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One thing NBA commissioner Adam Silver has continued from his predecessor David Stern is the league’s dedication to expanding its brand internationally. They have flurried Europe and Asia with regular-season and exhibition games, organized summer promotional tours, and allowed international fans to participate in All-Star voting.
The league’s exploration into Mexico City is just another bold step in its quest to become a true international sport. The NBA offers its league pass — through which fans can watch all non-nationally televised games — to its Mexican fans.
League officials are hoping that placing meaningful, regular-season games in these large international markets will help popularize the sport. This won’t be an exhibition of alley-oops and matador defense to thrill the fans. The Celtics and Kings both need this game. Sacramento is trying to gain consistency after beating Dallas on Monday while the Celtics are in the middle of an important five-game road trip.
Globe – Mexico City game shows NBA’s global vision
From the Celtics fan’s viewpoint, there are two good things about the Cs playing a game in Mexico City.
- It’s a Sacramento home game, so the Kings probably won’t have the home court advantage they would’ve received in the own arena.
- This is evidence that the Celts are relevant again in the minds of NBA executives. You wouldn’t think the franchise with the most NBA championships could become irrelevant, but it’s true. It’s the NBA way: when a team isn’t a contender or doesn’t have a star for marketing purposes, it’s ignored by the league and TV networks. For example, Boston appeared only once on ESPN last season, and hadn’t been on TNT for three years. This season, however, the Celtics participated in preseason games in Europe; are scheduled for several national appearances on both ESPN and TNT; and are playing in this Global Games showcase. These are positive developments toward Boston being seen as a desirable place to play.
Related: ESPN Boston – Celtics, Kings serve as NBA ambassadors in Mexico
On Page 2: Remembering Rondo
“They know the game. That’s what impressed me most about being in Boston,” he told Comcast SportsNet New England. “They know the game. They appreciate it. They’re the best fans.”
CSNNE – Rondo: Celtics fans ‘the best fans I ever played for’
Rondo was in a good mood, no doubt. When you look at the way he has been playing in his first year with the Kings, it’s understandable why he’s feeling pretty good these days.
The former all-star guard is averaging 12.9 points and a league-best 10.7 assists along with snatching 7.1 rebounds per game for Sacramento (8-12).
In other words, he’s putting up Rondo-like numbers, the kind we had not seen since before he suffered a torn-ACL injury in 2013.
CSNNE – Rondo downplays matchup with Celtics in Mexico City
Has it only been one year? Last December, the other shoe dropped and the ongoing debate was settled: Rajon Rondo was traded away from Boston. In hindsight, it’s probably better for all concerned that Rondo is now putting up triple-doubles in Sacramento and Jae Crowder is one of the NBA’s emerging defensive stars in Boston.
No doubt, Rondo was polarizing during his time in green, but he was also an electrifying playmaker. Here’s a look back at 10 of his most memorable moments as a Celtic.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zHFwwwle-qw]And, finally: More than just an enforcer
For all the tough guy memories, his biggest moment came with the basketball in his hands. For with the score knotted at 123-all in the waning seconds of Game 7 in the 1957 Finals, it was Jungle Jim Loscutoff who provided the Celtics with the first of their 17 championships by making two free throws to defeat the St. Louis Hawks.
Globe – ‘Jungle Jim’ Loscutoff was fearsome but fun-loving
As a postscript to the news about Jim Loscutoff’s passing, this article is a fond look back at the former Celtic by one of the great basketball historians, Bob Ryan. And the piece below has some amusing recollections from Tommy, who roomed with Loscy on road trips.
Related: Herald – Tom Heinsohn remembers late Celtics legend Jim Loscutoff
The Rest of the Links:
CSNNE – Matchup to watch: Jared Sullinger vs. DeMarcus Cousins
Herald – Celtics notebook: Ex-King Isaiah likes old team’s direction | Rondo on board with Kings
Globe – Isaiah Thomas has nothing but love for Kings | Rajon Rondo on rise again with Kings
ESPN Boston – Finally, Rajon Rondo gets his trip to Mexico
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