Category: Boston

Are the Celtics Cursed at Point Guard?

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It was announced this week that Kemba Walker will be out until at least early January with a knee injury that continues to bother him and it got me thinking, why are all of the Celtics point guards almost always suffering from a debilitating injury? Is there some sort of curse on this team? Is this the curse of trading Rajon Rondo? The Celtics traded their, at the time, best player and 4x All-Star in Rondo on Dec. 18th, 2014 and the team has been like the Red Sox trying to replace Nomar at shortstop ever since. Pokey Reese, Orlando Cabrera, Edgar Renteria, Julio Lugo, Alex Gonzalez etc. etc. Ever since trading Rondo it seems like Celtics have seemingly always had a point guard dealing with career altering injuries.

Kemba met with the media today and detailed how his knee is still bothering him and how he got a stem cell injection to hopefully help, but he still doesn’t really know what the issue is. Cool. Kemba played his fewest minutes per game since his rookie year last season and started just 56 games in his first season with the C’s, which obviously was a disjointed mess due to the pandemic. Even Danny Ainge admits the team probably brought Kemba back from injury too soon as he played on a gimpy knee throughout the entire bubble it seemed.

Before that is what Kyrie Irving who missed 20+ games in 2017-18 plus the entire postseason with a knee injury of his own. Kyrie then missed 15 games the following season as he nursed the injury on his way out of town. I guess that shouldn’t have come as a surprise as Kyrie missed 10 or more games in five different seasons prior to his time in Boston, not to mention playing just 11 games at Duke before an injury ended his brief college career.

Before that it was Isaiah Thomas who had a debilitating hip injury in the 2017 playoffs. Granted it was in the playoffs and the Celtics traded him that offseason, but his absence killed a surging Celtics team that was making a run. Before that Isaiah was absolute nails as he finished 5th in MVP voting, playing in 76 regular season games (28.9 Points per game) that season, and 82 games (22.2 PPG) in 2015-16.

The Celtics did also draft Marcus Smart before the 2015 season at No. 6 overall, but opted to use him more as an off ball player/backup PG. Maybe Danny was protecting Smarf from the curse??

Looking back at the timeline of all this, the Celtics actually acquired Isaiah just two months after trading away Rondo so now I’m torn. Is this the curse of Rondo or Isaiah? Since the C’s traded Rondo he has yet to make another All-Star team and has only averaged double digit points once, but he did just win a ring with LeBron and the Lakers. Isaiah however has continued the #SlowGrind as he works his way back from said hip injury, but a lot of the league still thinks Danny did Isaiah dirty.

So name it after whoever you want, but one thing is clear, the Celtics are cursed at the point guard position.

The Celtics Are Hosting the Nets on Christmas Day

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Christmas Day NBA is my favorite sports day of the year hands down. You get five marquee basketball games to watch from your morning mimosa coffee all the way to your post-Xmas dinner blackout when all the IPAs you’ve been guzzling catch up to you late night. Obviously 2020 is a little bit different as I had Thanksgiving dinner at my house with just my wife and my dog like I live in Siberia, but Christmas Day NBA is a tradition that needs to continue. Not to mention we get gifted with the excellent Christmas present sneakers (we used to get Christmas Day jerseys before the Nike overlords stole that joy from us).

The Celtics are no stranger to Christmas Day games as they were featured for five straight seasons during the Pierce, KG, Ray Allen era when they were routinely one of the best teams in the league. They got relegated to spectators during much of the post-Big 3 rebuilding era and didn’t play again on Christmas until 2016, but the Celtics actually hosted their first Christmas Day game *ever* in 2017.

Now we turn to the actual matchup, which is so choice. Jayson Tatum, Jaylen Brown, Marcus Smart and co. vs the rebuilt on the fly sudden powerhouse New Jersey Brooklyn Nets led by Kyrie Irving and Kevin Durant. Now Kyrie would like everyone to think he doesn’t care about any perceived “rivalry” with his former team in Boston, but he does seem to dodge the Celtics every time the Nets play them. This would be Kyrie’s first game back in Boston since leaving the C’s in free agency if he does indeed suit up. With his buddy KD back in action though I would expect Kyrie to want to show off his shiny new toy.

And for that reason…

This will be the biggest rivalry shit talking season between myself and James in a decade when the Patriots made a habit of breaking my heart and losing to the Giants. Well after YEARS of us roasting all Nets fans for the trade that shall not be named…

…Brooklyn is looking for some long awaited revenge. How this Nets team is actually going to mesh though remains to be seen. With notable pill Kyrie, otherworldly talented yet hyper sensitive KD, and a brand new first year coach in Steve Nash, the Nets are either going to come out of the gates on fire like the ’07-’08 Celtics and win 66 games orrr they’ll be a complete dumpster fire.

So even though Kemba Walker will miss this game with his everlasting gobstopper of a knee injury, I need Tatum to drop 40 on the Nets on Christmas Day. Don’t want it, need it.

20% OFF The 300s Store for Cyber Monday. Get Your Merch for Cheap!

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20% OFF The 300s Store for Cyber Monday! Use code: DEALS2020

Whether you’re looking for a new C’s shirt now that Tatum has signed a long term extension, some Pats gear, Bear Force One swag, or just shirts that generally mock the Red Sox, we’ve got you covered. We also have plenty of The 300s merch too if you want to rep the brand around town. So grab your shirts, stickers, hoodies and more today and save 20% with code DEALS2020. Shop now!

Celtics Top Pick Aaron Nesmith and His Vanderbilt Track Star Girlfriend Immediately Become Most Athletic Couple in Boston

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With Tom Brady retiring down to Florida there’s been a huge void created to be named the new First Couple of Boston. Most of the top athletes in Boston now are either single or understandably private about who they’re dating. Julian Edelman lives in town year round, but he’s yet to take the plunge. Jayson Tatum is only 22 and while his son Deuce is already a bigger celebrity than most players in Boston, Taco Jay remains a bachelor as far as I know. Hockey players in general are pretty private guys so you don’t hear a whole lot about the WAGS in that sport. Although the Real Housewives of the North End is a show I would watch every single week. And with the Red Sox in a constant state of flux there hasn’t really been anyone established enough to take the mantle with their Queen by their side.

Enter Aaron Nesmith and his Vanderbilt track star girlfriend Jordan Smith and we have without a doubt the most athletic couple in Boston, if not contenders for First Couple status. It’s a lofty title, but it’s something a 1st round draft pick has on their career Bucket List right alongside Larry O’Brien trophies and All-NBA selections. Probably.

What Do We Think of These New Celtics Jerseys?

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I think the Celtics/Nike got spooked by the reaction to last year’s Irish Pub City Edition jerseys (that Enes Kanter leaked) because people were massively split on those. They were fine (aside from the blue/green debate), but I think a lot of people saw them as pandering to the Irish fans in New England. I mean the team is called the Celtics so I get it, but still.

Now lets take a closer look at the just unveiled 2020-21 City Edition jerseys.

These new jerseys are an explicit homage to the 17 banners hanging from the rafters, which is a pretty cool idea when you think about it. But, when I see it on a jersey I don’t know, it doesn’t really translate for me. I think this is something that is better in theory than in actual practice. I give the team credit for mixing it up and being creative without just rehashing a slightly different throwback or doing a vomit inducing jersey with different colors. This jersey is clean and simple, but the block letters and stacked Boston Celtics on the front do sort of make it look like a knockoff.

You won’t see it during most games when the jerseys are tucked in, but there is an excellent subtle feature to these tops though; a quote from Red Auerbach in the bottom corner.

“The Boston Celtics are not a basketball team, they’re a way of life.”

A+ attention to detail here.

It was definitely a smart bet to play it safe this year as the Celtics have had some truly ghastly alternate jerseys over the years:

Full disclosure, I dig and own a pair of the grey shorts

One of my favorite jerseys to this day was the old Christmas Day uni that Nike canned when they took over in 2017 in favor of City Edition jerseys they can pump out every single year. The cursive lettering with the snowflake on the back collar was perfectly simple. Good luck finding one of those gems these days.

Maybe I’ll feel different when I see Jaylen Brown slam down a dunk wearing this, but until then I am an enthusiastic “meh” on these unis.

Celtics 2020 Draft Recap: Danny Ainge Targets the Three Ball

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I know a lot of fans wanted “fireworks” and wanted to see Danny Ainge make a huge blockbuster trade, but that was never going to happen. It’s nearly impossible to package lower picks to move up into the Top 5 in the NBA. The picks just are not nearly as valuable as they are in a league like the NFL because the rotations and the benches are so much smaller. And I know they were rumored to be in on guys like James Harden, but even if you wanted Harden you’d be silly to buy into that. The Celtics are always “in” on every big deal that they don’t actually do. Sure, a lot could change this afternoon depending on which way Gordon Hayward goes, but the Celtics did the only thing they really could do (without fundamentally changing the roster), stay pat and make their draft selections. So let’s take a look at who’s coming to Boston (or Maine) in a few weeks.

No. 14 – Aaron Nesmith, Forward 6’6″ Vanderbilt

Jay Bilas described Aaron Nesmith as the “best shooter in the draft” which is absolute porn for Celtics fans like me who have been begging for a 3 point threat on this team. Nesmith shot 52% from 3 last season to lead the nation. We do not need Marcus Smart jacking 10 threes a game with a guy like Nesmith on the team. This seems like a perfect fit considering the Celtics’ needs and their spot in the draft. A three point sniper who can provide much needed scoring off the bench (where the Celtics ranked 29th in the league in PPG and 28th in 3%) or provide spacing in run and gun lineups with Tatum, Brown, and Kemba.

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Although he did only play 14 games last season due to a foot injury…

You’re never going to get a can’t miss stud in the middle of the first round; the NBA and college basketball just aren’t deep enough. So to get a desperately needed three point threat who can be an immediate contributor is about as good as it gets at this spot. If he turns into anything more, then thats gravy at No. 14.

No. 26 – Payton Pritchard, Point Guard, 6’1″ Oregon

QUACK! QUACK! Now I could make a joke about the Celtics taking a 6’1″ white Point Guard from Oregon, but I won’t because thats too easy and I’m a blogger not an animal. Pritchard has some legit credentials as he was the Pac-12 Player of the Year while he lead the league in Points per Game (20.5), Assists per Game(5.5), 3-pointers, Offensive Rating, and he started all 105 games over 3 seasons. So he’s a pretty good player, but again take a look at the key stat; 41% from 3 last season. Danny was looking for scoring off the bench this year, not freak athlete projects like he loves to do.

And this may mean nothing to you, but the kid is tough, led the league in minutes played, won four state titles in high school and led Oregon to the Final Four. So he may be more grit and balls than elite talent, but as I’ve repeatedly said this team needs more grit off the bench.

“Boston selected competitive and they selected winner and a clutch performer…he can stretch it out and shoot it from deep, he’s strong when he puts the ball on the floor, he’s a competitive defender even though he’s not the greatest defender” – Jay Bilas

No. 30 – Traded to Memphis Grizzlies for Future Pick(s)

First let’s all agree that there was literally no room in this organization for another rookie. Theres just not enough roster spots in Boston or even Maine. I was fully expecting a draft and stash, but Danny trading out of a shitty pick for a future, unknown pick will always make me laugh.

Reports are that its not even another first round pick either.

Two second rounders! Thats twice as good as one first rounder!

It’s gotten to the point where Danny is like Bill Belichick just laundering these picks over the years so it’s nearly impossible to analyze what he actually got in return. So far it’s not great though. Danny traded last year’s No. 26 pick and Aron Baynes to the Suns for a 2020 first rounder, which was originally from the Bucks. Which he then flipped last night to the Grizzlies. So now Danny has essentially turned the 2019 No. 26 pick and Aron Baynes into two future second round picks. Now thats value.

To be honest he was probably just jealous of the Thunder now having the biggest war chest of future draft picks: a title that Ainge coveted for the last several years. After a wild ride as the king of future draft assets, he’s like Henry Hill at the end of Goodfellas. And now it’s all over.

No. 47 – Yam Madar, Point Guard, 6’1″, Israel

There’s the draft and stash! This kid is only 19 and will play at least another year over in Israel before the Celtics ultimately bring him in as reinforcements for the Red Claws. MassLive had a nice breakdown of Madar if you’re interested.

What did you think of the Celtics draft? Shoot us your complaints or wild predictions @the300sboston

Fire Flames Jersey Alert: Bruins Going Gold for Their New Alternates

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Stop beating around the bush and bring back the Pooh Bear jerseys you cowards! Okay, now that I got that out of my system I actually really, really like this “reverse retro” jersey as they’re referring to it.

It’s a color flip of their jerseys from the early 90s that Cam Neely and Ray Bourque wore back in their playing days.

Which were basically a throwback to their jerseys from the late 70s that Mike Milbury and the boys sported.

This is far from the first time the Bruins have opted to go with gold as their primary color. Look no further than the 2010 Winter Classic sweaters.

The Bruins also wore gold in the early 60s

But it will be hard to ever really top the Pooh Bear jerseys of the late 90s. An absolute icon that the Jacobs family is afraid to bring back for some reason.

Now it remains to be seen what the team will go with for pants and socks, but they could go all out with gold on gold on gold. The Bruins coming out of the locker room rocking next season:

I already own the 2010 Winter Classic jersey so I am undecided if I’ll add another gold jersey to my collection (until I drunkenly charge it to The 300s company card), but these new alternates are so choice. Well done.

Today Marks the SEVEN Year Anniversary of the Red Sox Winning the 2013 World Series

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The 2013 Red Sox authored the single most improbable championship run I have ever seen. This Red Sox team was a squad filled with journeymen picked off the scrap heap, no names, and guys on one year deals hoping to revive their careers. Andrew Miller, Jake Peavy, Kohi Uehara, David Ross, Mike Napoli, Johnny Gomes, Shane Victorino etc.

The Red Sox were coming off a season in which they were 26 games out of first place and finished dead last in the AL East. They had just pulled the plug on the disaster that was the Bobby Valentine experiment after just one season so they were being led by their third manager in three seasons. So I can’t say I was expecting much from the 2013 team. Prior to the season, the front office signed a bunch of players that were essentially cast offs from other organizations in moves that at the time screamed Bridge Year. John Henry and Ben Cherington will tell you otherwise, but building a team like this was the definition of catching lightning in a bottle.

Except all of these forgotten has beens instantly bonded and banded together to quickly build a team chemistry that was rivaled probably only by the 2004 team.

I’ll never forget this quote from Jake Peavy.

“I’ve never been with a team that is as single-mindedly as focused to do everything they can do to be world champion,” Peavy said. “That’s not making any guarantees because you can’t do that. But we’re going to die trying.”

Goosebumps.

Every guy on that team felt like they were an underdog that had been written off. They all fueled off one other to individually have some of their best seasons and of course go on one of the most unlikely championship runs in baseball history.

Combine that with the emotional rollercoaster that was the Boston Marathon bombing and you had a team that became a rallying cry for a city in need of healing. Where 2004 had Cowboy Up, 2013 had Boston Strong and one of the greatest impromptu speeches from a Red Sox legend.

David Ortiz would go on to have an all-time performance in the World Series too, batting .688 with an absolutely ludicrous 1.948 OPS.

I was living just a mile down the road from Fenway in 2013 so I went to like 20 games that season so I feel an even deeper connection to this team. I still have the ticket stub on my wall from the best game I have ever attended: Game 2 of the 2013 ALCS vs the Detroit Tigers.

I also still have maybe the strangest piece of memorabilia in recent Red Sox history: ticket stubs for Game 7 of the World Series at Fenway Park.

I even have a giant framed picture of Jonny Gomes placing the World Series trophy and a Boston Strong jersey at the finish line of the Boston Marathon.

This team was bigger than sports.

The 2013 Red Sox also did what the 2004, 2007, and 2018 teams never got the chance to do; they closed it out at home. I’ll never forget Koji getting the final out and everyone at the bar tossing their $8 tallboys in the air before sprinting out onto Landsdowne Street to celebrate like drunk maniacs as fireworks erupted from the Green Monster.

Maybe they weren’t the best Red Sox team in franchise history, but I can’t say I’ve ever had more fun rooting for a team

The World Lost a True Inspiration in Travis Roy

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There are so few, true, fleeting opportunities in life when a teachable moment materializes, hidden in plain view, and those wise enough recognize it and are able to use it.

For me, a passionate, lifelong fan, player and student of the game of hockey, one of those moments occurred in the days and weeks proceeding the tragedy that struck on October 20, 1995. That night, Travis Roy, considered at that point to possibly be the greatest player to ever come out of Vermont and maybe New England, tied his skates to play in his first college hockey game for Boston University. He would achieve his dream, but would ultimately see it derailed and become a nightmare. Eleven seconds into his very first shift Roy would miss a check on an opposing player, fall headfirst into the boards, and suffer a catastrophic spine injury. He would be left a quadriplegic, gaining some use of his right arm years later.

The injury, how it occurred, to whom it occurred, and the reality of what could happen in what amounts to a child’s game, shocked and horrified not just hockey but the entire sports world. Here in Boston, home to a number of college powerhouse conference Hockey East’s teams, the effects were tenfold. Every rink, every stick, every puck, every mention of the game was tainted for a little while with the taste of tragedy, or dejection, of almost mourning for a kid who was damned to a life so unlike the one he had earned. Not even old enough to check with, I remember it crystal clearly.

Everyone felt this way. Except for Travis Roy I guess. Roy almost immediately clung to those eleven seconds. Because for those eleven seconds he achieved his ultimate dream of playing major college hockey. For those not quite in the know, in the Northeast, while dreams of playing in the NHL are abundant, college hockey is actually pretty huge given the presence of the Hockey East, which includes BU, BC, UMass etc. For Roy, he had been able to reach that huge peak, if only for just over a sixth of a minute. From just after his injury to his death, yesterday, at the age of 45, he was quick to mention how fortunate he was, how hopeful he was, and how he refused to see himself as anything but a guy who had lived his dream, regardless of the outcome.

To reach the heights of playing for the Boston University hockey team, you have to work extremely hard. So one can assume Travis Roy was no different in that regard. His efforts after his injury were no different if not even greater. Not only did he log arduous hours of PT to regain the aforementioned use of one of his arm, but he started the Travis Roy Foundation and was tireless in his endeavors to raise money for research for and assistant with spinal cord injuries. Millions of dollars have been dispersed since the foundation was founded to not only try and find either cures or to improve treatment for spinal cord injuries, but for the things we don’t think about like modifying family vans to accommodate those who suffer these enigmatic, mysterious, barbarous maladies.

That, I honestly think, will be Travis Roy’s legacy. His enduring legacy. He was a hockey player. He was a hockey player that got terribly hurt. But he was a hockey player that got terribly hurt and used that hurt to make sure people that suffered the same fate were not alone and had people standing by them. He was grateful, he was optimistic, and he always kept going. He never stopped.

Rest in peace Travis Roy. Because of you my Dad got to teach me at age six that you should always be grateful for what you are able to experience, no matter how briefly. And no matter how you get knocked down, there is always a way, some way, to get back up.

-Joey B.