Six years ago, the Boston Celtics opened what was supposed to be a three-year championship window after the acquisitions of Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. Along with Paul Pierce, the new “Big Three” won one title and could have won two more if they had remained healthy. Like NASA getting extended use out of an aging Mars Rover, the Celtics trudged along as contenders for a few more years. The three-year window was open for a fourth year. Then a fifth.
Less than 14 months ago, the Philadelphia 76ers were four minutes away from a trip to the Eastern Conference Finals. Four players remain from that team. Less than 14 months ago, the Boston Celtics were one win away from a trip to the NBA Finals. Two players remain from that team. The Celtics prevailed against Philadelphia on that Saturday in May, 2012, with Rajon Rondo recording a triple-double after Paul Pierce fouled out with 4:16 to play and the Celtics clinging to
There wasn’t a 50-point showing – heck, there wasn’t even a 40-point outing! – on Christmas this year, but the NBA provided a quintuplet of matchups that helped to put things in perspective through nearly two months of the season. SheridanHoops had an eye on the tube at all times. Below is an observation regarding the 10 teams who participated in the holiday’s hoops festivities: Boston Celtics: They might be hovering around the .500 mark through the first quarter of the season, but this
While all of the focus has been on the soap opera swirl around the Los Angeles Lakers, the NBA’s other similarly storied franchise has its own set of issues. The Boston Celtics also raised expectations by adding some key pieces in the offseason, then promptly stumbled out of the gate. But there were no death stares, insurrections, coach beheadings or panic moves. But there are some problems in Beantown. Let’s allow team leader Kevin Garnett to explain. “You can’t speed chemistry up,” Garnett said.
BOSTON — From the beginning of the 2007-08 season until the final horn sounded after Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals against the Miami Hea last June, the Boston Celtics were encapsulated by the Big Three +1 of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo. If anyone needs a refresher course on what was lost when Ray Allen decided to head down to Miami to team up with Dwyane Wade and LeBron James, last night’s performance by the Celtics
Here are this morning’s top NBA news stories: “Fisher free to return to Lakers now,” by Marc Stein from ESPN.com “Jeremy Lin wanted to retire with New York Knicks, not Houston Rockets,” Marc Berman from the New York Post “Delonte West of Dallas Mavericks suspended for conduct detrimental to the team,” by Tim MacMahon from ESPN.com “Deron Williams of Brookyln Nets rips A.J. Price of Washington Wizards,” by Mike Mazzeo from ESPN.com “Brandon Bass staying focused despite being unsure of his role on Celtics,” by Gary Washburn from the Boston
Early this morning in Shanghai, the Clippers welcomed Chris Paul back to their lineup and evened the two-game series with the Heat. Both teams will benefit from the unique experience and it was great for Chinese basketball fans. Fantasy-wise, it was a waste of time. Miami played “small” and had no answer for DeAndre Jordan, who was 8-8 from the floor with nine rebounds and a block. The Clippers are still using Willie Green (5 PTS in 16 minutes) as
In today’s column I am going to take a look at how some of the most interesting camp battles are turning out. It is very early but it’s worth looking at the impressions of people who are watching teams closely, in order to get a sense of who is gaining and who might be losing ground. If you have an early draft (and I’ve already had one and have another coming up on Friday) then it’s well worth passing on