Category: .Other leagues

Celtics Lab 251: NBA expansion and covering Boston (and the league) from abroad with Josh Coyne

To get a bead on the international future of the NBA (and the Celtics in the first round), make sure you don’t miss this bonus episode.

The NBA is inching closer to a new, inevitable round of expansion, and based on what we have heard from league commissioner Adam Silver, it might not just be within the US and Canada. And while Mexico City might not be among the frontrunners, the growth of the league in popularity around the world will only continue to grow.

What will NBA expansion look like this time, and in the future? How is it different for fans and international media to enjoy the NBA we have now? And what else might the future of the Association look like, with the accelerating growth of the NBA continuing apace?

To talk it over and his trip to cover the end of the Boston Celtics’ 2023-24 season and the playoffs ahead of them, CLNS Media’s “Celtics Lab” podcast linked up with British Basketball League and Give Me Sport’s Josh Coyne.


To get a bead on the international future of the NBA (and the Celtics in the first round), make sure you don’t miss this special bonus episode of the pod.


The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by Prize Picks.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

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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Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce weigh in on NIL’s impact on the college game

The change in how the NCAA game works in terms of compensation has had some major impacts on the college game.

The 2024 NCAA Tournament is over, UConn the champs, and most of the college basketball world now focused on the 2024-25 season ahead. But perhaps more than ever, the impact of the “name, image, likeness” rules that allow college players to make money off of endorsements.

Known more commonly as NIL, the change in how the NCAA game works in terms of compensation has had some major impacts on the college game. And not all bad, either. But can this band-aid fix a more substantial issue of athlete compensation at the college level? Or will so-called “student athletes” end up getting paid outright?

To talk over what NIL means for the college game and the wider world of basketball, Boston Celtics Hall of Famers Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett recently weighed in on the phenomenon on a recent episode of the “Ticket and the Truth” podcast.

Check it out above for yourself!

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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Everything you need to know about the Maine Celtics’ title run

It is the first-ever shot at a title for the Boston Celtics’ developmental affiliate, with the best-of-three series currently knotted up at one game each.

The Maine Celtics will take on the Oklahoma City Blue for the 2024 G League Championship on this Monday (April 13) night. It is the first-ever shot at a title for the Boston Celtics’ developmental affiliate, with the best-of-three series currently knotted up at one game each for Maine and the Oklahoma City Thunder G League squad.

How did they get here? How good are they, and how do G League playoffs work? What are games in Portland like in the regular and postseason? And how is the synergy between Boston and Maine in terms of developing players and winning games? 

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast recently sat down with Celtics Blog’s Noa Dalzell to get all the details you need to know about what might be G League Banner No. 1 for Maine.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

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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Boston’s Jordan Walsh helps lead Maine Celtics to 2024 G League Finals

The win secured Maine a spot in the G League Finals vs. the Oklahoma City Blue.

Boston Celtics rookie forward Jordan Walsh scored 15 points with 7 rebounds and 3 steals as the Maine Celtics beat the Long Island Nets (the G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets) in the G League Eastern Conference Finals this week. Walsh joins the newest addition to the regular roster, Neemias Queta, in the series along with Boston’s remaining two way players, JD Davison, and Drew Peterson in playing the Blue for the G League title.

The win secured Maine a spot in the G League Finals vs. the Oklahoma City Blue (the developmental affiliate of the Oklahoma City Thunder), which will be a three-game series that will see at least one finals tilt played on Maine’s home court in Portland.

The folks behind the CLNS Media “Celtics All Access” YouTube channel put up some highlights from Maine’s recent win vs. Long Island via Celtics Blog’s Noa Dalzell. Check them out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

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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Maine Celtics set to take on Oklahoma City Blue in 2024 G League Playoffs Finals

Maine will face off with the Oklahoma City Blue in a best-of-three-series.

 It is not just the Boston Celtics who are gearing up for a run at a title this month, with the Boston-based ball club’s G League affiliate up in Portland having advanced to the G League Finals. The Maine Celtics just finished beating the Long Island Nets (the G League affiliate of the Brooklyn Nets) to earn a spot in their league’s finals for the 2023-24 season.

In it, Maine will face off with the Oklahoma City Blue, the developmental affiliates of the Oklahoma City Thunder in the G League. It has rarely been the case that the ball clubs with such good records at the NBA level have met in the G league postseason. So, this new wrinkle will add a bit of extra sauce to an already intriguing matchup.

The folks behind the “News Center Maine” YouTube channel recently ran a short on the looming three-game series. Check it out in the clip embedded below for details.

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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Shams: Former Boston Celtics point guard Isaiah Thomas to sign with Utah Jazz G League squad

Reunited with his former team president in Boston with Danny Ainge now calling the shots in Utah, this could be Thomas’ last, best chance to get back into the NBA.

Former Boston Celtics floor general Isaiah Thomas is not back in the NBA, but the former King in the Fourth is as close as one can get without actually being in the league. According to recent reporting from The Athletic’s Shams Charania, the former Celtics point guard, in “pursuit of NBA return for stretch run, 11-year veteran Isaiah Thomas is joining the Utah Jazz’s G League affiliate Salt Lake City Stars.”

“The two-time All-Star could be another guard option in (the) marketplace” for teams looking for cheap veteran talent ahead of the 2024 NBA Playoffs, notes Charania of IT’s potential path back into the Association.

Reunited with his former team president in Boston with Danny Ainge now calling the shots in Utah, this could be Thomas’ last, best chance to get back into the NBA for the first time since 2022.

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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Celtics’ Jrue Holiday and Jayson Tatum are expected to make Team USA for 2024 Paris Olympics

A pair of star Boston Celtics players appear poised to represent the United States of America abroad this year.

A pair of star Boston Celtics players appear poised to represent the United States of America abroad this year, as Jrue Holiday and Jayson Tatum are expected to make the 2024 Paris Olympics Team USA this coming summer.

Holiday, a surprise selection alongside perennial stars taking part in overseas contests to represent the US like LeBron James, Kevin Durant, Joel Embiid and Devin Booker, was pursued to bring some defense, physicality and shot-making. Tatum has also long been involved with Team USA, and as one of the best players in the world, is all but a lock to make the squad.

Cohost of CLNS Media’s “Garden Report” podcast, Bobby Manning, shared his thoughts on the news when it broke this week.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what he had to say about Holiday and Tatum representing the United States.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” and the many other New England sports podcasts available on the CLNS Media network.

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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Jaylen Brown on meeting fellow Celtics alum Tremont Waters in Puerto Rico

“I’m happy he’s killing it here — I will always support him,” said Brown.

Tremont Waters may not be part of the Boston Celtics anymore, but he will always be a Celtic — and not just for fans. Star Celtics forward Jaylen Brown made a quick stop in Puerto Rico during the All-Star Break for a little sun and a lot of activism, and while he was there he reconnected with Waters, his former Boston teammate.

Waters is currently playing for the Carolina (of Puerto Rico) Giants and the Puerto Rican National Team for FIBA play, and Brown’s visit provided a great opportunity for the two Boston alumni to reconnect. “I’m glad he’s doing well here,” said Brown to El Nuevo Dia’s Jorge Figueroa Loza (translated from Spanish).

“We used to train together,” Brown added. “He’s very creative with the ball.”

“I’m happy he’s killing it here — I will always support him,” said the Georgia native. Waters was drafted No. 51 overall by Boston in the 2019 NBA draft out of LSU, and played for the Celtics until the summer of 2021. It was then he left the team for stints in the G League, Toronto Raptors, and Washington Wizards before signing with Carolina in 2022.

“Hopefully (he can return to the NBA),” added Brown. “If he stays healthy, he has the talent and ability. Sometimes things out of your control get in the way; it’s difficult for short players. But, Tremont has the heart of a lion — I’m sure he will be fine, no matter what happens.”

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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Neemias Queta gives an update on Jordan Walsh’s progress with the Maine Celtics

“It shows – you can tell the improvement he’s made,” said Queta.

Boston Celtics two way big man Neemias Queta has had the privilege of watching rookie Celtics wing Jordan Walsh grow as a player with the Maine Celtics this season. Speaking to Celtics Blog’s Noa Dalzell, Queta gave an update on Walsh with the Portland version of the Celtics at the G League level. “It’s been a good situation,” he explained.

“I feel like Jordan’s been doing a great job for us, whether down in Maine or in Boston,” added Queta. “We had a similar path, going through from our first year getting drafted and being in the G League right away.”

“I feel like he’s doing it and doing a great job being down there with a great attitude and trying to get better every single day.”

“It shows – you can tell the improvement he’s made,” said the Portuguese big man of Walsh’s growth in Portland this season.

“He’s shooting the ball at a high level right now, so we just want him to keep on getting better and learn from his mistakes, and keep on being confident because we know how good he can be.”

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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Maine Celtics guard Tony Snell is on a mission to get back to the NBA

And it is not your typical mission, with Snell hoping to secure insurance coverage for his kids’ Autism Spectrum Disorder.

If you have ever wondered why Maine Celtics wing Tony Snell is still plugging away in Portland as he tries to get back into the NBA, it has everything to do with who he is as a person — and not in the way we tend to mean for most NBA players.

Snell, who was diagnosed with Autism spectrum disorder not long ago after trying to learn what might be behind developmental delays in his own children, according to a recent article by Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer. “Of course, I want to come back and play, but I have a bigger purpose now,” said Snell. “It’s not about me anymore. It’s about my boys.”

What the veteran wing is referring to is his push to get back into the NBA in order to get coverage for his children’s diagnosis of being on the spectrum as well.