special category? ...

 Celtics fans know that Marcus Smart and the Jay Team will be out there to start the games this season, and I think Al Horford makes for a solid choice as the fourth guy. I also tend to think Ime Udoka will at least experiment with Rob Williams as the starting center - but if that fifth choice comes down to either Aaron Nesmith or Josh Richardson , I am going with CelticsBlog's Adam Taylor : "However, I would rather distribute that experience between both first and second units. Nesmith would be inexperienced, no doubt, but he would be able to lean on guys like Jayson Tatum, Marcus Smart, and Jaylen Brown." "By having Richardson on the second unit, he can not only lead the line (on both sides of the floor) but he can also provide a steady hand for guys like Romeo Langford and Payton Pritchard. I would rather “hide” Nesmith among the starters, to add value across the rotation."  I had broached the Nesmith-as-starter argument back in December of 2020. His con...

      Michael Leon "ML" Car r played for the greatest basketball franchise from 1979 to 1985. His career spanned stints both in the NBA and ABA. He was a two-time champion in 81 and 84 . He was signed/ (stolen away?) from the Pistons. Dicky V was the coach of the Pistons and said the heart and soul was ripped from our team. Kudos to Red with yet another steal of a signing.       Carr's D was instrumental in beating the Sixers in the 1981 Eastern Conference Finals . His ability to get in guys faces and lock them down was a huge reason why Red brought him here. His most memorable moment of being a Celtic came in game-4 of the 1984 Finals vs the Lakers with his epic steal and dunk which sealed the victory for your beloved Celtics.        ML may have been known for his towel waving skills outside of Boston but for Celtics fans he was a hard nosed defender who was a disruptive force out there.  Little known facts about ML were, in 94 as...

  Rob Williams' persistent leg malady is known as Popliteal Artery Entrapment Syndrome , which in simple terms, means his popliteal arteries, located in the knee area, have a restricted blood flow due to impingement by adjacent muscles and tendons . The Celtics front office supposedly has known about the condition since before they drafted him. Boston fans did receive later news that the condition had receded somewhat, thus eliminating the need for surgery, at least at that time. Rob's recent 4-year/$54 million extension most-likely indicates the Celtics staff feels there may never be need of surgery - or at worst, should surgery be required, a full recovery would be expected. My guess would be that Williams' condition is being constantly monitored , and if the issue appeared to be progressing, it would seem that surgery would not be career-ending  - and frankly, may not hamper Rob's performance on the hardwood in any noticeable way. Still, restricted blood flow to t...

 For my readers that may think I am getting carried away, I am simply comparing the physical gifts of Robert Williams III to those of the legendary Bill Russell. I make no attempt to compare the potential of the former to the astounding career of the latter. I watched Russ many times at the old Boston Garden and on black-and-white TV. The poor quality of earlier television sets may have blurred my estimates of Big Bill's talents, but   nothing distorted my close-up views at The Garden . Rob Williams may be the most-physically gifted big man on the Celtics roster since Bill Russell. Look for my upcoming article. Big Bill Russell's handle - takes players off the dribble and runs his o... https://t.co/zcmACTxfsg via @YouTube — Tom Lane (@CelticsSentinel) August 26, 2021  Russell was closer to 6'10" than his often-listed 6'9" , and his wingspan extended to 7'4" . Upon his entry into the League in 1956, no one had yet seen anyone like him . Bill was qu...

       Don "Duck" Chaney played for the Green and White from 1968 to 1975. He was a two-time champ, winning in 69 and 74. In college he was an incredible player and he played 40 minutes in what was called the game of the century at the Astrodome. The Celtics took him with the 12 pick in the draft.        Duck won his first title as a rookie alongside the great Bill Russell . You want to know what other incredible feat this man had was? He played with Larry Bird . He is the only Celtic with that distinct qualification on his resume. In 72/73 he started that season and averaged 13 points a game and helped the Celtics to 68 wins the most in their hallowed history.        He was a star on defense and was the quintessential lock-down defender for his day. He was quiet and mild mannered. When you had him on the court he was talkative and intense, a tough hard nosed player who embodied being a true Celtic. Anyone know where he...

 Celtics legend, Tommy Heinsohn , gave Larry Bird the label of "master of the half-inch" . Tommy was referring to Larry's ability to almost-always get a good shot off in heavy traffic . Jayson Tatum has a similar ability, but there is one major difference preventing Jayson from approaching Bird's unique skill. Larry could get his shot off, even with a defender almost literally in his shirt - but he could accomplish the feat both away from, as well as under, the hoop . The Birdman never possessed an outstanding physique or superior physical strength, but he always seemed to know where his body was with respect to his teammates and defenders.  Tatum can maneuver and get his shot off away from the hoop, from long distance and in the mid-range area, but he can not yet do the same in a crowd under the hoop. That fact separates the two stars in this respect.  Jayson is the better athlete when comparing the two stars, but Larry's savvy, anticipation and deception rem...

     Will Grant Williams fit into this year's Celtics plans? This photo kinda sums up what Celtics fans feel about him . Are there enough minutes for him given all the moves the Mad Scientist, Brad Stevens, has made? Celtics fans have seen that he does make plays but also you question what the heck is he doing out there?! Have inconsistent minutes affected his progress as well. Given the way the roster is shaping up, where do the minutes end up being split?      Grant has shown flashes since he's been a part of the Celtics organization, reminding you of Semi Ojeleye - but maybe with a tad more skill offensively ? Works hard, has a basketball mind, willing to do whatever it takes to be on the floor. He has a knack for big rebounds. Can occasionally hit a three, down low he has some skills for a smaller sized player. Pretty decent passer and gives what he has on the defensive end. We all know he was an SEC player of the year.       Ques...

 Right off the bat, let me state that I use the term "misfits" lovingly . I refer to individuals, like me , constantly on the move - or at least endlessly searching for their proper niche in the world. For the Celtics, it starts with coach, Ime Udoka . This guy has seen more stops than the Boston subway system . No NBA team wanted him, and he went undrafted in 2000. He later saw 16 (yes, 16) stops around the globe as a player - and then three stints as an assistant coach before landing his first job as head coach in Boston. Al Horford has played in Atlanta, Boston, Philadelphia and Oklahoma City but has settled back in Beantown after less-than-satisfactory stays in Philly and OKC . Fellow-center, Enes Kanter played for four different teams prior to going into bumper pool mode, with two stints-each in Boston and Portland . Josh Richardson has experienced a more-sedentary existence by comparison , playing four seasons in Miami before serving a year in Philadelphia and the ...

 Using last season's stats, I did some numerical analysis on what type of production we might expect with Al Horford, Enes Kanter and Rob Williams manning the 5-spot. I am projecting that both Al and Rob will spend floor time at center and power forward , while Enes will probably play most of the time at the center spot. Please note that the allotted minutes and other stats for Horford and Williams are for their time in the middle only. I expect they will log additional minutes at the forward spots. Horford: 18 MPG - 9.2 PPG - 4.3 RPG - 2.2 APG - 0.6 SPG - 0.6 BPG Kanter:   16 MPG - 7.3 PPG - 7.2 RPG - 0.8 APG - 0.3 SPG - 0.5 BPG Williams III: 14 MPG - 5.9 PPG - 5.1 RPG - 1.3 APG - 0.6 SPG - 1.3 BPG Rounding out the stats, it looks like roughly 22 points, 17 rebounds, 4 assists, 2 steals and 2 blocks from the 5-spot in 48 minutes of play from the center trio. Of course, Coach Ime Udoka may throw these numbers to the winds by giving Grant Williams or Jabari Parker majo...

 The Twitter vote is in, and it looks like Marcus Smart is the poll's top choice when (if?) Ime Udoka decides to buck former coach Brad Stevens' long-held stand of not appointing a team captain. Will Ime Udoka appoint a team captain this season? If so, who? Vote for your choice & give me your argument in notifications. Might use it in an upcoming article. I respect so much of the feedback I get from our followers. — Tom Lane (@CelticsSentinel) August 20, 2021 A solid argument can be made for Smart in the position of on-court leader. He is the longest-tenured Celtic, And it seems that Udoka will employ The Wolverine for major minutes at the point guard slot. A case could be made for Jayson Tatum as team captain as The Green's best player - and Jaylen Brown , with one year more with Boston than Tatum, can't be ignored.  It took a while for Marcus to mature into his current status as an NBA professional, and it looks like he is finally there. He has been a vocal le...

        Don Nelson aka "Nellie" , if you can imagine, played for the Zephyrs and - yuck - the Lakers, but made his home as a Celtic. He won 5 rings with the Celtics and his number 19 hangs in the rafters. He signed with the Celtics in 1965. Nellie had a unique shooting style that honestly will never be replicated.       In his first year as a Celtic he averaged 10 points and 5 rebounds a game, helping the Celtics to defeat the Lakers in the 1966 Finals, Talk about sweet redemption, beating the team that let you walk - or was it Red stole him away! He was the epitome of the 6th man back in the day. In 67/68 he averaged double figures under Bill Russell as coach . In the 68 Finals he averaged 14 points, 8 rebounds and 2 assists - not too shabby!        His most career defining moment came in Game 7 in 1969 vs the Lakers. He hit a foul line jumper that dropped through the basket after hitting the back rim and bounced as high as t...

      Aaron ThreeSmith came out of college with that reputation of a knock down, bullseye hitting, stone cold shooter! What Celtics fans saw was this dude has all the tools, and works hard in practice to be out there - and now with new Coach Ime Udoka , he could get some decent consistent minutes.       Last season Aaron started up a bit slow, catching up on everything. Granted, that could have been because of Brad's sometimes calculus type offense and defense. Yet when he finally had a grasp of everything, he was ready and able to be a contributing member to the Celtics. He could knock down threes - get to the hoop - crash the boards with reckless abandon and become a dawg on D.      During Summer League his progress looked like it was on the same path and his trajectory was on target. If he can continue to work and progress, there are regular minutes for him alongside the Jays. Imagine him just doing his thing as JB and JT drive and k...

 In a new Celtics era, there are several Celtics players that have something to prove this season. I'll start with Al Horford - while unashamedly admitting that I love this guy. Al Horford After a disappointing stint in Philadelphia, followed by his shut-down after playing only 28 games for Oklahoma City last season - Al is back in Boston. At 35 years of age , his best days are in the past, but we probably can expect something approaching to what he produced in the 2018-19 season for the Celtics. Al Horford needs to show that he can still play a vital role for an NBA team. (2018-19 season) 29.0 MPG - 13.6 PGF - 6.7 RPG - 4.2 APG - 1.3 BPG   Marcus Smart Is Marcus a true point guard? We are about to find out. "The Wolverine" somewhat reminds me of a cross between K C Jones and Don Chaney , but with a bit more punch on the offensive end . Notice I wrote "bit more" . Marcus will never be a volume scorer on a consistent basis, and he needs to rein in his tendency ...

      Robert Williams is locked in to be a Celtic and at very good money. Seems like Brad is getting important pieces to sign and be a part of hopefully Banner 18. With his athletic ability and constant work at his game the sky's the limit. He has a knack for blocked shots, gathering rebounds, and flashy passes.       Whenever he enters the game the flow and feel changes . It is evident anytime he hits the court he's a difference maker. If he can stay healthy at this bargain price will be a great extension. He fits very well with the Jays. He has a great connection with new point guard Marcus Smart. Celtics fans should expect a lot of lobs and monstrous dunks!       His upside is extremely high and he brings so much excitement to the game and his teammates . Can he be Bill Russell-esqe in his shot blocking skills? Would be nice! Celtics fans have been high on him when he was drafted and he hasn't disappointed! If he builds a nice p...

 I don't know how my readers feel, but I am honestly excited by the upcoming season. Brad Stevens now holds the position of president of basketball operations, and Ime Udoka has been installed as head coach of the Celtics. Neither has held such a position in the past. There are no rookies of note on board to start the season, and Sports Illustrated ranks Boston in 13th place in their current ranking, just behind the Mavericks (12th) and before the Knicks (14th) . So why the excitement? After such a disappointing 2020-21 season, and a finish to Summer League that I simply don't have the fortitude to watch again - the only direction is up. General expectations for The Green are low, and I love all of it. Gone are the patchwork deals generated by Danny Ainge in recent seasons, knowing that his stay in Boston was on borrowed time. The Kyrie Irving, Gordon Hayward and Kemba Walker experiments all failed for various reasons, and it is time to move on. Bringing Al Horford back ...

      Thomas Ernest Satch Sanders played for the beloved Boston Celtics. Try these words on for description. Quiet, sincere, loyal, perceptive, a gentleman . He was a player who gave heart and maximum effort out there. He received minimum fanfare yet was probably one of the most efficient players for the Celtics. He had a very steady and successful career in green and white.       He was a college star at NYU and he was the top pick in the 1960 draft. He played a total of 916 games and had a stretch where he played over 450 of them consecutively. He spent 13 seasons in the NBA. He won 8 titles! He was 8 and 0 in the finals - an amazing stat! His career high in both points and rebounds came against Syracuse, 30 points and 26 rebounds .       He could score at ease because he was on the receiving end of many fast breaks. Defensively is where he made it happen . That was his bread and butter. He was the guy tasked with stopping giant...

         How many Celtics fans remember when they drafted Carsen Edwards and says he's gonna be the steal of the draf t?! How's many fans remember when he dropped 30 in a preseason game vs the Cavs?! Other than those few minutes of hope, what does his career look like??       Has his career hit the wall? Is he nothing more than a career G-League guy or over-seas player? Will Ime be able to get a lot from him? Will he even crack the rotation?!       Carsen had a great college career and could light it up, but since he's been in the NBA those moments are few and far between. There's no question the effort and work ethic are there but it never really translates into much. Is it lack of consistent minutes or just about a guy who was a star in college and just can't cut it in the NBA?       As the season approaches with the guards on this roster it does seem there may not be room for him to even sniff the ...

       Romeo Langford! Is he ever going to be healthy? Ever since he was drafted there has been talk about the upside in what he offers on the floor, and in flashes he shows why the Celtics drafted him so high. Defensively he can stay with anyone. He has length and quickness. He's a very smart player. Offensively he can knock down threes and as fans saw he brought the hammer down on that dunk in summer league.         Yet he's never healthy. It seems there's usually something physical going on and when your not on the floor, your value starts to decrease. Not to mention when your team brings in guys who are similar in your skill set like a Josh Richardson . What does that say? Plus you drafted a guy like Nesmith who honestly has higher upside than you do. Let's also look at a guy like Sam Hauser who can shoot the lights out, and imagine him being left open when the Jays are doubled. If Romeo isn't healthy than where does that leave him?...

 At the 7:11 mark of the first quarter, it looked like this Summer League Title game night be a walkaway for Boston over Sacramento. The score was 12-2 in favor of the Celtics , but things got out of hand quite rapidly. The final score of 100-67 and a Sacramento victory tells most of the lurid tale. Payton Pritchard's shooting arm had to be fatigued from his 92-point output in the Portland Pro-Am. And the intense defensive pressure of the Kings' Davion Mitchell didn't help Payton's cause. He scored only six points on 3-of-9 from the field and 0-of-6 on 3-pointers . Many of his shots fell short of the rim, showing his fatigue. Sacramento's defense and transition points off Boston's 28 turnovers were the main culprits for The Green. The Kings only racked up seven turnovers in the contest. They picked up 18 steals to Boston's two, and made the most of those opportunities to score. The Kings were constantly firing away, totaling 95 shot attempts to the Celt...

      Marcus "The Wolverine" Smart has endeared himself to plenty of Celtics fans. He has also infuriated some Celtics fans. I'm sure his opponents also get frustrated by him. One way or the other, this player gives it everything he's got on a daily basis. Now that he's signed his 4 year/ $77 million  contract extension, where does that put him this season? It sounds like the point guard position for Ime Udoka.       Most fans have watched Smart grow since the Celtics drafted him. One thing that can be said about this young man is defensively he's ferocious out there. Offensively his game continues to evolve and he works damn hard on it. Yes, some shots you question but now that he has a coach who isn't afraid to put him in his place - maybe, just maybe - Smart as the director of the offensive attack could work out well.       If Marcus can be that distributor, then this teams upside is greater than what most national pundits ...

      Nathaniel Tiny Archibald played for the Royals, Kings, and of course the greatest sports franchise of all time the Boston Celtics. He was a willing and talented distributor and had a good midrange game, What made him super hard to guard was his quickness, speed, and shiftiness. He had the ability to drive by defenders and make them look silly.       In the 72/73 season he led the NBA in scoring and assists. He averaged 34 points a game and that's a record that stands for point guards. A record held by a true point guard! He's a member of the Basketball Hall of Fame.       His talent on the floor helped the Celtics to the best record three straight years. He was a huge bench piece for them during the 78/79 season. In 81 he was the All Star MVP. In game 6 of the 1981 Finals he had 13 points and 12 assists to help quarterback the Celtics to the title. If he doesn't get hurt in 82 you could have penciled the Celtics in for anothe...

      Peter Press Maravich aka Pistol Pete . He played for his father at LSU, He's the All time NCAA scorer, In college he averaged 44.2 points per game ! Get this his freshman stats are not included. Plus he played with no shot clock or three point line. If he had, Pistol would have averaged 57 points a game!       He had a close-but-demanding relationship with his dad. He would practice hours a day on his ball control, passes, fakes, and long shots. He got the moniker Pistol Pete because of how he shot the ball from his side. He was one of,  if not the greatest, creative offensive talents of all time and would smoke a lot if today's stars. His ball handles were like watching a fine chef cook a masterful meal.       He played for the Hawks and was eventually traded to the Jazz for 2 players and 4 picks. In 76/77 he led the NBA averaging 31.1 points per game. He scored a career high of 68 vs the Knicks. In 1980 he was left on ...

      Paul Theron Silas joined the Boston Celtics in 1972. He won three titles, 2 with the Celtics and 1 with the Sonics. He was Mr Intangible out there . He had a relentless work ethic and was known for his rebounding and tenacity on the defensive end. He would dive for any loose ball and lead with his soft spoken nature on the floor.       In college he set an NCAA record for rebounds in only 3 seasons which still stands today . He had over 10,000 points and rebounds in his NBA career. He made 2 All Star games. He was one of the most respected players in the NBA and one of the games top rebounders in it's storied history. With the Celtics he averaged a double double, usually collecting 1000 rebounds per year and the Celtics never lost more than 2 games in a row while he was around.       He was a leader in the locker room, the bus and at every practice. When asked about Paul this is what the great John Havlicek had to say "Paul...

      Payton Pritchard came to ball this summer! 20 points per game, almost 9 assists and 4 rebound s. Shooting over 50 percent from the field and three point line. Not to mention 89 percent from the charity stripe. In college the basketball world recognized he can ball and be a deadly assassin! Kid has no fear at all !       He's the perfect compliment to the Jays. He spreads the floor and defenses can't leave him alone or he will make them pay. His fearlessness on the floor makes him very valuable to the growth of this year's Celtics team. Just imagine crunch time and the other team makes a point to take the Jays away well guess what PP is willing and able to take and make winning shots.       Throughout last season when he was on the floor plenty of Celtics fans thought: Boy would Tommy have loved this kid! It would have been a Tommy Point bonanza for P Rabbit. Payton shows that he's willing to sacrifice his body for his team ...

 NBA fans don't usually get excited by anything that happens in Summer League, but the Boston Celtics have a few things going on that inject hope into the upcoming season . First of all, undrafted rookie marksman, Sam Hauser may be better that his 2021 non-draft status indicated. Getting a strong Duncan Robinson vibe from Sam Hauser. — Mike Dynon ☘️🏀 (@MikeDynon) August 13, 2021 We won't be hearing any Larry Bird comparisons , and even the Duncan Robinson mention may be over-enthusiastic, but I like the 23-year-old's size (6'8"), hands, decisions and, yes, marksmanship . In the Celtics 108-71 pummeling of the Orlando Magic last night, Hauser scored 21 points in 26 minutes on 7-of-12 from the field and 6-of-10 on 3s. He can get his shot off, at least at the Summer League level, and his four boards and seven assists attest that he could eventually land a roster spot. Sam Hauser had a game-high 21 points (7-12 FG, 6-10 3PT), 7 assists, and 4 rebounds in the Celtics...

      Celtics fans did you catch the show put on by Aaron Nesmith and Payton Pritchard the other night during the game or did Romeo's dunk take the cake for you? Will what they did last night translate into actual reality come the NBA season?! Or is this just summer ballin?        Over the years plenty of guys have been summer league standouts, yet they didn't amount to much in the NBA. With Payton and Aaron, it just feels different. Given what they were able to do in limited moments this past season in a very dysfunctional year they both showed they can be NBA players.        Both guys play with no fear! This year is huge for both of them because they can be extremely valuable to new Coach Ime Udoka . They can also show that when on the floor with the Jays they can hold their own and succeed! The rest of these summer games should prove that both of these guys are solid Celtics and if Tommy Heinsohn were still here he'd have given...

 Well, it looks like it's happening. The word is that German point guard, Dennis Schroeder has agreed to sign a one-year, $5.9 million deal with the Boston Celtics with no guarantee of a starting role. Per a source: Dennis Schroder signed with Boston with no expectation of a starting role. Celtics made it clear that Ime Udoka will evaluate roles and minutes. Also, this will be Udoka's decision only. The front office, led by Brad Stevens, will not get involved in PT decisions. — Keith Smith (@KeithSmithNBA) August 10, 2021 This contract is a far cry from the reported $84 million multi-year deal he turned down with the Lakers. Schroder's contract with Boston appears to be as team-friendly as it could possibly be. The dollar amount for only one year means that salary comes off the books in the 2022 off-season when Brad Stevens may be looking to sign that third star via free agency. And with a projected starting lineup this coming season of Marcus Smart, Josh Richardson, Jaylen...

 There was no sophomore slump evident with Payton Pritchard and Aaron Nesmith last night.. Boston took the game from the Nuggets with a final score of 107-82. Aaron "ThreeSmith" lived up to his nickname by hitting 78% (7-of-9) on 3-pointers and 72% overall from the field. He had a game-high 33 points and collected seven boards. The 14th pick in the 2020 NBA draft  was absolutely on fire. Aaron "ThreeSmith" lived up to his nickname with 33 points and 7-of-9 on 3-pointers. He was on fire. Aaron Nesmith IGNITES For 33 PTS! 🔥 https://t.co/MduCIWMFNg via @YouTube — Tom Lane (@CelticsSentinel) August 11, 2021 Fellow second-year man, Pritchard, taken with the 26th pick in the same draft, scored 21 points on 60% shooting from the field and 80% from beyond the arc. And his eight rebounds and 12 assists are an indicator that we may be looking at a solid second-unit point guard that does more than score the ball. Pritchard's ability to quickly push the ball upcourt and...

      Bob Cousy aka the Hardwood Houdini! The Cooz was a masterful passer and dribbler he could give a masters class in how to facilitate and keep defenders on their toes ! He was also able to score at will. He starred for the Celtics from 1950 to 1963! A six time champ, 13 time All Star, and 2 time All Star game MVP! He won the overall MVP in 1957!      Originally drafted by the Tri Cities Hawks he refused to report to them an eventually found himself in green and white despite Red snubbing him when he had the first overall pick . When Cooz was up to be selected after floating around other leagues the Celtics ended up with him and we're not too happy. That would sure change in the years he spent in Boston.        Cooz led the NBA in assists for 8 straight years . He did a lot prior to the shot clock putting up some hefty number. In 66 minutes during a playoff game he scored 50 points! This was before he won a ring. In 56/57 the Celtics...

      This summer league team for the Boston Celtics has a lot to look for while watching the games. Will Carsen Edwards finally turn into that steal in the draft that Celtics fans thought, or will his play be just another tease of the college moments he had? Is this where Romeo finally shows why Danny took him so high in the draft? Can he stay healthy?       Will Nesmith build on that good rookie campaign where when given valuable minutes showed he's willing to hustle and play hard D? He proved he will crash the boards, run the floor, and knock down threes! Is it his time for that next step to becoming a key player on this Celtics roster?       Are these games the stage in which Pritch shows fans he's the point guard of the future? A PG who can knock down threes from anywhere? A hard nosed defender and player who isn't afraid to go to the hoop! A player who can spread the floor when teamed up with JB and JT?      ...