Celtics Beat | Covering The Nba & Boston Celtics | Clns Media Network

The 2015 NBA Draft crept right up on us and has now left us.  What many expected to be an active night for the Boston Celtics did not produce as such.  The Celts ended up using all four selections, picking up Terry Rozier, R.J. Hunter, Jordan Mickey, and Marcus Thornton.  Will they be on the 2016 Celtics come September? That’s a major question mark.  We’re also giving our audience a chance to grade this year’s draft for the C’s in our Reacht Question of the Week   LHR will break Thursday night down with MetroWest Daily News Boston Celtics beat writer, Scott Souza.  Quite simply, how did the Celtics do and where do they go from here? Around the NBA in 5 is back as well.  Suffice to say there will be a lot to go Around the NBA about.  So check out this week’s edition of Celtics Beat being presented by lynda.com/clns,  audiblepodcast.com/celtics, Dr. Ron’s Ultra Pure, Casper, and American Farmer’s Network.  Available for download on iTunes and Stitcher Sunday, June 28, 2015.  Powered by CLNS Radio. Learn more

Alas the 2015 is in the books: The Golden State Warriors are the world champions of basketball after defeating the LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers in six games.  Andre Igoudala may won the MVP, but host Larry H. Russell feels LeBron was more than worthy even in a losing effort.  And is this Warriors team one of the NBA’s all-time best? That is our Reacht Question of the Week   And now the NBA off-season is officially underway.  LHR will be joined by Gery Woelfel - NBA Insider for the Racine Journal Times to discuss all things NBA and of course,  yes, Boston Celtics basketball! Celtics talk is back now that there’s some juicy meat out there to chew on.  Meat that was provided by Mr. Woelfel in some of his latest columns over at journaltimes.com. Around the NBA in 5 is also in the rotation.  So tune into this week’s edition of Celtics Beat being presented by lynda.com/clns,  audiblepodcast.com/celtics, Dr. Ron’s Ultra Pure, Casper, and American Farmer’s Network.  Available for download on iTunes an

The NBA Finals has lived up to the expectations.  LeBron James has carried the Cleveland Cavaliers and the series is tied as it heads back to Oakland with Steph Curry and the Golden State Warriors having the home court advantage in two of the next three.  Who will take the series from here? That is our Reacht Question of the Week   Warriors color commentator Jim Barnett of CSN Bay Area will stop by to discuss this riveting series.  How will the Cavs adjust to Golden State going small? Or is it the W’s who still need to adjust to the great LeBron James? And what legacy is more on the line: The single season greatness of the 2015 Golden State Warriors or LeBron’s place in NBA history?   Around the NBA in 5 is back as well, with plenty of talk...around the NBA! So tune into this week’s edition of Celtics Beat being presented by lynda.com/clns,  audiblepodcast.com/celtics, Dr. Ron’s Ultra Pure, Casper, and American Farmer’s Network.  Available for download on iTunes and Stitcher Sunday, June 14, 2015.  Powere

Finally! The NBA Finals has begun.  Game 1 was on Thursday in Oakland and LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers return to the Oracle on tonight to face the Golden State Warriors in Game 2.  Can the Cavs rebound after the Warriors pulled out an overtime thriller?   It’s a special NBA Finals edition of Celtics beat and longtime basketball scribe Peter Vecsey will chat with LHR about all things NBA Finals and some other pressing topics around the NBA.  Alvin Gentry, did he seriously get another job? Yes he did. But that isn’t the most egregious NBA story of them all -- Klay Thompson: What’s up with him and why do we not know more? Mr. Vecsey wants answers and so do we.  Are the Warriors hiding anything? Do they really need him to take down LeBron and the Cavs?  What do you think? Who will win this series? That is our Reacht Question of the Week Around the NBA in 5 is back as well, with plenty of talk...around the NBA! So tune into this week’s edition of Celtics Beat being presented by lynda.com/clns,  audi

What will happen first - the NBA Draft or the NBA Finals between the LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers v. the Golden State Warriors? Well, the Draft of course, but this wait for the Finals is definitely not helping.   LHR will be joined this week to talk about the NBA Draft with Basketball Insider and Draft Expert over at ESPN -- Jeff Goodman.  Jeff will break down the Draft in every way he can, and he and LHR will explore all the possibilities for the Boston Celtics and what is most likely to happen. And what would you like to see the Celtics do with their abundance of draft choices? That is our Reacht Question of the Week   And speaking of the NBA Finals - will it ever begin? And once it does, who will come out on top? Does LeBron have a shot against the Warriors? LHR will give his prediction in Around the NBA in 5. Tune into this week’s edition of Celtics Beat being presented by lynda.com/clns,  audiblepodcast.com/celtics, Dr. Ron’s Ultra Pure and Casper.  Available for download on iTunes and S

As the days go by, the Boston Celtics are getting ever so closer to a point where they can make a serious impact on the landscape of the NBA.  But until then, Celtics Beat continues to dissect the current situation as well as the array of possibilities for the franchise to improve itself.   There may not be a man whose opinion regarding the Celtics holds more water than longtime Boston Globe scribe, Bob Ryan.  Bob will join LHR to discuss the state of the team and the possibilities moving forward.  How realistic is Kevin Love? And does it concern anyone at all at his less-than-stellar season in Cleveland this past year? Our Reacht Question of the Week: Can Kevin Love be the focal point on a championship team?   And there’s a lot going on during these NBA Playoffs but we know there’s one storyline: LeBron James.  Is he only adding to his legacy? Is he already the best player in the post-Jordan era? And where will he rank all-time? Tune into this week’s edition of Celtics Beat being presented by lynda.co

It’s certainly that time of year.  The rumor mill is heating up and whenever it releases an output, fans of the NBA and the Boston Celtics dissect it from every angle.  That’s been the case these past few weeks and this week is no different.  This week’s hot name: LaMarcus Aldridge of the Portland Trail Blazers.   The man who initiated the report of the possible interest by the Celtics - A. Sherrod Blakely of Comcast Sports Net New England will stop by to discuss the potential Aldridge and Celtics fit.  Is this really something that is feasible? And would it make much sense for the Celtics? What are the other options and where does Wes Matthews fit in all of this? Our Reacht Question of the Week: Should the Boston Celtics make LaMarcus Aldridge a top priority this summer?   The 2015 NBA Playoffs has been riveting this far.  Around the NBA in 5 brought to you by Dr. Ron’s Ultra Pure is in the cards for that fun. Tune into this week’s edition of Celtics Beat being presented by lynda.com/clns and audiblepod

Happy Mother’s Day, a checkpoint for teams currently in the NBA Playoffs and maybe even more so for those who are out.  We are in the early stages in the NBA off-season and already the rumor grill...errrr..we mean mill is getting fired up.  The grill, as we know, is always fired up.   Anyways, LHR will bring radio play-by-play announcer for the Boston Celtics at 98.5 FM The Sports Hub aboard, Sean Grande.  There’s certainly a lot to talk about.  Yes, there will be DeMarcus Cousins discussions.  But what about the other big names.  Are there other possibilities out there? Dare we say Anthony Davis name? And is the importance of this summer being overstated in terms of free agency possibilities as there seem to be more opportunities next year in the summer of ‘16? Either way, Sean and LHR will get into that as well as take one final look back on this past season for the 2015 Boston Celtics.   Around the NBA in 5 is back as well.  More award-critiquing! Tune into this week’s edition of Celtics Beat being pr

The NBA Off-Season is officially underway for the Boston Celtics.  The Cleveland Cavaliers led by Kyrie Irving and LeBron James finished off a sweep in Boston last Sunday, and now this week, we will recap the season that was and look ahead to what is widely expected to be one of the more intriguing and possibly active Celtics summers in recent memories.   LHR will be joined by Jay King - the astute beat writer who covers the Boston Celtics for Mass Live.  LHR and Jay will look back and reminisce about the most active season the Celts have had in their recent history.  Where did this season turn around? Was it, all in all, a success? And what lays ahead for the organization going forward?   Around the NBA in 5 is back as well.  Say, is the playoffs still going on? So gear up for the Boston Celtics summer with Celtics Beat, presented by lynda.com/clns and audiblepodcast.com/celtics.  Available for download on iTunes and Stitcher Sunday, May 3, 2015.  Powered by CLNS Radio. Learn more about your ad choices

Last day of the season for the Boston Celtics? LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers are on the verge of wrapping this series up with a sweep in Boston.  Will they do it? And how much does this affect the Celtics going forward? Does it in any way hinder the success of this 2015 season.   In a word: No.  The Celtics had a great season and possess an even greater future.  LHR will explain why on this week’s edition of Celtics Beat.   LHR will also have a special sitdown conversation with 2015 Naismith Hall of Fame Inductee, former Boston Celtic great and two-time NBA World Champion - Jo Jo White.  Jo Jo’s accolades are need little explanation.  A multiple time All-Star and an Olympic gold medalist, his number 10 jersey hangs amongst past Celtics greats in the Garden rafters.  After retiring from the NBA nearly 40 years ago, Jo Jo finally got the call to the Hall during last month’s NCAA Final Four.  To say this was special for Jo Jo would be an understatement. The show will be released this Sunday for c

The Boston Celtics are in the NBA’s postseason.  Their reward? LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers.  Game 1 is today at 3 PM ET on ABC.  But Celtics Beat? Right now, wherever you are. This series will broken down in a few angles to say the very least. First up will be David Aldridge - the long time NBA scribe who is now providing his astute work for TNT, NBAtv and NBA.com.  On deck will be Dave McMenamin of who covers the Cavs and the NBA for ESPN.  Quite simply, do the Boston Celtics stand a chance? Well tune into find out.  The show will be released this Sunday for coverage of the Boston Celtics in the 2015 NBA Playoffs.  It’s Celtics Beat, presented by lynda.com/clns and audiblepodcast.com/celtics.  Available for download on iTunes and Stitcher Sunday, April 19, 2015.  Powered by CLNS Radio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Boston Celtics are on the brink of the NBA’s postseason in the regular season’s final week.  Can the Celtics close the deal? They all count now, including today’s potential playoff preview against the Cleveland Cavaliers at the Garden before the Celts wrap up the regular season with two midweek contests against Toronto and in Milwaukee.   But no matter what happens: Is this 2015 season a success for the Celtics regardless? We’ll pose that very question to Wyc Grousbeck, along with much, much more in our lengthy chat with the lead owner of the Boston Celtics himself. So tune in this Sunday for the 100th episode of Celtics Beat, presented by lynda.com/clns and audiblepodcast.com/celtics.  Available for download on iTunes and Stitcher Sunday, April 12, 2015.  Powered by CLNS Radio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

They’re still alive - it’s the first week of April and the Boston Celtics remain in the thick of the Eastern Conference race for the final spot in the 2015 NBA Playoffs.   LHR will be joined by Gary Tanguay, host of the Arbella Early Edition on Comcast Sports Net New England.  In LHR’s mind - it is safe to call this season a success for the Celts no matter what happens from here on out.  What does Gary think? And do the Celtics still need to make a transformative move or can they let this current roster grow will adding bits and pieces along the way? Should the Celtics go all in on a move for say, DeMarcus Cousins, Derrick Rose, or (gasp!) Kevin Durant?   LHR will also wrap the show up by going Around the NBA in 5. So tune in this Sunday for another edition of Celtics Beat, presented by lynda.com/clns and audiblepodcast.com/celtics  Available for download on iTunes and Stitcher Sunday, April 5, 2015.  Powered by CLNS Radio. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Now the real fun begins as this is judgment week for the Boston Celtics.  Five games in the next days starting with the Doc Rivers, Chris Paul, Blake Griffin, DeAndre Jordan and the Los Angeles Clippers in Boston Sunday night.  Then of course three critical contests await the Celtics starting with a trip down to Charlotte tomorrow to face the Hornets, then some home games with the Indiana Pacers and Milwaukee Bucks, before a trip north of the border to finish the week against the Toronto Raptors.  The NBA Playoffs may very well be on the line for the Celtics this week.   Boston concluded the last full week of March by sweeping two New York foes in the Nets and Knicks, but dropped some winnable games at home against the Pistons and Heat.  Are there some signs of fatigue that could be setting in? Were those games a warning sign? LHR will discuss this topic and more with new Celtics beat reporter for the Boston Globe, Adam Himmelsbach.   LHR will also wrap the show up by going Around the NBA in 5. So tune i

Spring is here and so is the sprint to the finish line for the Boston Celtics and the rest of the NBA.  The green team finds themselves right in the midst of the chase for the final two spots in the Eastern Conference NBA Playoffs.  Larry H. Russell will break down the week that was for the Celtics.  Was it a successful week? Two tough, but somewhat expected losses against two elite Western Conference foes in the Oklahoma City Thunder and the World Champion San Antonio Spurs followed the end of the Celts’ five game winning streak.   Whatever one makes of it, it’s in the books.  LHR will look ahead to what could very well be a make-or-break week for Boston’s playoff hopes with huge games against foes like the Brooklyn Nets and the Miami Heat.  Let’s not get ahead of ourselves either, as Boston has their hands full tonight when Greg Monroe comes to town with the rest of the Detroit Pistons.   And of course, the guest: LHR will be privileged to be joined by Basketball Hall of Famer Jackie MacMullan of ESPN B

The Ides of March are upon us: A major checkpoint in the NBA season.  The sprint to the finish line now begins.  Who knew as late as mid January that the Boston Celtics would play a major factor in the outlook of the 2015 NBA campaign?   The playoff chase is officially on.  It was a busy, but successful week for the Celtics with a real highlight win over the Memphis Grizzlies at home on Wednesday.  Plus the team picked up some solid victories against the Miami Heat and Orlando Magic.  Fans are thrilled, and host Larry H. Russell is one of them.   LHR will be joined by Ian Thomsen, now of NBA.com.  Ian wrote a feature on Danny Ainge and the Celtics rebuilding project back on February 17th titled “Danny Ainge’s Balancing Act.”  LHR will discuss that feature with Ian, and will dive into further detail with where Ian thinks the Celtics stand in all of this.  How does Boston’s rebuilding plan stack up? Particularly against the rival New York Knicks, Philadelphia 76ers and Los Angeles Lakers?   LHR will also

Busy week for the Boston Celtics - I mean real busy.  Plenty of games to talk about, both good and bad.  And plenty of news to talk about, which has been mostly good.   There’s a lot of talk of who the Celts will sign this off-season, and there was even a possible transaction this week with Javale McGee.  Alas, it fell through.  Host LHR will be sure to touch upon that as well as the possibilities this summer as he did in today’s column.   The Celts stayed busy on the court as well with a slew of games this week.  LHR will react on the week that was and look ahead to tonight’s game with former Orlando Magic player Jeff Turner, now serving as the Magic’s color man on FOX Sports Florida.  After a respectable start, Orlando was really fizzled out.  What went wrong? And how can the Celtics exploit some of Orlando’s weaknesses if they want to get this much needed road win?   That’s not all - there’s plenty to talk about around the league as well.  Boston fans saw first hand the greatness of Steph Curry and t

So long February.  Another week in the bag for the Boston Celtics.  And now here comes March and the BOSTON CELTICS PLAYOFF PUSH!   Kyle Draper returns to Celtics Beat to square things away once and for all with LHR.  Does he still feel the Celtics should’ve done more at the deadline? Will Isaiah Thomas live up to the billing? And oh, the game tonight.  Kyle is the host of Celtics Pre and Post Game Live and he’ll give his take on tonight’s huge matchup in Boston against the Golden State Warriors.  And there may be some Rajon Rondo discussion in there too.   Celtics Beat will also welcome Josh Planos of the Wall Street Journal to the show.  Much of the NBA’s top teams are from small markets and/or franchises that are not familiar to success.  All while the Celtics, Los Angeles Lakers, and New York Knicks are down.  Is this good for the NBA? And could such success lead to the NBA putting franchises in more flyover states?   LHR will also wrap the show up by going Around the NBA in 5. So tune in this Sund

The NBA Trade Deadline has come and gone for the NBA and for the Boston Celtics.  To say we don’t have plenty to talk about on Celtics Beat would be an understatement.   First up, Sean Deveney of Sporting News drops by the show once again to recap the wild, wild deadline in the NBA.  The Celtics are seemingly being lauded as the biggest winners after scoring flashy point guard Isaiah Thomas.  How does Sean feel about the newest Celtic? What does that mean for the future? And what in the world are the Philadelphia 76ers and the Los Angeles Lakers doing?   Speaking of the Lakers, the Celts are in LA Sunday to face their arch-rivals at the Staples Center.  It may not be the classic matchup its known to be, but tonight is a key game for the Celtics in their case for the Eastern Conference’s eighth seed.  We’ll chat with Corey Hansford of LakersNation.com about the game as well as the state of the NBA’s glamour franchise.   Plus - a special trade deadline edition of Around the NBA in 5.   So tune in this S

NBA All Star Weekend is finally upon us and the Boston Celtics are off until next Friday night when they resume action out West against George Karl and the Sacramento Kings.   The Celtics head into the break on a high note, winning their lone game of the week -- a buzzer-beating win against the NBA’s best team, the Atlanta Hawks.  Larry H. Russell is becoming ever more so pleased with the development and improvement of certain individuals on the Boston roster as well as the positive steps the team seems to be taking.  The Celtics may not be there yet, but there should be some serious intrigue in this team the second half of the season which some would’ve considered a feat in itself just a month ago.   And as intriguing as these Celtics are, the NBA may be as interesting as it has ever been.  Longtime NBA veteran, two-time NBA World Champion, 1996 Slam Dunk King and current NBAtv analyst Brent Barry will hop back on the show.  There’s a lot to talk about at the NBA All Star break.  Are these Hawks truly fo