Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big story line. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump.
The NBA released its 2015-16 schedule on Wednesday, and Celtics fans are already circling dates on their calendars. Opening night will be at home versus Philly on October 28, plus there are seven total appearances on ESPN and TNT (up from a meager one last season). The Celts will also play Sacramento in Mexico City on Dec. 3 (considered a Kings home game). Unfortunately, Celts are not playing on Christmas.
This season at TD Garden, we’ll see Paul and Doc reunited (Feb. 10); Rondo with the Kings (Feb. 7, and hoping he doesn’t light up the Green like last time with Dallas); and perhaps the final appearances of KG (Dec. 21) and Kobe (Dec. 30, and we’d be fine if we never heard the latter’s name again).
Of interest, the Celts will play 18 back-to-back sets, but it’s not the concern it once was because Boston is a much younger team now than in the recent Big 3 era. Except for David Lee, no one is older than 28.
For your planning purposes and general info, here’s a good summary of 2015-16 Celtics schedule highlights from Chris Forsberg, ESPN Boston, and from Celtics.com, the 2015-16 Schedule Breakdown and Key Home Games and Celtics printable schedule. Read on for an assortment of tweets and links with more details.
Individual @Celtics game tickets will go on sale in September. For exclusive presale access sign up now at http://t.co/To6DAIbis9
— Boston Celtics (@celtics) August 12, 2015
By my count, Cs have just one 4-in-5 stretch: Jan. 12-16 @ NY, vs. IND, vs. PHX, @ WAS. Much more manageable than last year’s beast out West
— Jay King (@ByJayKing) August 12, 2015
Celtics National TV opponents in order: @ ATL, CHI (2), IND, @ UTAH, OKC. @ GSW. 2 games on TNT, 5 on ESPN. — Brian Robb (@CelticsHub) August 12, 2015
Just FYI, as recently as ten days ago, giving the Celtics their first Christmas Day home game since 1964 was under serious consideration. — Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) August 12, 2015
It would’ve been the Celtics’ 30th game on Christmas, just the second in Boston (1964). Sam Jones had 34. Pistons high scorer? Rod Thorn. — Sean Grande (@SeanGrandePBP) August 12, 2015
By my count, Cs have just one 4-in-5 stretch: Jan. 12-16 @ NY, vs. IND, vs. PHX, @ WAS. Much more manageable than last year’s beast out West — Jay King (@ByJayKing) August 12, 2015
National TV game chart for this upcoming NBA season pic.twitter.com/udgRMJygTi — Darren Rovell (@darrenrovell) August 13, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.jsAnd with a message to the NBA, here’s a dead-on pet peeve about St. Paddy’s Day from our insightful friend KWAPT:
When in the HELL will @NBA schedule a C’s game in Boston on 3/17? B’s played last year, but not in 2016. No NCAA either. #GiveUsStPats — KWAPT (@KWAPT) August 12, 2015
//platform.twitter.com/widgets.js
One more thing: Let’s face it, the Celtics remain in the lower echelon of teams, as far as NBA marketing is concerned, because they lack a superstar. To that point, they have no one on the USA Basketball roster for next year’s Olympics. Therefore, they’re mostly overlooked by the networks (no games on ABC again this season, for instance). When NBA.com promotes the “Top 20 Games to Watch,” Boston only makes the list when they visit Cleveland because Kelly Olynyk yanked Kevin Love’s shoulder. Drama sells, and despite the Celts being a playoff team last season, they will be on fringes of national TV until they get a big name. It sucks, but it’s the NBA way.
On Page 2: Public funding for arenas: good or bad?
The bipartisan legislation commits taxpayers to paying half the cost of the $500 million arena over the next 20 years in exchange for the team remaining in Wisconsin’s largest city.
The governor, a 2016 Republican presidential candidate, made no changes to the bill with his powerful veto pen.
“This is an important day for the state of Wisconsin. It’s not just important for Milwaukee, but the state as a whole,” Walker said at Wisconsin State Fair Park. “We think this is a good solid move as a good steward of the taxpayers’ money here in Wisconsin.” […]
Opponents have said the bill would benefit the team’s already wealthy owners and would come as the state is cutting spending on infrastructure and the University of Wisconsin System.
The criticism hasn’t just come from some liberals. It also has come from conservative groups that normally back Walker, such as Americans for Prosperity.
Walker has responded by saying Wisconsin needed to keep the team and its stream of income taxes in the state. “It’s cheaper to keep them,” Walker repeated Wednesday.
Milwaukee Journal-Sentinel – Scott Walker signs bill clearing public funds for new Bucks arena
Bucks fans can rest easy today after Wisconsin legislators joined forces to fund a new arena that will keep the team in Milwaukee. In America 2015, it takes a lot to bring about bipartisanship, but fans vote and politicians love the good publicity from saving the local franchise. Also, the costs are being shared 50-50 by Bucks ownership and the public, which is a better deal than for most arenas built since 1999.
Still, there are other opinions that make a lot of sense.
If the people of Wisconsin feel anything like we did in Sacramento in 2013, there ought to be a parade. This is a major coup.
A major coup for the NBA and the very rich people who own NBA teams, that is. A major coup for the builders and developers, for urban landowners and investors, for the politicians riding coattails. Another successful blackmail complete. A job well done.
A $5 billion enterprise with record profits and more money than it knows what to do with has again convinced the public to pony up hundreds of millions in municipal bonds, tax breaks, land grants and loan forgiveness. Given that relocation threats were the impetus to fuel a fast deal, what other way is there to describe it but blackmail? When it happens repeatedly — in San Antonio, in Sacramento, in New Orleans, in Orlando — it’s laid bare as an institutional strategy. This is how the NBA does business with cities. The ones that play ball keep their teams. The ones who don’t — hello, Seattle — lose them.
SB Nation – It’s time for the NBA to end its arena blackmail scam
Tom Ziller makes a good point. And in case you were wondering, TD Garden was built with private financing.
For a more entertaining take on this topic, here’s HBO’s John Oliver.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xcwJt4bcnXs]And, finally…Buy Wyc Grousbeck’s house
Speaking of real estate, have you got $22.5 million to spare? Maybe Wyc will throw in a couple of season tickets.
Boston Celtics owner Wyc Grousbeck’s stunning house is for sale http://t.co/2P9aLjy5Ff pic.twitter.com/2Qw01aBoHS
— Boston.com (@BostonDotCom) August 12, 2015
The Rest of the Links:
CSNNE – Highlights of the Celtics’ 2015-16 Schedule | Globe – Celtics release full 2015-16 regular-season schedule | Herald – Celtics earn more prime viewing | MassLive – Amir Johnson expected to play in USA Basketball Showcase | WEEI – 10 Highlights From Celtics’ 2015-16 Schedule Release
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