The Boston Celtics expected to have a three-headed monster entering the 2017-18 NBA campaign. And while the injury to Gordon Hayward altered that outlook, Thursday night showed the Celtics’ dynamic duo still is plenty lethal. Kyrie Irving and Al Horford always were going to need some time to develop chemistry, but it appears the two stars are well ahead of schedule after they combined for 51 points in the C’s 96-89 win over the Milwaukee Bucks at BMO Bradley Center. For the first time this season, Irving looked like the “Uncle Drew” from Cleveland, as he showed a variety of offensive moves, including a devastating crossover on Giannis Antetoko... NESN.com
Tag: celtics
Cavs Elect Not To Show Kyrie Irving Tribute Video In Opener Vs. Celtics
The Cleveland Cavaliers’ plan to honor Kyrie Irving on Tuesday night never came to fruition. It was revealed Monday that the Cavs had a tribute video in store for Irving, who spent his first six NBA seasons in Cleveland before being traded to the Boston Celtics during the offseason. The video, which was expected to be shown during Tuesday’s season opener against Boston, reportedly highlighted Irving’s accomplishments during his time with the franchise. The video never saw the light of day though, as Cavaliers officials, including team owner Dan Gilbert, decided the right moment to air the tribute never presented itself, per Cleveland.com’s Joe Vardon... NESN.com
Celtics’ Final Haul From 2013 Nets Trade Truly Is A Sight To Behold
Of all the crazy ramifications of Tuesday’s blockbuster trade between the Boston Celtics and Cleveland Cavaliers, here’s one that might get overlooked: The Celtics no longer have a vested interest in the failure of the Brooklyn Nets. The Celtics acquired Kyrie Irving from the Cavs by dealing Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic and the Nets’ 2018 first-round draft pick. That Nets pick was Boston’s final direct asset from its 2013 mega deal with Brooklyn that sent Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett out of town — a trade that’s widely regarded as one of the most lopsided in NBA history. Just how lopsided, you ask? With the book officially closed ... NESN.com
Paul Pierce Retiring With Celtics Is Final Chapter Of Legendary Boston Sports Career
Becoming a legendary player in the history of the Boston Celtics is incredibly difficult. The group of players with that distinction is long, and the barrier to entry is steep. Paul Pierce climbed that mountain, and soon officially will close his career after signing a contract with the C’s on Monday so he can retire with the team that drafted him 10th overall in 1998. “It’s an honor to have this opportunity to once again call myself a Boston Celtic,” Pierce said in a team release. “The organization and city took me in and made me one of their own, and I couldn’t imagine ending my career any other way. I’m a Celtic for
Celtics Save $8 Million In Cap Space By Waiving Center Tyler Zeller
The Boston Celtics needed to clear cap space as they try to make a big splash in free agency, and Tyler Zeller became a cap casualty Sunday. The Celtics announced they had waived the veteran center on Twitter. Zeller, who saw his role reduced with the addition of Al Horford, was set to be paid $ 8 million if he was not waived by Sunday. Zeller spent the past three seasons with the Celtics after coming over from the Clevland Cavaliers in a three-team trade with the Brooklyn Nets in July of 2014. The 27-year-old center averaged 3.5 points and 2.4 rebounds for the Celtics during the 2016-17 NBA season. Thumbnail photo via Jeremy
Isaiah Thomas ‘Would Love’ To Be With Celtics Long Term, Win Championships
Isaiah Thomas wants to remain a member of the Boston Celtics, that much is clear. During the NBA’s Eastern Conference finals, it became clear the Celtics were at least one player away from seriously contending with the Cleveland Cavaliers, and a discussion about whether the Celtics should build around their All-Star point guard began to materialize. But Thomas’ desire is to hoist a banner as a member of the Celtics. “Boston’s changed my career, changed my life,” Thomas told the media Friday, per The Boston Globe’s Gary Washburn. “I would love to be here long term and win championships here. “But as you guys know it’s a ... NESN.com
Celtics Get First-Hand Look At Elite Team In East Finals Series Vs. Cavs
BOSTON — The Boston Celtics simply were outmatched in their Eastern Conference finals series against the Cleveland Cavaliers. The defending NBA champions made quick work of the Celtics, winning the series in five games, capped off by Thursday night’s 135-102 thrashing at TD Garden. Though the Celtics were the top seed in the Eastern Conference entering the 2017 NBA playoffs, this series left no doubt as to who is the real powerhouse in the East. Aside from their Game 3 hiccup, the Cavs steamrolled the Celtics en route to their third consecutive NBA Finals appearance. There weren’t many positive takeaways from this series for the Celtics, b... NESN.com