Good morning!
A few random thoughts as we embark another solemn morning in America...
- So the Celtics lost their third-straight game last night to the Clippers, and have now dropped nine of their last 15 games to fall out of first in the Eastern Conference. They also allowed a season-high in points for the second-straight game.
- Look, maybe the Celtics are just worn out from being a thin group for a while. Maybe they'll snap right out of it when they get more depth at point guard (Marcus Smart, Shane Larkin). Maybe the younger players are just hitting a wall and they'll jump over it in short order. All very possible.
- But you also can't ignore two other factors: the Raptors and Cavs are both surging. It doesn't take a huge leap (of panic?) to envision a scenario where the Celtics fall to the third seed in the East, which could mean an uphill battle and possible early exit vs. Cleveland in Round 2.
- Considering the special season the Celtics have had to this point, would that be a disappointment? Will it even come to that? That's why Brian Robb says this is Brad Stevens' biggest challenge. I don't think he's far off. Others I'm sure will disagree.
- Meanwhile, the Bruins are about to embark on a very long road trip that should be pretty soft with matchups against pretenders like Vancouver, Edmonton and Buffalo. There's also a matchup against the decent Flames, but the game to watch is a week from tonight at Toronto, which is the only team hotter than Boston (9-1-1 last 10 games) and is three points behind the Bruins.
- The Red Sox are so ... consistent? ... that the big news on Wednesday was that apparently, Dave Dombrowski gets coffee every morning at Dunks and talks shop with Red Sox fans.
- The Gronks doing some good work for local children's hospitals the past couple days...
- The Gronks were out and dancing at the Celtics game last night. There's something oddly soothing about that, like there's no chance they give that up for Hollywood, right? Also, the first sightings of the Gronks in the offseason seems like a special milestone that should be honored, like Groundhog Day. Spring with shirtless Gronks coming sooner? Please?
- Chris Price has a good story coming up in a little bit that's a great example of BSJ members getting involved and suggesting possible stories. Don't be shy. We all have email buttons next to our names.
Your Olympic highlight
Mikaela Shiffrin
GOLDEN GIRL Mikaela Shiffrin takes gold in giant slalom! #BestOfUS #WinterOlympics https://t.co/KX4CHncv2t pic.twitter.com/zHJudPT4i0
— NBC Olympics (@NBCOlympics) February 15, 2018
And away we go...
CATCHING UP
Patriots
Celtics
Bruins
Red Sox
McAdam: Collapse of free agent market could offer Red Sox chance to get own players signed long-term
ON TAP
8:15-9:15 a.m.:
11 a.m.:
7 p.m.
Winter Olympics TV schedule
NBC
3-5 p.m.
8 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
1:05-2 a.m.
NBCSN
7:10-9:30 a.m.
9:30 a.m.-Noon
Noon-2 p.m.
2-5 p.m.
United States
7-11 p.m.
11 p.m.-2:40 a.m.
USA Network
2:30-5 a.m.
5-7:10 a.m.
7:10-9:30 a.m.
CNBC
5-8 p.m.
10 p.m.-12:30 a.m.
United States
PARTING THOUGHT
Gronk party at the C's game pic.twitter.com/E8IoTLfRM8
— Sports Illustrated (@SInow) February 15, 2018
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HELP SECTION