What two words best describe the Boston Celtics heading into the stretch run?
"The Celtics aren't chasing regular-season glory," Buckley fairly reminds us, taking those concerns seriously for the moment, even if they are overblown, to put it mildly. "They're aiming to become the Association's first repeat champs since the Stephen Curry-Kevin Durant Golden State Warriors."
"There could be a bit of pacing in other words, and if there is, look out," he adds.
"Despite perhaps not always having the pedal floored, they're still boasting a .700-plus winning percentage and top-five efficiency ranks on offense (fourth) and defense (fifth)," writes Buckley. "This remains the team to beat, even if the standings don't necessarily reflect that."
The words the B/R expert has in mind for Boston? "On course" -- and they are.
Listen to the "Celtics Lab" podcast on:
Apple Podcasts: https://apple.co/3zBKQY6
Spotify: https://spoti.fi/3GfUPFi
This article originally appeared on Celtics Wire: What two words best describe the Celtics heading into the stretch run?
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Yahoo
19 minutes ago
- Yahoo
Red Sox make decision on trading Jarren Duran as Padres make offer
The Jarren Duran trade rumors have been loud, but they haven't led to anything yet. The San Diego Padres want the Boston Red Sox star outfielder. But will any deal get done? USA Today's Bob Nightengale says no. "The Boston Red Sox have no plans to trade outfielder Jarren Duran at the deadline, rejecting the San Diego Padres' offers, and more likely to move him this winter," Nightengale wrote on Sunday. During Saturday night's Fox broadcast, insider Ken Rosenthal said the Padres had made an offer of multiple prospects and expiring pitcher contract Dylan Cease to Boston that had been rejected. MORE: Emmanuel Clase just had one of the weirdest days in MLB history It's hard to imagine a much better offer being made, and so it seems like the Red Sox may want to see what other teams are willing to offer during the offseason. There's a bit of an outfield logjam in Boston, but Duran is still an exceptionally talented player. Besides, the Red Sox have some good vibes rolling right now, and it may not be the time to mess with that as they attempt to make a playoff push. Duran, it seems, is staying put to try and help in a late-season surge. MORE MLB NEWS: Yankees' trade add Amed Rosario once hit a walk-off homer at Yankee Stadium as a visitor Blue Jays make Toronto history not achieved since 1992 World Series team Ryan McMahon is most similar statistically to a Yankees legend Orioles' catcher used a Happy Gilmore swing to hit a home run There's a sad truth to Aaron Judge's injury for Yankees Edwin Diaz is MLB's best pitcher since learning his legs were different lengths
Yahoo
an hour ago
- Yahoo
Red Sox Predicted to Complete Intriguing Trade for Nationals' Ace to Solidify Rotation
Red Sox Predicted to Complete Intriguing Trade for Nationals' Ace to Solidify Rotation originally appeared on Athlon Sports. One team that could use an influx of young and consistent starting pitching is the Boston Red Sox. While ace Garrett Crochet continues to be worth every penny and Lucas Giolito and Brayan Bello have emerged as key arms in the last month, the team lacks any consistency at the backend of the rotation. A slew of injuries ended Kutter Crawford and Hunter Dobbins' seasons, and the same may be the case for Tanner Houck after suffering another setback. Meanwhile, Walker Buehler has been putrid with a 5.72 ERA in 17 starts, making the need for another starting pitcher the highest priority for Boston. As chief baseball officer Craig Breslow scours the pitching market, Zachary D. Rymer of Bleacher Report predicts the Red Sox make a trade for Washington Nationals' ace MacKenzie Gore. The Nationals were initially tepid about trading the All-Star. However, as the trade deadline approaches, Jon Heyman of the New York Post reports the team is entertaining calls for the left-hander. Although entertaining offers do not necessarily mean the Nationals are ready to part ways with Gore, the door is open to make a deadline deal. Rymer believes that Gore is a 'perfect match' for Boston and a proper co-ace to pair with Crochet at the top of the team's rotation. The cost to acquire Gore will undoubtedly be high. However, Rymer uses Breslow's own words against him, citing, 'the future is now' in regards to potentially trading away highly touted prospects Kristian Campbell and Marcelo Mayer. Gore has posted a 3.59 ERA and 140 strikeouts across 112.2 innings. It may sound illogical to break the bank for Gore, especially if it means parting ways with Campbell or Mayer, but knowing the left-hander has two more years of arbitration left on his deal could be enough to coerce Breslow into another blockbuster deal. This story was originally reported by Athlon Sports on Jul 24, 2025, where it first appeared.
USA Today
an hour ago
- USA Today
Celtics veterans raved about new Rockets guard JD Davison
Celtics guard Derrick White on JD Davison: 'The way he manipulates the defense in the pick-and-roll is really high-level. Playing against him a lot in training camp, he was a hard guard.' Rockets guard JD Davison, who recently signed with Houston on a two-way deal, has played only sparingly in the NBA since being drafted in the 2022 second round. He's flourished in the NBA G League, where Davison won Most Valuable Player (MVP) last season while playing for the Maine Celtics (Boston affiliate). But based on the roster strength of the 2024 NBA champions, the 22-year-old never got an extended opportunity at the highest level. Yet, in practices and training camp appearances with the Celtics, the 6-foot-3 point guard clearly did enough to turn heads. 'You could tell he took it to another level in training camp,' All-Star guard Jaylen Brown told SB Nation's CelticsBlog. 'I think he's been able to learn from our guys, going against Payton [Pritchard], going against Jrue [Holiday], and Derrick [White].' 'He's gotten so much better, and that's credit to him. He's developed at a high rate.' Brown is far from alone in that assessment. From that same CelticsBlog story, published in April 2025, here's what some of his veteran Celtics teammates had to say. Al Horford: JD is a really good passer, and he has a really good feel for the game, especially when he's playing pick-and-roll. He's a real guard. He's able to kind of manipulate the defense. And then his ability to get to the basket, he's really explosive. ... When you come in here as a young player, or a guy that's trying to be on this team, you understand that you have to put in the work. And I think JD gets it. Derrick White: JD is probably our best lob thrower, just the way he manipulates the defense in the pick-and-roll is really high-level. Playing against him a lot in training camp, he was a hard guard. Jrue Holiday: You can tell anytime he comes back (from the G League), and we throw him out there — he's so comfortable. He fits right in. ... He's definitely going to be a really good NBA player. Horford told CelticsBlog that he views Davison's most NBA-ready skills as his playmaking and ability to get to the rim. 'He feels like Davison has grown increasingly comfortable with the parent club and that he's continued to commit to the everyday grind — lifting, his shooting times, and everything else that goes into getting better,' Noa Dalzell wrote of Horford. Davison was only available because Boston had to waive him this offseason in order to get underneath the second apron of the NBA's luxury tax. Yet, despite all that praise, it's far from a given that Davison will play with the Rockets. Houston has a deep roster and expects to contend for the 2025-26 NBA championship, and the plan is to give second-year guard Reed Sheppard every opportunity to be the backup point guard behind Fred VanVleet. As the No. 3 overall draft pick from the 2024 first round, Sheppard has significant pedigree and perceived upside. But if the Kentucky product underwhelms in training camp or early in the season, Davison and veteran Aaron Holiday are useful insurance policies for head coach Ime Udoka and general manager Rafael Stone. Among qualifying G League players last season, Davison ranked second in scoring (25.1 points) and fourth in assists (7.5) on a per-game basis. More: Rockets sign JD Davison, Isaiah Crawford to two-way contracts
