Category: .News

Celtics expected to secure East Group C in the NBA Cup

The Boston Celtics will face the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards in the NBA Cup’s East Group C.

The Boston Celtics have been gifted an easy group in the NBA Cup. Joe Mazzulla’s team will face the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards in the first round of the tournament, with all the games taking place during the month of December. Given Boston’s talent level and how they dominated the regular season in their last campaign, they should be expected to breeze through their group.

It would appear that Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey would agree with that assessment. He also predicted that Boston would secure the top spot in their NBA Cup group.

“The Boston Celtics are a veteran team that just won the NBA title. Seeing them take it easy during the in-season tournament wouldn’t be all that surprising,” Bailey wrote. “But Boston is also a very real juggernaut with a three-point-heavy attack that can beat anyone, even if one or two Celtics are out. The “well-oiled machine” cliche doesn’t apply to any team quite like it does Boston right now.”

On paper, the Cavaliers will be the Celtics’ biggest test during the group stage.

Kenny Atkinson’s team faced Boston in the Eastern Conference semi-finals and may feel like they have something to prove when squaring off against the reigning NBA champions. The Bulls and Wizards are both rebuilding teams, but they shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Given Boston’s task of repeating their championship-winning success next season, it will be interesting to see how seriously they take the NBA cup and their participation in it. Nevertheless, if they do want to stake a claim for an in-season title, they’ve been gifted one of the best starts you could ask for.

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Celtics alumnus Eddie House tells his experience of the start and end of the infamous Banner 17 crew feud

The famed Boston sharpshooter had a unique perspective of how the KG-Ray Allen-Paul Pierce feud was born and died.

Former Boston Celtics microwave scorer Eddie House had a front-row seat to the birth and death of the feud between fellow champion Celtics alumni Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce. He was present for the initial cracks in the foundation laid by the Banner 17 crew in 2008.

So the current NBC Sports analyst knows as much as anyone about that trio of Boston greats. Especially the details behind their longtime rancor and final resolution ahead of KG’s jersey retirement ceremony this past spring when all three were together again at TD Garden.

Speaking with Bally Sports’ Brandon “Scoop B” Robinson, House told the tale from his perspective of the origin and end to one of the most infamous feuds in Celtics history.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear it for yourself.

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Former Boston Celtics big man Blake Griffin officiates Payton Pritchard’s wedding

Several former members of the team who have since found new homes or retired from the game were there as well.

You might think that reserve Boston Celtics combo guard Payton Pritchard would be taking it easy after helping his team hang an NBA-record 18th banner this summer. But the Oregon native has been doing the opposite, squeezing in runs before getting hitched with much of the Banner 18 squad in attendance this week.

And it is not just this year’s Celtics alumni who showed up. Several former members of the team who have since found new homes or retired from the game were there as well. At the top of the former list is former Boston big man Blake Griffin, who added a humorous inflection to PP’s big day as he officiated the wedding. 

“At no point tonight am I allowed to do my impersonation of Payton,” said Griffin to more than a few chuckles in a video posted by star Celtics forward Jaylen Brown to social media.

Congrats to Pritchard and his new wife, Instagram influencer Emma MacDonald.

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Shams: Boston Celtics’ opponents for season opener, rematches with Dallas Mavericks revealed

We just learned a little more about the Boston Celtics’ slate of regular season games for the looming 2024-25 season.

There may not be all that much going on in terms of men’s basketball now that the 2024 Paris Olympics are over, but that does not mean that the NBA news cycle is ready to take some time off. To that end, we just learned a little more about the Boston Celtics‘ slate of regular season games for the looming 2024-25 season from the Athletic’s Shams Charania.

Per Charania, we now know who the Celtics will face on opening night as they get their rings for the 2024 NBA title they won at the end of the 2024 NBA Playoffs. That ball club would be the new-look New York Knicks, which Boston will face on opening night on October 22 on TNT, with Boston of course hosting.

The Celtics and their fans also learned when Boston will face their opponent in the 2024 NBA Finals in the league’s 2024-25 regular season.

Boston is slated to face the Dallas Mavericks twice next season. The first tilt will be a road game against the Mavs on January 25, and the second of two will be at TD Garden on February 6.

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Jayson Tatum isn’t ruling out playing for Team USA in 2028 despite lack of playing time in Paris

“I (would have) to take time and think about that,” said Tatum.

The US National Team took home gold over Team France in the 2024 Paris Olympics, but it was far from a drama-free run to the top for the US National Team. And it was the shifting role of star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum that was a significant part of that drama.

But the DNPs handed to the NBA champion did not derail Team USA’s quest for gold — nor discourage the St. Louis native from playing for the US National Team again for the 2028 Olympics. At least, not yet, according to the man himself in a recent interview with ESPN senior writer Brian Windhorst. “It was a tough personal experience on the court, but I’m not going to make any decision off emotions,” said Tatum.

“If you asked me right now if I was going to play in 2028 — it is four years from now and I (would have) to take time and think about that,” he added. “So I’m not going to make any decision based off how this experience was or how I felt individually.”

“A lot of people text me and reached out and said, ‘Make sure this fuels you,’ which I appreciate,” explained Tatum. “There’s a lot of people that care about me … I think the tough part is yes, you can use things to fuel you, but I’m still human.” 

“(…) I’ve sacrificed and put a lot into this game and work really, really hard,” he noted. “So in the moment it is tough. You’re not necessarily worried about fueling me for November or (whenever) the season is … it’s something I’m going to take away from this and learn from this experience. It’s definitely challenging and humbling at the same time.”

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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

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

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

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Payton Pritchard defends Jaylen Brown’s reaction to Team USA snub

The Boston Celtics guard defended his teammates reaction to missing out on Team USA.

Jaylen Brown has endured a difficult summer. The Boston Celtics star was omitted from Team USA’s roster for the 2024 Paris Olympics. He was then overlooked as the replacement for Kawhi Leonard, with Derrick White receiving a call-up instead. Brown was critical of the decision, taking to social media to share his thoughts. Stephen A. Smith also accused him of being “unmarketable.” Smith during the postseason.

In a recent appearance on the “Point Forward” podcast, Celtics guard Payton Pritchard defended Brown’s reaction, while also noting how the Celtics All-Star fits within Steve Kerr’s Team USA roster.

“I know certain people are like it’s undercutting his teammate, but I was kind of like hey man, let him speak his peiece,” Pritchard said regarding Brown’s Team USA drama. “I think, yeah, let him speak. I don’t think Derrick felt any type of way at all. I think we’re all brothers at the end of the day. When I saw it, not even having the consideration of putting him on was confusing to me. I think Jaylen is a top-level player. He fits everything they need. He can defend, play any role, and I think Jaylen would accept that.”

While there’s a fair debate on whether Brown should have handled the situation differently, there’s no denying that he could have been an important member of Team USA’s roster, regardless of what role he would have been tasked with playing.

Nevertheless, Brown will undoubtedly have spent his summer working on his game and improving his all-round skill set as he looks to help Boston challenge for back-to-back championships next season.

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Celtics legend Larry Bird reacts to news of new East finals MVP trophy being named for him

The Hick From French Lick HAD to take a shot at Magic Johnson here.

In 2022, the NBA revealed a new set of awards to be granted annually to the best individual player and team from each conference final. And Boston Celtics legendary small forward Larry Bird has his name attached to the Eastern Conference Most Valuable Player (MVP) award.

To let them know, deputy league commissioner Mark Tatum called the individuals about the new set of hardware to share the news their names would be attached to the awards. The Hick From French Lick was on the call, and his reaction, captured on video, was shared by the league on Instagram.

“Thanks, Mark,” said Bird after hearing the news of his name being attached to the trophy of the conference he won three titles. “I just wish I could win me one of those Magic Johnson trophies.”

https://www.instagram.com/reel/CddoC6igLIk/?igshid=YmMyMTA2M2Y=

“That would be the highlight of my career,” he joked, poking fun at his career-long rival and friend Earvin “Magic” Johnson.

Watch the clip above to see Bird’s full reaction to the news.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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Boston Celtics legend Bob Cousy lets rip on Steve Kerr

Bob Cousy lets rip on Steve Kerr

Steve Kerr risked the wrath of Boston Celtics fans on Thursday when he decided to bench Jayson Tatum for Team USA’s 95-91 semi-final victory over Serbia. Kerr has benched Tatum twice during the Olympics, despite the St. Louis native being one of the most complete talents on the roster.

During an interview with The Boston Globe, Celtics legend Bob Cousy let rip on Kerr’s decision to sit Tatum despite Team USA struggling throughout the game. He questioned whether Kerr had a bias against the Celtics and declared that Tatum had been embarrassed by Kerr’s actions and decision-making.

“Tatum is on the cover of Sports Illustrated this month,” Cousy said. “Any experts that I’ve read lately have chosen him in the top five, and sometimes No. 1 in the [expletive] world. Now Kerr is telling the world that he doesn’t agree… And then to not let Tatum get off the bench — to me, there’s got to be some kind of bias that he’s got against the Celtics. He’s not alone there…He must think Tatum is a detriment, and I don’t see how he can feel that way and know anything about basketball.”

Tatum went into the Olympics as a recently crowned NBA champion and All-NBA First-Team selection. He has proven himself to be one of the best players in the world. When looking at Team USA’s roster, there is no logical reason for him to have been benched on two occasions. 

Cousy’s comments mirror those of Celtics fans, many of whom had taken to social media to share their confusion at Kerr’s decision-making. Team USA is set to face France in the final game on Saturday.

It will be interesting to see whether Tatum returns to the rotation, or if Kerr once again chooses to keep him glued to the bench. 

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Report: Red Sox owner John Henry’s Fenway Sports Group seriously considering bidding for Boston Celtics

Henry, who also owns Liverpool Football Club and the Pittsburgh Penguins, has had a contentious relationship with the Red Sox fan base.

Fans of the Boston Celtics are starting their Friday morning with the news that Fenway Sports Group and RedBird Capital are reportedly “seriously considering bidding for the Celtics” once that process begins, according to the New York Post’s Josh Kosman. These entities, part of the Boston Red Sox ownership group in MLB, may not be the most popular choice to lead the team given their contentious stewardship of the Sox under majority owner John Henry.

Henry, who also owns Liverpool Football Club and the Pittsburgh Penguins, has had a contentious relationship with the Red Sox fan base. But concerned fans of the Sox and Celtics both should note that bidding does not mean buying necessarily, and there would be other hurdles to clear.

For one, Los Angeles Lakers star forward LeBron James is currently a minority owner of the Red Sox, which would have to end for the current ownership group to purchase an NBA team per league rules.

Still, the process takes long enough that even that could be resolved by James simply retiring before the purchase was completed. Fingers crossed the teams ends up with ownership who will support it to the degree that such a storied ball club deserves.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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Watch Gary Payton Sr. inform Celtics’ Marcus Smart that he is the 2022 Defensive Player of the Year

The Glove was the last guard to win the award in 1996.

In what was perhaps the most apropos revelation of an NBA end-of-season award in the history of the league’s Kia Defensive Player of the Year (DPOY) award, Boston Celtics veteran point guard Marcus Smart was alerted to the fact he had won the NBA’s DPOY award for the 2021-22 season from the last backcourt player to win the award, all the way back in 1996.

Snapping the drought of guards taking home that particular piece of hardware, Smart was told of his winning the award by none other than Gary “The Glove” Payton, Sr. He let the Flower Mound native know how proud he was of Smart for the nearly lost art of elite guard defense that led to his being honored by the NBA.

“You play that D the way it’s supposed to (be played),” said Payton to Smart. “You play with a chip on your shoulder and a lot of heart.”

The former Oklahoma State player responded to The Glove’s short speech with one of his own, making sure to credit his teammates for helping to put him in a position to win the DPOY award in the first place.

Check out the clips embedded above to see Payton’s award reveal and Smart’s reply.

Listen to the “Celtics Lab” podcast on:

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

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

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

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