Lost in Boston’s successful season is fact that their long-time rival is playing too well for Celtics fans to have a total pie-in-the-sky outlook regarding the long-term future. If you’re in the camp that truly believes that the Celtics had Jayson Tatum at the top of the 2017 draft board, then chalk up another bold genius move for Danny Ainge. While the Celtic rookie is flourishing in a starting role on a contending team, top-pick Markelle Fultz has appeared in only four game

When Blake Griffin entered the Staples Center for his free agency pitch last summer, the Clippers had public announcer David Courtney declare that they were planning on retiring Griffin’s number in 2029. They even raised a fake banner to the actual spot that they were reserving for Griffin. If the last six months has taught us anything, it’s that loyalty is dead and that the NBA is a business. The Clippers shockingly sent their 5-time All-Star to Detroit yesterday in a blockb

Isn’t it amazing that at the ripe young age of 40, Vince Carter is still much better at basketball than Nick Young? Young should be thriving in Golden State’s system, but at the end of the day he just isn’t that good. You could see him knocking down six threes in a conference finals game, or you could see him being the guy who Steve Kerr plays just a little too much in an important spot and gets the Warriors in trouble with some stupid mistakes. It would be so much better for

Boston’s top priority is to use the $8.4 million designated player exception (DPE) stemming from Gordon Hayward’s early season injury. The DPE is a significant weapon. Utilizing it won’t affect the Celtics’ luxury tax threshold, and it positions them to enter buyout season with the deepest pockets of any contender. In their ideal world, players like Greg Monroe, Marco Belinelli, and Ersan Ilyasova will be released, and then Boston wouldn’t have to forfeit assets at the trade

Host J Corwin welcomes Sean Sylver from 98.5 The Sports Hub Celtics Radio Network, NBA Writer Matt Chin, and International Correspondent Jac Manuel as they discuss the Celtics season thus far, what's up in London, and what is next for the team. #NBA #NBAPodcast #podcast #Podcast #Celtics #Boston #CelticsExpress #JesseCorwin #MattChin

This edition of Celtics Express breaks down the upcoming back-to-back weekend, the Truth vs. Baby Tooth debate, and All-Star voting. Host J Corwin is joined by NBA writer Matt Chin to analyze the Celtics matchups against Minnesota and Brooklyn! #NBA #NBAPodcast #podcast #Podcast #Celtics #Boston #CelticsExpress #JesseCorwin #MattChin

D’Angelo Russell, Brooklyn Nets Two ingredients measure the formula for early development for a young NBAers: talent and opportunity. Russell’s talent has never been doubted. The third-year point guard has unlimited range, a lightning quick release, and connected on 35.1% of his 3s on 6.1 attempts per contest last year. Russell is crafty and shifty floor general, playing with a mature pace and control that you’d expect from a 10-year veteran. His physical profile is off the c

When Chris Paul discharged himself from Los Angeles and landed in Houston, it opened up a window for something that hoop heads have spent years praying for. Point Blake. Behind Blake Griffin’s internet viral poster dunks hides one of the most uniquely skilled big men in the league. At 6’10, Griffin has the passing and ball handling abilities of a traditional point guard. He’s one of only 13 players in NBA history who are 6-foot-9 or taller and had a season with an assist rate

Eight of OTG's finest give you their pick for Rookie of the Year Matt Chin/@MattChinNBA Dennis Smith Jr. Even if he hadn’t been truly magnificent in summer league, I simply love his fit and opportunity in Dallas. He’s an attacking downhill guard who can finish near the rim and distribute from the paint. Nerlens Noel is an elite rim runner and lob finisher, and he and Smith will offer a nuclear athletic pick and roll pairing. Noel ranked in the 83rd percentile in roll man offe

48, 49, 56, 51. Those are the Raptors win totals over the past four seasons. They’ve finished as a top-4 seed in each. They pushed the Cavaliers to six games in the 2016 ECF in the tightest Conference playoff matchup that Cleveland had during the LeBron/Kyrie era.Yet, the consensus around the League seems to be that Toronto can’t ascend to the next level.Their offseason is characterized by cash strapped financial decision-making and a virtual roster overhaul. The 2017-18 Raps

The Boston Celtics agreed to send Isaiah Thomas, Jae Crowder, Ante Zizic, and Brooklyn’s unprotected first-round pick in 2018 to Cleveland Cavaliers in exchange for Kyrie Irving. Danny Ainge finally did it. After hoarding the Celtics’ future assets for what seemed like an entire lifetime, he cashed in for the 25-year-old 4-time all-star. Thomas will be sent off after having the most historic and memorable scoring season in the history of the franchise. He became a revered ath

In the modern era of positionless basketball, you can never roster too many multi-talented wings. The NBA is trending toward smaller lineups that can offer more playmaking, faster tempo, and increased spacing. Look no further than the NBA’s crème de la crème. The Warriors and their “death lineup” have built their success on exploiting auspicious matchups. The combination of Stephen Curry with four interchangeable wings in KD, Draymond, Klay, and Iguodala allows Golden State t

DeMarcus Cousins’ has a reputation for undermining team chemistry by recurrently clashing with referees and coaches instead of focusing his efforts on winning. In Sacramento, he was characterized as a malcontent, blamed as the scapegoat for a perpetually toxic environment. Fair or not, it was obvious by February that Boogie was available via trade, but GM’s were terrified of what he might do to disrupt locker room cohesion. If you’re a small market team, you have to make some

The offseason has been a salient one for the Wizards. They were just a few plays away from making the Eastern Conference Finals, and now they’ve solidified their core for the foreseeable future. The coinciding contracts of John Wall and Otto Porter to max-level deals will essentially tie up Washington’s cap space through 2021. Porter is a skilled combo wing whose defensive versatility and floor spacing have made him an irreplaceable team commodity. The 24-year-old posted a bl