2023-24 Celtics
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At least one more year with the same top-8, yes. Pending a possible Horford retirement (which I'd consider unlikely). Biggest question marks are White extension (past next year), and Hauser extension (past next year), but either way they're both coming back for us for at least one more go.
Al implied that he’d be back, during the PG. But that could be in the moment, and I think he at least considers retiring.
I thought the same thing.. it was either that or it just dumped all at the same time... don't feel like I've seen a complete white/green out of the screen before. I feel like you can usually see something. It was an impressive amount of confetti.
This may be more hoping than anything, but I think you could argue that Al had one of his best years this year in terms of role. He did exactly what was asked of him and was probably the most open he's ever been in his career. Also..this team just looks fun to play with, why wouldn't you want one more year? (I know family, travel, a lot of work are probably good enough reasons)
I find it hard to imagine him retiring from a team that should be heavy heavy favorites to repeat.
What an amazing season! So happy to root for such a great group of guys. They all deserve it.
Well, they had to have more confetti than the Mavs after game 4, which set the bar high.
That was a great season everyone. This team was appointment viewing all year and they were an absolute machine. We all did great work in the game threads and i’m proud of us.
I don't think there's any basketball-related reason for him to retire. He may just not want to put up with the grind anymore, I suppose, but he can clearly still do the job.
Tatum said something about "Al doesn't have much time left" on the court after the game, so at least he didn't say "this is it for Al" or something. So, one more year, but then Al is done.
Kind of unexpected. I thought he would have joined the Cs bench first. I guess he clearly sees this as a step up from a lower assistant role with the Cs but I'm not sure it is. Isn't winning what propels most of the assistants into HC roles elsewhere?
Thinking back to all the long, arduous, stressful playoff series since the Jays era began:
2018: 7 games vs. Milwaukee, 7 games vs. Cleveland
2020: 7 games vs. Toronto
2022: 7 games vs. Milwaukee, 7 games vs. Miami
2023: 7 games vs. Philly, 7 games vs. Miami
Some incredible wins, but many more devastating losses.
2024: Didn't even have to sweat a Game 6. What a difference a year makes.
2018: 7 games vs. Milwaukee, 7 games vs. Cleveland
2020: 7 games vs. Toronto
2022: 7 games vs. Milwaukee, 7 games vs. Miami
2023: 7 games vs. Philly, 7 games vs. Miami
Some incredible wins, but many more devastating losses.
2024: Didn't even have to sweat a Game 6. What a difference a year makes.
JVG isn’t a normal assistant, though. Seems unlikely either Mazzula or Lue is going anywhere anytime soon; could just be a function of here he thought he could make a bigger difference, who he had a better relationship with, or where he wanted to be? Guessing if JVG really wanted a HC job he could get one.
I’m guessing it has more to do with JVG wanting to have an impact on Leonard, Harden and George, assuming he stays.
Or maybe it's as simple as the fact that JMazz said that he's going to promote from within and JVG didn't want to take the lead assistant role from one of the guys he's been working with for the year - whether it be Cassell or someone else.
The Cs' clutch time improvement over the past few years, from the article: https://www.nba.com/news/why-2023-24-celtics-are-elite-team
This season’s 27-12 mark includes a perfect 6-0 in the playoffs. The Celtics outscored their opponents by 20.8 points per 100 clutch possessions.
This season’s 27-12 mark includes a perfect 6-0 in the playoffs. The Celtics outscored their opponents by 20.8 points per 100 clutch possessions.
Interesting. Is the coaching heirarchy really so obvious on a basketball team? I have no idea, really - just they don't have offensive coordinators or defensive coordinators like in football.
That tweet makes it read a little worse than the article, I think. JVG wasn't looking to leapfrog all these other guys, moving to the bench was more of a natural next step for him and everyone seemed to agree that it wouldn't be right given the assistants who were there this year.
From the first page, there’s the in-season tournament that we lost. What a let down of a year - I thought it was in the bag.
I look at it as valuable insight as to how dangerous the Pacers could be in the playoffs. Worth it.
Maybe, but how would, say, Sam Cassell feel about being passed over for lead assistant? He could just go to Milwaukee or LA instead.
This way, at least, there's a spot for him to stay.
Right -- but the idea that they are going to put JVG--a guy who has coached teams into the Finals--one or two seats behind Sam Cassell seems unrealistic.
Again, I come back to the question of "what does lead assistant mean?" I didn't know they typically had "lead" assistants.
Lead assistant is the guy who sits next to the coach on the bench and takes over if the coach is unavailable or kicked out. Will Hardy was Ime's Lead Assistant (CJM was a lead assistant for a heartbeat) and Charles Lee was CJM's lead assistant before leaving for CHA.
There is a division between "front-row" assistant coaches and "second-row" or "back-row" assistant coaches. I'm sure every team organizes this differently but I think a general rule of thumb is that front-row coaches have more input on Xs and Os and game-planning and also work individually with the starters while back-row guys do more player development with the bench guys. CsBlog did a great article on the Cs current "second-row" coaches here: Meet the 5 unsung coaches powering the Celtics’ player development staff - CelticsBlog .
Hope this helps.
Anyone read the article? What did Mazzulla say to Zarren? And much more importantly, how does Brad let loose?
What does loose and happy Brad look like?
“Just more smiles,” Ainge said, “and some jokes he normally wouldn’t tell, which is great.”
Stevens has stayed out of the spotlight all season. His predecessor, Danny Ainge, used to sit in a courtside seat and bark at officials. Stevens watches from a private box. So it was no surprise that as the on-court celebration unfolded, Stevens made his way to the tunnel that leads to the locker room, away from the din.
He beamed when his close friend and former Celtics assistant Micah Shrewsberry, who now coaches Notre Dame, walked through.
“Now that was sweet,” Stevens said to Shrewsberry.
and
Vice president of basketball operations Mike Zarren crossed paths with coach Joe Mazzulla soon after the final buzzer, and Mazzulla’s message was predictably succinct and direct.
“He said it took math and effort,” Zarren said.
and
It’s unclear whether Dalano Banton and Lamar Stevens, who were traded by the Celtics in February, will get championship rings. Teams must receive permission from the NBA before gifting rings to players who are no longer on the roster. It’s hard to imagine the league would say no to a request, and the Celtics appreciated the contributions of both players during their brief stays.
The Celtics made three tiers of rings after winning the 2008 title. Players, coaches, and top front office members received rings from the most diamond-studded tier. All other full-time employees received second-tier rings, and part-time game-night employees were part of the third tier.
