Celtics ☘️ Sentinel

       C's have played a solid first half. Defensively they have made some plays, and there have been I wish they could take back. Nice to see Derrick White in the flow during that half. He's rounding back into that stud we all know and love. Once again the Pelicans are playing off their butts vs us. I love seeing the C's in their traditional Green uniforms.       C's are having some lapses here in the second half. Everytime they look to extend this lead they allow the Pelicans to get right back in. I get every damn team gives us their best shot. C's are shooting themselves in the foot missing their free throws. Can't be giving away free points. The way Derrick White attacks and has that herky jerky motion is so tough to guard. This Pelicans team is a mess in all facets this season. C's are getting screwed on these screen calls. Eddie says the refs need to be more consistent! I agree!      JB is pure from deep! JB again! Bang! A muc...

 🏀      C's look to bounce back after their epic meltdown last game. My hope is we actually play a full forty eight minutes. Everything starts on defense which leads to good offense. Run in transition and rebound the damn ball. C's win the tip and we are off and running... With the Bulls. Holiday finds KP for the deep three and he's ready to roll. C's force a shot clock violation! All good signs so far. KP with another deep three! Let's Go!      JB gets inside the paint and scores the lefty layup. JB secured the rebound on the other end. Great hustle by DWhite who taps it to KP. Derrick White is the ultimate hustle guy who has the skills to accompany that. That's a recipe for success! Last game DWhite played really well and finally seems to be back in the groove. I'm hoping for him to give us a complete game tonight.       KP is truly a special player, who can ball out. He is why I still believe the C's have a good chance to repeat...

 You remember Guerschon Yabusele. He played for two seasons in Boston , but was best-known for his wide butt and playfully dumping liquids over his teammates. Well, his current team, the Philadelphia 76'ers, are struggling once again - have a hold on the 11th spot in the East Standings - and are well-known for shamelessly tanking . "Yabu" has done some good things since leaving Beantown, and he is having a productive season with Philly. He did well playing for France in the recent Olympics, and at 6'8" and trimmed-down 265 pounds, he could provide some help for the Celtics at both the center-and-power-forward slots. "Guersch" currently earns roughly $2.0 million with the 76'ers for this season, and he will be a free agent this summer . So it appears that the Celtics 2016 first-round draft pick (16th overall) may be a late bloomer and could continue to improve his game. The downside is that he is 29 years old , and with Boston's stacked ro...

 I write this knowing damn well that nothing will change, but I question whether the NBA season is too long and grueling.  The Boston Celtics played a total of 101 games in the 2023-24 season - the usual 82 regular season contests and 19 playoff games. Despite the physical toll on the players, the regular season can seem to be simply a never-ending prelude to the intensity of the post-season. As an example, Boston has played 47 games thus far this season, and the players already appear to be bored and itching for the playoffs . They still sit second in the East Standings (barely) and have a 5-5 record in the last 10 contests . But I understand their laid-back mindset and lethargic play of late. And The Green appear to relax at home - where they have a worse record than on the road . And the loss to Houston last night hurt a bit more - with the Rockets taking over third place in the standings from Boston. The NBA has become a League of wealth , with the 30 teams having a co...

  🏀       C's welcome the Rockets to the Garden. You can't help but remember the 81 and 86 Finals when we won both times vs Houston. Memories that will never fade away. So many good players on both ends but especially on the C's. KP and JB seemed locked in early tonight. It hasn't been smooth sailing after a win and playing at home. C's need to fix that trend and win tonight's game.        You have to tip your cap to how well Ime Udoka has these Rockets playing. They have taken on his personality. A tough minded, get down and dirty defensive squad. He had imparted that on the Celtics when he was Coach for that one year. I wonder if he ever thinks about what if... In regards to what he could have done with these Celtics.      Luke Kornet just jammed over Thompson and did it with authority! KP earning the Tommy point throwing the ball off of Brooks. Love seeing a top tier player making plays like that. When I was playing back in the ...

 ☘️      C's are in Dallas for a Saturday Matinee. Personally I don't know what I'm looking for from the C's. We get a few good games and then they take a game off. I'm sorry I take the regular season so seriously but I grew up watching teams who did. Birds Celtics and Jordans Bulls. They wanted blood each and every game all the time.        My hope is this, that we get effort by the Celtics on both ends today. Time to start winning and winning regularly. C's are cold... What a garbage start already! For the love of basketball can we get it together! Refs are already calling bogus fouls on the Celtics. Love seeing Jrue get down hill and scoring in the paint.       It's good to see JT getting involved on offense because no one else is doing anything. Such a flat start overall, where's the heart? C's are going to have to morph their game. Stop with all these damn threes. Start shifting the offense to get inside the paint. Instea...

 In a recent clash between the Boston Celtics and Atlanta Hawks, Jayson Tatum had his own tussle with Atlanta's Onyeka Okongwu . It was a good sign for Celtics fans. In the past, Tatum's aggression on the court often came in verbal form - generally directed at officials with whom Jayson disagreed. This was different. "Tatum's Tussle" with Hawks Onyeka Okongwu was exciting for Celtics fans - even a bit "Bird-like". Jayson Tatum and Onyeka Okongwu SEPARATED after a heated ball possession... https://t.co/KLmkcZoMA2 via @YouTube — Tom Lane (@CelticsSentinel) January 23, 2025 Jayson has transformed into an elite rebounder , and he was n ot going to give this one up easily . Okongwu captured the errant shot but failed to protect it. Tatum took the opportunity to try to gain possession from his opponent. The tussle didn't last long, and the officials separated the two opponents without calling a technical foul on one or both opponents. Jayson's agg...

       Celtics win in overtime vs the LA Clippers. Both teams were shorthanded as they sat multiple players. I was very impressed by Jayden Springer. I've always felt this young man just needed a chance. He's got bounce in his step and he loves to defend. A guy who is willing to get dirty and not only take his but give em. Guys like that are hard to find. I hope this is a jumpstart to him earning more time on the floor.       Kudos to the Clippers for shooting the lights out and keeping it close. When other players get their chance they tend to step up. Solid team effort especially given JT, JB, and DWhite all scored twenty. Hauser stepped up as did PP and Queta. When the C's play short handed the other guys tend to step up. To me that's how special this team is and can be.       C's have now put together two wins in a row. My hope is they make it three! They will take on the Fakers, while Leflop leads the way. C's should be at...

 The Boston Celtics are 43 games into the current regular season , and they are faltering. WHY? Well, first of all, this IS the regular season - and Boston is experiencing the lethargy often seen in a "post-Title NBA team" . In other words, the Celtics are bored with any pre-playoff contests - i tching for the post-season - and facing potential post-season competition from a very-improved Cavaliers team and a somewhat-improved Thunder squad. Celtics record 2023-24, 64-18 (780) Celtics record 2024-25, 30-13 (.698) And don't dismiss the Milwaukee Bucks or Denver Nuggets in this conversation. Any team with a Giannis Antetokounmpo or Nikola Jokic on it could give The Green problems in the post-season. And how about the Knicks, Grizzlies and (Heaven forbid) the Rockets. Surpassing the Cavs for first place in the Eastern Conference would be difficult for Boston, but the good news is that the Celtics thus far have won as many games on the road (15) as they have at home . A...

 ☘️       C's off to a nice 5-0 lead. KP and JT are our scorers. KP with another three! JB found him in the corner. C's must not fall into bad habits. C's defense is suspect already. They need to punch the Warriors flat in the face today. KP gets the rock and posts up Curry. Steph Curry is the reason today's NBA is three happy and it sucks. .      I'm looking for consistent effort on D as we head towards the All Star break. Not to mention I want to see better shot selection from the Celtics. Too many threes makes the game I love look terrible. The three should be used as a weapon but not to build your offense around. Blame Curry for that, and Leflop for flopping. Two "stars" who ruined the game I love.       Let's see if the Celtics can put together a quality game for four quarters today. Even when they almost make the steal the other team scores. It's brutal. JBs turn around jumper is absolute butter. He should dominate inside the ...

 🏀       Anyone who watched the Chiefs game knows how dirty all refs are. The way they fix games for the Chiefs is absolutely disgusting. When you see and hear former NFL players call out these refs you know there's a problem. C's now take on the Hawks, I'm hoping the C's can show their dominance as they did last night.        Jrue hits his first three of the night! I believe he's starting to get his groove back. JB is off to a great start himself. Getting by the defense and jamming it home. C's defense is doing some good things tonight. I love the way they are making the Hawks turn over the ball. Hopefully the D continues to show what it's made of.            Luke is doing a pretty good job as a starter tonight. He's just a good plug in guy to have when Al and KP are out. C's seem to play to Luke's strengths. Both JB and JT have found Luke in the paint. Queta is in the game and we will need him to make an impact. I ...

C's must make a statement tonight... ☘️       Jrue with a spectacular pass to KP who scores in the paint. That should be something to take advantage of over the Magic. C's use some excellent ball movement which leads to a DWhite three. Jrue to KP again! It's extremely early but the C's are moving the ball rather well. Everyone seems engaged and are working as one.        Not so impressed with the D right now... Although that last set was pretty good. C's need to learn how to rebound the damn ball! Stop giving up freaking offensive rebounds. I want to see effort on D and rebounding the ball. Offense is easier since no NBA team really values Defense. If you put the work in on D everything else falls into place. I respect hearing what Eddie House said about the dog days of the year and I believe it. Yet that doesn't mean I don't want to see the best from this team. We have a chance to do something special. You know what I'm talking about.    ...

  ☘️       C's have their stud five starting tonight. Keys tonight will be defense and shot selection. C's are wearing those ugly city edition uniforms. JB is going to dominate Mitchell tonight. Not a great start for the C's tonight. Very flat right now.        Love seeing Jrue drive to the cup. He should be able to get there all game. No one on Toronto can guard him. Joe calls an early timeout as tonight's game sucks. What's with these slow starts lately? I don't like this trend going on. Hopefully after that timeout Joe was up in their face looking for better defensive effort.        What a pass from KP to JB for the JAM! Two quality offensive possessions off the timeout. KP for three! I like how KP is getting involved early tonight. KP is on fire right now! Cs are actually playing basketball with some effort! It's something to be said when you have a good Coach. C's were flat and Joe calls the timeout, boom back to playing l...

 First of all, Kristaps Porzingis to the bench would not be a demotion for the super-skilled big man. But it is worth trying now since the season is less-than-halfway done. The Celtics struggles are not the fault of Porzingis - nor can he be blamed for his fellow starters having to get used to playing with him. The issue is that it is expected that the 7'2" center will continue to be plagued with injuries, and his comebacks will be frequent. Boston is 9-7 (.562) in the 16 games Kristaps has played thus far in the season. He started all of those contests. Without him on the court, Boston is 19-4 (.826). The talk lately has been about the difficulties faced by other Celtics starters in readjusting to Porzingis' presence on the court . But how may times this season are they going to have to "readjust"/ That is my point. Time for Joe Mazzulla to start Al Horford at the center spot and have Kristaps come off the bench to play with the likes of Payton Pritchard, Sa...

       What can I say about today's game? C's barely escaped with a one point victory. First of all that five second call on Derrick was absolutely garbage. Derrick was pissed with that ref and he should be. My initial thoughts are we are beyond lucky to have won this game. I don't know what's going on with this team but we are not playing like I feel we should be.       I know it's very difficult to repeat in today's NBA. Yet this team if healthy should be able to do so. With that said I wasn't very impressed with tonights win. I love this team but tonight didn't really impress me. There were moments in the game that I felt good about what I saw. There were moments I wanted to smash my TV. Some of the turnovers were careless. Those need to be cleaned up. That's just a lack of focus in my opinion.          It was nice seeing Jrue get aggressive in the fourth. Those are the kinds of plays you want from a veteran like h...

  🏀       C's have their super stud five going tonight. KP from deep is a beautiful thing! Bang! KP is getting his groove going lately. With him healthy these C's go to another level. For you Nintendo fans it's like going from Tecmo Bowl to Tecmo Super Bowl. He's the key to going back to back.       JB is killing it in the paint tonight. Getting his way with no resistance at all! JB looks like a magician out there. C's defense sucks right now and Joe calls a timeout. They have to stop giving up easy points. Get a hand in their face and put the effort in. There's no Fox in the Kings lineup. C's need to take advantage of that.        I would really like for the C's to get dirty on D. Way too many missed shots to this point. We have the double big lineup out here. C's are getting out worked right now. They must get back to Celtics basketball. It starts on defense which will lead to transition offense. Can we go to the damn hoop.....

  Jayson Tatum may not be Superman on the court, but he certainly is the Celtics "Iron Man" . He rarely misses games and leads his team in five key statistical categories.   Is he "soft"? I think not. Here are my -eight tough Celtics players from the past as compiled by my readers when I wrote for another blog. Bill Russell . Few in the NBA at the time could handle Russ in the middle. He rebounded and defended like no other. He averaged 42.3 minutes per game in the regular season over the course of his career - and 45.4 MPG in the post-season. He backed down to no one - including Wilt Chamberlain. Larry Bird : Larry could play either way - as a finesse guy or a hard-working warrior. He was tough - both mentally and physically. Never forget his head bouncing off the floor in that crucial playoff game versus the Pacers - and his triumphant return to the court to the surprise of everyone watching the game.  Isaiah Thomas : I am not talking "toughness-per-inch...

 The late Celtics play-by-play man, Johnny Most , called him "High Henry" . Hank Finkel had the "distinction" of being Boston's primary center in the lone season (1969-70) between the departure of Bill Russell and the arrival of the effervescent Dave Cowens . The 7-foot Finkel was not generally a starter for Boston. That task went to 6'7" Rich Johnson , primarily for the purpose of winning the center tap . And 6'8" Jim Barnes took center stage when The Green needed some muscle in the middle. But Hank's first season in Boston was his best. He averaged 23 minutes per game, 9.7 PPG and 7.7 RPG. He lasted six seasons with Boston and became a backup for Cowens - and also a crowd favorite.  Henry's first season with the Celtics was tough on him . He often heard the crowd noise - "He's no Bill Russell". But of course, the Boston fans were right. Hank was tall but he was not quick or athletic . And frankly, he often looked aw...

  First Quarter ☘️       C's and Nuggets are off to a blazing start. Despite no Jokic the Nuggets look pretty solid. JT with a huge jam that felt as if he want a mile high to slam it home. KP is looking like he's getting back into form. JT with the block! JT is looking like an MVP right now. No DWhite tonight so we have our double big with KP and Al.       Playing in Denver has been giving the C's issue over the past few seasons. It's really quite the home court advantage. PP is a sharp shooting sniper! Love seeing him in transition knocking down threes. JT just abused Jamal Murray! Love seeing JT post up and scoring inside. JT is an absolute STUD! One of my favorite Celtics!       If the C's can pull tonight out it will be a very successful road trip. If they didn't go cold in the second half on Sunday, they would have won. I fully expect to see the Celtics go on a big winning streak as the season progress. I tell you thi...

 Just for the Hell of it, I decided to look at the Celtics player stats through the first 37 games and see who is leading in the major categories. No surprise - Jayson Tatum's name pops up the most. MINUTES: Yes, it's Jayson Tatum leading the pack at 36.4 minutes per game . POINTS; Tatum again with 28.1 PPG . REBOUNDS; Yup! Jayson with 9.2 boards/game . He has become an elite rebounder. ASSISTS; Tatum once again with 5.5 APG. STEALS; Tatum's Jay Team partner, Jaylen Brown, shares the honors with Jayson in this one - both at 1.3 thefts per contest. BLOCKS; Kristaps Porzingis leads in this category with 1.4 BPG . But Derrick White (at 6'4") is right behind at 1.3 blocks per game . FIELD GOAL PERCENTAGE; Neemias Queta takes this one, shooting .661 from the field. 3-POINT PERCENTAGE: The "half-court heave" artist, Payton Pritchard , wins this one - hitting at a 42.0% clip from deep. FREE THROW PERCENTAGE; Both Sam Hauser and Baylor Scheierman have ...

  🏀       C's are full strength! Let's Go! Let me say this the Patriots are a laughing stock and shame on them for today. Kraft has lost his ever loving mind. I'm personally disgusted in them. Back to a real team the Boston Celtics. C's are cold so far. JB gets us on the board with points in the paint. I like how the C's are getting KP involved. One trip to the line and another ends in a loud Thunderous dunk! OKC has no answer for KP. DWhite splashes a three and we seem ready to go toe to toe today.        JT gets on the board with a three over Hartenstein. If that's who they put on JT they are going to get killed. Love seeing JT attack the cup! I really want the C's to play some lockdown D here. Scal makes me sick with his crush for Alexander. He throws himself into to the defender every play. I thought the NBA was getting rid of that garbage call?! These Thunder uniforms are disgusting. C's rocking the historical Green with white trim.  ...

  Where is the drama in this season's version of the Boston Celtics? Hell, the major story may be the lingering Kristaps Porzingis injury , but fans are (sadly) getting used to that. The past drama of Payton Pritchard wanting more playing time or a trade has faded - with the 6'1" combo guard proving he was right all along . Despite starting zero games this season, he places fifth in minutes per game (28.6 MPG) on the team. He is having a great season. The Celtics have no one whining about wanting (demanding?) a trade a la the Heat's Jimmy Butler . And there is zero chance of Joe Mazzulla getting canned early in the season - as did the King's Mike Brown. Boston was slated to have a fine season, and they now sit with the third-best record in the League. Despite a dip to mediocrity over the past 10 games (6-4 record) , they are 3-0 in their last three contests. But today, they face the team with the second-best record - the Oklahoma City Thunder, winners of their...

  ☘️       No JB tonight but KP is back in the lineup. What a steal by Jrue! Finds KP for the oop! DWhite for three! The best back court in all of the NBA is looking good already. Both Derrick and Jrue are high IQ players. Hands down the best backcourt in all of basketball.        C's look relatively fresh so far tonight. It will be something to monitor if and when they may get tired legs. Joe may have to go deep into the bench. So far they look like a team on a mission. Everyone who has been in the game has made an impact. You have to love when your entire team is making an impact on the floor.        C's have grabbed an early ten point lead tonight. PP looks extremely efficient tonight. Doing a little bit of everything tonight. Even making former Coach Ime Udoka laugh. We have seen a good amount of minutes for Luke Kornet tonight. He's come to play and is doing a solid job.       C's are shooting real...

  🏀       C's are short handed yet again. No JB or KP. That means expect JT to do a lot tonight on both ends. We are going to need to see Derrick and Jrue do their thing tonight. Question is who is going to guard Edwards? He's been know to go off vs the C's.        The Wolves win the tip, C's better be ready! Right off the bat the Wolves get a phantom call. C's are cold to start, give the rock to JT! Let's attack the paint! Another phantom call as JT gets whistled for "fouling" Ant Man.      The Celtics D stinks so far. Hopefully they don't get blown out. I'd say it might be time to get PP in the game. We need a spark and he always brings it. I wonder what's being said by Joe here. I'm sure he's unimpressed with this garbage effort on D.      The schedule makers really stuck it to the C's over these next four games. C's need to get busy on the glass. Way too many chances for the Wolves. Ever since that timeout the C'...