Senior NBA Columnist at @HeavyOnSports Covering Celtics/NBA since 1985. APSE national top 10 honors: columnist, beat writer, features. [email protected]
Boston, MA
Joined March 2012
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Many years after passing on the opportunity to play for a team here in my ancestral homeland of Greece (did I mention I'm an idiot?), finally made it to Athens for the European Masters tournament.
A few from our Boston-based team stopped by the Acropolis. (I'm on the right.)
I've seen nothing to dissuade me regarding Hugo Gonzalez (@hugoglezz_).
He got a longer look Monday night, but even leaving aside his production numbers, he projects well with more opportunity. A Doberman on defense, and strong court awareness at the other end of the floor.
The Celtics did something for the first time in their history Monday night - ans something else for the first time since 2014. ... The Sultan of Stat, @DickLipe, has those answers and more from the blowout of the Bulls. ⬇️
By the way... and also worthy of note: the Celtics' floor is the only one in the NBA allowed to be made of red oak. (All others are maple.) Robbins Sports Surfaces of Cincinnati built this one.
The Sultan of Stat sends the email, and I pass it along...
@DickLipe with the relevant noteage from the Celtic victory over the Knicks. ⬇️
The Sultan of Stat, @DickLipe, has the good, the bad and the ultimately ugly from the Celtics' season-opening loss in Detroit today. ⬇️
The best way to stop an opponent's run is to get good shots.
The best way to get good shots is to get paint touches.
That gets opponent's defense moving and can lead to a.) shots at the rim, b.) defensive fouls and free throws, and c.) squared up shooters on the perimeter.
Obviously a lot of things to check on as the Celtics open their season in Detroit today... but one thing I'll be keeping an eye on is how they measure up in toughness with the Pistons. Mitchell Robinson and an improved Neemias Queta will help inside, but the overall is key.
Covered a game against the Bullets in Landover, MD, when Celtics had a pool to see who could hit a shot over Manute. With the game well in hand, several Celts drove at him and got swatted or missed badly. Meanwhile the C's bench was standing and roaring with laughter at each try.
With the OT win in Philadelphia Friday, the Celtics finished undefeated for the preseason. Meanwhile, the Sultan of Stat remains undefeated for life.
@DickLipe has noteage that can make even an exhibition game seem interesting. ⬇️
Knowing enough not to put major stock in preseason results, my outlook on the 2026-27 Celtics hasn't really changed since summer.
Thoughts. ⬇️
The Sultan of Stat putting this much work into preseason game noteage is like Jayson Tatum and LeBron James each playing 48 minutes in the exhibition finale Friday night.
The fact they won't is why Sultan's rookie card is more valuable.
@DickLipe delivers from Celts-Hornets. ⬇️
Celtics going with Mitchell Robinson and Neemias Queta in double-big set.
The Harbor Towers?
(I'll take dumb Boston architectural jokes for $200, Ken.)
Schintz w/broken nose warming up before C's game in Orlando. Saw him run in holding hand over his bleeding face. Followed him back to LR. Said another shot hit him.
"I wasn't wearing the mask. Didn't think I'd need it." he said.
"That's what I get for thinking, huh?"
Classic.
Brand new Garden floor this season. But tradition is important to the Celtics, so they've once again kept the bolts -- even though they aren't functional. (The boards fit together in sort of a tongue-and-groove manner.) The floor coating fills in the bolt gap, so it's all smooth.
Jaylen Brown, LeBron James and Joel Embiid didn't play... but the Sultan of Stat always answers the bell.
@DickLipe with your relevant noteage from the Celtics' preseason win over Philadelphia. ⬇️
