Celts Slay Kings, Liberate Sacramento! Victory Cigar vs SAC 3/24

[ConstableGeneva]

Himmelsbach reporting Tatum left the arena with just a very slight limp. No boot or crutches. Good sign.

[djFan71]

Just start Baylor for Tatum and bring JT off the bench in a few games when the score is out of hand.

[ThePigeon]

JT played great until the injury (hope it is minor). He controlled the game and the pace
Rico plays with a lot of energy and hustle. Got steals, deflections, rebounds and played good defense. He has a place in the rotation
KP played good. There were several times he needed to get the ball down low but the team missed him. Kornet found him one time for a foul.
The Kornet KP lineup caused issues for SAC and opened the lead
And of course - PP, who is becoming a problem for most teams

JB and Jrue concern me a bit. They seemed off this game. It is like they have nagging injuries that slow them down

Next game sit JT, JB and Jrue. We will be fine

[31to6]

Just start Baylor for Tatum and bring JT off the bench in a few games when the score is out of hand.

Dunno once you make that switch is Tatum ever getting his spot back??

[ConstableGeneva]

Himmelsbach reporting Tatum left the arena with just a very slight limp. No boot or crutches. Good sign.

Per Ramona Shelburne, Tatum told ESPN he was just “sore” but he’s still “going to be cautious.” I expect him to miss at least the next three games.

[phincsfan]

JT played great until the injury (hope it is minor). He controlled the game and the pace
Rico plays with a lot of energy and hustle. Got steals, deflections, rebounds and played good defense. He has a place in the rotation
KP played good. There were several times he needed to get the ball down low but the team missed him. Kornet found him one time for a foul.
The Kornet KP lineup caused issues for SAC and opened the lead
And of course - PP, who is becoming a problem for most teams

JB and Jrue concern me a bit. They seemed off this game. It is like they have nagging injuries that slow them down

Next game sit JT, JB and Jrue. We will be fine

JB and Jrue could find a groove these last few weeks, but still get some load management thrown in.

[Gant]

Himmelsbach on Tatum and Brown:

A simple scene unfolded in the Celtics’ locker room following their 113-95 win over the Kings on Monday night, but it should calm the nerves of anxious Celtics fans.

All-Star forward Jayson Tatum sat at his locker with sneakers on both feet while munching on a post-game meal from a local soul food restaurant. He was not wearing a boot or using crutches, and when he eventually left to board the team bus, he hardly showed any signs of a limp.

Tatum declined interview requests, but the apparent low level of concern as he joked with teammates and carried on like usual appeared to be a promising sign. He sat at his stall for nearly an hour without receiving any additional medical treatment.

Brown said he has been experiencing some knee pain for a couple of weeks. He met with specialists and it was determined the injury was the result of general wear and tear. He played just 26 minutes against Sacramento and had 9 points and 2 rebounds.

“It felt fine,” Brown said. “I was being a little conservative. When you’ve been out for a while it’s a mental aspect, too, where you just try to keep your feet underneath you. As I gained more confidence I started extending out, being more athletic, and things I’m used to normally doing. Tonight was a good step though.”

And from ESPN:

Tatum, who finished with 25 points and was limping gingerly through the Celtics' locker room after the game, told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne his ankle is "just sore" but that the team is "going to be cautious."

[lon3lytoaster]

Hate to see Tatum getting hurt. He was really in such a rhythm controlling the entire game and being aggressive where needed on this trip.

Rico just makes things happen when he’s on the court. Hustle plays, making the right pass, being in good spots. There’s something there that’s a little un intangible that I haven’t seen from Walsh.

[playa-hater]

Hate to see Tatum getting hurt. He was really in such a rhythm controlling the entire game and being aggressive where needed on this trip.

Rico just makes things happen when he’s on the court. Hustle plays, making the right pass, being in good spots. There’s something there that’s a little un intangible that I haven’t seen from Walsh.

I agree with this assessment, but I don't think that would be Walsh's strength anyhow. Walsh's upside would be more in line of an athletic-switch type of defender that can hit 3s (hopefully) or simply put a 3-D player. Baylor is definitely more of a "creator-playmaker-shooter" type. Same position but Apples to Oranges.

[playa-hater]

Himmelsbach on Tatum and Brown:

A simple scene unfolded in the Celtics’ locker room following their 113-95 win over the Kings on Monday night, but it should calm the nerves of anxious Celtics fans.

All-Star forward Jayson Tatum sat at his locker with sneakers on both feet while munching on a post-game meal from a local soul food restaurant. He was not wearing a boot or using crutches, and when he eventually left to board the team bus, he hardly showed any signs of a limp.

Tatum declined interview requests, but the apparent low level of concern as he joked with teammates and carried on like usual appeared to be a promising sign. He sat at his stall for nearly an hour without receiving any additional medical treatment.

Brown said he has been experiencing some knee pain for a couple of weeks. He met with specialists and it was determined the injury was the result of general wear and tear. He played just 26 minutes against Sacramento and had 9 points and 2 rebounds.

“It felt fine,” Brown said. “I was being a little conservative. When you’ve been out for a while it’s a mental aspect, too, where you just try to keep your feet underneath you. As I gained more confidence I started extending out, being more athletic, and things I’m used to normally doing. Tonight was a good step though.”

And from ESPN:

Tatum, who finished with 25 points and was limping gingerly through the Celtics' locker room after the game, told ESPN's Ramona Shelburne his ankle is "just sore" but that the team is "going to be cautious."

This is exactly why I am always hoping for an extended rotation during the season. And in Brown's case the reasons are 2-fold. !- we actually play very well without him and 2- Brown relies on hi explosiveness more than anyone. So a "wear and tear injury" compounds for Brown. Jrue-Al-Brown-KP and definitely Tatum will be so much better with a healthy Fresh Body. Make it happen Joe!

[playa-hater]

This is definitely one of my favorite times of the season, we get to see the “others” try to make their mark, and we’re winning! Win win! I need Rico to keep trending upward, he’s doing some of everything out there, it’s getting moist in here!! You have to get out there at the end of the season and do exactly what Pritchard did, make them want to play you! Show them that you belong! Rico is well on his way!


Thought everyone played well, except for JB. Looked like another team win, yeah, Tatum was the best player obv, but I thought everybody went out there and did their thing!

Korny is underrated, but never faded!

I think our situation has made it so for me as well. Meaning since we can't catch the Cavs and won't slide to 3rd place, there is less pressure to win. I am probably the number 1 advocate for young players playing whether right or wrong. So not only seeing them play, but exceling makes this so much fun. In fact, I am getting that warm fuzzy feeling inside just thinking about it.

[ConstableGeneva]

VC/CP:

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[ConstableGeneva]

One thing I like about Baylor is he doesn't just stand in place and hope for good things to happen. He makes good things happen. Notice how he tracks the ball after it's been shot. His bball instincts and IQ can't be taught. Add in his hard work, hustle, and ability to contribute without having the ball, he can certainly become part of the team's rotation.

[31to6]

This is definitely one of my favorite times of the season, we get to see the “others” try to make their mark, and we’re winning! Win win! I need Rico to keep trending upward, he’s doing some of everything out there, it’s getting moist in here!! You have to get out there at the end of the season and do exactly what Pritchard did, make them want to play you! Show them that you belong! Rico is well on his way!


Thought everyone played well, except for JB. Looked like another team win, yeah, Tatum was the best player obv, but I thought everybody went out there and did their thing!

Korny is underrated, but never faded!

I think our situation has made it so for me as well. Meaning since we can't catch the Cavs and won't slide to 3rd place, there is less pressure to win. I am probably the number 1 advocate for young players playing whether right or wrong. So not only seeing them play, but exceling makes this so much fun. In fact, I am getting that warm fuzzy feeling inside just thinking about it.

+1 for the good vibes. But: aren't you all salivating over the chance of this team getting to 60 wins? (and a chance to tie the best road record in NBA history?) Just me? BALLS TO THE WALL BOSTON CELTICS, WE DON'T REST UNTIL IT'S DONE but yeah if Baylor and Queta and dare I say even Walsh or JD can contribute to it, cool.

[Shak_Celts]

We’re winning too, which is why I’m happy about it. I don’t want to lose. We really haven’t lost at the end of the season much in many seasons anyway. I think we only lost a lot at the end of the season in 22 (or was it 21?), but the seasons around it we win quite a bit going into the playoffs. I just enjoy seeing the young guys play and we still win. I think I’d like it a lot less if the others were bad enough to have us losing all the time. I’m with Player on wanting to see them, but I want them to play well enough to win. It’s not like I only want them out there, this is the time to integrate them with the best players, you don’t sit the best players for the rest of the season unless they’re injured, you pick and choose each game played the rest of the way.

We only go full bench and others the last game or two anyway, so that’s not too much to worry about as far as winning. We’ll win our fair share. Pritchard is going to play unless he’s dead, white will too, it will be out of Tatum’s control, but if he can walk I’m sure he’ll try and play too.

[titlebound1]

PP going to end up taking the season 3 point record if Tatum has to miss some time

I would bet everything I own that PP really wants it as well. And how amazing would that be, to break that record, for a player coming off the bench??

Yeah completely agree. I'm sure he wants it badly. Would be a massive achievement for him

[playa-hater]

This is definitely one of my favorite times of the season, we get to see the “others” try to make their mark, and we’re winning! Win win! I need Rico to keep trending upward, he’s doing some of everything out there, it’s getting moist in here!! You have to get out there at the end of the season and do exactly what Pritchard did, make them want to play you! Show them that you belong! Rico is well on his way!


Thought everyone played well, except for JB. Looked like another team win, yeah, Tatum was the best player obv, but I thought everybody went out there and did their thing!

Korny is underrated, but never faded!

I think our situation has made it so for me as well. Meaning since we can't catch the Cavs and won't slide to 3rd place, there is less pressure to win. I am probably the number 1 advocate for young players playing whether right or wrong. So not only seeing them play, but exceling makes this so much fun. In fact, I am getting that warm fuzzy feeling inside just thinking about it.

+1 for the good vibes. But: aren't you all salivating over the chance of this team getting to 60 wins? (and a chance to tie the best road record in NBA history?) Just me? BALLS TO THE WALL BOSTON CELTICS, WE DON'T REST UNTIL IT'S DONE but yeah if Baylor and Queta and dare I say even Walsh or JD can contribute to it, cool.

I definitely would like to have that record but would only appreciate it if we actually won the title. Otherwise it feels like a waste.

But I think I'm also delusional enough to think we can rest our veterans. Play the young guys and still break it.

[31to6]

We’re winning too, which is why I’m happy about it. I don’t want to lose. We really haven’t lost at the end of the season much in many seasons anyway. I think we only lost a lot at the end of the season in 22 (or was it 21?), but the seasons around it we win quite a bit going into the playoffs. I just enjoy seeing the young guys play and we still win. I think I’d like it a lot less if the others were bad enough to have us losing all the time. I’m with Player on wanting to see them, but I want them to play well enough to win. It’s not like I only want them out there, this is the time to integrate them with the best players, you don’t sit the best players for the rest of the season unless they’re injured, you pick and choose each game played the rest of the way.

We only go full bench and others the last game or two anyway, so that’s not too much to worry about as far as winning. We’ll win our fair share. Pritchard is going to play unless he’s dead, white will too, it will be out of Tatum’s control, but if he can walk I’m sure he’ll try and play too.

Agree with everything you said. March/April is for tanking teams to tank and those with playoff seeding locked up to strategically rest their older/established guys while sprinkling opportunity on their younger guys. Tends to work out well for us -- knock on wood we get/stay healthy while racking up some more Ws!