Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

 Celtics fans saw it all from Payton Pritchard in the Celtics win over Chicago. First of all, he pulled down seven rebounds , and four of those were off the offensive glass. He uses his lack of height to be all-but-invisible when an errant shot comes off the glass or rim. He has great timing and the physical strength to hang onto the ball. His 29 points were the second-team highest behind only Jayson Tatum. Payton shot 10-of-16 from the field - 7-of-11 on threes - and 2-of-2 from the free throw line.  His terrific body control are most on display when Pritchard takes the ball all the way to the hoop . Not being particularly quick, he needs that body control to finish on his drives - and it works. Above is the game shot chart for Pritchard. No mid-range for him, apparently. It was go for the long ball or take it in.  Payton is already in the conversation for 6th-Man-Of-The-Year , and just keeps getting better as the season progresses. The last Celtic to cop the John...

C's are in Chi town to take on Da Bulls.   🏀       C's are at full strength tonight. No one on the injury report. C's may be on the outside looking in for the NBA cup... Personally who cares! I just want the win because at the end of the day, winning rules. C's must establish themselves early on here. Let's play tough D and push the pace.       KP opens us up with a deep three! A bomb from beyond the arc. This basketball floor is a red mess. These cup floors are just awful. C's haven't found their rhythm yet, maybe some lag coming off turkey day. Yet they have an early five point lead. What a joke the Bulls have become since MJ left. When you let the Goat walk out of the door, bad things happen. Just look at the Patriots.       KP and DWhite running some sweet sets right here. C's have increased their lead to nine. KP with the show and go jams it home! The unicorn has unlocked this offense. It's so good having him back! W...

  "The Unicorn" is back and  "The Portuguese Man O' War" continues to improve . The Boston Celtics defeated the Los Angeles Clippers as Kristaps Porzingis and Neemias Queta manned the center spot for the entire game. Boston is powerful without Porzingis on the court , but they become almost omnipotent when he is healthy and active (as in not injured). His rim protection was sorely missed during his rehab from ankle surgery, and "The Unicorn" just makes it easier on his teammates with his ability to hit from distance and catch-and-finish lobs. He is indeed a luxury for Joe Mazzulla . Queta just keeps improving with more floor time. He remains a bit raw and still a work-in-progress, but his work around the rim, on both ends, is fun to watch. Versus the Clips, the two big men played a combined 48 minutes and produced: 28 points - 15 boards - 5 assists - 3 steals - 6 blocks  Kristaps was a bit off (understandably) on his 3-point shooting, but the cent...

  As you can see I was right there from the start with the Jays! In other news... KP is back baby! Let's freaking Go! ☘️         Both the Clippers and Celtics come into tonight with five game winning streaks. Iron sharpens iron... I expect the C's to play with some passion and excitement given KP is back. C's by a million! Honestly we need the Celtics to set the pace tonight. Dig in on D and run in transition. Time to extend this win streak to six games.          C's are wearing those ugly uniforms tonight. I hope it doesn't cost em a win.  KP for three! Welcome back Big fella! Not impressed by the Celtics D early on. I do love Derrick and Jrue both extending plays with effort on the boards. Its those extra possessions that add up in the end. Those two are in my top ten of favorite players in the league.       I can't stand James Hardens game its absolute trash. Leans into everyone, flops about the floor and just...

  KP is BACK! TONIGHT! TD GARDEN! BE THERE! 🍀☘️🏀🍿🔥

 The present Jayson Tatum/Jaylen Brown duo may very well be the top pairing in the NBA right now - but how do they compare with the potent combo of Michael Jordan and Scottie Pippen during the Bulls 1990-91 Championship season? Below, I do a numerical comparison of various stats between the two superstar pairings: Tatum/Brown (averages from 17 games this season) 54.5 PPG - 14.9 RPG - 10.3 APG - 2.5 SPG - 0.9 BPG - .464 FG- .350 3s Jordan/Pippen (averages for 1990-91 Title season) 49.3 PPG - 13.3 RPG - 11.7 APG - 5.2 SPG - 2.1 BPG - .530 FG - .311 3s Admittedly, these numbers do not tell the whole story, but they are noteworthy. The Celtics twosome gets the nod on points, rebounds and 3-point accuracy . The Bulls duo wins on assists, steals, blocks and field goal percentage. Jordan and Pippen really shined in the defensive categories . Michael was 9-Time All-Defense, first team - DPOY (1988) - and 3-Time Steals Leader. Scottie was 10-Time All-Defense and 1995 Steals leader.  ...

 C's look to tame some Wolves ... I love this picture because this is when ball was hard. You could do this get back up and keep playing.  🏀       The game has tipped... JB opens us up with a deep three! Followed up by JB blocking a shot from behind. JB with yet another three! JB from about half court... BANG! JB with two more threes! He's freaking en Fuego! What an incredible start for JB! Yet the rest of the team isn't doing very much.         C's must get someone in front of Edwards. Once he gets going towards the cup he's unstoppable... Someone needs to step up and make things difficult for him. The C's offense is very stagnant and really starting to worry me. JB with an incredible defensive play right there. Saves the C's from getting down even more.        Nice to C X getting some run here this afternoon. PP gets in and scores already! That young man is straight money! Not feeling very confident or comfortable ...

  I loved the Celtics teams of the 1970s! Tickets to the games at "The Garden" were cheap (see photo) - the action was fast - the Celtics players were undersized and overachievers - and "The Jewish Architect", Red Auerbach , used to send personal Christmas cards to me since I filled many of the empty seats by sponsoring bus trips to the games. The 70s Celtics players were generally undersized . Dave Cowens , at 6'8.5", had to combat the likes of 7-foot-plus Wilt Chamberlain and Kareem Abdul Jabbar. John Havlicek , at 6'5", often manned the forward position - as did 6'6" Don Nelson. Paul Silas had one inch over "Nellie" and played the power forward slot. JoJo White did have average size (6'3") as the point guard. Only Don Chaney had a bit of an edge at 6'5", covering the shooting guard slot. It was the same for Charlie Scott , also 6'5", manning one of the guard spots. My point is that basketball f...

In the past,, I have broached Jayson Tatum as potentially having a career ceiling somewhere between Paul Pierce and Larry Bird in Celtics history. But hey, let's take a look at Jaylen Brown in that discussion. I am leaving past point guards ( read: Cousy, JoJo, Rondo ) and centers ( read: Russell, Cowens, Parish ) out of this analysis - and sticking with wings only. Take a look below. Here are the 9th-season stats for Brown (12 games thus far in 2024-25) and Pierce (2006-07 season). Brown: 25.3 PPG - 7.1 RPG - 4.4 APG - 1.0 SPG - 2.5 TOPG - .426 FG - .284 3s - .772 FT Pierce: 25.0 PPG - 5.9 RPG - 4.1 APG - 1.0 SPG - 3.2 TOPG - .439 FG - .389 3s - .796 FT Looks like "The Truth" gets the nod on shooting accuracy in all three categories - while Jaylen wins on rebounds, assists (nice job on those) and turnovers (ditto) . In today's NBA, both players are classified as wings - with both occupying the SG and SF positions. My take is that Jayson Tatum has already passed ...

  Joe that's how I feel about this gimmick called the NBA cup... 🏀        It's tipoff time! Jrue Holiday hits the first shot of the game! Let's get Jrue going early! JB with the jumper off the dribble and the C's are two for two! Queta gets the start tonight, Al is dealing with an illness. JT puts Saar in the mixer and scores. JT should cook that young man all game. It was clear in the last game we played, JT could do anything on him. I fully expect the same thing tonight. JB gets a crack at Saar and blows right by him like a flash of lightning!      Defensively the C's are not locked in. There's no doubt they can score on these Wizards, but D up! Right now the C's are not bringing the effort on D. Offensively they are cold as ice out there. They have shot so many bricks they could build a house. Not sure if they partied a bit too much after visiting the White House yesterday.       The C's need a spark, and insert Payton Prit...

     C's welcome the undefeated Cleveland Cavs to the Boston Garden. On top of that it's another Emirates Cup Game. Is it a must win for the C's, cup wise? Who knows and I don't care! I just want to watch my Celtics hand this overrated Cavs team a loss.   ☘️       It's time for tip off! My goodness this floor is ugly. I love my Celtics green but I miss the Parquet. C's need to attack the paint tonight. Need to force this Cavs team to defend. Jrue Holiday hits his patented corner three for the C's. He's been deadly from that spot for the past two seasons.        Al nails a beautiful three from the mid corner spot. JT gets on the board with the And One! JB also gets on the board with a beautiful three ball! The Jays are ready to roll tonight! Keep your foot on the gas and crush this team. Show them why they don't belong on the same floor with you.       JB finds JT for THREE!!! JT finds Al for Three!!! This te...

 C's welcome the Raptors into the Garden for a 8 pm start... Why not 7! I don't make the schedule but if I did tonight's game would be earlier.  ☘️         Injuries on both sides! Let's Go! Saturday Nights Alright For a Party!       These uniforms SUCK! With that said these C's are the best team in the NBA. Tell the Cavs to @-#$ off! C's are making everything work on the offensive end!  I'm gonna say this right now... CS will repeat this season.       C's are pretty damn good on both ends. These refs SUCK! C's are doing what's needed on offense. Playing tight D and moving the rock. Man do these uniforms SUCK...        Joe calls a timeout... C's need to regroup and get it together. JT for THREE! C's have a game plan to run with! C's defense is locked in but they are not ready to win right now. C's D is weak right now. I'm getting very frustrated right now.        C's ne...

 First       We have the opening tip here in Brooklyn. C's look to rebound after that crap loss last night. Jrue posts up DS on the first possession, he doesn't score but he can own that matchup. Nice to see Queta get the start tonight. No Al on back to backs just like last season. C's must come out tonight and prove they can play tough defense. Last night they did not. Oh and maybe box out and rebound tonight!        Queta swats Johnson's weak attempt off the glass. I love the way he protects the cup! I love the fact Joe called out his teams toughness and effort against the Hawks. Another slow start on the offensive end. Their shots are not falling. Need to start to attack the paint! Right after those words hit the paper, JB nails a three. It's not the paint but it works!       C's are running in mud right now, they are totally out of it. The Nets have an early nine point lead. JT beats the buzzer and maybe that's the start of some...

       C's welcome the Hawks as the Emirates Cup begins tonight. To be honest I don't think this matters in the long run but the Cs might as well win it. Also even if we win it we don't raise Banners for weak titles like another organization does. We raise CHAMPIONSHIP BANNERS. We earned all 18 of ours. Unlike that Fake organization who stole five from Minneapolis and got gifted a Disney Movie type "title".  🏀🏀🏀🏀 ☘️       I don't care for this court... JB opens us up with a three! It's great having him back and he made some nice plays in Milwaukee last game. JB uses the Euro and scores again! C's find JB in transition and he gets to the line. You have to love the way in which JB creates his own space out there. He only hits one at the line.       C's have shown some exceptional ball movement here in the first. The shots are falling but they will. Hawks with an early lead as Joe calls a timeout . It's a whole new court ...

  Payton Pritchard and the Celtics are off to a great start this season, and there is a correlation there . The 6'1" guard is averaging an efficient 16.5 points per game - hitting on 47% of his field goals, 43% of his 3-pointers, and 96% of his free throws . Pritchard also rebounds well and works his butt off on defense - but his one weakness (other than his lack of height) would be his passing skills. Some may feel his lack of height is to blame for his low assist rate this season (2.5 APG) , but two former 6'1" Boston guards may prove that theory wrong. K C. Jones , at 6'1" averaged 5.5 assists/game as a starter in Beantown, and later in the Celtics history, Rajon Rondo (also 6'1") averaged 7.9 APG for his entire career. And while we are on it, Isaiah Thomas - generously listed at 5'9" - averaged 5.8 APG in his three seasons with The Green . Being able to see over the opposition may be an asset to any NBA player trying to get the bal...

 Don't look now, but Doc Rivers is once again in turbulent waters . His Milwaukee Bucks are mired in the standings with a 2-8 record and have lost twice to the Boston Celtics , the team he deserted in 2013 because he did not want to be part of a rebuild. His two stars, Giannis Antetokounmpo and Damien Lillard, are having fine seasons, but the rest of his cast just can't get the job done. In 2020, Doc left his position with the Clippers - and in 2023, he was fired as coach of the 76'ers. But the veteran coach took over the reins of the Bucks in January of 2024 after Milwaukee fired Adrian Griffin . Such is the lot of the modern NBA coach. So what happens now in Milwaukee? Trading The Greek Freak and tanking won't help due to a paucity of future first-round picks. Ditto for trading Lillard. The Milwaukee Bucks have little in the way of tradeable players or draft picks, so almost realistic any trade scenario would not improve their immediate future . So, back to Doc. Ri...

      We have a tight one here in the fourth.        C's and Bucks are tied up at 95. We have a jump ball and let's hope the C's can grab it. As much as I like the Greek he barrels into guys and gets away with it. What a bogus flagrant one call on JB. Give me a freaking break. This league is soft as margarine. Basketball used to be a tough game now it's just soft.       C's get JB in the post against the smaller guy. He draws the foul and makes only one free throw. JT is very aggressive going to the cup and draws the foul. I like them going to the rim and drawing fouls. That's how you win close games to like this. C's force the bucks into a turnover. JT for three!!! C's with a four point lead! C's will need some championship level defense going forward.       C's call a timeout, and I expect an incredible play here. Off of timeouts Joe has become very good designing plays. Let's see what they have going right now...

C's look to restart their winning ways tonight vs the Nets.   ☘️       C's must establish tempo early on and show the Nets why the Garden is a tough place to play. C's are yet again without JB and I'm counting the days until he's back. Luke Kornet will also miss tonight's game. In tonight's starting lineup we have the Fab Four plus X. Looking forward to what he brings to this team. I'm still not over that Warriors loss but beating the Nets will make me feel better.       Old friend Dennis Schroder is in town tonight. Nets score first... C's are yet again off to a very slow start. What an absolutely atrocious start. C's better wake the heck up. I'm not looking to see a second loss in a row. Joe with a timeout which should light a fire under their rumps . This game sucks right now... C's need a spark, because this isn't our team right now. JT for three and I think the run is coming.       C's down by nine, Jrue is posting up...

     Celtics welcome a Warriors team who really hasn't played anyone that good. Their record is built up by playing cream puffs. Oh and JT has some payback for Steve Kerr.    First🏀       We have a double big starting lineup, Queta alongside Al. I'm looking forward to seeing them tonight. C's need to stomp on the Warriors throat early on. C's start off the game with excellent ball movement. Queta with the Jam! Looked like a set play off the tip. C's offense is taking time to get into their normal flow.       Jrue finds DWhite for a three in rhythm. We have the best backcourt in all of basketball. DWhite once again with a three in rhythm! Queta with a thunderous block on the other end. Talk about hustle! That's a Tommy point! Queta was a diamond in the rough, and now he's becoming a very valuable gem.       JT gets Curry in the post and finds DWhite for three! Love how unselfish he's become over his career. ...

 This season, Al Horford is playing the fewest minutes (24.9 MPG) of his career , but his versatility and stability are vital for the Celtics to have another satisfying season. His scoring is also at a career low (7.9 PPG) , but his points are efficient - with 52.6% of his field goals on target and 52.0% of his 3-pointers doing likewise. Horford is also averaging 4.7 rebounds per game, along with 2.4 assists, 1.1 steals, 0.7 blocks and a mere 0.6 turnovers per contest . Al does not make a lot of mistakes and has been a stabilizing influence during both of his stints in Beantown. The guy is just in amazing shape. #FountainofYouth — Peter Delevett (@peterdelevett) November 5, 2024 Yes, Al remains in great physical shape. The "Dominican Gentleman" has always taken care of his body and his mind, and it shows - both on the court and off of it.  We know Joe Mazzulla will try to keep his "ancient weapon" in good repair during the regular season to ensure Al Horford wil...

 First 🏀           C's are in their black uniforms with green trim. No JB tonight so other guys will need to step up. JT starts us off with two handed JAM! Jrue finds Queta for the JAM! This is his first start of Quetas career. First Portuguese player to start a game. Pretty damn impressive! JT is straight fire off the dribble. When he gets those handles going and nailing threes the other team better watch out.       Looks like X is going to be the first off the bench tonight. I am looking forward to what he can do in tonight's game. Als defense is intense and hasn't lost a step. Visiting his old stomping grounds in Atlanta. I remember the trouble he used to cause the Celtics back then. Thank goodness he's on our side now! Al yet again with another excellent defensive play.       C's ball movement has been excellent so far tonight! PP for three! He's going to need to pick up the slack tonight. I'm looking for about 1...