Jabari Parker looked comfortable Saturday night in his new role with the Celtics, writes Sean T. McGuire of NESN. Playing in his first game since joining the team, Parker scored 11 points in 16 minutes and was on the court for several crucial possessions in a win over the Warriors.
The output was more than he scored all season with the Kings before being waived last month. The second overall pick in the 2014 draft, Parker is only 26 and now has an opportunity to establish himself as a scorer off the bench in Boston. His new contract has two guarantee dates for next season if he can stay on the roster.
“We just told him to go out there and play as hard as he can everything else will fall in,” Marcus Smart said. “He did very well. We were definitely ecstatic with the way that he came out, not really knowing the system and just playing basketball, being a basketball player. So, once he gets more involved into the plays and learning everything else will kind of mesh in well. But for his first time out there, he played very well, and we’re proud of him.”
There’s more from Boston:
- With six straight wins and a healthier roster, the Celtics look like a threat to the top teams in the East, states Mark Medina of USA Today. Injuries and illness have forced the team to go through long stretches without Smart, Kemba Walker and Tristan Thompson, but all three are contributing as the team heads into the final four weeks of the regular season. “The No. 1 reason for our little run is we’ve been, for the most part, healthier,” coach Brad Stevens said. “We just missed lot of guys earlier. I know that sounds like an excuse. I hope it doesn’t. But we tried to stay afloat as well as we could and hope we get to a time where we’re a little bit healthier and put together some weeks of good basketball.”
- Boston could get another boost this week with the return of Evan Fournier, who has been in the league’s health and safety protocols and hasn’t played since April 4, Medina adds. The Celtics acquired Fournier at the trade deadline to provide another scorer, but he only appeared in four games before entering the protocols.
- Indiana University would have offered Stevens a seven-year, $70MM contract to take over as head coach, according to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski (video link from Charlie Clifford of WISH-TV in Indianapolis). Stevens said last month that he has no intention of returning to college basketball.
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I am happy to see how the Celtics are playing so well. They seem to be peeking at the right time! I know their bench scoring is not great, I think they will get better as time goes on. They are young and will improve under Coach Stevens. It seems like all season they have injury and health problems. If they can get healthy going into the playoffs, they will be a team to contend with. I give Stevens credit for giving all the players he has to contribute. He has a couple that may wash out, but he has a few projects that might surprise!
If Celtics really want to win 1 ring next 3 years, they need to pay $100 million luxury tax
They don’t have top tier rookie contracts starting this summer
link to usatoday.com
“The Celtics have become accustomed to dealing with roster turnover, even during their recent runs to the East finals.”
This a good article about Celtics rise and struggles last few yrs. They have gone to East finals. Even though it seemed their stars were still young. And their roster turnover has definitely affected their growth. Something I believe in strongly. Like never having quite replaced Al. Losing Horford, Hayward, Kyrie, Isiah all solid players here. It’s not easy just plugging in other players. And expecting the team to progress. Their biggest stars are just coming into their own now, Jalen, Tatum. I think you look at them and you can see how hard it is to build team chemistry. Offense and defense to be a contender. This yr they are still trying to do that cause of players missing gms. Protocols and injuries they’ve faced. Looks like they will be at full force for the playoffs now. So we could see them be a tough out. Parker looks like a smart pickup. More offense options off bench. I say Play the young guys and just go for it. Celtics have the talent to do well in playoffs. Maybe they are just coming together at right time.