Three years after Kyrie Irving ditched the “young guys” to partner with Kevin Durant in Brooklyn, Celtics sweep the Nets out of the first round of the playoffs.
Marcus Smart on Apache dance with Jaylen:
“It was just spontaneous, in the moment. Song came on and we were feeling it … Me and Jaylen, we’re both goofy and we’ve been playing long enough that we kinda pick up on each other’s similarities.”
Jayson Tatum ribbing Kyrie Irving about only playing 11 games at Duke. Kyrie fires back that he was No. 1 pick.
Tatum deadpans: “It’s Danny’s fault I didn’t go No. 1.”
Can’t make this stuff up: Celtics say rookie first-round pick Robert Williams, who was introduced here Friday, missed his flight back to Boston and was not present for the start of summer league practice today. Williams already overslept an introductory conference call.
Malcolm Brogdon on Woj Pod says Brad Stevens told his agent he wanted Brogdon to embrace 6th man role.
“I really want to get back to winning on a high level, I want to win a championship. So whatever I can sacrifice to get back to that championship level, I’m willing to do it.”
Final stats for Jayson Tatum as primary defender on Kevin Durant, per NBA tracking:
30:23 matchup time
139 possessions
12 PTS
3-18 FG
16.7 FG%
0-5 3PT
12 TO
2 BLK
2 shooting fouls
Paul Pierce on The Jump: “I’m not saying Isaiah shouldn’t get a tribute video … but on February 11, the night I get my jersey retired, I’m not sure I want to look up at the JumboTron and see Isaiah highlights."
Celtics within 5 with 4:50 to go, then …
* Brown missed 3
* Horford turnover
* Tatum turnover
* Brogdon misses 1 of 2 free throws
* Tatum turnover
* Tatum turnover
Celtics continue to be elite at making their lives way more difficult than they need to be.
Gordon Hayward’s wife, Robyn, wrote on Instagram that their dog is in surgery for a torn ACL.
So not even the Celtics’ pets are safe during the 2017-18 season.
Celtics players spent New Year's Eve together after landing back from Charlotte.
"Kemba set it up. It was his idea, his party. He wanted all of us to be able to end the year on a good note, help us out with team bonding."
Romeo Langford explains more on Celtics Post Up at 8 pm
Smart on if Boston is still a destination: We’ve got the Patriots, we’ve got the Bruins, we’ve got the Red Sox, we’ve got the Celtics. You name me another city that’s got 4 teams in different categories that’s all known for winning championships. It gets no better than that."
"Man, I’ve never seen TD Garden like it was tonight. I think I’ll remember that game forever. The way the crowd got behind us before the half. That last five minutes [of the first half], man. The energy was insane. I don’t think I’ll ever forget that."
Marcus Morris was getting his shoes on before shootaround when an assistant coach playfully asked him if he was ready to start shooting or if he was on vacation over there.
Mook stood up, launched a 3, and declared: “We ain’t going on vacation for another month."
Paul Pierce on Kyrie Irving’s resigning announcement: "I think that’s huge. I think he has an understanding after being here a year it’s all about legacy. To have a legacy here in Boston, it could be like none other in the NBA."
☘️ Celtics 116, 🦌 Bucks 105
Boston rallies from 19 down.
Gordon Hayward (21 p, 10 r, 7 a) a monster second half.
Jayson Tatum (25 p) high-5ing Paul Pierce at end of a 3rdQ run.
Kemba Walker (32 p, 6 r, 6 a) puts it away late.
Marcus Smart keys it all with Giannis defense.
Celtics after going up 91-85 wit 7:32 to go
Tatum 22' miss
Tatum layup miss
Smart layup miss
Smart 3 (94-90, 5:18)
Brown 12' miss
Brown 25' miss
Tatum 27' miss
Smart 25' miss
Smart 27' miss
Horford 27' miss
Horford 3 (100-97, 1:32)
Brown TO
White 25' miss
6 points. 7:32. Woof.
Would Kemba change No. 8 for Kobe?
“I’m considering it but I’m not sure yet. I definitely have tons of respect for Kobe. But everybody mourns a little bit different. For me, I’m thinking I would love to honor him by wearing that number.“
Celtics save $9 million in salary between Kemba + Al Horford next season.
Horford’s 2022-23 salary is only partially guaranteed, which gives the Celtics a bunch of options with how to proceed.
Essentially, path to adding a new third star is a bit easier
Jayson Tatum keeps blowing kisses after big fourth-quarter buckets lately. A new signature celebration?
Tatum to
@tvabby
postgame: “I did it once and went home and Deuce started imitating me. I think that’s the new thing.”
Supermax Jaylen. Beef up Joe's staff. Tweak the supporting cast. You don't have to make tough decisions yet.
I know it's more fun to scream about superstar trades + splitting up cores. It doesn't have to be this complicated.
Referees give him no respect. Shaq doesn’t know his name. The only time he gets national attention is when he gets kicked in the face.
On Daniel Theis, the $5 million center outworking all of the big-money, big-name frontcourts in the East.
Credit to Mazzulla. He took the blame after Game 3. He spent 48 hours getting blistered for Boston's woes this series. Then he threw just about a perfect game (maybe beyond sitting Tatum at start of 4th).
Timeouts. Leaning heavy into Grant. Better late than never.
Charles Barkley: “There’s no way [the Nets] can beat the Celtics … All these fools on these other morning talk shows, can let this ship sail. [Durant and Kyrie] played great and they barely beat a mediocre Cavs team.”