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Imagine a Big-3 club of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett, and Ray Allen. Of course, there would have to be some mending of fences, but potential combinations like that offer even a brighter future for the league.
“Obviously, the platform of the three on three is very entertaining,” Al Harrington said. “I think it’s been a great success. Ice Cube has put a great product out there. The competitiveness from Week 1 has continued to grow. In the first week, I don’t think guys were in tip-top shape and we were really wrestling with that with the handchecking, but when we got back to the essence of just playing basketball, it’s been a lot of fun.”
Boston Globe: The Big 3, a Successful Summer, and What Could Come Next
Wouldn’t this be the perfect way to squash the beef between Ray Allen and the Celtics? Ice Cube’s basketball league enjoyed a successful summer, and it’s tried to feature former NBA stars who remain popular with fans. They already have Allen Iverson, and they’re recruiting Kobe Bryant for next season.
A 3-on-3 team with Allen, Pierce, and Garnett would generate endless hype and excitement. Even if there was tension off the court, they always had great chemistry during games, and if Rajon Rondo weren’t included, I’m sure Ray Allen would give the idea more consideration.
But it’s all speculative. KG/Pierce went on national TV and basically called Allen a traitor. NBA players typically hesitate to publicly criticize other members of the NBA family, but the former Celtics had no problem destroying him on TNT.
All of this is speculation. The Big-3 playoffs are underway, and Al Harrington’s team– Trilogy – is an undefeated 8-0, and he’s one of the better players in the league. Maybe Harrington’s success will motivate Pierce to join the league. Who could forget this moment from the 2003 playoffs:
It’s one of the signature clips from Pierce’s career. On offense, he could get make a shot over anybody, at any spot on the floor. Earlier in the clip, Harrington waves off a help defender. Pierce proceeds to dribble the ball for 10 more seconds, talk as much trash as he can, and nail a 30-footer. Mike Gorman’s call enhances this already amazing clip.
On February 11th, the Celtics will retire Pierce’s number. It’s a Sunday afternoon game against the Cavaliers. Even without the retirement ceremony, that matchup would generate a great deal of buzz, and ABC/ESPN will likely include it on their national TV broadcast.
The Celtics’ Game Operations department already does an amazing job with video tributes, but for Pierce’s retirement ceremony, I’d expect them find new ways to go above-and-beyond. Additionally, I’d imagine they would troll Lebron while he’s in Boston. Pierce and Lebron had several memorable battles, and I don’t think it’s a mistake they chose to retire his number in a home game against Cleveland.
That should be an exciting time in Boston. The preceding week is Superbowl Sunday, and who knows, maybe the Patriots will have a 6th championship by then?
Page 2: Where the Celtics have Vegas on Notice
Motivation for Isaiah Thomas: One year after finishing 5th in MVP voting, @BovadaLV has him at 9th best odds before 2017-18 season. pic.twitter.com/fBdGiCB3zV
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) August 16, 2017
Bovada/Vegas needs to get their shit together. I understand why Lebron, Durant, Westbrook, Harden, Giannis, Kawhi, Curry, and Davis are ahead of Isaiah Thomas, but he seriously has the same odds as Paul George and Chris Paul?
George is joining a new team in Oklahoma City, and must learn how to play with Russell Westbrook. His stats might take a dip, as Westbrook won’t be conceding too many shots (ask Kevin Durant).
With Chris Paul, I can’t imagine his numbers will improve from his time with the Clippers. He and Harden both dominate the ball, and have never played with other players who are accustomed to carrying the offense. Houston’s one of the better teams in the West, but there will certainly be growing pains between their two star guards.
I’m one of those homers who thought Isaiah Thomas should have finished higher in last season’s MVP vote. Yes, he finished 5th, but he doesn’t get enough credit for leading that team to 53 wins.
The roster had no additional 1-on-1 scoring, didn’t rebound the ball effectively, and the starters only played 36 games together. Isaiah routinely pulled games out of his ass – the 52-point game against Miami being the most notable. The national media killed him for having the worst defensive real plus/minus in basketball, but it’s not like Westbrook or Harden play much defense.
There’s an outside chance Isaiah could with the MVP this upcoming season, but it would require a confluence of factors swinging in the Celtics favor. Could they win 60 games and get another 1-seed? It’s possible. Could the Cavs have another below-average regular season, dissuading voters from voting for Lebron? Also possible.
Could voters penalize Curry and Durant for playing on the super-duper Warriors? Their team is so stacked they’ll need to win 70 for either player to be considered. Could the remaining western teams become so competitive, so evenly matched, that there isn’t an MVP caliber player who stands out? That might happen. Is Isaiah in a contract year and hoping to demand a brinks-level contract after the season? Yes!
If Isaiah averages 28 and the Celtics kill the regular season, his MVP candidacy might take an unexpected leap. Much of this is largely a function of the competitive imbalance between conferences, but once again, people are sleeping on Isaiah.
In other news, Jason Tatum has the 4th best odds to win rookie of the year:
Here are the complete Rookie of the Years odds for the 2017-18 season as of Aug. 18, via OddsShark.
Lonzo Ball (Lakers) 7-4
Dennis Smith Jr. (Mavericks) 13-4
Ben Simmons (76ers) 15-4
Markelle Fultz (76ers) 10-1
Jayson Tatum (Celtics) 10-1
De’Aaron Fox (Sacramento Kings) 12-1
Donovan Mitchell (Utah Jazz) 14-1
Josh Jackson (Phoenix Suns) 16-1
Malik Monk (Charlotte Hornets) 25-1
Jonathan Isaac (Orlando Magic) 33-1
Zach Collins (Portland Trail Blazers) 33-1
John Collins (Atlanta Hawks) 33-1
Justin Jackson (Kings) 40-1
Luke Kennard (Detroit Pistons) 40-1
Lauri Markkanen (Chicago Bulls) 50-1
Frank Ntilikina (New York Knicks) 50-1
Derrick White (San Antonio Spurs) 66-1
The Celtics haven’t had a rookie with such a polished offensive game since Paul Pierce. In Tatum, he might be the most complete wing-scorer to enter the league since Kevin Durant.
These are high expectations and gaudy comparisons for a 19-year old rookie. Despite the endless praise, Tatum is entering a low-pressure situation. He’s not pigeonholed as the face of the franchise, and doesn’t need to average 20 points a game.
He will, however, be forced to compete for minutes. He should play about 15 minutes per game, and unfortunately for Tatum, that will hurt his rookie of the year chances. He’s also competing with Ben Simmons, who already had a year surrounding himself with the NBA lifestyle. It helped Blake Griffin and Joel Embid during their delayed rookie years, I’d imagine it should help Simmons.
Vegas, like everyone in the league, is high on Jayson Tatum. It’s the other factors that might prevent him from winning the top rookie honors.
And Finally…
Beloved former-Celtic and current radio analyst Cedric Maxwell participated in yesterday’s counter-protest on the Boston Common. He spoke with MSNBC, and also provided this clip for WBZ:
📹 Cedric Maxwell spoke with @HagerWBZ about taking part in the counter-protest to the #Boston #FreeSpeechRally #WBZ #Celtics pic.twitter.com/Zc8ZUejI7X
— Joe Giza (@JoeGiza) August 19, 2017
The Rest of the Links:
WEEI: Could Struggles in Memphis Benefit the Celtics?
ClutchPoints: Celtics Reach Agreement with Guard Daniel Dixon
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