Tag: 2023-24 boston celtics

What the Boston Celtics need to to do get over the title hump

The addition of more capable bench players and veteran assistants may help, but the burden lies on Tatum and Brown to elevate their games.

The Boston Celtics need to make changes to improve their chances of winning a title in the NBA’s 2023-24 season. One key factor is the improvement of head coach Joe Mazulla, who did well managing the team but has room for growth and desperately needs a better bench staff behind him with so many departing assistants the last two offseasons and more departures pending this year.

The improved performance of their best players, particularly Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, is crucial to future success as well. They must improve their decision-making, patience and ability to adapt against strong opposing defenses who know their weaknesses. The team’s salary commitments to Tatum and Brown will make it challenging to maintain a strong supporting cast, so their individual development becomes even more important.

The addition of more capable bench players and veteran assistants may help, but the burden lies on Tatum and Brown to elevate their games.

The folks at the Athletic “NBA Show” recently gave their opinions on all of the above; check out the clip to hear their thoughts on what it will take for the Celtics to rule the roost in 2024.

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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Tracy McGrady is all the way out on splitting up Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum

“You don’t dismantle that, I’m sorry,” he explained.

Former NBA star wing Tracy McGrady knows quite a bit about playing the sport that made him a household name, and the ex-NBAer recently weighed in on the sentiment among some Celtics fans and analysts to break up star wings Jaylen Brown and Jayson Tatum.

“You don’t dismantle that, I’m sorry,” he said on an episode of the Showtime Basketball “What’s Burnin'” podcast. “Hell yeah, you keep that! This is, what, 25 and 26 year olds? Why would you get rid of that? I don’t understand why would you get rid of two guys that have played for NBA championship, (and) went to four Eastern Conference finals.”

“At some point, these guys are going to raise a banner,” he added confidently.

If the Celtics’ front office doesn’t believe the same, the debate may be moot. But McGrady has a point, and one that — at least for now — seems to be echoed by the club’s front office.

Boston team president Brad Stevens went to bat for his players and coach at a postseason press conference. Based on his comments, running much of this team back with better support appears to be the plan inasmuch as league rules allow such discussion.

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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Should the Boston Celtics keep Jaylen Brown? Brian Scalabrine discusses

What the Celtics should do about all of this is one of the more important questions facign the team in years if not longer.

The biggest question for the Boston Celtics heading into the offseason is whether they should offer star forward Jaylen Brown a supermax extension. Brown’s responses to questions about his future this past season have been vague, perhaps indicating uncertainty.

There are concerns about how well Brown and fellow star wing Jayson Tatum complement each other because they have similar playing styles and weaknesses. However, their defensive and offensive versatility as wing players is extremely valuable in today’s NBA. The Celtics have had success with them, but their ball handling and decision-making can be inconsistent.

What the Celtics should do about all of this is one of the more important questions the team has faced in years, and former Celtics forward and current Boston broadcaster Brian Scalabrine weighed in on the matter on an episode of the “Dan Patrick” show.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear what Scal has to say about Jaylen Brown’s future as a Celtic.

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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What should the Boston Celtics do with Jaylen Brown?

Resigning the Georgia native is a top priority for Tatum, but what about the front office?

The Boston Celtics are facing important decisions in the offseason, particularly regarding star forward Jaylen Brown, who is eligible for a supermax extension.

Brown had a strong offensive season and earned second-team All-NBA honors, making him eligible for a contract for five years that is projected at $285.6 million.

However, Brown’s consistency and basketball IQ still need improvement. The Celtics have the option to either pay both Brown and Jayson Tatum both supermax deals, limiting their roster flexibility, or explore trades for Brown to prioritize depth and reliable shooting. Re-signing the Georgia native is a top priority for Tatum and team president Brad Stevens, but it remains unclear how ownership feels about such a prospect.

To hear more about this potential conundrum, check out this clip by the folks at NESN we’ve embedded below.

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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Does Jayson Tatum have what it takes to win a title with the Boston Celtics?

Despite how close he has already come, some analysts still seem to have their doubts.

To win an NBA title, it really does take the heart of a champion despite the cliche being thrown around more than it should be.

When it comes to the Boston Celtics struggling to get over the hump in the postseason, a fair amount of blame can be attributed to the club’s best player, star forward Jayson Tatum.

To some analysts, the bulk of the blame pie seems to lie with the St Louis native, specifically regarding Tatum’s will to win. That is the tack taken by Dr. Jason Johnson of the Peacock “Brother from a Different Mother” show.

Johnson criticizes Tatum’s supposed lack of heart and leadership skills, comparing him to Chris Webber.

To hear Johnson break down his thoughts on whether Tatum has what it takes to hang a banner, take a look at the clip embedded above.

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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Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett on what the Boston Celtics need to win a title

What do the Boston Celtics need to do to prevent another early postseason exit?

What do the Boston Celtics need to do to prevent another early postseason exit in the 2024 NBA playoffs as they gear up for another run at an NBA title?

On the latest episode of the Showtime Basketball “KG Certified” podcast, Celtics Hall of Famers Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce discussed the 2023 NBA Finals and the Celtics’ performance in the playoffs.

The Ticket and the Truth talk about the importance of Boston having a feel for the energy of the game and making adjustments on the fly. They also discuss the need for maturity and improvement from the Celtics’ best players, especially Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.

Check out the clip embedded below to hear what the former Boston stars have to say about the Celtics’ future, as well their thoughts on the Denver Nuggets and Miami Heat finals.

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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Ex-Celtics team president Danny Ainge gives Boston coach Joe Mazzulla his support

The former Boston executive believes in Mazzulla for the Celtics moving forward.

If Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla is held in low regard by anyone in the NBA after the Celtics’ shocking loss to the Miami Heat in the 2023 East finals, it certainly is not his old boss and current Utah Jazz team president Danny Ainge.

“I work for another company now, but I’m trying to defend my friends,” said the former Celtics president of basketball operations via MassLive’s Brian Robb.

“I know Joe (Mazzulla)” continued Ainge. “I hired Joe four or five years ago to work in our G League (with the Maine Celtics). I still cheer for my friends.”

“I don’t think the team quit on Joe,” he suggested. “There was pretty good evidence they did not quit on the coach.”

“I just think they weren’t playing well. The team’s overall confidence struggled after the comeback wins against Philly, which were really the highlight of the season.”

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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Amid calls to make major changes to the Celtics, an anonymous GM thinks Boston should run it back

‘It’s a hard sell, it’s an unpopular choice,’ related the unnamed exec.

The Boston Celtics once again fell short of their goal of winning a title in the Jaylen Brown–Jayson Tatum era of the storied franchise. Predictably, fans and analysts reacted with a wide range of ideas of what the team ought to do next.

But despite some voices suggesting the club should break up its two star players for some other package of contracts and/or draft assets, an anonymous opposing general manager speaking to Heavy’s Sean Deveney thinks otherwise.

“It’s a hard sell. It’s an unpopular choice, especially with everything we have seen in recent years in terms of superteams and major stars going to different places,” said the unnamed exec. “But a team like Boston, they need to just keep going at it. That’s what they’re going to do. Look at the (Denver) Nuggets. They stuck with it, and here they are.”

“Boston, they’re on the doorstep. They know it. You don’t get to the doorstep and then say, ‘Nah, I will try a different house.’ No, you keep beating on that door. Again, it’s unpopular with the fans. But it’s the right thing.”

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 President Brad Stevens confirms Joe Mazzulla returning as coach for 2023-24

Mazzulla’s performance as a first-year coach was highly regarded by Stevens and the Celtics front office despite his inexperience showing in key junctures.

In a press conference on Thursday afternoon, Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens made it known to the media and fans that head coach Joe Mazzulla would be back in that role for the 2023-24 NBA season.

Per Stevens, Mazzulla had an outstanding first year as coach, leading the team to a 57-win regular season in 2022-23 and the East’s second seed, taking the team to the brink in the Eastern Conference finals before falling to the Miami Heat in seven games. Mazzulla’s performance as a first-year coach was highly regarded by Stevens and the Celtics front office despite his inexperience showing in key junctures of the postseason.

To hear more about the finer details of Mazzulla’s body of work last season and how Boston’s front office views it, check out the clip embedded below courtesy of the folks behind the CBS Sports’ official 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

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What lessons are to be learned from the Boston Celtics loss to the Miami Heat in the 2023 East finals?

Most importantly, how will the team try to improve itself to make another run at a title?

What lessons are to be learned from the Boston Celtics’ unexpected loss to the Miami Heat in the 2023 Eastern Conference finals series and their overall postseason run that capped off a very turbulent season?

How will the things we have learned about this ball club as currently constructed factor into the team’s plans moving forward heading into a pivotal offseason given the limits the new NBA collective bargaining agreement is about to impose on the Celtics? And most importantly, how will the team try to improve itself to make another run at a title?

The host of the CLNS Media “Winning Plays” podcast Brian Robb and Chris Forsberg of NBC Sports Boston break down all of the above in more in a recent episode of the show.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what the pair had to say about how they think the Celtics could respond

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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