Boston Celtics Blog – Page 25 – NBA Blog

Klay Thompson impressed by Celtics

Every once in a while, an NBA player on a good team will actually name other good teams when asked. Not always. But here’s Boston.com reporting what Warriors SG Klay Thompson had to say:

The Celtics aren’t the only ones who like the team they’ve built in Boston.

Golden State Warriors shooting guard Klay Thompson is a fan, too.

“I like the team out East in Boston,” Thompson told ESPN during Warriors media day on Monday. “They’ve got a very nice young team. One through five, man, they’ve got a team that kind of mirrors ours, as far as their length, guys who can shoot and play defense, and an unselfish way about things. So, I think that they are going to be a team to reckon with.”

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Jabari Bird facing serious legal situation

Here’s the Boston Herald with the latest on new Celtics guard Jabari Bird, who is in a serious legal situation right now:

The Celtics aren’t trifling with diplomatic niceties and cagey legalese in their handling of the litany of charges being brought against reserve guard Jabari Bird.

“Most importantly, our thoughts are with the victim of this incident,” the team said in a statement released yesterday. “The Celtics organization deplores domestic violence of any kind, and we are deeply disturbed by the allegations against Jabari Bird.”

This should not be read as a judgment against Bird, a 24-year-old California native who appeared in 13 games with the Celtics last season and this past July signed a two-year, $3 million contract with the team. The courts, after all, will rule on innocence or guilt. Bird was arraigned in Brighton District Court yesterday following a weekend arrest in which he was charged with domestic assault, strangulation and kidnapping stemming from an alleged incident involving a 20-year-old woman.

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Kyrie Irving taking class at Harvard Business School

Celtics guard Kyrie Irving has decided that in his spare time during the NBA season he’s going to learn about business at Harvard. A problem is, players really have very little spare time during the season. Watching film, reading scouting reports, etc. is really their best use of time when not standing on a basketball court. We’re surprised he’s doing this now, instead of, say, taking a summer class somewhere. Anyway, here’s Boston.com reporting:

On Monday, Celtics guard Kyrie Irving was at Harvard University for the kick-off of “Crossover Into Business,” a semester-long program at Harvard Business School taught by HBS professor Anita Elberse. According to its description, the program is designed to help pro athletes better prepare themselves for “business activities during and after their active sports careers.” Irving and the other participants will each be matched with a pair of HBS’s MBA student mentors who will “develop their business acumen and empower them to make better business decisions.”

In an interview with Boston.com in June, Irving expressed interest in potentially pursuing other passions and noted he was aware of the opportunities at Harvard.

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Lack of roster turnover good for Celtics

The Celtics were an excellent squad last season, came close to reaching the NBA Finals, and should have a healthy Gordon Hayward and Kyrie Irving this season. They kept all their key players, which is huge. Here’s NESN.com reporting what center Aron Baynes said on this topic:

Baynes indicated during a charity appearance Wednesday that the lack of roster turnover this summer could play an important role for the Celtics.

“Last year at this time we were learning peoples’ names; this year we can get into the finer points of the systems that we’re learning,” Baynes said, via Celtics.com. “We’ve still got a bit to learn and a way to go in incorporating the healthy guys back into it, but it’s definitely exciting that we’re starting at this base level compared to where we were last season.”

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Celtics guard Jabari Bird arrested

Here’s Boston.com with an update on new Celtics backup guard Jabari Bird, who probably will receive very few minutes this coming season, but right now has something far bigger to worry about:

Celtics shooting guard Jabari Bird is under arrest and facing charges for an alleged domestic violence incident that took place Friday night in Brighton.

According to the Boston Police Department (BPD), Bird is “currently being guarded” at St. Elizabeth’s Hospital. A BPD spokesman said in a statement Saturday morning that the victim involved in the incident was transported to a separate hospital for “treatment of injuries sustained.” Complaints will be sought against Bird for assault and battery 209A, strangulation, and kidnapping.

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Will Celtics bring Jayson Tatum off bench?

Jayson Tatum is one of the key reasons why the Celtics should be a top team for years to come. He also is clearly worthy of continuing his role as a starter, yet could very well come off the bench in 2018-19. Here’s Boston.com touching on the situation:

Currently in Los Angeles, Tatum will continue working out before training camp begins in September. He said he is not concerned about forthcoming decisions regarding playing time, expressing the utmost faith in Stevens to do what’s right for the team. He also trusts his teammates to handle the situation in stride.

“Everybody has a job to do,” he said. “Our job is to be the best versions of ourselves and come together for a bigger goal, which is winning a championship. Brad’s job is to manage playing time and manage all sorts of stuff. That’s why he’s the coach. We got a bunch of selfless guys on the team that just want to win. We’ll figure it out.”

Tatum said it does not matter to him whether he starts or comes off the bench.

“I understand how deep our team is,” he said. “I just care about winning and doing what I can while I’m on the floor.”

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Terry Rozier predicts big things for Celtics in 2018-19

Every player has to predict positive things about their team going into a new season. It goes with the territory and is only natural. But in the case of the Boston Celtics, there is every reason to genuinely believe that they’re a squad quite capable of representing the Eastern conference in the 2019 NBA Finals. Here’s ESPN.com reporting on what Celtics guard Terry Rozier speaking on his team:

Boston Celtics guard Terry Rozier doesn’t want to make any grand predictions about what his team will accomplish during the 2018-19 season, but he’s quite bullish on their potential to be a title contender.

“We can be special. Truly special,” Rozier said Saturday during a break from his youth basketball camp in suburban Boston. “I think you know that. I think everybody knows that. Obviously, we [are] good on paper, we just gotta get it together and make sure everybody comes in and has that same mindset. But I feel like it’s going to be a special group.” …

“We look good on paper. The same team back from last year adding two main guys, two main pieces, with a lot of the guys we added from this draft and re-signed,” Rozier said. “It’s special. It’s special. Like I said, I don’t want to talk too much about [what the team can accomplish], but it’s going to be special.”

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Celtics sign PJ Dozier to two-way contract

The Boston Celtics today signed guard PJ Dozier to a two-way contract.

Dozier, 21, is set to compete on his second two-way contract in as many NBA seasons, having previously held a two-way position with Oklahoma City in 2017-18. He made his NBA debut with the Thunder on Feb. 8, 2018 at the Lakers, one of two contests he saw action in.

In 43 games played (38 starts) with the Oklahoma City Blue of the NBA G League last season, Dozier (6-7, 201 lbs.) produced 12.9 points (46.5% FG, 34.0% 3-PT), 5.6 rebounds, 2.7 assists and 1.4 steals in 28.4 minutes. The University of South Carolina product scored at least 20 points on five occasions, including a season-high 26 points (10-19 FG) on Jan. 28 against the South Bay Lakers.

Dozier participated in five games on Oklahoma City’s 2018 NBA Las Vegas Summer team in July, averaging 11.0 points on 52.0% shooting and 1.40 steals in 23.0 minutes.

A native of Columbia, SC, Dozier capped off his two-year collegiate career on a high note in 2017 after contributing to the Gamecocks’ first-ever NCAA Tournament Final Four appearance. He averaged 15.6 points (50.8% FG), 4.8 rebounds and 2.4 assists in five tournament games and was selected to the NCAA Tournament All-Region team.

Jayson Tatum enjoys workout with Kobe Bryant

Even when an NBA player gains some experience and isn’t awe-struck by anyone he’s up against, it’ll always be special for the player to work out with their sports idol. Here’s NESN.com reporting on talented young Celtic Jayson Tatum and a photo Tatum posted in late July:

Jayson Tatum has spent his offseason improving his game and his body, with a little help from his childhood idol.

The Boston Celtics rookie forward posted photos of himself working out with Los Angeles Lakers great Kobe Bryant, who Tatum has said was his favorite player growing up.

Tatum’s unique scoring ability and silky mid-range jump shot has drawn comparisons to Bryant dating all the way back to his days at Chaminade College Preparatory School in St. Louis. But there’s no doubt the Black Mamba had a few pointers for the Duke product as he prepares to embark on his sophomore NBA season.

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Celtics sign Walt Lemon Jr. to a two-way contract

The Boston Celtics have signed guard Walt Lemon Jr. to a two-way deal.

Lemon Jr., 25, made his NBA debut on Feb. 23 of last season after signing a pair of 10-day contracts with the New Orleans Pelicans. He averaged 3.4 points (43.8% FG) and 7.0 minutes in five games played. The Chicago, IL native spent the majority of his season competing for the Fort Wayne Mad Ants of the NBA G League, where he produced 22.4 points (49.4% FG, 31.3% 3-PT, 76.8% FT), 4.7 rebounds, 6.1 assists, 2.03 steals and 36.6 minutes in 40 games (all starts).

A four-year product of Bradley University from 2010-11 to 2013-14, Lemon Jr. has also competed professionally for multiple teams in Europe.