Tag: 2024-25 Boston Celtics

Fenway Sports Group may not be in the race to buy the Boston Celtics (unless they are)

Just so we’re clear, Mazz is not reporting it — he’s just hearing it. His opinion, that is. We think.

Fenway Sports Group (FSG) may not be in the race to buy the Boston Celtics (unless they actually are). Confused? We are a bit as well, as the comments of New England Sports Radio personality Tony Massarotti regarding a potential lack of interest by FSG in bidding for the Celtics make the rounds.

Speaking on a recent episode of his 98.5 The Sports Hub “Felger and Mazz” show, Massarotti appeared to go back and forth between saying that FSG had reasons to avoid bidding for the Boston-based NBA franchise and that it was his opinion that they would not. “John Henry and his group don’t want the Celtics,” he began. “That’s my opinion.”

Asked why that rumor was out in the ether, Mazz replied that it would help drive up the price. Citing the fact that the Celtics were a costly team to buy compared to previous FSG purchases (the Red Sox, Liverpool FC, the Pittsburgh Penguins), he added that “my understanding is that Fenway Sports Group does not want the Boston Celtics.”

“That’s my understanding,” Massaroti continued. “It doesn’t mean that I’m reporting that. I’m just telling you; I don’t think they want the Celtics. That’s what I’m hearing.”

Just so we’re clear, he’s not reporting it — he’s just hearing it. His opinion, that is. We think.

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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Can Jayson Tatum win the 2025 MVP award?

Can Jayson Tatum win the 2025 MVP award while helping the Boston Celtics defend their NBA championship?

Jayson Tatum is heading into the new NBA season with a point to prove. The Boston Celtics star endured a difficult summer with Team USA, including being benched for two games against Serbia. As such, it’s fair to expect a dominant season from the St. Louis native, who will undoubtedly have his sights set on defending Boston’s NBA championship.

In recent years, Tatum has become an all-around talent. His style of play impacts games on multiple levels, making him one of the toughest covers in the league. According to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, that diverse skill set could help Tatum finally secure an MVP award.

“Tatum will never have the best counting numbers of the candidate—his situation and skillset wouldn’t support that—but if can maintain his volume (26.9 points, 8.1 rebounds and 4.9 assists this past season) while nudging his efficiency just a smidge (47.1/37.6/83.3), he could have a realistic shot at MVP,” Buckely wrote. “If his numbers are within striking distance of the other top candidates while his team success puts theirs to shame, he could sway enough voters to his side to take home the hardware.”

The Celtics are widely expected to be the best team in the league again. They have retained all of their championship core outside of Oshae Brissett. That type of continuity, when coupled with high-end talent and elite depth, should ensure Tatum is leading the line for the most dangerous team in the world.

As such, Tatum should have a realistic shot at winning his first MVP award while also contending for his second NBA championship and fourth consecutive All-NBA First Team selection. It could be a big year for number zero.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

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

Spotify:  https://spoti.fi/3y0H4Lh

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS

Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf

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Carmelo Anthony disagrees with Jayson Tatum’s treatment by Steve Kerr

Carmelo Anthony doesn’t believe Team USA treated Jayson Tatum fairly at the 2024 Paris Olympics.

Steve Kerr risked the wrath of Boston Celtics fans everywhere when he chose to sit Jayson Tatum for both of Team USA’s games against Serbia during the 2024 Paris Olympics. He also miscast Tatum’s role within the rotation, leading to some uncharacteristically poor performances from the recently-crowned NBA champion.

During a recent episode of his “7 PM In Brooklyn” podcast, Carmelo Anthony admitted that he wasn’t impressed with how Kerr treated Tatum throughout the tournament. The former New York Knicks and Denver Nuggets star accepted that Tatum was low in the rotation but believes Kerr failed to verbalize that role to the St. Louis native.

“I understand why Jayson Tatum may have not played. I don’t agree with how they went about it,” Anthony said. “…You have 40 minutes in the game, I’m cool with you saying he’s not going to play, just be honest, this is where we have a lack of communication, because we’ve been in Vegas this whole time, talk to me, you already know where you see me at on this depth chart. Talk with me private, let me get myself together, mentally and emotionally.”

Despite his struggles in Paris, Tatum still left with the second Olympic gold medal of his career. However, it’s fair to assume that he will be driven to prove himself once the new NBA season begins. After all, his reputation certainly took a hit due to his treatment by Kerr and the coaching staff.

It will be interesting to see how Tatum approaches the upcoming season and what direction he takes to remind everyone that he’s still one of the 10 best players on the planet. 

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

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

Spotify:  https://spoti.fi/3y0H4Lh

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS

Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf

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What do we need to know about the Boston Celtics’ 2024-25 NBA season?

Tune in to get your questions answered about the Celtics schedule and any other offseason thoughts you may have.

What do we need to know about the Boston Celtics‘ 2024-25 NBA season? SB Nation Celtics beat writer Noa Dalzell recently put together a clip in which she reacted LIVE to the release 2024-25 Celtics schedule, highlighting key games and initial takeaways.

Plus, Dalzell also spoke with Sam Hauser this past week about teammate Payton Pritchard’s wedding, his new contract extension, and running it back next year with much of the same team. Tune in to get your questions answered about the Celtics schedule and any other offseason thoughts you may have! 

Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what she had to say about the Celtics season ahead.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” “Celtics Lab,” 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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What Hall of Fame Boston Celtics big man Kevin Garnett had to say about Jayson Tatum’s Olympic snub

Everyone from his mother to Dick Vitale weighed in on the perceived snub, and now Kevin Garnett has as well.

If you just judged the importance of a player on the roster of the US National Team in their run to win the gold at the 2024 Paris Olympics on the amount of press their presence generated, one would think that star Boston Celtics forward Jayson Tatum was far and away the team’s most important player.

But the sea of ink has been, by and large, more about what Tatum did NOT do at the Olympics, namely play in a few key elimination games. Everyone from his mother to Dick Vitale and then some weighed in on the perceived snub, and now Hall of Fame Boston big man Kevin Garnett has as well.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, took a closer look at KG’s words on a recent episode. Check it out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” “Celtics Lab,” 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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Jayson Tatum’s Team USA role wasn’t clearly defined

The Boston Celtics star didn’t have a clear-cut role at the 2024 Paris Olympics under Steve Kerr.

Jayson Tatum had a torrid time at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Steve Kerr benched the Boston Celtics star for two separate games against Serbia and often tasked him with spacing the floor in the corner. As such, Tatum struggled to make the type of impact we had seen from him during the 2020 Tokyo Olympics, where he was the team’s second-best player behind Kevin Durant.

Former NBA star Carmelo Anthony believes Kerr wanted Tatum to fill a similar role to that of Devin Booker: a 3-and-D threat with minimal usage or touches. Anthony also believes that Kerr didn’t verbalize Tatum’s role, making it difficult for the NBA champion to slot into the rotation.

“They wanted him to do what Devin Booker did,” Anthony said during a recent episode of “7 PM in Brooklyn.” “Be a stretch four, space the court, play some defense, get some rebounds that’s it. But if you’re not told what’s your role and you just told to figure it out right now if I get in the game, I’m overthinking like we humans too! Basketball players are human athletes.”

Tatum is one of the most complete players in the NBA. He’s an elite scorer, rebounder, playmaker, and help defender. Being tasked with standing in the corner marginalizes his overall skill set and his role within a team.

Celtics fans should now look forward to the regular season, where their team’s star player will be motivated to remind everyone why he’s still a top-10 player in the world.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

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

Spotify:  https://spoti.fi/3y0H4Lh

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS

Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf

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What are the most anticipated Boston Celtics games of the 2024-25 NBA season?

There are a lot of games one could choose to hold up as the most anticipated contests of the season.

What are the most anticipated Boston Celtics games of the 2024-25 NBA season? Opening night against the new-look New York Knicks? Their Christmas Day tilt vs. a stronger Philadelphia 76ers roster? Or maybe it is their Martin Luther King Day game, or one of their tilts in the newly-renamed NBA Cup.

There are a lot of games one could choose to hold up as the most anticipated contests of the season, even excluding the usual rematch with their finals opponent in the Dallas Mavericks. Old rivalries with the Los Angeles Lakers, and newer ones against the Miami Heat and Golden State Warriors are also options to pick from.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Cedric Maxwell” podcast, the eponymous Cedric Maxwell and his co-host Josue Pavon, took a closer look on a recent episode. Check it out below!

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” “Celtics Lab,” 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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Can the Boston Celtics three-peat as NBA champions?

Or should they keep their sights on Banner 19 for now?

For many years, the discourse surrounding the Boston Celtics was when they would finally break their newest title drought to win the long-coveted Banner 18. But then the storied ball club managed to do exactly that, hanging that NBA-record 18th banner after the Celtics beat the Dallas Mavericks in the 2024 NBA Finals.

The dust had hardly settled before Boston fans were already starting to clamor for a 19th banner for the Celtics, but some people are looking even further ahead. Analysts are starting to wonder whether it might be possible for the Celtics to win three titles in a row, a feat that has not been done for some time now.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast, Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance, were among them. Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about the possibility.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” “Celtics Lab,” 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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Jayson Tatum and Matthew Tkachuk recreate history

The championship winning duo recreated their viral high school photo during an appearance for the St. Louis Cardinals.

Jayson Tatum and Matthew Tkachuk have been friends since they attended Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis. Both of the St. Louis natives have reached the pinnacle of their respective sports in recent years. Tkachuk is a standout performer for the Florida Panthers, while the Boston Celtics forward has become one of the best basketball players on the planet.

On Sunday, Aug. 18, Tatum and Tkachuk were invited to throw out the ceremonial first pitches for the St. Louis Cardinals. During their time together, the pair decided to recreate a viral photo from their high school days that often circulates on social media.

Tatum and Tkachuk won their first championships in their respective sports last season. Interestingly, they achieved that feat just one week apart, with Tatum being the first to draw blood.

Both stars will undoubtedly be looking to repeat their success in the upcoming season and will likely be driving each other forward behind the scenes.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

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

Spotify:  https://spoti.fi/3y0H4Lh

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS

Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf

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Simmons: Jeff Bezos buzz on potentially buying Boston Celtics real

We are hearing new rumbles that a billionaire may have eyes for a new green and white toy.

Ever since news broke that the Boston Celtics’ majority owner, Wyc Grousbeck, was planning on selling his shares of the team, speculation and rumor have followed on who might step into Grousbeck’s shoes as the team’s new owner. Current minority owner Steve Pagliuca is on record as planning to bid for the ball club, and there have been rumbles that Red Sox owner John Henry may also bid (to the horror of Sox fans).

But now we are hearing new rumbles that a billionaire may have eyes for a new green and white toy, with the eponymous host of the “Bill Simmons” podcast suggesting Amazon tycoon Jeff Bezos potentially mulling getting into the bidding as well. “In the last few days there’s been some I think legitimate buzz about Jeff Bezos buying the Celtics, and I think it’s real,” said Simmons via HoopsHype.

“I think he’s going to be one of the suitors,” he added. “Which got me thinking, Jeff Bezos when he’s looking at the Celtics, what is he seeing?”

“What does he want? And I think the only way it makes sense is that it’s one of the crown jewel franchises,” said Simmons. “That’s why you get it.”

“To him, it would be no different than if you bought this famous gigantic $300 million yacht, but I think it’s real that he’s potentially in the mix for this.”

As long as he doesn’t cheap out on the roster, most Boston fans could probably live with it, but Pagliuca is likely the best fit for future success considering his proven track record.

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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