“We shrank the floor,” said Theis. “Then we ran it pretty well, and offensively we just made the right play.”
The Boston Celtics had their clock cleaned by the Los Angeles Clippers at TD Garden on Saturday to the tune of 115-96. Former Celtics center Daniel Theis shared the game plan used by the Clippers to get a win off Boston on their own home court in a big way as Los Angeles held the Celtics to a tie of their lowest point total of the 2023-24 season.
According to the German big man, the plan was to limit the Celtics to playing a slower-paced game that leaned on isolation play. “We wanted to keep them out of transition and make them play in halfcourt,” explained the Salzgitter native to CLNS Media postgame.
“In the first half, I think they had 24 out of 39 (shots missed) in transition, so that showed that our halfcourt defense was really great against them,” he added.
“We shrank the floor,” said Theis. “Then we ran it pretty well, and offensively we just made the right play.”
Theis appreciated how Garnett approached every game with the mentality to destroy his opponent, even if it was just a regular season or pickup game.
When it comes to German basketball, a pair of figures stood out growing up for former Boston Celtics big man Daniel Theis. The more obvious example most can guess given Theis’ position and nationality is Hall of Fame Dallas Mavericks big man Dirk Nowitzki. The other? The Big Ticket of course.
It figures a gritty player like Theis would gravitate to the play of Kevin Garnett, his fellow Boston big man alumnus. Speaking on a recent episode of his Los Angeles Clippers teammate Paul George’s “Podcast P” show, the Salzgitter native admitted he grew up idolizing Garnett instead of Nowitzki like most Germans. He was attracted to KG’s intense mindset and competitiveness.
Theis appreciated how Garnett approached every game with the mentality to destroy his opponent, even if it was just a regular season or pickup game.
Check out the link embedded above to hear what PG and Theis had to say about these two NBA luminaries and their effects on their careers.
As with Boston, Theis would likely need the Pacers to buy him out for this to happen.
The Daniel Theis faithful hoping for a potential return of the German big man to the Boston Celtics for a third go-round may soon be heartbroken to hear rumbles that the Salzgitter native is rumored to be close to the buyout Celtics fans were hoping for — but with plans to join a different ball club once bought out.
A “growing belief” has been reported by Fieldhouse Files’ Scott Agness regarding the Los Angeles Clippers planning to add Theis to their roster post-buyout. Agness correctly notes that Theis would likely need a buyout to get to Los Angeles since the Clippers — like Boston — can’t easily deal for the World Cup champ given the state of their cap sheet.
From a fan perspective, seeing that familiar face back in green and white at a position of need may sound attractive.
But, a bigger role on a potential contender that has not already traded one away twice may have an appeal that the Celtics by definition cannot reach (at least regarding the latter point).
This makes decampment to the Clips make all the sense in the world for Theis, especially after word that the German center is out for his current team, the Indiana Pacers, “for personal reasons” of an undisclosed nature.
Theis’ fellow FIBA champ wants his teammate to see the floor this season.
When former Boston Celtics big man Daniel Theis won the 2023 FIBA World Cup with the German National Team, Orlando Magic small forward Franz Wagner was right there with him in Germany’s frontcourt. There was no closer vantage point to be had in the historic victory for the German national basketball program in its history, and Theis was no small part of that achievement.
Averaging 11 points, and 5 rebounds per game for Germany while shooting 59% from the floor overall in World Cup play this summer, the lack of floor time for the Salzgitter native with a developing Indiana Pacers roster after such a showing on the international stage confounded Theis, who let it be known to MassLive following a DNP-CD when the Pacers played Boston early in the season that he wanted to get on the floor and to have a role wherever he might end up.
Now with Theis potentially on the radar of the Los Angeles Clippers to the chagrin of Celtics fans who have been hoping for a buyout, Wagner had some words about his teammate from this summer.
The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly kicking the tires on the notion of trading for former Boston Celtics big man Daniel Theis.
The Los Angeles Clippers are reportedly kicking the tires on the notion of trading for former Boston Celtics big man Daniel Theis after learning their backup big man Mason Plumlee may be out injured with a sprained MCL for as long as two months per new reporting from The Athletic’s Shams Charania.
Theis, who had a standout performance in World Cup play this summer, had recently been the subject of speculation of being a potential buyout target for Boston should no suitors for the sidelined big man come calling to the Indiana Pacers. But despite Indiana’s lack of playing time for the Salzgitter native this season, Charania’s reporting suggests this already unlikely scenario is even less probable to materialize for a Celtixs reunion.
“One player (the Clippers) they are showing interest in is Pacers big man Daniel Theis,” related the Athletic reporter in a recent video.
New episode of the Celtics Lab Podcast on Youtube, via @CelticsCLNS ☘️🧪📺
Breaking down Boston's red hot start to the season before an exclusive interview with Derek Fisher
“The Pacers are not rushed but open to a potential move with Theis,” said Charania, “as he has yet to play this season (for Indiana) following a standout FIBA World Cup en route to a Gold medal with Germany, averaging 11 points, 5 rebounds and 59% shooting over the summer.”
Theis mentioned that he is open to the idea of returning to the Celtics, perking up the ears of fans of his former ball club.
In a recent interview with MassLive’s Brian Robb, former Boston Celtics big man Daniel Theis expressed his frustration with his lack of playing time on the Indiana Pacers. He stated that while he wants to play and be a part of the team, he is not happy with the current situation. The Salzgitter native also mentioned that he is open to the idea of returning to the Celtics, perking up the ears of fans of his former ball club.
Theis had a successful summer, winning the World Cup and performing well individually. The Celtics, in need of a third-string big man, could potentially benefit from his return. If he were to return to the Celtics, it would likely be through a buyout and signing. Celtics fans would welcome his return, as Theis is a versatile player who can shoot the 3 and provide solid defense.
He also has chemistry with some of the top players on the team, and a reunion with Theis in Boston could be beneficial for both parties if unlikely at present.
The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast recently dove into the idea of a Theis return and what it would entail; check it out above!
“I’ve learned to say ‘never say never,'” said Theis about a prospective Celtics reunion.
If the War On Theis continues after the German big man left the Boston Celtics, center Daniel Theis is now in a cold war with his current squad, the Indiana Pacers, having elected to bench the Salzgitter native in Wednesday night’s historic blowout of Indiana.
And while it might be seen as a blessing to have left no fingerprints on that defensive debacle for the Pacers, Theis did not sound too pleased when interviewed postgame by MassLive’s Brian Robb. “Obviously after a great summer, I’m not happy with the situation I’m in right now,” said Theis, referring to his outstanding FIBA EuroBasket play and lack of playing time at all this season for Indiana.
“I want to play and take all the good stuff from the summer into the season but it’s a long season. We are going to see what’s going on and what’s happening.”
“There’s communication but it’s also coach’s decision,” he added regarding the call by coach Rick Carlisle to leave Theis on the bench. “I just stay ready, do my thing, and whatever happens, happens.”
Intriguingly, the German center hinted at interest in a reunion with the Celtics, who need a third big capable of playing in the postseason. “I’ve learned to say ‘never say never’. Obviously, I’m open (to a Celtics return). I want to play and want to be part of the team, which is the most important thing.”
Such a move would almost certainly require a buyout given the size ($92 million) Theis earns this season, but if more DNPs head his way, such an outcome is not out of the question.
On this day in Celtics history, franchise icon Red Auerbach coached his first game with the team, Bill Russell was honored, and several Celtics made their debut.
On this day in Boston Celtics history, franchise legend Red Auerbach coached his first game as head coach and general manager of the Boston Celtics in 1950. Auerbach had just joined the team after the resignation of the first coach in team history, Alvin “Doggy” Julian, having previously worked as an assistant coach at Duke, and as head coach of the (then) Tri-Cities Blackhawks (now, Atlanta Hawks) before leaving the latter post after a disagreement with ownership.
Red had inherited a team with a 22-46 record and a desperate owner trying not to go belly-up who made an unusual decision towards that end that panned out in a big way.
That owner, Walter Brown, actually asked a number of local sportswriters who he ought to hire as a coach for the team, and after being recommended Auerbach by the crowd, extended an offer.
#Rockets forward Dillon Brooks was fined $25,000 for what the NBA called “recklessly making contact with Daniel Theis… in the groin area.”
Houston Rockets forward Dillon Brooks was fined $25,000 by the NBA for what the league called “recklessly making contact with Indiana Pacers center Daniel Theis in the groin area.”
The announcement was made by Joe Dumars, executive vice president and head of basketball operations for the league office.
The incident, for which Brooks was assessed a flagrant-two foul and ejected, occurred with 7:27 left in the first quarter of Tuesday’s exhibition opener between the Rockets and Pacers. Even after losing Brooks to the ejection, Houston won, 122-103.
“I tried to navigate a screen,” Brooks said postgame of the incident with Theis. “I might have tapped him below the waist. But he got right back up. I don’t know. It’s weird that every time it happens to me, I get picked on. I guess it’s part of reputation.”
Dillon Brooks has been fined $25k for "recklessly making contact" with Daniel Theis in the groin area, the NBA announced pic.twitter.com/x4rrYg93Jq
Ime Udoka on Dillon Brooks: “You have to learn to control your emotions and stay in the game, you can’t get yourself taken out in the first quarter. #Rockets
HOUSTON — Over the previous three seasons, the Rockets have been searching for an identity. They have a number of young players who are just starting to learn their way around the NBA and haven’t established what they will become.
This offseason, general manager Rafael Stone took a step back and looked at his young talent. He knew the team needed someone to establish himself as a veteran presence by doing all the hard work needed to institute a mentality that other teams would identify.
Dillon Brooks, who had played in Memphis before accepting that aforementioned role with Stone and the Rockets in July’s free agency, quickly made it clear he would let opponents know he is helping set the new culture and standard in Houston.
“When you come to play Houston, you know it is going to be a physical battle,” Brooks said at last week’s media day to open training camp. “It is going to be a challenge and not just a walk in the park anymore. It is a challenge every single time you come to Houston.”
“You have to learn to control your emotions and stay in the game, you can’t get yourself taken out in the first quarter,” said Rockets head coach Ime Udoka about Dillon Brooks who was ejected from the game against the Indiana Pacers. #Liftoff#Sarge@TheRocketsWirepic.twitter.com/MsLp9IPI1C
In Tuesday’s 2023-24 preseason opener versus Indiana, it took the seven-year veteran less than five minutes into the first quarter to stay true to his words while establishing that on-court toughness. Ultimately, Brooks was ejected after receiving a flagrant-foul two penalty for striking Pacers center Daniel Theis in the groin area.
One play earlier, Theis and Brooks were involved in a minor skirmish when Brooks received his first foul on an out-of-bounds play.
“On the previous play, Theis may have flopped, in his (Brooks) opinion,” Rockets head coach Ime Udoka said during his postgame press conference. “So, he does something on the next play. You can’t let that carry over. The same guy baited him twice.
“You have to learn to control your emotions and stay in the game, you can’t get yourself taken out in the first quarter,” Udoka said as part of his commentary on Brooks. “We love his aggressiveness and physicality, but reputations carry in the NBA, and people will look for certain things, and you have to learn to monitor that better.”
In his own postgame comments, Brooks echoed Udoka’s sentiment about his reputation, and he believes officials may focus on him more because he plays the game aggressively.
“I tried to navigate a screen,” Brooks told media members postgame at his locker. “I might have tapped him below the waist. But he got right back up. I don’t know. It’s weird that every time it happens to me, I get picked on. I guess it’s part of reputation.”
When asked by the media if he feels like there is a target on his back, Brooks didn’t hesitate to respond.
“What is the name,” Brooks answered. “What’s my name? My name is ‘Dillon the Villain,’ so I guess.”
Coach Udoka took a positive approach toward Brooks being ejected, as it allowed other players — such as second-year forward Tari Eason and rookie Cam Whitmore — to play more minutes in the exhibition opener than what had been planned.
“(Brooks) was a guy we were monitoring, anyway,” Udoka said. “We were going to give him a game off somewhere, and maybe tonight was the game he got off unintentionally. We were going to give him three-quarters of run, just like we did Fred (VanVleet), but it got cut short. But it didn’t change any plans, we had other guys who stepped up and did well.”
