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Post by Admin on Feb 10, 2023 16:07:41 GMT -5
A Celtics reunion headlines ESPN doubleheader
By wjsy
The trade deadline passed and no, Gordon Hayward and Terry Rozier aren't Celtics again. With so many traded players rejoining their former teams yesterday, you'd think that a reunion might have been possible. Instead, the former C’s are in Boston as Charlotte Hornets for their fourth and final meeting of the year.
A month ago, the Celtics won back-to-back games in Buzz City in similar fashion and they will be in similar circumstances tonight. Jaylen Brown didn’t play in the mini-series and he won’t be available again tonight nursing a facial fracture. Enter the MVP candidate. Jayson Tatum put on a masterclass in the two blowouts that only few superstars can do, scoring a combined 84 points over two games including 51 in the second contest, but keep in mind that Tatum is listed as questionable with a non-COVID illness. The Celtics will also be without Marcus Smart for the ninth straight game, but will welcome back Robert Williams and Al Horford after both Boston big men missed Wednesday’s win over Joel Embiid and the 76ers.
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Post by kyceltic on Feb 10, 2023 17:04:25 GMT -5
Time to turn the Moose loose!!
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Post by Admin on Feb 10, 2023 17:14:01 GMT -5
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Post by Admin on Feb 10, 2023 17:19:48 GMT -5
Celtics post-trade deadline scuttle
Boston turns their eyes to the buyout market after making on deadline deal
By Keith P Smith
The 2023 NBA trade deadline is in the rearview mirror. The Boston Celtics made one trade, swapping Justin Jackson and two second-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Mike Muscala.
Boston took on about $1.7 million in salary in that deal. That will add about $6.3 million total in terms of salary and luxury tax penalties. That’s not an insignificant amount for a franchise that has danced around tax issues in recent years. But Wyc Grousbeck said Brad Stevens had the go-ahead to add, and it’s likely even more will be added when Boston fills out their roster on the buyout market.
Here’s some more fallout from the deadline for the Celtics:
- Boston never re-engaged with the Brooklyn Nets on a Kevin Durant trade, beyond the cursory phone call that all 29 teams made. Sources say the Celtics weren’t willing to meet the Nets asking price over the summer and weren’t going to add to their previous offers in-season.
- League sources say the Celtics briefly re-engaged the San Antonio Spurs about Jakob Poeltl ahead of the deadline, after cutting off previous talks at the end of December when Rob Williams returned to the lineup. Boston wasn’t willing to meet San Antonio’s asking price of a first-round pick, Payton Pritchard and Danilo Gallinari. The Celtics viewed Poeltl as a potential rental and had no plans of trading serious value for only a few months.
- Multiple teams called Boston on Grant Williams. The Celtics never got close to an offer they seriously considered. One source said, “It was clear they had no desire to move Williams. The ask was a pretty big one.”
Another source said the Celtics wanted a player who could step right into the rotation AND a good draft pick (lottery-protected first-round pick or better) for Williams. That’s as clear of a sign as you’re going to get of how much Boston values Williams, and some potential insight into their summer plans for Williams’ restricted free agency.
- The Celtics were chasing two things at the trade deadline: another big and wing depth. Sources tell CelticsBlog that Boston was in on several of the wings that were traded, but bowed out due to meeting the asking prices in terms of picks and salary-matching.
One source said, “When it became things like four and five second-round picks, plus matching salary for guys like (Luke) Kennard, (Josh) Hart and (Eric Gordon), Boston was out. They just didn’t have that available. That’s why they pivoted to (Mike) Muscala.”
Sources also said that Muscala having a team option for next season was a draw for Boston too. The Celtics like that he could feature in roster-planning heading into next season too.
- On the Muscala addition, one veteran scout told CelticsBlog: “He’s basically perfect for them. They can keep running the five-out stuff and they could even play him next to Rob (Williams) if they needed to. Adding Moose (Muscala’s nickname) won’t directly swing the Finals or anything. But it could indirectly swing the Finals by keeping (Al) Horford and Rob (Williams) rested for the next couple of months.”
- Boston is engaged with several players in advance of buyout discussions. With a role available on a Finals contender and $3.2 million in spending power, the Celtics believe they can beat most offers wing players will get this month.
Players to keep an eye on include Will Barton, Danny Green, Justin Holiday and Terrence Ross.
Also, Boston likes Tony Snell, who has shot 47.6% on three-pointers since joining the Maine Celtics of the G League last month.
- According to sources, the Celtics had lots of discussions around Payton Pritchard. However, with backcourt injuries to Marcus Smart, and now Jaylen Brown, Boston was reluctant to move Pritchard.
A source told CelticsBlog, “I bet they move Pritchard this summer. But right now, that was a risk Brad (Stevens) wasn’t going to make. As a former coach, he knows you can never have enough point guard depth. But this summer, I bet they do right by (Pritchard) and get him somewhere he can play more and have a bigger role before his rookie deal ends.”
- Trading Danilo Gallinari was never a real thing for Boston. Sources said no trades for a $10 million-plus player ever got really close, and that’s the only time the Celtics even considered moving Gallinari.
A source told CelticsBlog: “Gallo is trying really, really hard to get on the floor this year. Boston doesn’t expect it, but he is expected to be a big part of next season’s roster. There’s even some thought that after a year ‘off’ Gallo could see one of those fresh legs bounces. They also love what he’s brought to the locker room and training facility too. There’s a reason he’s traveling with the team all the time. He’s a real part of things this season.”
In a way, the Celtics can treat Gallinari as a “free” upgrade this summer. If he can play before this season ends, that’s the bonus of all bonuses. But it’s far more likely he comes in as a Day 1 rotation guy next fall. And that will leave the Taxpayer Midlevel Exception available to be used to add another upgrade.
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Post by kyceltic on Feb 10, 2023 17:54:44 GMT -5
Celtics post-trade deadline scuttle
Boston turns their eyes to the buyout market after making on deadline deal
By Keith P Smith
The 2023 NBA trade deadline is in the rearview mirror. The Boston Celtics made one trade, swapping Justin Jackson and two second-round picks to the Oklahoma City Thunder for Mike Muscala.
Boston took on about $1.7 million in salary in that deal. That will add about $6.3 million total in terms of salary and luxury tax penalties. That’s not an insignificant amount for a franchise that has danced around tax issues in recent years. But Wyc Grousbeck said Brad Stevens had the go-ahead to add, and it’s likely even more will be added when Boston fills out their roster on the buyout market.
Here’s some more fallout from the deadline for the Celtics:
- Boston never re-engaged with the Brooklyn Nets on a Kevin Durant trade, beyond the cursory phone call that all 29 teams made. Sources say the Celtics weren’t willing to meet the Nets asking price over the summer and weren’t going to add to their previous offers in-season.
- League sources say the Celtics briefly re-engaged the San Antonio Spurs about Jakob Poeltl ahead of the deadline, after cutting off previous talks at the end of December when Rob Williams returned to the lineup. Boston wasn’t willing to meet San Antonio’s asking price of a first-round pick, Payton Pritchard and Danilo Gallinari. The Celtics viewed Poeltl as a potential rental and had no plans of trading serious value for only a few months.
- Multiple teams called Boston on Grant Williams. The Celtics never got close to an offer they seriously considered. One source said, “It was clear they had no desire to move Williams. The ask was a pretty big one.”
Another source said the Celtics wanted a player who could step right into the rotation AND a good draft pick (lottery-protected first-round pick or better) for Williams. That’s as clear of a sign as you’re going to get of how much Boston values Williams, and some potential insight into their summer plans for Williams’ restricted free agency.
- The Celtics were chasing two things at the trade deadline: another big and wing depth. Sources tell CelticsBlog that Boston was in on several of the wings that were traded, but bowed out due to meeting the asking prices in terms of picks and salary-matching.
One source said, “When it became things like four and five second-round picks, plus matching salary for guys like (Luke) Kennard, (Josh) Hart and (Eric Gordon), Boston was out. They just didn’t have that available. That’s why they pivoted to (Mike) Muscala.”
Sources also said that Muscala having a team option for next season was a draw for Boston too. The Celtics like that he could feature in roster-planning heading into next season too.
- On the Muscala addition, one veteran scout told CelticsBlog: “He’s basically perfect for them. They can keep running the five-out stuff and they could even play him next to Rob (Williams) if they needed to. Adding Moose (Muscala’s nickname) won’t directly swing the Finals or anything. But it could indirectly swing the Finals by keeping (Al) Horford and Rob (Williams) rested for the next couple of months.”
- Boston is engaged with several players in advance of buyout discussions. With a role available on a Finals contender and $3.2 million in spending power, the Celtics believe they can beat most offers wing players will get this month.
Players to keep an eye on include Will Barton, Danny Green, Justin Holiday and Terrence Ross.
Also, Boston likes Tony Snell, who has shot 47.6% on three-pointers since joining the Maine Celtics of the G League last month.
- According to sources, the Celtics had lots of discussions around Payton Pritchard. However, with backcourt injuries to Marcus Smart, and now Jaylen Brown, Boston was reluctant to move Pritchard.
A source told CelticsBlog, “I bet they move Pritchard this summer. But right now, that was a risk Brad (Stevens) wasn’t going to make. As a former coach, he knows you can never have enough point guard depth. But this summer, I bet they do right by (Pritchard) and get him somewhere he can play more and have a bigger role before his rookie deal ends.”
- Trading Danilo Gallinari was never a real thing for Boston. Sources said no trades for a $10 million-plus player ever got really close, and that’s the only time the Celtics even considered moving Gallinari.
A source told CelticsBlog: “Gallo is trying really, really hard to get on the floor this year. Boston doesn’t expect it, but he is expected to be a big part of next season’s roster. There’s even some thought that after a year ‘off’ Gallo could see one of those fresh legs bounces. They also love what he’s brought to the locker room and training facility too. There’s a reason he’s traveling with the team all the time. He’s a real part of things this season.”
In a way, the Celtics can treat Gallinari as a “free” upgrade this summer. If he can play before this season ends, that’s the bonus of all bonuses. But it’s far more likely he comes in as a Day 1 rotation guy next fall. And that will leave the Taxpayer Midlevel Exception available to be used to add another upgrade.
Brad ain't no dummy! |
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Post by Admin on Feb 10, 2023 19:34:47 GMT -5
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Post by fierce on Feb 10, 2023 19:36:24 GMT -5
If Tony passes the "snell test" then sign him.
Danny Green going for his 4th ring if he signs with the Cs.
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Post by fierce on Feb 10, 2023 19:39:09 GMT -5
If Moose is solid on D then he will be ahead of Kornet on the depth chart.
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Post by Admin on Feb 10, 2023 19:46:18 GMT -5
Stevens Discusses What Mike Muscala Brings to the Celtics
By Bobby Krivitsky Sports Illustrated Boston
One day after becoming a Celtic, Mike Muscala is active for Boston's game against the Hornets at TD Garden.
Muscala will wear number 57, the first time in the franchise's history that a player has done so.
Detailing the move during a pregame media availability, Celtics president of basketball operations Brad Stevens expressed, "as you go through the league, you just keep tidbits in your mind of how you think guys would fit."
And whenever Muscala's name came up in conversation, the well-connected Stevens heard a few common themes.
"They always talked about how he approached his work, the way he was as a teammate, and how much he wanted to win, which is the most important thing."
Boston's president of basketball operations also recognized the fit and value of adding a player he describes as "super skilled," someone with whom "the ball doesn't stick in his hands" when he gets it.
There's also an understanding that the Celtics are at their best with two-big lineups featuring Robert Williams and Al Horford. Adding another player who allows Boston to utilize double-big lineup combinations, who has the versatility to play alongside the other front-court members on the roster, makes the team with the NBA's top record (39-16) even more formidable.
The Celtics also rest Robert Williams and Al Horford on the front and back end of back-to-backs, respectively. Boston isn't done with playing two games in as many days this season.
So, whether it's helping keep Williams and Horford's minutes down or improving the options available to Joe Mazzulla when one of them is out, the Celtics feel like they addressed their most-pressing need at the trade deadline.
And if Muscala helps Williams and Horford stay fresh through a postseason run the franchise hopes ends with banner 18, his impact goes beyond his production. There's a strong case, as positive a pickup as this was, especially considering the cost, that this is the most valuable aspect of acquiring the veteran center.
www.newsobserver.com/sports/nba/article272400398.html
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 10, 2023 19:46:23 GMT -5
Well, at least Mr. Glass is back. For one game anyway...
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 10, 2023 19:46:34 GMT -5
Q1:
Celtics lineup change (Robert Williams III, Grant Williams, Jayson Tatum, Sam Hauser, Derrick White)
Hornets lineup change (Gordon Hayward, Mark Williams, LaMelo Ball, P.J. Washington, Terry Rozier)
C's win the tip. |
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 10, 2023 19:46:45 GMT -5
Hauser for 3.
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 10, 2023 19:47:21 GMT -5
Rob to White for 3.
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 10, 2023 19:48:01 GMT -5
White hits a floater. Good start for Derrick.
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 10, 2023 19:48:58 GMT -5
No goaltend?
Mark Williams blocks Robert Williams III's two point alley-oop layup
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 10, 2023 19:50:05 GMT -5
Tatum fouled on the drive. Quick 2 fouls on Hayward.
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 10, 2023 19:50:32 GMT -5
Jayson sinks both. 5 - 10 C's.
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 10, 2023 19:51:17 GMT -5
Terry Rozier turnover (bad pass) (Sam Hauser steals)
Sam Hauser misses two point running layup ... Gotta finish that Hauser!
Grant Williams blocks Mark Williams's two point running layup
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 10, 2023 19:52:27 GMT -5
10 all.
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 10, 2023 19:52:49 GMT -5
The floater falls for Jayson.
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 10, 2023 19:54:34 GMT -5
White the and1 floater. Sinks the FT. 12 - 15 C's.
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 10, 2023 19:54:58 GMT -5
Timeout C's.
Celtics lineup change (Grant Williams, Jayson Tatum, Blake Griffin, Sam Hauser, Derrick White)
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 10, 2023 19:59:05 GMT -5
Tatum hits a 15 ft jumper. White the strip. Blake flushes the putback.
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Post by Admin on Feb 10, 2023 20:00:48 GMT -5
Celtics lineup change (Grant Williams, Jayson Tatum, Blake Griffin, Malcolm Brogdon, Sam Hauser)
Hornets lineup change (JT Thor, Gordon Hayward, Mark Williams, LaMelo Ball, Terry Rozier) |
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Post by drboogiebone on Feb 10, 2023 20:02:18 GMT -5
Jayson fouled on the drive. Sinks 1 of 2. 15 - 20 C's.
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