Tag: Luke Kornet

Xavier Tillman Sr. or Luke Kornet – who should get playing time with the Boston Celtics?

The two Boston bigs have very different games, and will likely see floor time based on matchups.

The two Boston Celtics bigs have very different games, and will likely see floor time based on matchups. But even so, there is a bit of a competition going on for the Celtics’ third string center minutes taking place between reserve center Luke Kornet and backup big man Xavier Tillman, Sr.

On one hand, Kornet started out the season looking lost, but has since rounded into the best form of his career. On the other, Tillman has more meaningful postseason experience, but is playing catchup in terms of learning Boston’s system as a recent addition to the Celtics organization via trade at this year’s deadline.

To talk it over, the hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” and “Talkin’ Cs” podcasts linked up on a recent episode, and debated who they think will see the floor more for the rest of the regular season and beyond.

If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” 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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Luke Kornet and the Boston Celtics’ bench are taking over

The Vanderbilt alum has gone from mostly a liability to a problem for opposing bench lineups.

Even at the start of this season, it was not clear that the Boston Celtics had an adequate bench to make a solid run at an NBA title. In seasons past, the Celtics have had to survive their bench minutes, but have since seen their Bus 1 Boys thrive for Boston this season.

And among those bench players perhaps none have grown their game more than backup big man Luke Kornet. The Vanderbilt alum has gone from mostly a liability to a problem for opposing bench lineups — and Kornet can hold his own with the starters as well.

Speaking on a recent episode, the hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” and “Talkin’ Cs” podcasts took some time to talk about the bench and the Green Kornet in particular.

Take a look at the clip embedded above to hear what they had to say! If you enjoy this pod, check out the “How Bout Them Celtics,” “First to the Floor,” 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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Should we believe in Luke Kornet as a backup big man for the Boston Celtics?

Kornet has become more focused and aggressive when on the court, stepping up his game to give the team what it needs.

At the start of the NBA’s 2023-24 season, when backup Boston Celtics big man Luke Kornet took the floor for his team, fans of the ball club would often wince. The Vanderbilt alum looked lost, lethargic, and often made costly mistakes.

But after gaining confidence in his role with the team, Kornet became more focused and aggressive when on the court, stepping up his game to give the team what it needs from him as a third big. Now, the Boston big man is playing at a level good enough to be a second-string center on a team that needs him to be capable of filling in for one of the centers in front of him.

CLNS Media’s Bobby Manning praised Luke Kornet as he, Jimmy Toscano and Josue Pavon broke down his play in recent Celtics games on the “Garden Report” podcast. Check it out below!

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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Luke Kornet produced a two-way performance against the Suns

Luke Kornet continues to impress in his bench role for the Boston Celtics.

Luke Kornet continues to impress for the Boston Celtics. The 7-foot-2 big man has spent the season operating as the team’s third-string big man, averaging 14.7 minutes of playing time in 45 regular-season appearances for Joe Mazzulla‘s team. Sometimes, Kornet’s production can go under the radar, his impact is often felt outside of the box score.

However, during the Celtics’ win over the Phoenix Suns on Saturday (March 9) Kornet produced one of his most impactful games of the season. He ended the contest with 14 points, 1 block and six rebounds, three of which came on the offensive glass. He also provided some high-level rim protection courtesy of his well-documented “Kornet contest.”

“The eclipse was built for the Sun,” Kornet told NBC Sports Boston’s Abby Chin. “You know what I’m saying? There’s something there, obviously…I was feeling a certain type of way. I was feeling a lot of energy, and probably a lot of testosterone or something. I was just very revved up. Adrenaline is what I was looking for. Maybe both. I don’t know.”

Kornet has fought for minutes since the Celtics acquired Xavier Tillman before the February 8 trade deadline. As such, performances like the one he produced against the Suns will go a long way to securing him some legitimate playing time in Mazzulla’s playoff rotation.

Kornet is currently in the final year of his two-year, $4.5 million deal. He will become an unrestricted free agent at the end of the season.

If he continues to produce at his current level, the Celtics may face some competition for his services ahead of next season.

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Luke Kornet plays games with Boston Celtics fans for charity

No word on whether there were any lemon squares to be had at the event, but Kornet was generous enough with his time that we doubt anyone minded.

It is not all that often you see an NBA superhero like the Green Kornet balancing some Oreo cookies on his forehead, but just such an event was recently held at TD Garden ahead of the Boston Celtics’ current road trip.

Backup Boston big man Luke Kornet sat down for a bit pregame and took part in the celebration of the Celtics’ Curbside Care support for mothers one-year anniversary event. The Vanderbilt alum did so by playing some unusual games, doing raffles for Boston fans, and a host of other activities with the Celtics fans who were in attendance last week.

No word on whether there were any lemon squares to be had at the event, but Kornet was generous enough with his time that we doubt anyone minded there only being Oreos at the event.

To see Kornet’s cookie balancing act for yourself, check out the clip embedded above courtesy of our friends at CLNS Media.

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 are the funniest Luke Kornet moments in Boston Celtics history?

The Green Kornet (better known in his alter ego of backup Boston Celtics big man Luke Kornet) has a reputation for being the funniest member of the Celtics’ roster.

The Green Kornet (better known in his alter ego of backup Boston Celtics big man Luke Kornet) has a reputation for being the funniest member of the Celtics’ roster, with star teammate Jayson Tatum crediting the Vanderbilt alum as the guy keeping things light in Boston’s locker room.

The 7-foot-2 center has a dry sense of humor off the court, but is also known for some quite vivacious on-court celebrations as well, channeling the likes of Stromile Swift and Guerschon Yabusele with his post-scoring rituals. Even his signature defensive move, the Kornet contest (or eclipse, in some corners) is a bit goofy to watch — even though it works.

What are the funniest Luke Kornet moments in Boston Celtics history?

The hosts of the CLNS Media “How Bout Them Celtics!” podcast compiled their favorite such moments on a recent episode. Check them 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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Luke Kornet celebrates put-back dunk with hilarious dab celebration

Dab on ’em, Luke!

Boston Celtics fans were treated to another hilarious Luke Kornet in-game celebration during Boston’s rout of the Chicago Bulls Thursday night. After connecting on a put-back dunk in the fourth quarter, Kornet unleashed a series of dabs as he made his way back on defense.

The dab itself has been a part of culture for decades, showing up in dance, video games, anime, and more. But the move rose to prominence in the mid-2010s thanks to figures like the Migos, Cam Newton, and others. It became something of an internet meme, and peaked in the middle of the last decade.

After the game, Kornet acknowledged the celebration was much more popular years ago, but felt it was time to bring back the move.

Boston big man Luke Kornet belts out Whitney Houston during blowout win over the Nets

Kornet kept things light as he sang along to in-arena tunes.

Backup Boston Celtics big man Luke Kornet is definitely among the quirkier players on the Celtics’ roster this season, but in the sort of way that makes you want to have the Vanderbilt alum over for your next house party. To get a better idea of what we mean when we say this, one only has to look to his evening as the player with a mic during the game against the Brooklyn Nets at TD Garden this past Thursday.

The tilt itself was a forgettable event for the Nets and perhaps even the fans in attendance for Boston’s 50-point drubbing of Brooklyn. But Kornet kept things light as he sang along to in-arena tunes, which NBC Sports Boston’s microphone captured for posterity.

To hear The Green Kornet belt out his own rendition of Whitney Houston’s “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” for yourself, check out the clip embedded below!

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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Boston Celtics vs. Memphis Grizzlies: Injuries and likely starting lineups

The Boston Celtics could be missing Luke Kornet and Jaylen Brown when they face the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday, Feb. 4.

After suffering a humbling defeat to the LeBron James-less Los Angeles Lakers, the Boston Celtics will be looking to bounce back with a win against the Memphis Grizzlies on Sunday (Feb. 4.) Marcus Smart has made the trip to Boston but won’t be suiting up, as he continues his recovering from a right finger injury.

The Celtics could be without Luke Kornet, who is listed as probable. He has missed the team’s last three games with a left hamstring strain. Jaylen Brown is also on the injury report, as he is questionable due to low back tightness. Boston will have a full rotation available outside those two.

Nevertheless, the Celtics will need to avoid the trap of expecting to win via talent. They fell into that trap against the Lakers and must show they’ve learned a lesson from the loss. Memphis will be without Smart, Ja Morant, Jaren Jackson Jr., Desmond Bane, and Brandon Clarke. Xavier Tillman is also questionable.

The Celtics currently sit top of the Eastern Conference, four games ahead of the second-placed Milwaukee Bucks. The hope is Joe Mazzulla‘s team can continue stacking wins and creating space between themselves and the chasing pack. The game against the Bucks is the perfect opportunity to continue building momentum heading into the All-Star break.

How the Boston Celtics bench players are making an impact

A case can be made for a minor addition or two via the trade market or perhaps a buyout guy, but a general consensus seems to be building that Boston’s bench needs very little.

The Boston Celtics might not have the most intimidating bench rotation in the NBA when it comes to their offensive output, but then they don’t need to light the world on fire scoring. With arguably the best starting five in the league and a decent supply of offensive firepower already on the bench, the Celtics’ reserves are exactly what this ball club needs to win.

A case can be made for a minor addition or two via the trade market or perhaps a buyout guy, but a general consensus seems to be building that Boston’s bench needs very little if anything.

To take stock of the Stay Ready Crew — as the Celtics’ bench mob has come to be known — NBC Sports Boston’s Chris Forsberg broke down how Payton Pritchard, Neemias Queta, Luke Kornet and Sam Hauser are making a difference this season.

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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