Boston Celtics News (2023-2024)

The Celtics and Derrick White had until midnight last night to agree to a contract extension.

They didn't get it done.

Not the end of the world by any means.  He's only just now entering into the 3rd year of a 4 year contract, so he can't go anywhere until after next season anyway (he becomes an UFA in July, 2025).  There's still the opportunity for them to try again at the end of this season. Brad and Wyc were probably hoping Derrick would give them a nice discount in exchange for guaranteed long-term security, and it didn't happen.

As far as I'm concerned the efforts by the Celtic front office to even think about locking up a player they already know they have for the next 2 full years says a lot about what they think of Derrick.


Bob


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Astute, Bob. Astute.

So, do you think Marcus is really ticked off that he is no longer a Celtic? He had his chance to pop off after the trade, did it a little, then waiting for the season to start to really rev it up and let them have it. On top of everything he said he knew he was going to be traded next year (new contract year) This move was going to happen he is just fortunate that they played it out for 9 years. I will miss him, but we are a better team right now. Celtics just did not do it the right way I guess

There is a good video on you tube of Celts playing one on one after practice, with Rondo passing them the ball. He is really actively involving himself and the players seem to love it

bobheckler wrote:The Celtics and Derrick White had until midnight last night to agree to a contract extension.

They didn't get it done.

Not the end of the world by any means.  He's only just now entering into the 3rd year of a 4 year contract, so he can't go anywhere until after next season anyway (he becomes an UFA in July, 2025).  There's still the opportunity for them to try again at the end of this season.  Brad and Wyc were probably hoping Derrick would give them a nice discount in exchange for guaranteed long-term security, and it didn't happen.

As far as I'm concerned the efforts by the Celtic front office to even think about locking up a player they already know they have for the next 2 full years says a lot about what they think of Derrick.  


Bob


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Here's Derrick's take on the failure to get an extension done.

2:28 long.






Bob


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I love what I’m seeing in this offense, specifically the emphasis on the post up on the side with the 2 J’s. I’ve been hating the overdoing of the 3’s, especially when they were not falling; and giving Tatum the ball too many times face up so far from the basket, so the defense could load up on him. Now finally this year it appears the J’s are fully committed to post and our offense is a thing of beauty, going oldschool and seeing our best players gorge and bully ball the defense. Then for further efficiency and fun, other players are back cutting or going to open spots on the perimeter for wide open 3’s, classic inside outside basketball 101. We have the talent to make it work. Post up is back, this is a dream coming true!!! There is another way to win in the NBA.

We have a plethora of good assistant coaches now, and that shows up on the court. We are rolling, baby!

JM had a bench only film session The bench proceede to play better. Credit where due.

I absolutely love the play of the backcourt. Jrue and DWhite look like they have been playing together for years and are enjoying every minute out there. It just opens up so much for the rest of the team when you have a backcourt that not only plays phenomenal defense but are offensive threats themselves. The opposition doesn't know who to try to stop first!! I know we will run into a wall at a some point but this is such great basketball right now!

RosalieTCeltics wrote:I absolutely love the play of the backcourt. Jrue and DWhite look like they have been playing together for years and are enjoying every minute out there. It just opens up so much for the rest of the team when you have a backcourt that not only plays phenomenal defense but are offensive threats themselves.  The opposition doesn't know who to try to stop first!!  I know we will run into a wall at a some point but this is such great basketball right now!

Rosalie,

This is a perimeter offense-oriented league now, whether we like it or not, and we have the best perimeter defending back court in the league. Our SF (Jaylen) and PF (Jayson) are great defenders at the arc too. 5 of our top 6 players are great perimeter defenders for their positions.


Bob


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It is fun to watch no matter what. Much as I loved Marcus, these moves made in the off season just changed the whole mindset of our two stars. They are both driven and a joy to watch

cowens/oldschool,

I've had to adjust my TV recently to make sure I'm watching the Celtics. Usually it's been 3 or die, but the first 10-15 plays run by this team are all at the rim. Then the 3's start bombing with much greater accuracy since we're wide open. The quicker this team can adjust, because we know the first wheel that will come off is the 3-ball accuracy, the better we will be. Just come back to it. The 3-point line will always be there. It ain't moving anywhere!

db

Dare I say it? This could be one of the great Celtics teams, and I've seen a lot of them. Celts in the 50's and 60's. That '69 team which finished 4th in the division but still beat LA in a game 7 arena festooned with balloons was one of my favorites. The Cowens/Havlicek/JoJo teams. The Bird et alia teams. The KG-PP-RA-RR-Perk-House team. All so much fun to watch. This one too. So far, a delight.

dbrown4 wrote:cowens/oldschool,

I've had to adjust my TV recently to make sure I'm watching the Celtics.  Usually it's been 3 or die, but the first 10-15 plays run by this team are all at the rim.  Then the 3's start bombing with much greater accuracy since we're wide open.  The quicker this team can adjust, because we know the first wheel that will come off is the 3-ball accuracy, the better we will be.  Just come back to it.  The 3-point line will always be there.  It ain't moving anywhere!

db

Yah Mon

We have such talented young leaders/building blocks in J’s, many times last year and seasons before it was frustrating watching the offense not unleashing all of the offensive powers that the J’s possess. Now with the added personnel, thank you BS, we are using them the right way and even more so as the whole team is passing and cutting so well. It’s so early and already this looks like easily the best offense in the Tatum/Brown era, you can’t load up on them anymore; actually you can and it plays right into the offenses counters. D White took a jump last year and looks even better this year, he and Holiday automatically always seem to make the right play. Zinger is having a blast, just playing his smooth efficient all around game, he doesn’t have to carry us and has opened up the floor for us like I couldn’t imagine. All 5 players excel at all 3 levels and enjoy moving the ball for each other making the game easy, like the way we create and attack mismatches….

Oh and the defense….well trying not to get to giddy, let’s stay humble, knock on wood….

Dbrown and Cowens,


What a long, strange trip it's been to quote Jerry Garcia.  I've been miserable ever since Marcus Smart was traded.  He was our heart.  Intellectually I understood the need to put some firepower into our center spot but Marcus?!  It should have been Brogdon, damn it!   It was like trading Pierce and KG all over again.  I knew it was the smart move but my heart didn't care about "smart".

But then we got Jrue for Brogdon and RWill.  I'm still missing RWill, and I think the Celtics are too based upon early returns on Luke's performances, but when I think of Jrue and Marcus I cannot help think we might have gotten an upgrade there as much as I love Marcus, and KP is definitely an upgrade over RWill.  RWill was/is a game changer but only on defense.  Z is a game changer on offense and can be on defense too.  Here's an interesting stat for you two:  RWill is averaging 2.5 blocks per 36mpg, and he's playing 22mpg, a total of 88 minutes total so far.  Z is averaging 1.8 blocks per 36mpg and he's playing 29.8mpg, a total of 119 minutes total so far.  So not THAT much of a difference but RWill's key skill set is shot blocking.  That's what he does.  RWill is averaging 7ppg in his 22 minutes while KP is scoring 18.8ppg in his 30.  Not. Even.  Close.  Now, let's talk Offensive and Definsive Ratings.  RWill's Offensive Rating is 118 and his DefRtg is 102 for a NetRtg of +16, which is quite good.  Z's OffRtg is 141 and his DefRtg is 104 for a NetRtg of +37.  One hundred and freaking forty-one.  Only 4 games, can't read too much into this yet, but wow.

We had the best defensive back court in the NBA last year. This year we still have the best defensive back court in the NBA, and their offense has improved. Smart's shooting 34.3% from 3, which is quite good for him, while Jrue is shooting 37.5%. Smart is leading the league in steals with 3.2/game but Jrue is averaging 1.8 blocks/game while Marcus is at .4pg. 1.8blks/game is amazing for a guard.

Our problem now is depth, specifically the loss of the Williams boys.  That's a lot of loss at big.  KP is a big addition at big but is he worth both of those two?  I'm loathe to put too much weight on Queta.  Even if he's "the guy", unless he's upgraded to a regular NBA contract, he can't play in the playoffs.  I am worried about our depth, our bench, but if Brad pulled that rabbit out of his hat then, damn, we're on track for #18 because nobody can hang with our top 6.


Bob


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Bob I appreciate the stats, but my eye test tells me the additions of Holiday and Zinger and their skill sets playing with 2 J’s, White and Al is something we have not seen in offensive potency and diversity at all before. The skill sets have really unleashed the J’s in a way that keeping Smart, RWill and GWill could never come close to doing. The offense and execution Joe has installed with help from esteemed assistant coaches has jelled much faster than anyone in the league could have imagined IMHO.

We all loved Smart toughness, but he and the above mentioned players that left could never get this offense to this level and again it’s still very very early. Seeing the J’s attack the basket on mismatches constantly is almost unfair as they are among or the most athletic players 6’7”-6’9” in the game. I think the bench will come around, and has plenty of time to grow/improve, Pritch and Hauser will have their moments and Stevens and Brissett can add enough toughness for their roles. They will learn to further play off the Big 6 and learn to find their spots and roles.

They are actually showing Grant Williams talk during the game live on ESPN right now. Doris called him annoying, jokingly being kind. Jeez he talks way way too much for me, he thinks he an assistant coach now? No wonder he was benched last year. Poor Luka

I am waiting Luca already had to yell at him to stop talking how long before you hear stuff out of that locker room

Milwaukee beat Dallas last night. The Celtics are now the only unbeaten team in the NBA so far.


We play the 3-2 Nyets tonight. They lost in Chicago last night, this will be a SEGABAGA for them.


The Nuggets and the Warriors are both 5-1, so our lead over the league isn't much.


Bob


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Bobh,
Milwaukee beat NYK last night. Denver beat Dallas.
As for Luka, he has a nutcase on his hands. Grant is just a minor distraction in comparison.

AK

bobheckler wrote:Milwaukee beat Dallas last night.  The Celtics are now the only unbeaten team in the NBA so far.


We play the 3-2 Nyets tonight.  They lost in Chicago last night, this will be a SEGABAGA for them.


The Nuggets and the Warriors are both 5-1, so our lead over the league isn't much.


Bob


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Nets beat the Bulls in Chicago last night 109-107.

They better be up for this one, Nets on a 3 game win streak so you know they are gunning for us

RosalieTCeltics wrote:They better be up for this one, Nets on a 3 game win streak so you know they are gunning for us

No Claxton, Simmons or Cam Johnson for them. No White for us.

White is out? This is the first game he has missed in two seasons at least

RosalieTCeltics wrote:White is out?  This is the first game he has missed in two seasons at least

His wife is expecting. At least it's not during the playoffs.

They need to read up on the timing of this sort of thing and look at a calendar.