Tag: 2023-24 nba season

Maine Celtics hire Blaine Mueller as 2023-24 head coach

The Watertown, Wisconsin native becomes the ninth head coach in the team’s history to take the reins for Boston’s Portland-based developmental affiliate.

Blaine Mueller has been named the new head coach for the Maine Celtics for the 2023-24 NBA G League season per a release by the G League team’s staff. The Watertown, Wisconsin, native becomes the ninth head coach in the team’s history to take the reins for Boston’s Portland-based developmental affiliate.

Mueller’s appointment is noteworthy as it represents his first head coaching gig following a distinguished career as part of the Milwaukee Bucks’ coaching staff.

“I want to express my immense gratitude to Brad Stevens, Joe Mazzulla and Jarell Christian for the opportunity to join the storied Celtics organization and continue the great basketball tradition in Maine as head coach,” related Mueller via the release.

“I am eager to get to work with our staff to develop our players on and off the court, engage with the best fans in the G League, and experience all that Portland has to offer,” he added.

“Blaine is a great addition to our staff and is ready to lead the Maine Celtics,” said Mazzulla. “He brings great enthusiasm and knowledge off the court, and on the court is deliberate, energetic, and will build strong relationships with the players.”

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]

How the new load management rules will change the NBA

The central goal of these rules is to ensure the best players are available to play, but achieving this balance proves to be a complex challenge.

The new load management rules in the NBA that the league is calling its “player participation policy” or PPP have sparked discussions and debates among fans, players and experts.

The Athletic’s “NBA Show” podcast recently featured an interview with Jeff Stotts, a certified athletic trainer and sports injury expert, who shares his insights on how these rules might affect the league. The central goal of these rules is to ensure the best players are available to play, but achieving this balance proves to be a complex challenge.

Stotts highlights the four key stakeholders in this issue: the league, teams, players and fans. Each group has its own interests and concerns. The league is trying to provide the best product. Teams want to manage player health and performance. Players seek to stay competitive while minimizing injury risk. Fans desire to see their favorite players in action.

Can something that makes all four stakeholder groups happy end up being the outcome?

Check out the clip embedded above to hear Stotts’ point of view.

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]

Three bold Boston Celtics predictions for 2023-24

Our friends at Bleacher Report have some spicy takes about how Boston’s looming campaign might go.

The Boston Celtics are gearing up for the 2023-24 NBA season with high hopes of finally realizing their championship potential under head coach Joe Mazzulla. After several near misses in recent seasons, the team underwent a significant shake-up during the summer, parting ways with veteran point guard Marcus Smart and acquiring star big man Kristaps Porzingis in a three-team trade with the Washington Wizards and Memphis Grizzlies.

While the exact outcome of the season ahead remains uncertain, Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley put together three bold predictions for the Celtics in the upcoming campaign.

Let’s see just how spicy they are, and check the original for his fine-grained detail.

Why the Boston Celtics should be feared in 2023-24

People seem to be sleeping on what Porzingis can bring to Boston.

The Boston Celtics have made a major move that could make them a favorite in the NBA to win it all in 2024. They traded fan-favorite floor general Marcus Smart to the Memphis Grizzlies in exchange for Washington Wizards big man Kristaps Porzingis and draft picks as part of a three-team trade.

Porzingis, a 7-foot-3 powerhouse, brings unique skills to the team, including post scoring and 3-point shooting. His presence alongside Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown promises an elite offensive trio so long as the scheme and chemistry are good. Defensively, Porzingis is a top-tier big man, adding rim protection and size to the Celtics’ front line.

The folks behind the “Luca Rosano” YouTube channel recently made their case as to why the Celtics ought to be seen as a leading threat to win it all this postseason.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear why.

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]

Projecting the Boston Celtics’ 2023-24 season part II: The front office

Let’s take a look at what we believe we’ll see once the dust settles on the season.

We are inching closer to the Boston Celtics‘ 2023 training camp, the NBA’s preseason, and the 2023-24 season beyond it, but a number of questions remain unanswered about this storied ball club’s potential, weaknesses, strengths, and what we expect from the team on a granular level.

To such an end, the Celtics Wire has put together a comprehensive analysis of various facets of the team, including ownership, the front office, players, and prospects for hardware in the upcoming season featuring Cameron Tabatabaie, Adam Taylor, and Justin Quinn doing their best to project the highs, lows, and important aspects of the season soon to arrive.

Let’s take a look at what we believe we’ll see once the dust settles on the season out of the team’s front office in part II of this four-part series.

Celtics rookie Jordan Walsh credits Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown for setting tone ahead of training camp

“To have them there to set that example for guys like me, first year in the league, it means a lot for sure,” said Walsh.

If you are wondering what the vibe is at the Boston Celtics‘ training facility as they get ready for the 2023-24 NBA season, ask rookie Celtics wing Jordan Walsh. Speaking at a court refurbishment dedication event in Worcester, Walsh opened up about how early workouts had been going.

“(Head coach) Joe (Mazzulla) said it best (…),” he explained via CLNS Media. “Having (Jayson) Tatum and (Jaylen) Brown there, for them to set that foundation of hard work this early when they obviously don’t have to be here, but they choose to be here because they want to win a championship — to have them there to set that example for guys like me, first year in the league, it means a lot for sure.”

“It builds the culture for the Celtics community to where we’re all focused on winning and working hard,” he added.

And while the radio silence and conspicuous absence of the NBA’s 2023 Sixth Man of the Year Malcolm Brogdon remains an unresolved concern from the outside, Walsh’s glimpse into the days ahead of training camp reflects the sort of focus one wants from a team with designs on contention.

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]

What’s the story behind the NBA’s new load management rules?

Teams that violate these rules will face fines, with escalating penalties for repeat offenses, but fans and analysts are already questioning whether these new rules are even truly enforceable.

The NBA Board of Governors has recently implemented new load management rules it is calling the league’s Player Participation Policy (PPP), designed to address player resting during the regular season. These rules are intended to ensure star players’ availability for key games, including those on national television and in-season tournaments.

The rules also aim to strike a balance between player rest in home and away games while discouraging long-term shutdowns. Teams that violate these rules will face fines, with escalating penalties for repeat offenses, but fans and analysts are already questioning whether these new rules are even truly enforceable.

The hosts of the “True Hoop TV” podcast, hosts Jarod Hector and David Thorpe took a deep dive into the PPP rule change and what it might look like next season onward.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to get up to speed on the PPP.

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]

Boston Celtics HoFer Paul Pierce claims Jayson Tatum is a top-five player in today’s NBA

Is All-NBA Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum a top-five player in the NBA today?

Is All-NBA Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum a top-five player in the NBA today? If you ask Hall of Fame Celtics champions Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett, he is — and he still has room to grow. In a candid conversation on the Showtime Basketball “KG Certified” podcast, Pierce and Garnett discussed their observations of Tatum’s game and the role they have played in mentoring him.

They both emphasized the importance of Tatum developing a “seek and destroy” mentality, akin to Pierce’s aggressive style of play, which involves relentless scoring and creating opportunities for teammates. They also noted that Tatum has the potential to be a top-tier player in the league and must take on more leadership, especially with the departure of key veterans like Marcus Smart and Grant Williams.

Check out the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about Tatum’s place in the league this season onward.

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]

How do the Boston Celtics stack up with the Philadelphia 76ers in 2023-24?

The two teams are likely to be in the mix to be among the Eastern Conference’s top teams.

The Boston Celtics have historically been a tough rival for the Philadelphia 76ers, and the two teams are likely to be in the mix to be among the Eastern Conference’s top teams.

The addition of Kristaps Porzingis, the relationship with Malcolm Brogdon, and the new, expanded role of Derrick White to handle the starting point guard position are all factors that will impact Boston’s play next season. On the other side of the court, Joel Embiid’s health, the ongoing James Harden trade saga, and the addition of forward Kelly Oubre all should impact that rivalry this season.

The host of the “Locked On 76ers” podcast Keith Pompey and Boston Globe Celtics beat writer Gary Washburn recently got into how each team will stack up with the other.

Check out the clip embedded above to hear their thoughts on this old rivalry.

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]

Boston’s Derrick White ranked No. 21-best poiint guard in NBA for 2023-24

“White will have an even bigger role with the Celtics in 2023-24 following the surprising departure of Marcus Smart,” writes H/H.

Our sister site of HoopsHype did not want to be left out of #RankingSeason so late in the NBA’s 2023 offseason, and thus put out a new iteration of their annual player position rankings, naturally starting off with point guards. Freshly-minted Boston Celtics starting floor general Derrick White made the cut, clocking in at No. 21 overall in author Frank Urbina’s estimation.

“White has been a hugely important piece for the … Celtics since joining the team ahead of the 2021-22 trade deadline, providing Boston with elite defense and solid scoring as a slasher and pull-up midrange attacker,” observes Urbina.

“White will have an even bigger role with the Celtics in 2023-24 following the surprising departure of Marcus Smart, who just missed the cut for a place in this ranking,” adds the H/H analyst.

Even so, Urbina expects “the former Colorado standout to handle his new workload well, as he can provide the Celtics with similar point-stopping to Smart while being more efficient on offense.”

“In fact, White’s impressive 2023 playoff performance, including his game-winning buzzer-beater in Game 6 of the Eastern Conference Finals, was probably part of why Boston felt comfortable trading Smart in the first place.”

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]