Tag: 2024 nba all-star game

Derrick White is an All-Star, but that might be the last thing he’s worried about

“I’m just trying to win games and do everything I can on both sides,” said White.

Derrick White is an All-Star and the analytics show it, but don’t ask the Boston Celtics star guard to explain the numbers that show all the little things he does that do not show up in the counting stats. “Some of the stuff,” said White via Yahoo Sports’ Jake Fischer, “I don’t know what it really means.”

That doesn’t seem to stop the Colorado alum from quietly keeping the Celtics elite on both ends, however. “When I go out there, I’m not trying to make it look good,” he explained. “I’m just trying to win games and do everything I can on both sides, and I think that’s what those numbers reflect.”

The Colorado native leaned on his San Antonio Spurs teammates in early in his career for confidence.

“They believed in me more than I believed in myself,” he explained. “The confidence and the belief that I deserve to be here, and I belong, just that belonging, I think was what really took the longest.”

As to whether he belongs in the NBA’s 2024 All-Star Game? He prefers to focus on his many deserving teammates, as one might expect with his team-first personality. “Obviously JT, JB, for sure,” he offered. “Then KP should make it, for sure, and then we’ll see after that.”

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 Lab 236: Projecting season-long hardware at 2023-24’s midpoint with Kwani Lunis

We cover everything from Most Valuable Player to Executive of the Year and everything in-between,

Most of the teams in the NBA have played around half of their 82-game schedule, giving us enough of a sample size to get an idea of which players might be taking home some full-season hardware come April and onward.

And with the Boston Celtics currently the owners of the league’s best record, it is not unfair to expect the franchise to have at least a little bling headed their way at season’s end. To try to predict what awards Boston players and front office employees might be taking home come spring, the hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Lab” podcast got together with NBC Boston 10’s and  “The Big 3 NBA” podcast cohost Kwani A. Lunis to sort out which Celtics might be adding to their trophy case.

We cover everything from Most Valuable Player to Executive of the Year and everything in-between, and even come up with some of our own, team-specific awards for Boston’s 2023-24 season.

We also get caught up on all the latest news, and look back at an intense week of Celtics games.

The Celtics Lab podcast is brought to you by FanDuel.

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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The Indianapolis airport actually installed a full-length basketball court in the terminal in honor of NBA All-Star

Indiana really likes basketball.

The state of Indiana loves its basketball. It’s also never going to waste an opportunity to remind just how much it loves basketball.

Case in point: the Indiana Pacers are hosting the NBA All-Star Game in February, so the Indianapolis International Airport added a full-length basketball court right in the middle of a terminal in honor of the occasion.

No, really. There’s a basketball court in the airport, complete with stanchions, glass backboards with shot clocks and a hardwood-ready paint job on the floor. The only thing missing is a basketball.

RELATED: It’s such a letdown that the Indianapolis airport won’t let people play on its basketball court

Imagine grabbing a meal before hopping on your flight and a full-length five-on-five game breaks out. That’s peak entertainment.

Nets’ Mikal Bridges slides to 10th-most votes for 2024 All-Star Game

Brooklyn Nets wing Mikal Bridges slides to the 10th-most votes among Eastern Conference frontcourt players for the 2024 NBA All-Star Game.

Coming into the 2023-24 season, Mikal Bridges was regarded by many as the one player that the Brooklyn Nets could be sending to the 2024 NBA All-Star Game. However, with the Nets at 16-22 (10th in the Eastern Conference), it seems that Bridges’ All-Star candidacy is falling along with Brooklyn’s chances to get into the playoffs.

In the Second Fan Returns released on Jan. 11, Bridges had the 10th-most votes among Eastern Conference frontcourt players, according to the NBA’s post on “X”. While being in the top-10 of votes is still a good sign for Bridges, it signals a slide as he had the seventh-most votes in the First Fan Returns that came out on Jan. 4.

Where Bridges was once ahead of Boston Celtics forward Kristaps Porzingis, Washington Wizards forward Kyle Kuzma, and Orlando Magic forward Paolo Banchero, the former Villanova Wildcat is now trailing Porzingis, Miami Heat center Bam Adebayo, New York Knicks forward Julius Randle, and Banchero.

Bridges, 27, is averaging 21.3 points, 5.3 rebounds, and 3.6 assists while shooting 45% from the field and 35% from behind the three-point line. While he is technically on track to having his best full season in his sixth year in the NBA, Bridges’ numbers this season are down significantly from his 27 games with the Nets last season when he put up 26.1 points, 4.5 rebounds, and 2.7 assists per game on 47.5% shooting from the field and 37.6% shooting from deep.

What Bridges put on display last season for Brooklyn following the Kevin Durant trade that brought him to the Nets is the reason that many had him as a potential All-Star candidate. But, this season has mostly been a disappointment across the board for Bridges based off pre-season expectations.

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Second round of NBA’s 2024 All-Star Game fan vote sees Boston improve their odds of multiple nods

The returns are a good sign that the Celtics will finish with at least two All-Stars, with three looking quite plausible and the remote odds of four All-Stars a bit more realistic, if still unlikely.

The Boston Celtics saw their stars make some headway in the second round of 2024 All-Star fan voting returns, released by the league on Thursday. In those returns, Jayson Tatum held steady at third overall in frontcourt voting with 2.9 million, just behind Joel Embiid (just shy of 3 million) and well ahead of Jimmy Butler (1 million).

Jaylen Brown stayed in fifth place with 7.5 million votes, with a big jump for Kristaps Porzingis, who came in sixth with 434,044, about 13,000 ahead of Bam Adebayo. For guards, Derrick White improved to seventh with 399,120 votes, well behind Jalen Brunson (759,640), and about 46,000 votes ahead of LaMelo Ball.

Jrue Holiday also jumped a spot to ninth with 312,523 votes, well ahead of DeMar DeRozan (255,906).

The returns are a good sign that the Celtics will finish with at least two All-Stars, with three looking quite plausible and the remote odds of four All-Stars a bit more realistic, if still unlikely.

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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How many Boston Celtics will be NBA All-Stars this season?

One is all but assured with Tatum a top vote-getter, two is very realistic given the early voting returns, three is not out of the question, and even four is on the table.

How many Boston Celtics will be NBA All-Stars this season? All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum is a lock for the All-Star game according to the early fan voting returns for the St. Louis native. Fellow star forward Jaylen Brown and star Boston big man Kristaps Porzingis both have strong cases to join him as reserves on the league’s 2024 Eastern Conference team.

Point guard Derrick White has played well but faces tough competition from Eastern Conference guards like Indiana Pacers floor general Tyrese Haliburton and Cleveland Cavaliers star shooting guard Donovan Mitchell. One is all but assured with Tatum a top vote-getter, two is very realistic given the early voting returns, three is not out of the question, and even four is on the table.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “The Big 3 NBA” podcast shared their thoughts on the matter on a recent episode.

Check it out 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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Will Celtics’ Derrick White make the NBA’s 2024 All-Star Game?

The Colorado alum has the ideal blend of skill, smarts and experience to complement Boston’s stars.

Can Boston Celtics point guard Derrick White make the NBA’s 2024 All-Star team in a crowded Eastern Conference? After coming over in a trade from the San Antonio Spurs last February, White has gone from a luxury reserve player to an indispensable starter in Boston.

With his two-way excellence and central role on the NBA-best Celtics this season, the Colorado native makes a strong case as one of the top guards in the league this season. White is the NBA’s best defensive guard right now, and has also become a key cog on offense. He’s an efficient scorer, underrated playmaker and provides much-needed floor spacing.

The Colorado alum has the ideal blend of skill, smarts and experience to complement Boston’s stars.

The hosts of the CLNS Media “Celtics Beat” podcast linked up with Spotrac’s Keith Smith to break down his All-Star case. Check it out 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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Joe Mazzulla praises his players poise amid All-Star hype

With NBA All-Star votes are still being tallied, all five starters for the Boston Celtics are in the mix. Head coach Joe Mazzulla says his guys are taking it in stride.

When the 2024 NBA All-Star game tips off on February 18 in Indianapolis,  the Boston Celtics could have quite a few players in attendance. In fact, all five members of the Celtics starting line-up are in the mix to be named to the East All-Stars according to the first round of fan voting that was recently released.

Fans accounts for half of the votes in selecting starters for the game. A player vote and coaches vote each make up 25% of the tally for the annual exhibition. Reserves, meanwhile, are selected by the coaches. At present, that means it looks like Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown are likely headed to Indiana, but Kristaps Porzingis, Jrue Holiday, and Derrick White all could end up making the team.

After Boston defeated the Jazz Friday night, Celtics Wire asked head coach Joe Mazzulla about how his players are handling the excitement and buzz that comes with this time of year. He explained why he believed any competition or distraction that comes with All-Star voting is constructive for his guys.

Is Derrick White the Boston Celtics’ third All-Star?

According to Bob Ryan, White deserves All-Star consideration despite facing stiff competition.

On a recent episode of their eponymous CLNS Media podcast, Bob Ryan and Jeff Goodman had high praise for Boston Celtics guard Derrick White, calling him an invaluable addition to the team.

The pair were extremely complimentary of White, who Ryan said has become “absolutely invaluable,” questioning how the Celtics were able to trade for him from the San Antonio Spurs. He also praised White’s versatility, saying he contributes in many ways like defense, 3-point shooting, and transition offense. He compared White to Celtics legend Dennis Johnson, recalling how DJ blocked 14 shots in the 1979 finals as a guard.

According to Ryan, White deserves All-Star consideration despite facing stiff competition.

Check the clip above to hear their case!

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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First round of 2024 All-Star fan voting returns in, Boston Celtics likely poised to have at least two nods

There is a realistic if somewhat unlikely path to as many as four.

The first round of fan voting results for the NBA’s 2024 All-Star Game have been tabulated and released by the league, and the Boston Celtics have a strong showing in the East returns. All-NBA forward Jayson Tatum came in third overall in the frontcourt fan vote with 1.7 million votes, behind Giannis Antetokounmpo (2.1 million) and Joel Embiid (1.8 million) and well ahead of Jimmy Butler (767,913).

Star forward Jaylen Brown came in a solid fifth with 426,589 votes, with Bam Adebayo far behind with 238, 485 votes. Kristaps Porzingis came in eighth with 197,234 votes, just behind Mikal Bridges (203,009) and a little ahead of Kyle Kuzma (178,563) to round out frontcourt players.

In the backcourt, Boston fared worse, but still registered the Stock Exchange at positions Nos. 8 and 10, with Derrick White garnering 175,940 for the former, and Jrue Holiday 145,144 votes for the latter.

It seems almost certain Tatum will make it in as a starter, and Brown as a coaches choice among the frontcourt East nods. Porzingis has a solid shot that route as well, with Derrick White perhaps having a shot as an injury replacement.

Holiday is likely going to miss this year’s All-Star game given early returns, but it is early in the fan voting and coaches may be swayed by on-court production yet, so much is still up in the air, but it seems very likely Boston will have at minimum two All-Stars.

And could realistically end up with as many as four.

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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