logo
The Boston Celtics should consider making some major changes this offseason

The Boston Celtics should consider making some major changes this offseason

USA Today4 hours ago

The Boston Celtics should consider making some major changes to their roster this offseason. Or at least that is the point of view offered up to fans of the team by two of the hosts of the CLNS Media "Still Poddable" podcast, Brian Robb and Jay King, on a recent episode of their show tackling some of the wilder rumors floating around the Celtics media sphere so far this offseason.
Such a move, presumably involving trading away the likes of star forward Jaylen Brown or point guard Derrick White on top of some of the other popular candidates to be moved (including vets Jrue Holiday and Kristaps Porzingis as well as 3-and-D reserve forward Sam Hauser), would reshape the team for a future focused on the return of star swingman Jayson Tatum when he is fully back from a torn Achilles tendon.
Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about the wisdom of such a drastic move.
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: https://ytubl.ink/3Ffk

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

NBA Game 7 preview: Breaking it down by the numbers
NBA Game 7 preview: Breaking it down by the numbers

Los Angeles Times

timean hour ago

  • Los Angeles Times

NBA Game 7 preview: Breaking it down by the numbers

For the 20th time, there will be a Game 7 in the NBA Finals. Indiana will play at Oklahoma City on Sunday night in the final game of the season, with the winner getting the Larry O'Brien Trophy. Home teams are 15-4 in Game 7 of the finals, but a road team — Cleveland, over Golden State — won the most recent of those games in 2016. A look inside some numbers surrounding this matchup: There have been only two 40-point scoring performances in Game 7 of the NBA Finals — and both came in losing efforts. Jerry West scored 42 points in Game 7 of the 1969 series, but the Los Angeles Lakers lost to the Boston Celtics in Bill Russell's final game. And Elgin Baylor scored 41 points in Game 7 in 1962 — another Lakers-Celtics matchup — but Boston prevailed in that one as well. Bob Pettit had the third-highest scoring total in a Game 7. He had 39 for the St. Louis Hawks against the Celtics in 1957 ... and Boston won that game as well. The highest-scoring Game 7s in a winning effort? Those would be by Boston's Tom Heinsohn in that 1957 game against St. Louis and Miami's LeBron James in the 2013 series against San Antonio. Both had 37; Heinsohn's was a double-overtime game, James got his in regulation. Yes, these are high-scoring teams. Oklahoma City was No. 4 in points per game in the regular season (120.5 per game) and Indiana was No. 7 (117.4). The Thunder are second in that category in the playoffs (115.2), just ahead of No. 3 Indiana (115.1). In Game 7, that might not matter much. No team has reached 100 points in Game 7 of the NBA Finals since 1988. Or even topped 95 points, for that matter. The last five Game 7s: — 2016, Cleveland 93, Golden State 89 — 2013, Miami 95, San Antonio 88 — 2010, Los Angeles Lakers 83, Boston 79 — 2005, San Antonio 81, Detroit 74 — 1994, Houston 90, New York 84 The last finals Game 7 to see someone hit the century mark was when the Lakers beat the Pistons 108-105 in 1988. The average margin of victory in Game 7 of an NBA Finals: 6.9 points. Each of the last eight such games have been decided by single digits. Only four have been double-digit wins: Boston over St. Louis by 19 in 1960, Minneapolis over New York by 17 in 1952, Boston over Milwaukee by 15 in 1974 and New York over the Lakers by 14 in 1970. The closest Game 7 in the finals was Syracuse beating Fort Wayne 92-91 in 1955. That was one of six Game 7s decided by three points or less. The Thunder are the 22nd No. 1 seed to play in Game 7 of an NBA Finals. Their 21 predecessors on that list are 12-9 in the ultimate game; seven of those games have been ones where both teams entered the playoffs as No. 1 seeds. The Pacers are the fourth No. 4 seed to make Game 7 of the title round. Their three predecessors went 1-2 (Boston beat the Lakers in 1969, Seattle lost to Washington in 1978 and the Celtics lost to the Lakers in 2010). It'll be the fourth Game 7 for Indiana forwards Pascal Siakam and Myles Turner. Siakam's teams have gone 2-1 in Game 7s, Turner's have gone 1-2. Indiana's Aaron Nesmith is 2-0 in the pair of Game 7s in which he has played, with Indiana winning at New York last year and Boston beating Milwaukee in 2022. Both of those wins were in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Thunder star Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, the league's reigning MVP, has averaged 27 points in two previous Game 7s. Pacers star Tyrese Haliburton scored 26 points in his lone Game 7 to this point. No player on either side has previously been part of a Game 7 in the NBA Finals. The NBA doesn't announce referee assignments until game day, so it won't be known until Sunday morning who the three-person crew is for Game 7. This much is certain: for at least two of the referees, it'll be the first time on the NBA Finals Game 7 stage. Scott Foster — who would seem a likely pick this year — worked Game 7 in 2013 alongside Dan Crawford and Monty McCutchen, and Game 7 of the title series in 2010 with Dan Crawford and Joe Crawford. The most recent Game 7 was in 2016 and the crew for that game was Dan Crawford, McCutchen and Mike Callahan. Outside of Foster, no referee in this year's pool has been on the court for a Game 7 in the NBA Finals.

NBA Finals Game 7 history: Thunder-Pacers in 20th winner-take-all matchup
NBA Finals Game 7 history: Thunder-Pacers in 20th winner-take-all matchup

USA Today

timean hour ago

  • USA Today

NBA Finals Game 7 history: Thunder-Pacers in 20th winner-take-all matchup

LeBron James has played in the past two NBA Finals Game 7s, winning both. First with Miami beating San Antonio in 2013 and then with Cleveland toppling Golden State. The Boston Celtics have been involved in eight Finals Game 7s – the first one in 1957 and the most recent in 2010 – and they are 7-1. The Lakers have also played in eight Game 7s in the Finals – two as the Minneapolis Lakers and six as the Los Angeles Lakers. In 19 Game 7s in the Finals, the Celtics and Lakers have played each other five times. And on Sunday, June 22, the Oklahoma City Thunder will play the Indiana Pacers in Oklahoma City (8 p.m. ET, ABC) in the 20th Game 7 in NBA Finals history. Take note: the home team is 15-4 in Game 7 of the Finals, and Game 7 of the Finals has produced special performances. Here's a brief history of the 19 Game 7 of the NBA Finals: Game 7 NBA Finals history James had a game-saving block, Kyrie Irving made a game-deciding 3-pointer. James finished with 27 points, 11 rebounds and 11 assists, and Irving scored 26 points. James won his third Finals MVP. James had 37 points, 12 rebounds, four assists and two steals in the series finale that was made possible by Ray Allen's overtime-producing 3-pointer in Game 6. Kobe Bryant's performance wasn't efficient (6-for-24 from the field) but it was effective – 23 points (11-for-15 on free throws) plus 15 rebounds. It was Bryant's second Finals MVP and his fifth and final title. In another low-scoring Game 7, Finals MVP Tim Duncan had 25 points, 11 rebounds, three assists and two blocks. In the first of consecutive titles for the Rockets, Hakeem Olajuwon delivered 25 points, 10 rebounds, seven assists and three blocks. He earned Finals MVP, averaging 26.9 points, 9.1 rebounds, 3.9 blocks, 3.6 assists and 1.6 steals. In a chaotic finish, Michael Cooper scored the final basket on an assist from Magic Johnson as fans and photographers began walking onto the court before the clock expired. Johnson had 19 points and 14 assists, and Finals MVP James Worthy had a monster triple-double: 36 points, 16 rebounds and 10 assists. Finals MVP Larry Bird had 20 points and 12 rebounds and was one of three Celtics who scored at least 20 points (Cedric Maxwell 20 points, Dennis Johnson 22 points). Five Bullets players scored at least 13 points led by Bob Dandridge's 19 points and Finals MVP Wes Unseld's 15 points, nine rebounds and six assists. Dave Cowens had 28 points and 14 rebounds, and Finals MVP John Havlicek had 16 points, nine rebounds, six assists and three steals. Known as the Willis Reed game because an injured Reed hobbled onto the court, inspiring his teammates and Knicks fans. Though Reed missed Game 6 and didn't play the second half of Game 7, he was named Finals MVP. Walt Frazier delivered 36 points and 19 assists in the finale. Headed into Game 7, Lakers owner Jack Kent Cooke had a victory celebration plan, which infuriated Lakers star Jerry West. John Havlicek scored 26 points, Sam Jones added 24 and player-coach Bill Russell had six points, six assists and 21 rebounds. Wilt Chamberlain had 18 points and 27 rebounds for the Lakers and, after averaging 37.9 points, 7.4 assists and 4.7 rebounds, West was named Finals MVP – the only player from a losing team to win the award. Bill Russell had 25 points and 32 rebounds, John Havlicek contributed 16 points and 16 assists and Sam Jones scored 22 points for the Celtics. It was the final game as Celtics coach for legend Red Auerbach. Bill Russell collected 30 points and 40 rebounds. Yes, 40 rebounds, which canceled out Elgin Baylor's 41 points and 22 rebounds for the Lakers. Los Angeles' Frank Selvy missed a jump shot at the end of the fourth quarter that would've won the game for the Lakers had the shot went through the hoop. Bill Russell had 22 points and 35 rebounds, Bob Cousy had 19 points and 14 assists and Frank Ramsey had 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Celtics. This started the Celtics' unprecedented dynasty. Tom Heinsohn had 37 points and 23 rebounds, Bill Russell had 19 points and 32 rebounds and Bob Cousy had 12 points and 11 assists. It is the only Finals game to go two overtimes, and Bob Pettit (39 points, 19 rebounds) missed a shot at the final buzzer that would've forced a third OT. Seven Nationals players scored at least 11 points led by George King's 15 points and Billy Kenville's 15. Red Kerr and Dolph Schayes each had 13 points and 12 rebounds. This was the first season of the 24-second shot clock. King's free throw with 12 seconds left won the game. George Mikan had 11 points and 15 rebounds and Clyde Lovellette had 14 points and 13 rebounds for the Lakers. George Mikan led the Lakers with 22 points and 19 rebounds. Arnie Risen contributed 24 points and 13 rebounds for the Royals. Some historic players were involved in this Finals: Dick McGuire, brother of Al; Ernie VanDeWeghe, father of Kiki; Red Holzman, the famous Knicks coach who played for the Royals; Nat Clifton, one of the NBA first Black players; and Harry Gallatin, who was one of David Stern's favorite players when the one-time NBA commissioner was a kid.

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown on how local community boosts his recovery from surgery
Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown on how local community boosts his recovery from surgery

USA Today

timean hour ago

  • USA Today

Boston Celtics star Jaylen Brown on how local community boosts his recovery from surgery

Star Boston Celtics forward Jaylen Brown may have just had surgery on his knee, but that has not slowed him down from holding his community events for his 741 Performance brand of athletic apparel. In fact, it is the reverse -- the Georgia native made a point of noting how his and Celtics fans who show up to his events have actually been making him feel better since going under the knife to repair a partially torn meniscus in his right knee. Cohosts of the CLNS Media "Garden Report" podcast, Bobby Manning and Noa Dalzell, caught up with Brown after another community event held by the Cal alum this week, talking about his surgery, his ties to the community, and what has been going on with his offseason to date. Take a look at the clip embedded below to hear what they had to say about all of the above, and more. 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:

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into a world of global content with local flavor? Download Daily8 app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store