#MattEsposito

The Evolution of Jayson Tatum As Told By Kanye West's "Monster"

Matt Esposito

Nov 2, 2019
6 min

The Evolution of Jayson Tatum As Told By Kanye West's "Monster"

(Photo via Boston Globe) Waiting to think of this idea only two days after Halloween is the most me thing I have ever done. Alas, spooky season is over and my window has closed. Jayson Tatum's window, however, may just be starting to open. The Boston Celtics most recent contest versus the Knicks was too close for comfort. The Celtics were coming off of a remarkable come-from-behind win versus the the Milwaukee Bucks, on national television, nonetheless. This game should have

Who Will Be First Time All-Stars In 2019-20?

Matt Esposito

Oct 17, 2019
4 min

Who Will Be First Time All-Stars In 2019-20?

SB Nation Ah, yes, I remember my first time. If you just read that opening sentence, it means that my editors are doing one of two things. Option A: I have worn them down so much that they just decided to let me run rampant with these blogs. Option B: Someone isn't doing their job. Regardless, let's jump head first into the discussion. Which players can reach their first All-Star game this year? The best way to approach this is to consider who may not be participating in the

Celtics Center Watch 2019-20: Timelord Needs...Time

Matt Esposito

Oct 8, 2019
3 min

Celtics Center Watch 2019-20: Timelord Needs...Time

(photo: CBS Sports) 99 percent of me wanted to leave this blog blank so to place an emphasis on a title which was both visually and mentally pleasing. That one percent, however, beckons me to write this piece, like how Celtics fans willed Brad Stevens to play Tacko Fall in their preseason opener. To all those who #FellforFall, I apologize. This edition of Celtics Center Watch has Robert "Timelord" Williams under the microscope. Stick around and you'll see me breakdown his per

G-League To Test New Free Throw Rule: Why I Love This Idea

Matt Esposito

Sep 28, 2019
3 min

G-League To Test New Free Throw Rule: Why I Love This Idea

NBA.com According to multiple news outlets, the NBA G-League will spend next season as a trial and error period for a new take on free throws. Specifically, they will make each shot worth two or three points. So, if you are fouled on a two-pointer, then you can either score zero or two shots at the line and do so in a single shot. The same rule applies for a 3-point foul. And-one rules will remain the same (shoutout me for crushing the rare occasion for starting a sentence wi

Kevin Durant, A LaMelo Conspiracy, And My Conscious Walk Into A Bar

Matt Esposito

Sep 26, 2019
4 min

Kevin Durant, A LaMelo Conspiracy, And My Conscious Walk Into A Bar

(photo: Rookiewire) If you listen closely, somewhere between the Antonio Brown psychodrama and the Lahren v. Hill proxy war in Mason Rudolph, exciting NBA scouting news can be heard. LaMelo Ball played his first professional game against the defending champions in Australia's top basketball league. What's more, he balled out, dropping 19 points, snatching a game-high 13 boards and sinking his first four triples. The good Ball news continues, too. Apparently, LaMelo has reache

Jayson Tatum Must Take More Free Throws, But How Much More?

Matt Esposito

Sep 9, 2019
4 min

Jayson Tatum Must Take More Free Throws, But How Much More?

Slam Ah, this old refrain. By now, Boston Celtics fans are used to hearing this line. Everyone from Bill Simmons to the guy selling knock off tees on Friend Street has claimed that Jayson Tatum must get to the stripe more. It is a rare day when casual fandom and hoops intellect collide, but both Simmons and Mr. Comeonbuyyourgirlanewshirt are correct. The evidence is abundant but the narrative is twisted. Many believe that mid-range jumpers must be brought to the ceremonial al

Khaleel Abdullah/Matt Esposito/William Jackson

Aug 27, 2019
4 min

2017 NBA Re-Draft: Part 1

Complex Pick 30: Los Angeles Lakers - Frank Ntilikina (Original pick: Josh Hart) The last (first round) pick of the Phil Jackson era in New York has not been great. Defensively is where his game shines, but his career 5.9 PPG on 35% shooting is horrendous. To restart his NBA career, why not put him in L.A. to get some bench minutes while backing up Fox. Pick 29: San Antonio Spurs - Markelle Fultz (Original pick: Derrick White) Let’s have fun. Fultz has not lived up to the hyp

Hot Take Marathon: Get Ready for a Protest

Matt Esposito

Aug 24, 2019
4 min

Hot Take Marathon: Get Ready for a Protest

The Daily Beast Yes, this piece is a basketball entrée drizzled in a political sauce that has been simmering for quite some time. Yes, the expectations of Sportlandia, America demand that ESPN remain impenetrable to any talk of the isms which currently plague our society. No, this will not remain the status quo for the upcoming season, sorry. Despite having densely populated stations across not only America but, the world at-large, the NBA Hypetrain is headed for one explosiv

Daniel Theis Can Outsmart His Way Into the Celtics Starting Lineup

Matt Esposito

Aug 19, 2019
3 min

Daniel Theis Can Outsmart His Way Into the Celtics Starting Lineup

SB Nation (Celtics Blog) In The Memory Code author Lynne Kelly theorized that Stonehenge was built to help Neolithic Britons remember important times for crop cycles. By that logic, FIBA basketball was created to remind me that it's August and time to write about Celtic role players. Without further ado, I now present a short piece on Boston big man Daniel Theis, his play against the Czech Republic in the VTG Supercup, and the likelihood that Brad Stevens names him their star

Film Study: Kemba Walker and Brad Stevens Are a Perfect Match

Matt Esposito

Jul 23, 2019
4 min

Film Study: Kemba Walker and Brad Stevens Are a Perfect Match

Sporting News Celtic and NBA fans alike know how miserable last year’s season was for the Boston faithful. Sticking around until the end proved both my loyalty and sadomasochism. It has been rumored that Kyrie Irving was the root of the team’s on-court and off-court issues. He is gone now, replaced by Kemba Walker, the anti-Kyrie. These two point guards share many commonalities. Both of them are adept off-ball shooters, despite Walker not receiving as much recognition. They s

Will Kemba Walker’s Arrival Impact Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s Development?

Matt Esposito

Jul 11, 2019
5 min

Will Kemba Walker’s Arrival Impact Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown’s Development?

The Undefeated A couple of week ago, John Karalis of the Locked on Celtics podcast pondered the ramifications of a possible Kemba Walker addition. Would Walker impinge upon the pick and roll opportunities many Boston fans want Jayson Tatum to gain experience in? Would he solidify Jaylen Brown’ role as a hyper-athletic 3 & D wing? Or, does Celtic brass envision Brown becoming more of a shot-creator and if so, can he improve that skill alongside Walker? Fortunately, nerds like

Trivia Night, Road Trips and the New NBA Title Favorite

Matt Esposito

Jul 6, 2019
5 min

Trivia Night, Road Trips and the New NBA Title Favorite

Getty Images This Woj guy doesn’t sleep much, huh? Last night he reported that the Los Angeles Clippers are not only signing Kawhi Leonard but, trading for Paul George as well. Next season the Clippers will be headlined by Leonard and George while also rolling out a supporting cast that features a 6th man extraordinaire, an All-Defensive team bulldog and an All-Rookie performer. So, the question now becomes: Did the Clippers surpass the Lakers and Sixers as title favorites? O

Harrison Barnes Stays With the Sacramento Kings

Matt Esposito

Jul 3, 2019
2 min

Harrison Barnes Stays With the Sacramento Kings

Flurry Sports What’s the deal? Sam Amick provided the most significant tidbits about this contract, claiming that Barnes’ $85 million deal declines over each of its four years. The combo forward proved the decision to opt into free agency was a wise one. Furthermore, these regressing contracts are attractive should the time come for the Kings to sell high on Barnes. What does Barnes bring to the team? The former Tar Heel played some of his best basketball after a midseason tr

Matt Esposito

Jul 1, 2019
2 min

Nikola Vucevic Re-ups With the Magic

Fox Sports Asia What’s the deal? Vucevic has returned to the Orlando Magic on a $100 million deal, according to Shams. Spotrac estimates the deal to begin around $22 million and gradually raise each season. So, what does this signing mean to a Magic team that is looking to make back-to-back playoff appearances? What does Nikola Vucevic bring to the team? At 28-years-old, Vucevic is in his prime. This showed by the center making his first All-Star game last season. Vuc put up

Matt Esposito

Jul 1, 2019
2 min

Terry Rozier to the Charlotte Hornets

NY Post What’s the deal? According to Shams, the Charlotte Hornets and Boston Celtics are completing a sign-&-trade agreement to swap point guards Terry Rozier and Kemba Walker. Rozier will ink a $58 million deal which will be spread out through three guaranteed years. Charlotte will also be sending over some form of compensation to Boston, as they could not have signed Rozier without their help. What does Rozier bring to the team? Has any player in recent memory had back-to-

Matt Esposito

Jul 1, 2019
3 min

Bojan Bogdanovic to the Utah Jazz

Sporting News What’s the deal? According to both Woj and Shams, Bogdanovic inked a four-year deal with the Utah Jazz worth $73 million. His annual average salary will be $18.25 million with his yearly earnings starting at $16.9 million and increasing throughout the contract’s duration (Spotrac.) What does Bogdanovic bring to the team? The European forward had a breakout year for the Indiana Pacers last season. Bogdanovic was able to take advantage of a higher usage rate when

Matt Esposito

Jun 30, 2019
2 min

JJ Redick to the New Orleans Pelicans

NBC Sports What’s the deal? The New Orleans Pelicans seem to be all-in on doing more than simply making next year’s postseason. Their recent addition of former Sixer JJ Redick brings much needed shooting to this exciting, young squad. Furthermore, it brings a veteran presence with some recent playoff experience. So, what was Redick’s deal? The shooting guard is going to bring home $26.5 million over the next two years. Spotrac has reported that Redick will earn $12.9 million

Matt Esposito

Jun 29, 2019
3 min

Top Free Agent Targets: Denver Nuggets

Denver Stiffs Max Cap Space: $9.2 Million Mid-level Exception & $3.6 Million Bi-Annual Exception Update: The Nuggets have picked up forward Paul Millsap’s $30 million-dollar option. Perhaps this signals that Denver would rather have Millsap on his expiring contract that gamble that they could land a guy like Tobias Harris. Still, Denver is under the luxury tax and will have a couple of exceptions to play with. They also extended a qualifying offer to Trey Lyles. So, let’s sta

Top Free Agent Targets: Boston Celtics (Kemba Walker Edition)

Matt Esposito

Jun 27, 2019
3 min

Top Free Agent Targets: Boston Celtics (Kemba Walker Edition)

Getty Images Max Cap Space: $34.8 Million Projected Cap Space: ? Update: The Kemba-to-the-Celtics rumors have been gaining steam lately. In the past two days reports about Walker signing with Beantown have been detonated by none other than Woj himself. Therefore, I’ll offer some offseason scenarios that consider what could happen if the All-NBA 3rd team guard signs in Boston. Dewayne Dedmon Presumably, Walker would have a starting salary of $32.7 million, leaving the Celtics

Dallas vs Boston: Which is a Better Free Agency Fit For Kemba Walker?

Matt Esposito

Jun 25, 2019
4 min

Dallas vs Boston: Which is a Better Free Agency Fit For Kemba Walker?

Bleacher Report I don’t like this. A Woj bomb that came from someone other than Woj? I feel unfaithful. Regardless, earlier today the reliable Marc Stein of the New York Times reported that the Boston Celtics have become “stealth” suitors for Kemba Walker. Later in the day he upgraded his report and said that the Celtics and Dallas Mavericks are on the “front line” of pursuers. Danny Ainge and the Celtics could free up to $34 million in cap space this summer, giving them the

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