Celtics News

[mobilija]

Little G league deal for the C's:

https://www.oursportscentral.com/services/releases/maine-celtics-acquire-rights-to-jason-preston/n-6179772

There's been a little bit of movement in Maine lately.  Ron Harper, Jr. signed with the Pistons.  Meanwhile, we signed Dennis Rodman's son, DJ Rodman.  They also signed Kameron Warrens and cut London Johnson.

J.D. Davison has been tearing it up with two 40 point games this season, setting the all-time franchise record in points scored in the process.

I wouldn?t be surprised if Jrue gets traded in the offseason for some cost savings and JD gets signed as our 3rd point guard.

[Neurotic Guy]

Well, this sucks for fans.

By Chad Finn, The Boston Globe

January 10, 2025 | 11:09 AM
2 minutes to read
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Subscribers to Xfinity?s basic cable television package in New England are going to need to change their game plan if they want to keep watching the Celtics and Bruins.

Comcast ? Xfinity?s parent company ? has reached agreements with NESN and NBC Sports Boston to move the channels from its Popular TV (or basic) package to its Ultimate TV (or premium) level of service beginning Tuesday, Jan. 14.

The shift means a $20 price bump per month in order to watch Celtics games on NBC Sports Boston, plus Bruins, Fleet, and (come spring) Red Sox games on NESN. Xfinity lists the Popular and Ultimate TV tiers at $60 and $80, respectively, but that excludes approximately $49 in monthly broadcast fees. (The exact figure varies slightly by state.)

?We?re pleased to have reached agreements with NBC Sports Boston and NESN and appreciate them working with us to continue offering their networks in a way that reflects the changing video marketplace for local sports and provides our customers with a choice,? said an Xfinity spokesperson in a statement.

The spokesperson said most of Xfinity?s customers already have the Ultimate TV package. As of the end of 2023, Comcast/Xfinity had approximately 920,000 cable subscribers in Massachusetts, down from 1.05 million in 2022, per Mass.gov.

Xfinity plans to send emails informing customers of the decision.

 
NESN is one of the more prominent regional sports networks in the country at a time when the cable sports model is struggling mightily. ? Lane Turner/Globe Staff
The Bruins play the Lightning on Tuesday, the day the new arrangement goes into effect. When Xfinity Popular TV subscribers turn on NESN that night, there will be a message on the screen saying that a subscription to the Ultimate TV package is required. That also will be the case for the following night?s Celtics game against the Raptors on NBC Sports Boston.

Xfinity says it will offer a promotional package to those switching to the Ultimate TV level, the details of which will be available at Xfinity.com/upgradeTV.

Comcast/Xfinity has moved regional sports networks to its more expensive tier in approximately 30 other markets.

The deals with NESN and NBC Sports Boston are for multiple years, which offers some stability in a regional sports network landscape that has been shaken by the decrease in revenue due to cord-cutters who have switched from cable television to streaming in recent years.

But most RSNs and their respective teams typically prefer to remain on the basic, lower-cost tier of cable, fearing that moving to a more exclusive and costlier level will affect viewership.

Yes, that does suck.

NBC Sports Boston works great on YouTube TV.  I cannot figure out why Comcast lost nearly 10% of its subscribers in a year.

Yes, the lack of NESN on YouTube TV really sucks though.

Luckily my switch to YouTube TV lined up pretty well with the team's refusal to spend money, though, so I'm not missing much

Time once again to reveal what an idiot I am:   What is YouTube TV?

[Phantom255x]

Derrick White is the key. If he can figure it out and round back into form, I think that does wonders for this team. JT, JB and KP are our "Big 3" but White is still an integral part of the team on both ends and when KP is injured, he slots into that "Big 3" unit seamlessly.

White has regressed since the start of December which also coincides with when the C's started to struggle (12-9 in their last 21 games).

The stats may not back it up or look flashy, but when White is balling so is this team and their overall production. He impacts winning but in a selfless way.

[Neurotic Guy]

Derrick White is the key. If he can figure it out and round back into form, I think that does wonders for this team. JT, JB and KP are our "Big 3" but White is still an integral part of the team on both ends and when KP is injured, he slots into that "Big 3" unit seamlessly.

White has regressed since the start of December which also coincides with when the C's started to struggle (12-9 in their last 21 games).

The stats may not back it up or look flashy, but when White is balling so is this team and their overall production. He impacts winning but in a selfless way.

No rest for DW. Finals to Olympics to camp. And throw in a baby. 

[johnnygreen]

Joe needs to cut back on the starters minutes. They have played far too much between the Finals run and the Olympics. As for Porzingis, he never really had an off-season, since he was dealing with his surgery and recovering.

Lean on the bench guys to take up some of the grind of the wear and tear of the regular season. The main focus should be getting prepared for a long playoff run.

[Silas]

Start Al and play JT all of the 1st quarter and plan to use him, if necessary, for the whole 4th quarter.  Enough of playing JT for half of the 4th when he's needed on the floor.

[Celtics2021]

Well, this sucks for fans.

By Chad Finn, The Boston Globe

January 10, 2025 | 11:09 AM
2 minutes to read
Facebook
Twitter
Email
Email
...
Subscribers to Xfinity?s basic cable television package in New England are going to need to change their game plan if they want to keep watching the Celtics and Bruins.

Comcast ? Xfinity?s parent company ? has reached agreements with NESN and NBC Sports Boston to move the channels from its Popular TV (or basic) package to its Ultimate TV (or premium) level of service beginning Tuesday, Jan. 14.

The shift means a $20 price bump per month in order to watch Celtics games on NBC Sports Boston, plus Bruins, Fleet, and (come spring) Red Sox games on NESN. Xfinity lists the Popular and Ultimate TV tiers at $60 and $80, respectively, but that excludes approximately $49 in monthly broadcast fees. (The exact figure varies slightly by state.)

?We?re pleased to have reached agreements with NBC Sports Boston and NESN and appreciate them working with us to continue offering their networks in a way that reflects the changing video marketplace for local sports and provides our customers with a choice,? said an Xfinity spokesperson in a statement.

The spokesperson said most of Xfinity?s customers already have the Ultimate TV package. As of the end of 2023, Comcast/Xfinity had approximately 920,000 cable subscribers in Massachusetts, down from 1.05 million in 2022, per Mass.gov.

Xfinity plans to send emails informing customers of the decision.

 
NESN is one of the more prominent regional sports networks in the country at a time when the cable sports model is struggling mightily. ? Lane Turner/Globe Staff
The Bruins play the Lightning on Tuesday, the day the new arrangement goes into effect. When Xfinity Popular TV subscribers turn on NESN that night, there will be a message on the screen saying that a subscription to the Ultimate TV package is required. That also will be the case for the following night?s Celtics game against the Raptors on NBC Sports Boston.

Xfinity says it will offer a promotional package to those switching to the Ultimate TV level, the details of which will be available at Xfinity.com/upgradeTV.

Comcast/Xfinity has moved regional sports networks to its more expensive tier in approximately 30 other markets.

The deals with NESN and NBC Sports Boston are for multiple years, which offers some stability in a regional sports network landscape that has been shaken by the decrease in revenue due to cord-cutters who have switched from cable television to streaming in recent years.

But most RSNs and their respective teams typically prefer to remain on the basic, lower-cost tier of cable, fearing that moving to a more exclusive and costlier level will affect viewership.

Yes, that does suck.

NBC Sports Boston works great on YouTube TV.  I cannot figure out why Comcast lost nearly 10% of its subscribers in a year.

Yes, the lack of NESN on YouTube TV really sucks though.

Luckily my switch to YouTube TV lined up pretty well with the team's refusal to spend money, though, so I'm not missing much

Time once again to reveal what an idiot I am:   What is YouTube TV?

I missed this question, NG.  YouTube TV is a streaming service run by YouTube (which is owned by Google).  If you have a web-enabled TV, the app likely comes pre-installed.  It offers live TV like cable, with premium channel add-ons.  It tends to run a little cheaper, with the major advantage being that unlike cable which typically locks you into contracts, you can cancel whenever.

It will only get you NBC Sports Boston, however, because NESN doesn?t want to play ball with anyone, so if you?re a Sox fan, my apologies.  As a Mets fan I just get MLB TV for free every year from T-Mobile and cut my streaming service during the Celtics offseason, since we watch less TV during the summer anyway.

The other streaming service with NBC Sports Boston is Hulu Live TV.  I?ve used both and find YouTube TV a bit better.  Neither have NESN.

[radiohead]

https://youtu.be/0F4V_GOuS8U?si=Q3QQhhx77-K6b0xT

KP gets it. He talks about how important it is to have the proper balance between shooting threes and taking it inside. Let?s hope this is the game that turns our season around.

[Neurotic Guy]

I don?t think the Cs will ever lose a game in which they outshoot the opponent 45% to 15% from three.   I?m not sure it was an uptick in perimeter defense or just a bad three shooting team shot poorly from from 3.  But either way, the Cs need to shoot well from three if the three philosophy is going to work.  The Cs (at least the Jays) clearly knew they could get to the hole on the Magic last night and they did.  I have doubt that a lesson was learned to alter philosophy other than when a team can be exploited in that way, do it. Thats good news to some extent but doesn?t mean the overuse of the long ball has been buried.  I think we?ll see v teams better able to defend the rim that they?ll be back to 50 threes. Shoot 45% on 50 threes will be fine (especially if the opponent shoots poorly) but I don?t think they should count on that.   If the philosophy is to exploit what the defense is giving you, I?m good with that.  But I don?t think that?s been the philosophy for the most part (last night notwithstanding).   

Regarding the three, I will say that when PP or Sam (and maybe Al since he gets good looks snd that?s become his game - though he needs to up the percentage) shoot the long ball I?m usually good with it.  That?s their role and they need to be good at it.  OTOH I often don?t feel good about anyone else?s threes as I often feel there?s a better play to make. There was a time when DW and JH were so reliable from 3 that it felt right. Not feeling that as much lately.  Maybe the Olympians will get back to that, but I think their legs are advising them to take two months off.

On a very positive note, Tatum?s ability to finish drives this year is a thing of beauty.  And really nice minutes from KP last night.  And try to get Queta more opportunities to practice that little hook in the paint in games - there is something there.

[mobilija]

I don?t think the Cs will ever lose a game in which they outshoot the opponent 45% to 15% from three.   I?m not sure it was an uptick in perimeter defense or just a bad three shooting team shot poorly from from 3.  But either way, the Cs need to shoot well from three if the three philosophy is going to work.  The Cs (at least the Jays) clearly knew they could get to the hole on the Magic last night and they did.  I have doubt that a lesson was learned to alter philosophy other than when a team can be exploited in that way, do it. Thats good news to some extent but doesn?t mean the overuse of the long ball has been buried.  I think we?ll see v teams better able to defend the rim that they?ll be back to 50 threes. Shoot 45% on 50 threes will be fine (especially if the opponent shoots poorly) but I don?t think they should count on that.   If the philosophy is to exploit what the defense is giving you, I?m good with that.  But I don?t think that?s been the philosophy for the most part (last night notwithstanding).   

Regarding the three, I will say that when PP or Sam (and maybe Al since he gets good looks snd that?s become his game - though he needs to up the percentage) shoot the long ball I?m usually good with it.  That?s their role and they need to be good at it.  OTOH I often don?t feel good about anyone else?s threes as I often feel there?s a better play to make. There was a time when DW and JH were so reliable from 3 that it felt right. Not feeling that as much lately.  Maybe the Olympians will get back to that, but I think their legs are advising them to take two months off.

On a very positive note, Tatum?s ability to finish drives this year is a thing of beauty.  And really nice minutes from KP last night.  And try to get Queta more opportunities to practice that little hook in the paint in games - there is something there.

This is pretty much my take on the whole team?s struggle lately. They?re just seem burnt out.

[Goldstar88]

https://youtu.be/0F4V_GOuS8U?si=Q3QQhhx77-K6b0xT

KP gets it. He talks about how important it is to have the proper balance between shooting threes and taking it inside. Let?s hope this is the game that turns our season around.

He gives a great interview. Very thoughtful and insightful answers. Who was the poster that said KP was a low IQ player when the trade took place?  Probably still in hiding. 

[Neurotic Guy]

https://youtu.be/0F4V_GOuS8U?si=Q3QQhhx77-K6b0xT

KP gets it. He talks about how important it is to have the proper balance between shooting threes and taking it inside. Let?s hope this is the game that turns our season around.

He gives a great interview. Very thoughtful and insightful answers. Who was the poster that said KP was a low IQ player when the trade took place?  Probably still in hiding. 

I am guessing KP would be among the highest IQ (not bbiq) players on the team - a team with a lot of intelligent humans.  I?ve said this before, but I?ve rarely witnessed as good a grasp on the English language from foreign players as with KP. Both colloquial and formal language.  And I understand he speaks a number of languages fluently. Of course that?s not the only sign of intelligence, but it?s a good one.

And as far as bbiq goes, I think he?s up there as well.

[LatterDayCelticsfan]

https://youtu.be/0F4V_GOuS8U?si=Q3QQhhx77-K6b0xT

KP gets it. He talks about how important it is to have the proper balance between shooting threes and taking it inside. Let?s hope this is the game that turns our season around.

He gives a great interview. Very thoughtful and insightful answers. Who was the poster that said KP was a low IQ player when the trade took place?  Probably still in hiding. 

I am guessing KP would be among the highest IQ (not bbiq) players on the team - a team with a lot of intelligent humans.  I?ve said this before, but I?ve rarely witnessed as good a grasp on the English language from foreign players as with KP. Both colloquial and formal language.  And I understand he speaks a number of languages fluently. Of course that?s not the only sign of intelligence, but it?s a good one.

And as far as bbiq goes, I think he?s up there as well.

His interview on JJ Reddick's podcast is one of my favorites on that platform

[Goldstar88]

Grousbeck family expects at least four bids for Celtics

When the first round of bids are submitted by Jan. 23, the Celtics expect to have received at least four and up to five from investment groups vying to become the next owner of the NBA franchise, according to a source with direct knowledge of the sale process on Thursday. One of those bidders is a consortium led by current Celtics co-owner Steve Pagliuca. The Grousbeck family expects the ultimate price to exceed $6 billion. All members of the bidding groups have been vetted by the NBA. Identities of the control person leading the other three to four groups remain under wraps.

Besides Pagliuca, current Celtics investor Robert Hale is the only other individual to have publicly expressed his interest in buying the team, as the control person or part of a group. In a text Thursday, Hale reiterated his interest: ?Still hanging around the hoop.? Mark Bezos, founding partner of HighPost Capital and brother of Amazon founder Jeff Bezos, expressed interest early in the process.  via Boston Globe

[SparzWizard]

Anyone wanna start the game thread for tonight's ATL @ BOS game?