BSJ Daily Briefing 02.12.18: Celtics had impeccable timing on Paul Pierce Night

Good morning!

A few random thoughts to start the day as I wonder if the Patriots will continue to dominate the news...

• Man, can Wyc Grousbeck pick a jersey retirement date, or can Wyc Grousbeck pick a retirement date! The Paul Pierce event was so moving that the present-day Celtics could slink out of the Garden without anyone really noticing that they got beat down by the Cavaliers on Sunday afternoon.


• That wasn't just any Cavs team: that was a Cavs team that just added four new players in trades, and they ran around the Celtics like they were standing still.


• Look, I didn't make a big deal about the Celtics beating the Cavs last month because it was early, and I'm not going to make a big deal about this loss for many of the reasons. But that was tough to watch, and a tiny bit alarming.


• The bottom line is this: the Cavs aren't going away.


• And the Celtics should print that picture and put it up in the locker room. Laugh it up, LeBron.


• When I think of Paul Pierce, I just think of a guy who was always grinding, and always wanted the ball at the end. Some of the teams he was on early in his career were just dreadful, but Pierce never stopped trying to deliver a winner. I think I blacked out during the Jim O'Brien era.


• The Bruins vanquished another losing "streak" again, in New Jersey. Not the prettiest of victories, but it was a fun game. And, let's be honest, every game with Anton Khudobin is a little bit more fun (but we still love ya, Tuukkes!) because anything can happen.


• What are the odds the Bruins score both their first two goals shorthanded, with one being an own-goal, and the other being a hard-work stuff by Tim Schaller?


• Beanpot final tonight! I've got the Huskies over the Terriers. Who ya got?!

Take in the moment Paul, you've earned it. 3️⃣4️⃣ pic.twitter.com/B81uPlraT5

— Boston Celtics (@celtics) February 12, 2018

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— Mandy Johnson Gilman (@MandyGilman) January 23, 2018