Tag: 2024 nba championship

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

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969557 tag=648387929]

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

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969557 tag=648387929]

What are the Boston Celtics biggest matchups for the new season?

What will be the biggest matchups for the Boston Celtics next season?

The Boston Celtics schedule for the 2024-25 NBA season was released on Thursday, August 15. Joe Mazzulla’s team will begin their championship defense against the New York Knicks on Oct. 22. They will also face the Philadelphia 76ers on Christmas Day. Of course, there will also be multiple difficult stretches of games, including multiple West Coast road trips.

Boston must also adjust its mindset. Mazzulla’s team has become the hunted. Every other roster in the league will be bringing its very best whenever it faces the Celtics, who are looking to test the franchise’s championship credentials.

During a recent episode of the “How ‘Bout Them Celtics?” podcast, hosts Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance discussed the biggest matchups on the Celtics calendar. They also looked at some of the tougher stretches the team will face throughout the regular season, as they look to secure the first seed in the East for the second straight year.

You can watch the full episode by clicking on the embedded video above.

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

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969568 tag=648387929]

Can Derrick White make the All-Star team next season?

Can Derrick White earn his first All-Star selection with some strong play for the Boston Celtics next season?

Derrick White has emerged as a central piece within the Boston Celtics rotation. His all-action performances saw him enter the All-Star conversation in December and January, before he ultimately missed out due to a lack of votes. However, White has since won an NBA championship and an Olympic Gold Medal.

If the veteran guard continues to play at the level we saw from him last season, he will once again knock on the door of his first All-Star selection. According to Bleacher Report’s Zach Buckley, White will have an outside chance of becoming an All-Star in the upcoming campaign.

“His subtle-yet-substantial contributions produced a stat line that perfectly captured his across-the-board brilliance,” Buckley wrote. “This was true jack-of-all-trades mastery, as White became just the 40th player in NBA history to average at least 15 points, five assists, four rebounds, one steal and one block, per StatHead Basketball. In addition, he earned his second consecutive All-Defensive second team selection.”

White could be in for an even stronger season now that he’s had a year to grow into his role and partnership with Jrue Holiday. The Celtics will be bringing back the majority of their championship-winning rotation next season, which should allow them to hit the ground running once the new schedule gets underway.

As such, White has a strong chance of reminding the world why he’s one of the best all-action guards in the world. If he can build on his championship success, he will be an outside bet for the All-Star game in February.

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

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969557 tag=648387929]

Sam Hauser wants to repay Boston’s faith after contract extension

Sam Hauser wants to help the Celtics win another NBA championship next season.

Brad Stevens signed Sam Hauser in 2021 after the sharpshooter had gone undrafted despite a strong season for Virginia. Hauser was originally signed on a two-way deal but quickly earned himself a full-scale contract with the Boston Celtics and has quickly established himself as an important part of the team’s rotation.

Hauser averaged 9 points and 3.5 rebounds per game last season, as he helped the Celtics secure the 18th championship in franchise history. As such, it makes sense that Stevens signed the sharpshooter to a four-year $45 million contract extension earlier this summer, all of which is fully guaranteed. When speaking at a recent meet-and-greet at Dynasty Sports in Peabody, Hauser showed gratitude for the opportunities the Celtics have provided him.

“It’s really cool,” Hauser said. “I just played for the love of the game, and this is sometimes just the benefit of that. Pretty special that they gave me an opportunity early on when nobody else did, and I just tried to run with it. They believed in me, and I’m just glad I could be here and be with this team and have another chance to win it all.”

Joe Mazzulla’s roster is built around perimeter play. Hauser’s movement shooting makes the second unit a dangerous prospect for NBA defenses. He has also proven himself to be an above-average defender, which fits with the team’s identity as a stringent defensive unit.

Boston will enter the new NBA season with the goal of securing back-to-back championships. Having Hauser locked down for the long-term will allow him to play without pressure and make an impact when required. The undrafted shooter is now an NBA champion, and could repay the Celtics by helping them to another banner next year.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3SGM4MK

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4dBiNuJ

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS

Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969557 tag=648387929]

Jayson Tatum doesn’t deserve the current criticism

Jayson Tatum doesn’t deserve the amount of criticism that has been sent his way since winning a championship with the Boston Celtics.

Since winning a championship with the Boston Celtics, Jayson Tatum has been under a microscope. NBA fans and media have been questioning his position within the NBA hierarchy, with some sharing their belief that he is being overrated for his role within the Celtics championship roster. That noise grew louder as Tatum struggled throughout the 2024 Paris Olympics. 

There’s no denying that the St. Louis native struggled for Team USA. He was being asked to play a role that didn’t suit his skillset and was unable to find a rhythm as a result. However, over the past two years, he has unequivocally proven himself to be one of the top 10 players on the planet.

In the latest episode of the “First to the Floor” podcast, the hosts break down some of Tatum’s most memorable moments from his career to date before ranking them in order. The episode was designed to show some appreciation for Tatum at a time when there is a growing swell of negativity surrounding him.

You can watch the full episode by clicking on the embedded video above.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3SGM4MK

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4dBiNuJ

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS

Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969568 tag=648387929]

Celtics expected to secure East Group C in the NBA Cup

The Boston Celtics will face the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards in the NBA Cup’s East Group C.

The Boston Celtics have been gifted an easy group in the NBA Cup. Joe Mazzulla’s team will face the Cleveland Cavaliers, Chicago Bulls and Washington Wizards in the first round of the tournament, with all the games taking place during the month of December. Given Boston’s talent level and how they dominated the regular season in their last campaign, they should be expected to breeze through their group.

It would appear that Bleacher Report’s Andy Bailey would agree with that assessment. He also predicted that Boston would secure the top spot in their NBA Cup group.

“The Boston Celtics are a veteran team that just won the NBA title. Seeing them take it easy during the in-season tournament wouldn’t be all that surprising,” Bailey wrote. “But Boston is also a very real juggernaut with a three-point-heavy attack that can beat anyone, even if one or two Celtics are out. The “well-oiled machine” cliche doesn’t apply to any team quite like it does Boston right now.”

On paper, the Cavaliers will be the Celtics’ biggest test during the group stage.

Kenny Atkinson’s team faced Boston in the Eastern Conference semi-finals and may feel like they have something to prove when squaring off against the reigning NBA champions. The Bulls and Wizards are both rebuilding teams, but they shouldn’t be taken lightly.

Given Boston’s task of repeating their championship-winning success next season, it will be interesting to see how seriously they take the NBA cup and their participation in it. Nevertheless, if they do want to stake a claim for an in-season title, they’ve been gifted one of the best starts you could ask for.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3SGM4MK

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4dBiNuJ

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS

Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969557 tag=648387929]

Can Boston’s Olympians go from Olympic gold to a second championship?

Can the Boston Celtics gold medal-winning trio help bring back-to-back championships to the Celtics?

The Boston Celtics had three players on Team USA’s gold-medal-winning team at the 2024 Paris Olympics. Jrue Holiday, Derrick White and Jayson Tatum were all part of their country’s success this summer, allowing them to continue playing elite-level basketball after winning an NBA championship with the Celtics just a few months earlier.

Now, Boston’s Olympic trio must turn their attention back toward the upcoming season. The Celtics will have a target on their backs and will aim to win a second-straight championship to prove last season wasn’t an anomaly. A second straight championship would also disprove the narrative that their journey to the NBA Finals was an easy one.

During a recent episode of the “First To The Floor” podcast, hosts Jake Issenberg and Wayne Spooney discussed Boston’s upcoming season and why it’s important for their Olympic trio to share their current momentum in the locker room as the Celtics embark on what could be a memorable season.

You can watch the full episode by clicking on the embedded video above.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3SGM4MK

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4dBiNuJ

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS

Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969568 tag=648387929]

Could Oshae Brissett return to the Boston Celtics?

Oshae Brissett is yet to find a new team and could potentially return to the Boston Celtics ahead of next season.

Oshae Brissett was an important role player during the Boston Celtics run to the 2024 NBA championship. He is currently a free agent after deciding to test his market after the season concluded. Brissett is yet to land with a new team and, as such, could potentially return to Boston.

Despite his offensive struggles, Brissett found a role for himself off the Celtics bench. He provided physicality and defensive intensity and often operated as a catalyst when the team looked to be taking its foot off the gas. Brissett is also positionally versatile and has a knack for coming up with big-time rebounds.

During a recent episode of the “How ‘Bout Them Celtics?” podcast, hosts Jack Simone and Sam LaFrance were joined by Bobby Krivitsky to discuss the potential of Brissett returning to the Celtics for the upcoming season. If Boston did retain the energetic forward, it would mean their entire championship-winning roster remains intact.

You can watch the full video by clicking on the embedded link above.

Subscribe to the “Celtics Chronicle” podcast on:

Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3SGM4MK

Spotify: https://spoti.fi/4dBiNuJ

YouTube: https://bit.ly/3QnlPcS

Substack: https://bit.ly/3WoA0Cf

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=590969568 tag=648387929]

Celtics team president Brad Stevens says winning a title doesn’t make you feel different

‘The route to work doesn’t change, the traffic doesn’t change, and the same things you need to … take care of at home don’t change,’ he added.

Winning a title had always been something that had eluded Boston Celtics President of Basketball Operations Brad Stevens. When he was a high school and college player, he had personal success, but not matched by that of his teams. And as a coach, his near-misses with Butler (twice!) took that dynamic to a new level.

He got close as an NBA coach in Boston as well, but did not get to take on the mantle of champion until his Celtics won in 2024 with him as team president. Asked what he will take from that experience in a recent interview with the Boston Globe’s Adam Himmelsbach, Stevens had plenty to say. “To me, it’s about the people and the journey,” he explained. “Having come close in college, obviously, and then a couple of years ago in the Finals, I’ve actually taken a lot of satisfaction that you don’t feel fulfilled.”

“You don’t feel any different,” said Stevens. “The route to work doesn’t change, the traffic doesn’t change, and the same things you need to make sure you take care of at home don’t change.”

“We’re going to have 50 million things we’re going to have to tackle and conquer together the next time we go through this,” said the Celtics president. “The only thing that probably changes is you have a bigger target. But I think that’s fun.”

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=5 category=590969556]