Posted on

Celtics Shakeups Signaling Signs Of Urgency

The Boston Celtics shakeups are signaling signs of urgency. Shakeup number one was the resignation of President Danny Ainge. The second move was to announce that Brad Stevens will be President of Basketball Operations. In less than twenty_four hours after the Stevens move, Kemba walker was an Oklahoma City Thunder. The team shipped the disgruntled playmaker to the Thunder for Al Horford and center Moses Brown. In this post, we will evaluate three reasons why the organization is signaling urgency.

Celtics Receive Financial Flexibility

By dealing Kemba Walker away, the club saves $ 9,000,000 dollars in cap_space for the 2021 /22 season. With that capital, the Celtics can restructure Evan Fournier and Robert Williams’s contract.

The Celtics acquired Evan Fournier at the trade deadline. An unrestricted free agent it is expected that Stevens will go all out to resign the accomplished guard. In Williams, he has one_year left on a four_year deal. He will make a base salary of over $2,000,000 dollars this season. I look for both players to be in Celtics uniforms this upcoming season.

The key to the deal was getting out of Kemba Walker’s $83,000,000 dollars salary. The Thunder who are rebuilding received the Celtics number one pick in the upcoming 2021 NBA Draft.

More Deals Ahead

Celtics fans can expect a very busy off _season. Nobody on the current roster is safe. Outside of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown, anyone is expendable. Veteran Marcus Smart has value and will be an attractive trade talk chip this summer. Center Robert Williams is injury prone and is also on the block. The club is loaded with centers and Williams’s age will be intriguing to other teams.

Free Agency

The cash _strapped Celtics do not have the wiggle room this year. I do not expect the organization to even attempt to pursue a DeMar DeRozen, Kawhi Leonard, Victor Oladipo, Jure Holiday, or Rudy Gobert. look for the team to pursue current player Evan Fournier. Fournier when healthy is an excellent shooter. If anything I see the club signing an inexpensive veteran.

Conclusion

With, all the activity in recent days, the Celtics need leadership. With the signing of Ime Udoka as head coach, the need needs to mature and close out games better. Blowing large leads was the story in 2021. Focusing on defense and ball movement will significantly improve the franchise.

Posted on

Revolution Making A Statement In The MLS East

The New England Revolution is making a statement with a 3-1 win over the New York Red Bulls. In a stunning victory, the team has a comfortable lead over the Philadelphia Union and Orlando City. With two shutouts to their record, excitement is starting to heat up. In this post, we will review three reasons why the Revolution is a serious MLS Cup contender in 2021.

Searching For Consistency

The main objective in 2021 is to find consistency. Consistency in both the defensive department and the offensive department. Goalkeeping wise the tandem of Matt Turner and Brad Knighton remains the best in MLS.

Only eight games in the Revolution are 5-2-1 with 17 points. With two stellar shutouts over Columbus and Cincinnati, the club’s defense has been superior. Scoring still is an area of concern. Forwards Gustavo Bou and Adam Buksa lead the team in scoring. Buska in particular has been putting additional pressure on himself to score more.

Depth On defense

What I like about this year’s squad is the depth. Particularly on defense, the squad is just as deep as anyone in the MLS. Newcomer Christian Mafla signed from Colombia brings speed and excellent coverage skills.

As for the goalkeeping department, the Revolution signed Earl Edwards Jr. as a depth move. Edwards spent the past six seasons with Orlando City. In that period he appeared in six games.

Mafla will be a welcomed addition with a deep defensive group. He should give the goalkeepers added confidence with his experience.

Leagues Best Goalkeeper

Every MLS fan knows that goalkeeper Matt Turner is the game’s best. Coming off his best season in 2020 Turner is over to another amazing year. Last season Turner recorded a league_best six shutouts. After eight games this season, he has already two shutouts. Rumors are swirling that he and Tajon Buchanon may leave to play overseas for the United States National Team.

Conclusion

With a remarkable start, the club needs to stay focused on the long season ahead. With 34 games remaining it will take a total team effort to remain at the top in the MLS East.

Posted on

Red Sox Bullpen Paying Dividends

With the baseball season a quarter of the way over, the Red Sox are game and a half behind the Tampa Bay Rays in the AL East. One reason for their early season success is the performance of the bullpen. In this post, we will examine three reasons why the Red Sox bullpen is paying dividends.

Offseason Signings Stepping Up

In the off_ season, the organization shored up the bullpen significantly. Adam Ottavino, Matt Andriese, and Garrett Whitlock have stepped up. Rule 5 pickup Garrett Whitlock has been one of the best relievers in baseball. Ex Yankee Adam Ottavino has been lights out in his last dozen appearances. Right_ hander Matt Andriese has been up and down. If the team wants to retake first place, the bullpen will have to continue to pitch on a high level.

Matt Barnes Having All_ Star Season

The veteran reliever is experiencing an All_Star season In 23 games he is 1-1 with a nifty 2.63 ERA. His 11 saves rank him at the top in MLB. If he stays on his current pace he will be the difference between the club having a winning season. Statistically, the team has a 2.84 ERA the seventh _best in baseball.

Bullpen Has Depth

The unit has been receiving valuable contributions from Darwinzon Hernandez, Hirokazu Sawamura, Phillips Valdez, and Darwinzon Hernandez. Hernandez has been Alex Cora’s most electrifying reliever. At some point, I feel Hernandez will be a starter with his proficiency.

Conclusion

If the team hopes to make the playoffs, it will fall on the pitching. The Red Sox has been enjoying quality starts from Nick Pivetta, Nathan Eovaldi, and Garrett Richards. Richards has turned his season around after a disappointing start. A consistent bullpen is a priority for a rewarding post_season.