Category: Interviews

Ray Allen on his time with the Seattle SuperSonics, UConn Huskies

The Celtics alum recently spoke on his time on the court before he got to Boston.

Many of us basketball fans in southern New England remember Hall of Fame Boston Celtics shooting guard Ray Allen for his time playing basketball at the University of Connecticut or for winning titles in green and white near the end of his career.

A not-small contingent of Celtics fans are not over his decampment to the Miami Heat, but others think fondly of his arrival from the (then) Seattle SuperSonics to complete the star-studded cast that hung Banner 17 back in 2008. Jesus Shuttlesworth had game long before he got to Boston, even if that’s where he won his first ring.

The South Carolina native recently appeared on the “Dan Patrick Show” to talk about his time with the Huskies and playing ball in the Pacific Northwest as UConn worked toward winning the program’s fifth national title.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Rafael Stone sees Rockets as attractive destination, blasts culture critics

“I think this is a very attractive situation,” Rafael Stone says of Houston’s coaching vacancy. “Based on my phone ringing today, I think a lot of other people do, too.” #Rockets

Criticisms of the 2022-23 Houston Rockets extended well beyond recently ousted head coach Stephen Silas; several media members repeatedly called the team’s culture into question.

So, with a lead coaching vacancy that needs to be filled, could that limit Houston’s potential appeal to the market? As general manager Rafael Stone sees it, the answer is absolutely not.

“I think this is a very attractive situation,” Stone said at Monday’s press conference on the coaching change. “Based on my phone ringing today, I think a lot of other people do, too.”

Later in the session, Stone put many of the team’s critics on blast as being “lazy” and using outdated perceptions. “The way those people did things are being conflated with us now, even though the only commonality is it’s the Houston Rockets,” Stone told reporters.

Among Stone’s additional comments:

A couple of the people are out of their mind. …

We have a really good culture. We have not managed to turn that culture into wins at this point in time, but culture I would put our team up there with anyone in the NBA. We work really hard. People are very supportive of each other, they get along very well.

I am willing to fight with anyone who will say that our culture, on this team, this year, was challenged. It’s been if not the best team I’ve ever been around, certainly one of the top two or three, and I’ve been in the NBA since 2005.

Complete video of Stone’s comments can be viewed below.

As for the attractiveness of the job, time will tell as the Rockets go through the coaching search. Initial reports are that Houston’s list of candidates includes several big names with significant head coaching experience such as Nick Nurse, Ime Udoka, Kenny Atkinson, Scott Brooks and Frank Vogel. There is no timetable for a hire, but Stone said Monday that Houston could move quickly, if needed.

[lawrence-related id=113115,113083]

Key takeaways as Rafael Stone explains departure of Stephen Silas, new Rockets coaching search

#Rockets GM Rafael Stone met with the media Monday to discuss Houston’s coaching search and its decision to part ways with Stephen Silas. Here’s our look at key takeaways.

HOUSTON — Hours after making the departure of head coach Stephen Silas official, Rockets general manager Rafael Stone met with members of the media at Toyota Center to explain the decision.

Stone and Silas were hired to their leadership roles in the 2020 offseason, but only Stone will remain in place as Houston proceeds to the next phase of its rebuilding plan.

In Monday’s press conference, Stone addressed the team’s reasoning for its decisions, as well as criteria that he and owner Tilman Fertitta will use during the process to find a replacement.

As an exit interview of sorts, Stone also offered his analysis on the recently completed 2022-23 season for the Rockets, along with early insight on other important aspects of the 2023 offseason — such as the May draft lottery, the NBA draft itself in June, and a crucial free agency period where Houston should have approximately $60 million in cap space.

Scroll on for quotes, videos, and key takeaways from Stone’s extended session with media members at Toyota Center.

Celtics President Brad Stevens supportive of head coach Joe Mazzulla heading into the potseason

Even Mazzulla’s occasional struggles have reflected well on his ability to lead, according to Stevens.

If there are any lingering doubts within the Boston Celtics about first-year head coach Joe Mazzulla‘s ability to coach his team to a title, they aren’t shared publicly by team president Brad Stevens. “We talk every day but I want to go back to this: Joe’s a strength,” said Stevens in an unexpected presser (h/t Celtics Blog’s Bobby Manning).

“He’s done a really good job and I understand, because he’s new, that the easiest thing to do is nitpick him, but he’s done a really good job,” added the Celtics executive. “If he needs me, I’m here, but I trust him and I trust our staff. They’ve all done a good job and I think our players would all second that.”

Even Mazzulla’s occasional struggles have reflected well on his ability to lead, according to Stevens. “I think he does a good job of picking what the emphasis needs to be in the big picture,” he explained.

“Every team has its ups and downs, but if you watched us in the last two weeks, and the vast majority of our play, I think we’ve gotten better and that’s encouraging because we struggled out of the gate after the all-star break and we could’ve limped (into the playoffs).”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

A ‘special crew to be a part of’ – how Payton Pritchard joined Larry Bird, Hondo in the record books

The Oregon native opened up on his historic triple-double.

It might have been the last game of the 2022-23 NBA season. But reserve Boston Celtics guard Payton Pritchard made the most of it, and by the end of the game, the Portland Native found himself landing among the storied ball club’s all-time greats.

Putting up an impressive 30 points, 14 rebounds, and 11 assists in a rare opportunity for extended floor time, Pritchard did something no other Celtic has done apart from Hall of Famers Larry Bird and John Havlicek. Asked about his historic outing postgame, Pritchard replied that it was a “special crew to be a part of. I definitely feel honored.”

“I looked forward to these last two games,” he continued. “It’s an opportunity for me to go out and play and show what I’m capable of, and to try and get a win.”

“There’s going to be ups and downs, and I think every NBA player goes through it,” said the Oregon native of his lack of regular playing time this season. “I think it’s through those down parts, how you approach it.”

“A lot of it is frustrating, and I went through a lot of frustrating times, but I always went back to work, to finding little areas to always keep getting better.”

From the looks of the history he made in Game 82 of the 2022-23 season, it seems that strategy is a good one.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Jaylen Brown on his journey from the NBA draft to the finals

You might have heard a version of this story, but not from the man himself.

The story of star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown and his journey to the NBA has been told by many throughout his career, Each time documents his rise from a prospect in Georgia to the best player on the floor for the Celtics in the 2022 NBA Finals.

But few bother to include the fact Brown called his own number in regard to making the finals. And none has been told in his own words until now.

The NBA’s “Pass The Rock” podcast features the former Cal standout breaking down his path from Wheeler High School to nearly defeating the greatest dynasty in league history not put together by the Celtics.

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear Brown’s journey to the pinnacle of the league’s biggest stage, directly from the mouth of the man himself.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Never coach a former rival – just ask former Boston Celtics GM Danny Ainge

Coaching a former nemesis on the court rarely goes well, and with AInge and Robert Horry, it very much did not.

Sometimes, when your co-worker becomes your boss, the situation just isn’t the same. The relationship you had with your co-worker is forever changed for the worse. This is not exactly uncommon in most workplaces, and the NBA is no exception, particularly when that co-worker is also a rival player.

In fact, when former Boston Celtics player and general manager Danny Ainge left the game as a player to pick up a clipboard and coach, he ended up as the head coach of a former rival, Robert Horry. The relationship was likely doomed. The player still harbored that hatred for having been dispatched by Ainge’s Suns when he was a Houston Rocket. The result is one epic tale.

To hear it for yourself, check out the clip embedded below put together by the folks at the Secret Base YouTube channel.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]

Rockets finish 2022-23 season on winning streak behind rookies Jabari Smith Jr., Tari Eason

#Rockets rookies Jabari Smith and Tari Eason flourished Sunday in Washington as Houston (22-60) finished its 2022-23 season with three straight wins and four of five, overall.

In the final game of the NBA’s 2022-23 season for both teams, the Rockets rallied to defeat the Wizards on Sunday, 114-109 (box score). Both teams were short-handed, as expected, in a regular-season finale with no playoff implications, with Houston (22-60) resting Kevin Porter Jr. and Washington (35-47) holding out big names such as Bradley Beal, Kyle Kuzma, and Kristaps Porzingis.

With the road victory, the rebuilding Rockets finished the season with three straight wins and four of their last five, overall. However, that wasn’t enough to save the job of head coach Stephen Silas, whose team finished with one of the NBA’s three worst records (and maximum draft-lottery odds) in each of his three years in Houston.

Besides sitting Porter, the Rockets gave only limited minutes to starting center Alperen Sengun (12 points, 12 rebounds, 6 assists) and guard Jalen Green (14 points, 4 assists, 50% FG), who sat out late. Houston did, however, let its 2022-23 rookies play usual minutes.

Jabari Smith Jr. led the way for the Rockets with 20 points and 5 rebounds on 6-of-11 shooting (54.5%), including 7-of-8 on free-throws (87.5%), while Tari Eason had 16 points, 8 rebounds, and 4 assists on a matching 6-of-11 line. Second-year guard Josh Christopher started in place of Porter and had 13 points and 4 assists on 6-of-10 shooting (60.0%), while veteran big man Boban Marjanovic added 10 points (71.4% FG) and 6 rebounds in only 13 minutes.

Jordan Goodwin led the Wizards with 22 points and 5 assists on 8-of-14 shooting (57.1%) and 3-of-8 from 3-point range (37.5%).

Scroll on for highlights, postgame interviews, and reaction from Houston fans and media members. With their season complete, next up for the Rockets are exit interviews to recap the year and preview the offseason. A schedule for those has yet to be released.

Roundtable: Who is the biggest x-factor for the Boston Celtics this postseason?

We asked a few members of the Celtics media who they think will step up for Boston this postseason.

The NBA postseason is finally here and the Boston Celtics will once again compete for a coveted 18th title. The Celtics are among the favorites to win it all this spring, but anything can happen in the playoffs.

Boston enters the postseason not just with two dynamo stars in Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, but with one of the deepest supporting casts in the league as well. And indeed each year we see guys make their mark on the playoffs by stepping up exactly when their team needs them most. Sometimes its the right role player who ultimately tips the scales and can even decide a series.

With formidable series against teams like the Milwaukee Bucks and Philadelphia 76ers perhaps on the horizon, Boston will need strong performances up and down the roster. In order to identify the biggest x-factor for the Celtics these playoffs, Celtics Wire asked a few members of the media their thoughts. Here’s who Boston’s best basketball minds pegged as the key role players for the Celtics for the 2022-23 postseason.

Al Horford thinks Derrick White is a lock for All-Defensive first team

Horford recently sung his teammate’s praises in an exclusive sit-down interview with NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin.

He might not be the flashiest player on the Boston Celtics’ roster, but Celtics guard Derrick White is definitely among Boston’s most important players, especially on the defensive end of the court. That quiet excellence is not missed by his teammates even if it is not always obvious how much the Colorado native adds to the Celtics’ win column.

Veteran big man Al Horford is taking note of how White has been helping Boston get it done on the court this season, and recently sung his teammate’s praises in an exclusive sit-down interview with NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin.

The two also talked about what it’s like when Horford plays the Philadelphia 76ers and gearing up for postseason play among other topics.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear their chat in full!

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3F9DvjQ

[lawrence-auto-related count=1 category=590969556]