The Celtics Offseason

Euclis20

Euclis20

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Not sure if this was posted anywhere, but Horford will be playing in the FIBA World Cup this summer for the DR:

https://sports.yahoo.com/boston-al-horford-play-dominican-003632035.html

Veteran Boston Celtics big man Al Horford will be representing his native Dominican Republic in 2023 FIBA World Cup play this summer before the start of the NBA’s 2023-24 season.

The Puerta Plata native will have several other NBA players on the roster with him. They include Minnesota Timberwolves big man Karl Anthony Towns, Sacramento Kings shooting guard Chris Duarte, and former Portland Trail Blazers small forward Justin Minaya to field a competitive ball club for the international basketball competition.
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Good for him, but I'm not super happy about this. This feels different from Porzingis playing for Latvia. He's an injury risk every time he sets foot on the court, whether it's in competitive international play, a scrimmage at some gym in LA, or when he's walking on a treadmill. For Horford it feels less about injury and more about rest, especially after a couple of long playoff runs. If TL and KP are healthy I imagine Al will get more time off than ever during the regular season (and we know he's done playing both sides of back to backs), but this still feels like an unforced error.
 
lovegtm

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Euclis20 said:
Not sure if this was posted anywhere, but Horford will be playing in the FIBA World Cup this summer for the DR:

https://sports.yahoo.com/boston-al-horford-play-dominican-003632035.html



Good for him, but I'm not super happy about this. This feels different from Porzingis playing for Latvia. He's an injury risk every time he sets foot on the court, whether it's in competitive international play, a scrimmage at some gym in LA, or when he's walking on a treadmill. For Horford it feels less about injury and more about rest, especially after a couple of long playoff runs. If TL and KP are healthy I imagine Al will get more time off than ever during the regular season (and we know he's done playing both sides of back to backs), but this still feels like an unforced error.
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He finished the season healthy, and guys like to play in the summer anyway. He's not at the point in his career where you're really adding new skills. Seems fine, and a very very marginal negative at worst.
 
chilidawg

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Euclis20 said:
Not sure if this was posted anywhere, but Horford will be playing in the FIBA World Cup this summer for the DR:

https://sports.yahoo.com/boston-al-horford-play-dominican-003632035.html



Good for him, but I'm not super happy about this. This feels different from Porzingis playing for Latvia. He's an injury risk every time he sets foot on the court, whether it's in competitive international play, a scrimmage at some gym in LA, or when he's walking on a treadmill. For Horford it feels less about injury and more about rest, especially after a couple of long playoff runs. If TL and KP are healthy I imagine Al will get more time off than ever during the regular season (and we know he's done playing both sides of back to backs), but this still feels like an unforced error.
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I'm gonna guess Al has a pretty good idea as to whether or not he needs the rest. And good for him for playing for his country.
 
HomeRunBaker

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the moops said:
This.

For some playing for their country means as much if not more than their million dollar paychecks from the NBA. Good for them.
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They actually have a great group draw with the overmatched Angola and the home country in their group. That squad should advance to the knockout round.
 
HomeRunBaker

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FireChief said:
Surely Angola has improved just a little since they were the Dream Team’s steel chair?
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No...and possibly worse. The bottom four are thought to be Cape Verde, Egypt, Jordan and Angola. When South Sudan and Côte d'Ivoire are a tier above you things aren't good with your program.
 
DeJesus Built My Hotrod

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Either works but I prefer Uncle Jeff for a variety of reasons - mostly because he understands the roster spot and isn't under any pressure to fill any other role.
 
HomeRunBaker

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the moops said:
No one or the other. Just throwing some names out there
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That's the thing with 14th men....they won't be names. They will be projects behind Brissett and Pritchard or someone like a Blake-type bc anyone in that range looking for opportunity will have better chances elsewhere.
 
the moops

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HomeRunBaker said:
That's the thing with 14th men....they won't be names. They will be projects behind Brissett and Pritchard or someone like a Blake-type bc anyone in that range looking for opportunity will have better chances elsewhere.
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Pritchard nor Brissett are the 14th man though. The 14th is likely Davison or Scrubb or Walsh or Blanton. There is definitely room for some vet that can play actual minutes.
 
benhogan

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HomeRunBaker said:
That's the thing with 14th men....they won't be names. They will be projects behind Brissett and Pritchard or someone like a Blake-type bc anyone in that range looking for opportunity will have better chances elsewhere.
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A Blake encore makes some sense with a Smart/Grant exit.

Recall a few games when Blake would come in, dive for a ball & get the crowd involved
 
PedroKsBambino

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I respect Tatum sticking by his hometown team---since it isn't the Yankees of course!

Politically, he should say Sox are his 'second favorite' team.

But I have no issue with someone sticking by their team, especially when the city doesn't even have a basketball team for us to compete with in free agency...
 
bosockboy

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PedroKsBambino said:
I respect Tatum sticking by his hometown team---since it isn't the Yankees of course!

Politically, he should say Sox are his 'second favorite' team.

But I have no issue with someone sticking by their team, especially when the city doesn't even have a basketball team for us to compete with in free agency...
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And STL has definitely adopted the Celtics. Their highlights are on local sports with Tatum interviews, etc.
 
PedroKsBambino

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If we wanted any more data points that they are really focused on offense vs defense....
 
JakeRae

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Svi is not the best option for our likely last signing of the offseason, but he wouldn’t be the worst either. He’s a competent, albeit below average, NBA player with very little upside.
 
Pablo's TB Lover

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I miss the preseason games in regional arenas where fans not in the Boston metro may attend more easily: Hartford, Mohegan, Providence, etc. Although it's understandable from an operations standpoint in that there is an inconvenience and cost involved to move your game staff away from the Garden. And the players would prefer not to travel for a "home" game.
 
BrotherMouzone

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Pablo's TB Lover said:
I miss the preseason games in regional arenas where fans not in the Boston metro may attend more easily: Hartford, Mohegan, Providence, etc. Although it's understandable from an operations standpoint in that there is an inconvenience and cost involved to move your game staff away from the Garden. And the players would prefer not to travel for a "home" game.
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One of my favorite games I ever went to was a Celtics preseason game in Amherst in 2008. Bill Walker had two MONSTER dunks, including this one on Theo Ratliff.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU7ZOF6ciP0&pp=ygUTQmlsbCBXYWxrZXIgQ2VsdGljcw%3D%3D
 
Pablo's TB Lover

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BrotherMouzone said:
One of my favorite games I ever went to was a Celtics preseason game in Amherst in 2008. Bill Walker had two MONSTER dunks, including this one on Theo Ratliff.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bU7ZOF6ciP0&pp=ygUTQmlsbCBXYWxrZXIgQ2VsdGljcw%3D%3D
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Ahh the Michael Bishop of the NBA preseason! Thought he was going to be a key cog with the Big 3 after that game haha. Of course I looked him up and has switched to being called by his middle name of "Henry". He did average 11.9 pts in 27 games for the Knicks as a 22 y.o. in 2009-10, but for some reason never caught on in a significant role before retiring from the NBA.
 
Swedgin

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Pablo's TB Lover said:
Ahh the Michael Bishop of the NBA preseason! Thought he was going to be a key cog with the Big 3 after that game haha. Of course I looked him up and has switched to being called by his middle name of "Henry". He did average 11.9 pts in 27 games for the Knicks as a 22 y.o. in 2009-10, but for some reason never caught on in a significant role before retiring from the NBA.
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Pretty sure the reason was his knees. I feel like that dude tore his ACL a dozen times.
 
Pablo's TB Lover

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I'm just picturing a music DJ in a flight attendant outfit. "He's gonna make sure this club is pressurized, give it up for D...J....Steward!!"

Edit: His highlights are giving me some D. White vibes, so this is a good opportunity to get in front of the "optimal" version of himself.
 
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