New York Knicks vs Boston Celtics LIVE ON ESPN 4K NBA2K26 Summer League NBA LIVE NBA TODAY
big. Hey Heat. Heat. blue. He Hey, Green. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. 26 exciting action continues in Las Vegas on the campus of UNLV. Today’s game we have two teams who met in the playoffs. The Boston Celtics and the New York Knicks. Some rich history between these two teams. We are here inside at a pavilion. Chris Miles and Brendan Haywood. Stephanie Ready will be joining us in a few minutes. And for the Boston Celtics, this is a team that we know the veterans and what they’ve been going through, but they have some rookies, some draft picks. Hugo Gonzalez and Amari Williams. 28th pick in the draft, 46th pick in the draft. And Hugo Gonzalez is one of those fan favorites for his athleticism. Brendon, yes. Hugo Gonzalez, an explosive athlete, a defensive ace, somebody that can contribute defensively right away. And that’s what you’re looking for. Can you get out there defensively? Amari Williams. We talk about Hugo defensive. Don’t sleep on Amari Williams. Three straight defensive players of the year awards in the Colonial Conference. Man, oh man. Defense is this guy’s calling card. And if you can play defense, you can get out there and earn immediate minutes. And look at their stats on Friday versus Memphis in their summer league debuts. Both were able to contribute and find their rhythm on offense. For the New York Knicks, they have a familiar face in the sense of someone with 126 regular season games under his belt for the Milwaukee Bucks. Marjon Bochamp, a four-year vet playing for the Knicks this summer league. And a guy like Bo Champ has a a decided advantage in these summer league settings because he has regular season games underneath his belt a lot of times. He also has summer league games. So, he understands what this is all about and he’s not going to have a lot of the same nervousness that some of the other young guys might. And speaking of the young guys, the draft picks from last season for the Knicks all in the starting lineup. Mcome Daddy, Errol Hookport, and Tyler Kick. Remember last year Kohic hit two buzzer beaters in summer. Yeah, Kick has a couple of moments right last year and hopefully he’ll be able to continue off that and he put on a good time big time performance for us tonight. Our officials for this game, Robert Hussy, Hennings Ransom, and Rachel Rayford. As we get you ready for the opening tip, here are our starting lineups. We basically told you who they are for the New York Knicks. Jaylen Bridges, Baylor Shyman, Max Shogo, Jordan Walsh, and Amari Williams. And we got to point to Jordan Walsh in this sense. This is a guy that’s still 21 years old. Played in 52 games for the Celtics last season, and this is his third time. Yeah, like I said with the Celtics right now understanding that Jason Tatum’s injury is going to keep him out for the year trying to figure out what this team is going to be. There’s definitely going to be a lot of minutes or certain mount amounts of minutes up for grabs if you can figure out a way to grab some of them. And we know Jordan Walsh, what he brings to the table, the outside shooting is what they’re looking for from him. And you know, they’ve made fun of him as a perennial 20 year old, as in he’s been 20 years old for so long is the joke. All right. And it looks like the Celtics control the opening tip. Jordan Walsh was looking to get to that one and it went out of bounds. So, two teams with some familiar faces and some NBA experience on the floor. Got another quick whistle. An efficient start to the game, if you will. Walsh to inbounds, find Shoga. Two lefty point guards going at it. Shoga working on Kohic. pulls up bit short just short but great defense right there by Shogun gets the steel round the horn Dier gets up quickly with two defenders around him with two defenders around him gets his own rebound the Heat. Heat. Welcome back to Las Vegas. I’m Stephanie Ready. The Boston Celtics are on the court here and they’ve got some news that is pending for this summer. In fact, the sale of this team is expected to go through in the coming weeks to uh Bill Chis Chisum’s ownership group. It’s a transfer of 51% expected to go through any day. Now, guys, the sale is expected to be a record $6.1 billion and be final right in the coming weeks. The remaining 49% of ownership is expected to be transferred in 2028. The current majority owner, Wick Gus, will remain as team CEO and governor through 2028, guys. So, lots of changes coming for the Celtics. But sounds like uh Britain Haywood part of that ownership group with that number six. I’m nowhere in that stratosphere. Oh man, Lakers, Celtics, teams being sold around the league for astronomical numbers. Who would have ever thought the Lakers and the Celtics be like basically sold around the same time? Well, we know those two franchises their history tied together. So interesting that that would happen at the same exact time. A new look on the floor for the New York Knicks. Lara for three. No, he has nowhere to go. stepped in that mid-range. Didn’t really have an answer. That’s Dink P going to the hole on Brown. And we’ve seen that dangerous sideline out of bounds in both of these games. But watching New York offensively, they look like they’re stuck in mud right now. If you’re Kick, I think you’re going to have to demand that ball, run the offense for he he he understands he can run offense, run the offense, get into the mid pick and roll and make some decisions for some guys and help them out because right now the Knicks look a little bit lost on the offensive end as we see Loftton with the illegal screen. And when he illegally screens you, you’ve been screened. Yeah, that’s a big boy right there. Kenny Loftton Jr. 66 275 is the listing. Yeah, that’s generous. pass generous. Don’t see a lot of NBA players with that build, but he’s effective when he has the ball in his hands. Yeah, I mean, he’s had some some pretty we’ve seen him be able to step up and score the ball at times, whether it’s in a summer league or a G-League setting. So, definitely have a place for him in this league. Brown with the steal, fouled on the way up. And the Knicks having some issues with the turnovers. They now have seven turnovers that has led to 10 points. The Celtics have 13 on the board, right? So, if you just look at it from that perspective, the the Knicks turnovers leading to almost all of Celtics offense. And that’s why I was talking about Col, taking over control of this New York Knicks team in the half court. Get into the pick and roll, steady the ship, get these guys quality looks. Whether you knock him down or not, at least you’re not turning the ball over. But he is somebody that can steady the ship. He’s going to have to because right now offensively the Knicks look very disjointed. They look like a team that has just been thrown together and only been practicing for a couple of minutes. Well, they’re down 15-4. They lost their first summer league game. Kick to kick in a corner. Pay back to Daddy. Back to Payton. Twoman game. Pays off. So Baylor Shyman controlling the offense for the Celtics. He has two steals already. A three made. Can’t make that one. So Pome Daddy seeing a lot from him so far in summer league. Looking good. Yeah, great drive. Went to the middle really aggressively. Got two feet in the paint. And when you can get two feet in the paint and throw it out to the three-point line, normally good things happen. Decisive quick moves. And Najia very physical deny defense there on Bassie. Bassie. Bassie saying maybe a little bit too physical. He’s not lying. You saw the jersey grab on the back. Yeah, we definitely saw it. But the ref’s in front so didn’t see it. Yeah. Well, we don’t have we don’t have whistle, so it doesn’t matter what we see. Celtics having some issues getting this one in bounds. Shyman cutting back door and Shyman having a standout start. Seven points for Shyman. We saw him doing from the three-point line getting out of transition. Now we seen with a back cut. Shyman showing us a variety of different ways that he knows how to score the basketball. So right here, Shyman’s going to fake the back door. sees the defender up a little bit too high. Don’t fight that pressure. Get back door. Get to that easy layup. Make it easy on yourself. Dawara plays multiple positions from point guard to power forward. We saw him handling the basketball that last possession. 610 228 the 51st pick in this year’s draft out of France. Born in Paris. Think we have a violation here. They’re communicating about it right now. Still one shot for Dawaro. Nick’s not a great start on offense. starting to get it going in the last minute or so. Shyman does so much. Brings the ball up under pressure here quick and efficiently. Shyman the kick to Loft Short. So much defensive effort, so much physicality from these two teams. Oh, Daddy got Loft on. He got No, he doesn’t need a screen right there. He just needs to go right at him. Daddy blocked by Bassie. That’s where the basketball IQ comes in. You got Daddy against Loftton. Don’t set him a screen. Let him go one-on-one. Loft the long two foot on the line. Yeah, Loftton big time shot, but just had those puppies on the line just a little bit. Kick setting the pick, looking to get the ball. Denied defense from Wong. Kick lets it fly. Loftton driving right at Dier. I tell you what, take some guts for Daddy to stay in front of Loftton right there. I I might have bailed out on that one right here. Daddy steps up for the jumper. Access denied. Boston off to the running the other way. And we see Loftton stepping up for the long two-point shot. people. They’re good for squad. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. connect there. Diwara, you see the versatility. Gets the rebound and pushes it the other way. That’s huge. Anytime you have a big man that can just even if he doesn’t get doesn’t score the basketball, get that rebound and push it out in transition. It allows you to start your fast break a lot easier. Hyperaggression there by Jordan Walsh and he fouls Devon Grant. But watch it again going after the ball. Knicks having some issues inbounding the ball. The Celtics pressure stopping the Knicks from having any rhythm. Is that Walsh with another with another foul? Yes. Backto back fouls by Walsh. Getting a little handsy out there. Kevin McCull at the line shooting. So Kevin McCuller at the free throw line, contributor for the Westchester Knicks this past season to playing at Texas Tech and Kansas. See it again. Walsh. You see Walsh right there. And if you’re Walsh, you have to allow your big fell to step over there for you and clean that up. No need to reach in and give the foul as you have Bassie right there in position to step up for you and possibly get a block shot himself. Long loses it. Diara on the break. Walsh is there. Advantage Diwara and with the tough take and more importantly three fouls for Walsh. Three in a row. Three this quarter. So Dara the second round pick. sprinting on the fast break. And you see why the Knicks are so high on this guy. When you have somebody 6’10 that can get out there, get steals, and transition into the fast break game like that, you got to love it. So for Jordan Walsh, who appeared in 52 regular season games, three playoff games after the playoffs for the main Celtics, the G-League team. Three fouls here. But Brendan, you get like 10, you get 10 fouls in summer league, so they’re not worried about him. The elephant in the room, Jason Tatum as Diwara gets another steal and score and looks to score in transition but is fouled on the way up by Bassie but getting back to Walsh. Here’s a guy that’s been with the team for three years trying to find more playing time. Dawir quick hands going the other way. Oh no, you’re right. That is James Naji. So, Naji 51% from the free throw line. But back to Jordan Wall. Jason Tatum. Obviously, the terrible Achilles injury opens up playing time for guys in those forward positions. Seems like a top tier candidate to get more minutes in an opportunity. If you’re a guy like Walsh, this is probably the most important summer of your life. Obviously, there’s some trades. There’s no Drew Holiday anymore. Jason Tatum’s out with an injury. No Porzingis. So, there’s minutes, shots, and opportunity all available. You just have to be ready to step up and convince his coaching staff that you’re worthy of getting some. No one thinks that Walsh is going to replace Jason Tatum, but for him, this could be an opportunity to really, really solidify yourself and get in the rotation. Second, third chance opportunity inside. And that’s Bassie. So, the last time we saw him on the floor in the summer league debut for the Celtics, 14 and 11 in just 18 minutes. And you see the activity there again. And that’s what he’s all about. He’s all about hustle, activity, getting on the glass. And you mentioned it his last game out 14 and 11 going to give you that big time presence at the front of the rim. I got I got it. I got it. Gets it to fall. Celtics maintain their eight-point lead. Diara, Naji working the high screen and roll from two big men. Diawara driving and is blocked by Bassie. Diwir with a great move, but Bassie saying return to center. Loftton thought about another jumper. Powers through and that’s his game. Yes. And once the big fell puts his body on you, you’re at his mercy. Less than a minute to go here in the first quarter. Celtics 10-point lead. Day for three. No, Bassie on the boards. Heyday couldn’t knock it down. Needed Craig on that one. Brown in and out going baseline. Day with the steel pushing it up to Diwara. McCull somehow finds space is fouled on the way up. Is that Walsh again? It is. And you see, no, it’s not. Okay. It is not. He looked dejected. But that’ll go on Loftton. Watch it here. Yeah, it’s definitely Loftton right there on the ball. Walsh reacted like it was. Yeah, we thought we thought it was Walsh. But we thought it was Walsh about saying not your fourth all in the first quarter. So, McCuller 11 points per game in 13 regular season games for the Westchester Knicks. And he helps it to become an eight-point game with 30 seconds to go in the first quarter. gets the play call in, but Walsh having a difficult time getting free. Great defense. McCulla. Uh-oh. Bassie getting into his bag. And that’s Naji with the steal. McCulla going the other way through. Walsh is fouled on the way up. for the Knicks having a difficult time getting shot opportunities, finding a rhythm, but they have nine free throw attempts. That’s the fourth foul on Walsh. We eventually he got that fourth as we see McCull going to the free throw line for his fifth and sixth free throw attempts of the first quarter. McCull somebody, you know, final season at Kansas, averaged 18 points a game. first team all Big 12. So, he’s he’s somebody that does have a little bit of scoring in his profile. And when you get that many free throw shots up, helps the true shooting percentage, helps the efficiency, helps the confidence. When you go when you start a game out and you have six free throws already banked in, now you feel a lot more confident when you get down to shooting your other shots. Eight points on just one official shot attempt. And the Knicks need all of that. Walsh beats the buzzer. I think we got a foul. He hits the deck. Yes, we do. They call it on McCull. So, as we wax poetically about Walsh with his four fouls committed in the first quarter and about McCuller at the free throw line, it is Walsh who now shoots the three at the end of the first to try to balance that scale. Check it out again. Does he have space to land? He does not. That is actually a great call. Replay trigger for a foul at the end of the period. Yeah, there’s no need to replay this one. You McCulla bounces into Walsh and he doesn’t he hits that that right leg and he doesn’t allow him to land. This is an easy call by letter of the law. Also a cardinal sin for McCulla. Cannot foul, especially a heave at the end of a quarter. cannot foul a shooter behind the three-point line in that situation. A shooter close to half court, if you will. This too is true. So, this play is under review. They’re going to decide if Jordan Walsh is going to shoot three free throws. How could he not? This This should not be a long review. After review, the illegal contact occurred with seven on the game clock. Walsh will shoot three free throws. So there’s still also time on the clock. So for the Celtics, you know, Brennan, we talk about what they could be this upcoming season. There’s a different level of expectation, right? Like you see, okay, Chris Porzingis, Drew Holiday now gone, Jason Tatum out for the season. You just automatically think rebuilding year. But Jaylen Brown, an AllNBA caliber player, Anthony Simons coming in, Derek White. I do wonder if those guys can step up in Eastern Conference and be competitive. Well, I think Jaylen Brown is looking at this as an opportunity to show the league that he can be a leading man. He’s we everybody knows that he’s always wanted to be that guy. Um, but now the Celtics going to need him to step up and prove that, hey, I can be the number one option on a team that wins a lot of ball games. But when you have a guy like Brown and you have Simons coming in, a lot of people think it’s going to be what they call a gap year, but I don’t think the Celtics are looking at it that way. Well, they are up by nine here after Walsh nails those free throws. Nicks with a heave. That’s after the horn. A good look. Had a shot by Grant. And the Celtics take a nine-point lead as we enter the second quarter with 27 on the board. Seven on the board. DQ is here with a $7 meal deal. Now with the $2 small blizzard treat upgrade. Get any Heat. Heat. N. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. Get better. Be better at the rebound. Keep pushing in transition. Not doing stupid foul. But uh we go we get there. We’re going to You have a lot of experience internationally with FIA, etc., etc. What’s it like now when you’re here in front of these NBA executives and NBA fans? I mean, I just got to I just got to show what I can do on the court. I’m not stressed. Like you say, I got experience in Europe. So, just just keep pushing and uh yeah, no stress to have. I’m good. I love that. I’m going to adopt that. Thank you. Good luck. Thank you. Back to you. As we start the second quarter, Marjon Bo Champ back on the floor for the Knicks looking to make an impact for the vet. And it’s Williams tapping that out of bounds. And Bo Champamp surprisingly quiet in the first quarter. I was expecting to see a lot out of him. Like I said, he’s been in the summer league before, been in the league a few years. expect him to be one of the guys that’s a lot more comfortable in this environment that can help this Knicks team out. Obviously, the Knicks need somebody to take control offensively. Well, Grant trying to do that. A tough shot at the buzzer doesn’t fall. Walsh to Shoga for three. That’s well short. Bo Champ McCuller and was erased by Williams, but that’s an obvious goalending and if you look at the Knicks offense right now, McCull all of it. Yeah, he’s got 10 of their 20 points. And a lot of it has to do with getting it down at the free throw line and got the quick little layup right there. Has six free throws. Six of his 10 have come at the strike. Bridges over Hump 40 and there’s a foul inside as they’re battling for the board. It looks like that’ll go against Diwara. Side out for the Boston Celtics. De War is interesting. Not not many times you look at somebody’s profile and see that they play point guard and power forward. Normally you see power forward center or you see two three but you don’t see that point guard power forward distinction. Bridges leaves it and it’s the fourth made three for the Celtics extend their lead to 10. Bo Champ only one shot attempt not getting one off there. Grant does all air. A porti on the glass. Diara shuffle defeat. Yeah, Dawara right there just got a little bit too happy when he got the rock. Got confused between the drive and the shot and did a little bit of both. And normally that’s uh not a good thing. He saw him back the feet up and then start moving forward before he put the ball on the floor. Williams hug Porty. Shoga resetting for the Celtics. Great screen by Williams. And great hands by Dawir. So it’ll be 3 seconds on that shot clock. 3 seconds on the shot clock. If you’re the Knicks, you can’t allow anything to go towards the rim. No slips, no lobs, anything of that nature. You have to force the Celtics to catch the ball behind the three-point line. and an offensive foul. Guess who that’s on? Not Walsh. Foul number 27, Jordan Walsh. His fifth foul. And then we haven’t had a lot of guys foul out in the summer league process, but Walsh might be on his way. Well, we’re not at halftime yet. And he’s halfway to the record. record is 10 fouls. Thon Maker, Andrew Bogot, Greg Odin, Demarcus Cousins, Diamond Stone. What do you notice about that group of five guys? They’re all big men. Yep. There’s There’s no wings like Jordan Walsh on it. Bo Champ looking for the shot. Excellent defense. Had nowhere to go with it. And Bochamp just can’t figure it out right now. You can you can see him out there. He’s He’s struggling. He’s starting to think when you’re in that mode, just be aggressive. Just be aggressive. You get to that mid-range, just shoot, shoot the shot. Don’t worry about making that extra pass because right now he’s right now everything is not flowing as freely as it needs to for Marshiano Board. Turns it over, gets it back, shoots the three and is short. Possession will stay with the Knicks. Down by 10. 747 to go in the second quarter. Once again, if you’re 14 seconds on the shot, you’re the Knicks in the half court. Get the ball to Col. Get some mid pick and roll action because when it hasn’t been that, it’s been sloppy. They were very lucky right there. Thought Big Fellow had his foot on the half court line. Kick fouled on the way up. And for Tyler Koh, it’s been a struggle to get the ball, let alone make something happen. No assists for Kick. Three shot attempts. And all three of those shot attempts are rushed. This will be the first time he’ll go to the charity strike. Tyler Kick the last time out in their summer league action. Eight assists, a steal, and a block. more typical of his type of game. Coming up next on NBA TV, it’s the Miami Heat and the Cleveland Cavaliers on ESPN 2 tonight. Toronto, Orlando, Brooklyn, Washington Warriors and Jazz. Williams driving, kicks it in the corner, the wide open look all over the glass. He’s made an impact in the first half. Dear has been active every time he gets that offensive re I mean that defensive rebound he looks to looks to push that tempo and he got an open look for Bo Champ who can’t convert but when we say point guard point forward that was an indication of it for Dawir creating space. Bo Champ had to look. Yeah I’m not sure how much of a point guard he is but I do think he is a Yeah, he’s a big with guard skills. There’s a difference when I think of a big point guard. I think of somebody um that comes to mind like Lamar Odum could have been considered a big point guard. You know, he he they really like especially when he played for the Lakers, they really use him to initiate offense. A lot of pick and rolls with him and Pow Gasol. Diwir to me looks like more of a big that can push it in transition, but in the half court, you don’t want him to be the initiator. But he does have an incredible skill set. Kick having some issues with Wong. Daddy with the crossover getting to the home going to the left. That’s nice. That is nice right there by Daddy. No wasted motion. Soon as he got that rock, he had one thing on his mind and that was getting downhill. Oh, waving away the picks. Crossover pass B Champ in the corner. Another miss and Daddy cleaning it up. pulls up for three. Stays here with the Knicks. So Pome Daddy the Knicks struggling to get some offense going just to kind of play and turn things around. Yeah, just caught it on the perimeter. Saw a driving angle. Got right downhill. Didn’t waste any time. Strong finish with the left. And we know that Tom Tibido the now former coach of the Knicks a tight tight rotation. So for guys like Kohic potentially a boat champ who gets this look way right. Oh wow. Bo Champs struggles continue. I mean that was a wideopen shot but it was way off. It wasn’t even close. That was one of those ones that it didn’t look good. Soon as it left his hand you knew it was off. But for Tyler Kick, Pome Daddy, Errol Hook, Porty, all guys who struggled to get playing time last year. Mike Brown, the new head coach of the Knicks, known to get other guys involved in a rotation. So, good opportunity for them to showcase their skills. Bridges gets that score back. Well, listen, man. If you don’t start, it’s always going to be hard for you to get minutes in the tips rotation. You know, he doesn’t like to play the bench. So, all these guys now have a big time opportunity, as you said, with Mike Brown being the head coach. Daddy taking a couple of shots in the corner. Thought about it there. Bo Champ looking to find his rhythm and is way out of it. Marjon Bochamp now 0 for five. 0 for three from long range. Yeah, Bochamp will probably be better off. He’s able to find a layup or some free throws. Just something positive to get himself going in the right direction cuz right now he looks like he’s caught in the matrix out there. Kick a spin on the drive. Can’t get it. Long. Nice look in the corner yet again. Bridges. No. Champ gets the rebound going all the way into Loftton and is denied by Bridges. It’s one of those games even when he does the right makes the right play, Bo Champ right there still not able to get the ball past the defender. An offensive foul on Williams. The timing of that pick and roll between Sherman and Williams. Not together. But here it is. The take and the block. Upset stomach. Ibureast. Indigestion. Ibureast. Bloating. Iberogast. Thanks to a unique combination. Hey, hey, hey. Welcome back to the NBA 2K26 Summer League. We have a special guest, president of basketball operations for the Boston Celtics, Brad Stevens. And let’s get right to it. Um, tough to see some of the guys that helped to win a championship with you gone from the roster, Drew Holiday, Chris Porzingis, and potentially Al Horford. Can you just speak to what those guys meant to your franchise? Yeah, and Luke, too. Um, you know, it’s part of, as I said the other day in a in a press conference, it’s part of this new CBA and and obviously the second apron that um, you know, we’ve been above the last couple of years and um, you know, it’s an unfortunate part. We’re lucky to get the guys that we got back in in those trades, specifically Simons and Nang, but um, yeah, it’s hard to see Drew go. It’s hard to see Chrisabs go, Luke Al. they’ve, you know, just been unbelievable people to have in our group and have added value and hopefully um, you know, I know when they come back to Boston this year, um, it’ll be pretty special the tributes to all of them. And a lot of people are saying this is a gap year or whatever for the Celtics. Obviously, Tatum down, you’ve traded so many pieces, but how are you guys looking at this season and where do you think this roster’s at? We’re going to do like we always do. We’re going to try to put our best foot forward and, you know, compete to the very best of our ability and play to the strengths of our team. I think sometimes when you have guys that are as versatile and as accomplished as the guys we’ve had, um, you can be a little bit more, you know, you, everybody can take their turns or get their share and whatever the case may be. And we’ll probably have to be a little bit more um, soaring with each individual’s strengths in this particular team. But, you know, we’ve got a good we’ve got a a really good foundation. Obviously, um, when you talk about being not maybe as topheavy as we’ve been in the past, you then you think, well, we’ve got Jaylen Brown, we’ve got Derek White, we’ve got, you know, Pritchard, we’ve got obviously Hower. Those guys have been through a lot and they’ve won a lot of games. And, you know, Jaylen is uh, you know, Jaylen’s had such a special career and has s such an impact on winning that I’m looking forward to seeing how we all compete together. Well, I hear those guys that we know are proven at the NBA level, all of them. But for your summer league team, for your G-League team, the past couple of years, we’ve seen guys like Jordan Walsh develop. Uh JD Davidson, another guy that has stood out, Baylor Shyman, when you’re here evaluating these guys. Is it different this year thinking, well, we may need them a little bit more as opposed to um maybe not for me. Maybe for the coaches it is, right? Um, you know, I think that, you know, last year when Shyman was playing, you’re preparing him for the reality that he’s probably not going to play a lot, um, just because of how, you know, deep we were, um, you know, in our rotation. But, uh, he played really well at the end of this regular season. And, um, the biggest challenge then as you now stack another summer league on top of this is is don’t try to do too much. Don’t try to be somebody you’re not. and just do what you would do within the confines of, you know, our team when we all get back together um in September. All right, we they they have to re do a replay on this last play. So, we’re going to step away for a second. We come back more from Brad Stevens. My dad’s in the NBA. No way. It’s true. It’s true. He’s never got a basket or anything, but he hasn’t. Heat. Heat. Heat. And they got the out of bounds all correct on this bang bang play. And it looks like they are coming to a verdict right now. Nope. Not sure why it’s taking them that long, but they’re they’re trying to make sure that they get it right. Brad, I know you love the I know you love the reviews in summer. I love replays in summer. I know you love it. After review, the ball’s last touched by Nola Jr. The clocks are going to be remain the same. Due to the challenge being successful, Boston will maintain their right to challenge for the remainder of the game, but lose their timeout because a ch a mandatory timeout was due at this time. That’s Matt Reynolds specialty right there. I was just going to ask that’s what he does a lot of really good things and he does a ton of things behind the scenes, but he’s known as our challenge guy to most of the public. Now, something you spoke to a little bit earlier about the decision making that you have to kind of put down in this off season is the second apron and how that makes things different. Uh can you break down especially you know for a team like he’s laughing like no Celtics he’s like no it’s how how much did that change how you approach the offse as McCull continues to have good listen the last we knew as you know even three years ago right that we were when the new CBA was kicking in and it was going to be slowly um slowly become fully operational I guess um we knew that in the first couple years we were going to be over the second apron And those are the years that we really had to go all in and and really make a run at it. And and um obviously we did that. We were fortunate enough to win one. But um and we’ve had really good teams. But you know, the reality is is that that’s not going to be doable forever. Other teams are going to run into that. And um and so yeah, this is part of it. It’s, you know, I don’t look at it as um anything, but we’ve got to retool and we’ve got to uh make sure that we are are building the right group around our core and our core is very strong. And talking about the right group and building building around those guys, one piece that you guys were able to bring in Anthony Simons, talk to us about what he brings to this uh this Boston Celtics new look Boston Celtics team and what do you expect out of him? Well, he’s 26 years old and he’s averaged 20 a game three straight years, which uh you know, people that maybe people in in New England or people in the East Coast don’t see as many Portland games late at night, right, that aren’t on League Pass, but I think that um he’s a guy that can really score the ball. I think he’s one of the best shooters in the league. He’s one of the best tough shot makers in the league. Uh just a really good player. So when I hear that, what are your We know that typically every year the expectation for the team, you’re thinking championship aspirations. What are your expectations this season for you? I don’t ever put a ceiling on our team. Our our expectation is to compete and try to win the next game. the whole the whole goal of being in my position in Boston or playing in Boston or coaching in Boston is to compete for championships and that’s what you always want to be and that’s ultimately going to be our northstar as we again retool this thing. Um but you know every single night we take the court we want to put our best foot forward and try to win the game. You talk about putting your best foot forward. Is there somebody specifically you have in mind that you’re saying, “Hey, listen. With this much more opportunity available to you this year, I’m expecting this player to take a jump.” You know, I don’t I don’t really want to put that on any individual player because I I care a lot more about the team, right? You know, let’s all take a jump. Let’s all let’s accentuate each other and and you know, obviously all of the attention is going to go to our best players. It always does. And they’ve done such a good job of handling that in the past. and and if you’re around them, you generally play well. And so I think that that’s, you know, it’s going to be um it’s going to be putting the pieces together and again making sure we’re soaring with everybody’s strengths. But if everybody can do that and play to that, you know, I think we can be a good basketball team. Can you take us to the human side of it with Jason Tatum? Because here’s a player that we’ve all seen develop from the very first time he was drafted into this league and be able to become a champion and a perennial allstar. goes down with the Achilles tear the next couple of weeks, the next month or two, what were those conversations like? How is he doing as a person? He he seems to be doing really well. It’s hard. I mean, rehabbing is hard. Anybody that’s ever been through a long injury and a long recovery is it’s just a, you know, it’s a challenge, mental challenge, physical challenge, obviously, but he got the surgery right away. And from that point on, his mindset was, we are going after this thing and trying to get better. Um, and and he’s a he’s a competitor. He’s going to compete in everything he does, including his rehab. And so I’m I’m really encouraged. I’ve been basically seeing him every day in Boston for the last 50 days or whatever. And usually he goes away at the end of the season and then comes back, but he just stayed there and has been doing his rehab. And it’s been fun to uh it’s been fun to spend time with him every day and, you know, just try to uh catch up and see how he’s doing as we watch him make the strides he needs to make. And you’re talking about Tatum and fighting through this and staying in Boston. A lot of obviously there’s never anything good that can come out of these type of situations as far as injury standpoint, but when you’re there all off season and you have to kind of rededicate yourself me mentally. Guess what we have? What do we have? Another challenge. Another challenge is coming our way. We got to let Brad Stevens go on that one. Thank you. I can’t ask any more questions from you. Every small business owner has a monster to-do list. And as your business grows, it grows. That’s fair. Progressive makes it easy to get a quick commercial auto quote online so you can get back to all Here’s the play in question. They’re trying to figure out who it’s out on. And it looks like Shoga gets the first hand on it. Does it touch Daddy A is really the question. I’m not sure. I can’t tell. I’m not sure about that one. What’ you see, partner? Well, what I saw was Brad Stevens and some of the things that he said there shows why the Boston Celtics have won a championship under his leadership. That’s the number one thing um that stood out to me, Brendan. He basically said, “We think we’re we win a championship every year. We’re keeping that mentality with this group.” So while others can say, “Hey, they’re going to rebuild or hey, this is a gap year,” he wasn’t hearing any of that noises. They have the verdict. After review, the ball’s last touched by Schulga. There’s going to be New York ball on the baseline with N 18 seconds on the shot clock. Due to this challenge being successful, New York will retain their timeout and maintain the right to challenge for the remainder of the game. So, a successful challenge by the New York Knicks and their summer league head coach Jordan Brink. And that was his duty with the Knicks this past season. And as I mentioned before, was successful on over 75% of his challenge. Papy loses it inside. Shoga going the other way. Shyman open look and he’s short. The Knicks right now only 25 points. McCuller, well, he’s the only one scoring. He’s got 12 of the 27. Yeah, I mean, it’s been it’s been a it’s been a struggle for this New York Knicks team and you can see it right from the jump. Not really a lot of play making on this summer league roster. Not a lot of guys that are exceptional at creating either shots for themselves or others. So when they get bogged down in the half court, it turns into a little bit of a rock fight. McCuller again. No, there’s Tyler Co finding him. And that’s what the Knicks need more of. Shoga in the corner for Walsh. He goes baseline. A porti closes out. That foul will go against. Walsh typically likes that corner three. Yeah, Walsh Walsh has had some success knocking down the corner three, but right there got ran off the three-point line, drove to the paint, was able to pay it off with two free throws. Yeah. So, Walsh, all of his points have come from either that corner three or at the free throw line. His first miss at the charity stripe tonight. Walsh one of those guys that I had to also ask Brad Stevens about in the sense that when you look at this roster, here’s a guy that should have an opportunity to really have a year where he gets some playing time. Like we said, when Jason Tatum obviously going to be out this year, that creates a that creates a opportunity for a lot of people from a minute standpoint. Daddy gets the open look. Kick gets the assist and to Brendan’s point, that’s what the Knicks need more of. Yeah, the Knicks definitely need a lot more of that catch and shoot threes, penetration to the lane, spraying out, getting good shots and knocking down those good shots. Boss, jab, jab, uses his hip to keep the defender off of him. A porty gets the clean block, but it’s Bassie on the rebound. Bassie right there, Johnny on the spot just trailing that play, able to pick that rebound, I mean that deflection up and finish strong. Knicks down by 12. McCuller and that’s a foul. They had a foul to give and they use it. So with 4.6 to go here in the half. Celtics use their foul wisely. Have the Knicks reset. Very smart move by the Celtics. So Walsh with his five fouls will sit down for his final five seconds. I don’t think they’re saving his fouls. And a sloppy inbounds pass. Shman beats the buzzer with a hook shot. Oh wow, that almost went in. He’s smiling about it because he knew when he let it go, it had a chance. But it’s the Celtics with a 12point lead looking to improve the 2 and 0 here. The Las Vegas Summer League all over the Knicks turning defense into offense. 14 turnovers by the Knicks. 14 points for the Celtics off those turnovers. People Heat. Heat. still learning the rules. Just stay together. We’re we’re moving too fast. Calm down. We got five guards out here. We calm down. Hey, we got to have pace after a lot of goal screen. It’s too much one-on-one. That’s not That’s not the type of basketball we’re going to play today. Hey, we just got to get some stops and run. Get some stops and run. Try and play in transition real quick. Guys, great defense on a miss. Remember, we crash on the high side and we pressure. Okay, pressure them. You see when you pressure, they turn the ball over. Way to settle in. Good job. Good job. When you in stack, they giving a mid-range up so I could drive at you like I drove a deal. Back to sir. Sir. Yeah. My three was a two. Yeah, it was two. Damn. Why you ain’t Why you ain’t tell me? Scoot back. That’s a pro foul. That’s NBA foul. Just got to smile a little bit. Just got to smile a little bit. Hey DG. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. I love it. Stay up. Come on. Get it back. Speaking of sounds of the game, you may have wondered what the crowd eruption was in the background. Here it is. Half court shot for the win here in Vegas. Second half of Nick Celtics coming up next. Chris Miles and Brendan Haywood get you ready. people. They’re good for 26 where the New York Knicks and the Boston Celtics are ready for the second half. Boston with a 12point lead. Chris and Brendon Haywood here with you. And for the Celtics, it’s been all about their defense, turning that into offense. They have 14 turnovers, forced 14 points off of those turnovers. And the standout player has been Baylor Sh. You see the quick steals from the logo back here. This one of them all when you got a guy like that’s the difference so far. Yeah, Shyman doing a little bit of everything for this Boston Celtics club. But the biggest thing has obviously been the defense right now. Celtics holding the Knicks to 25% from the field, 10% from three, turning them over 14 times, and the Knicks only have five assists. The Boston Celts defense has been absolutely stifling as we see Jordan Walsh, a defensive hound all over Tyler Kick, who was held to one point and one assist in the first half, gets that shot off and the lone bright spot for the Knicks off the glass. He now 12 points on just three shots. Got 16 points. He’s been able to get it in. Blocked by it. And that’s just been what the Knicks off has looked like in a nutshell. First half and Shman Shman misses that one. But Nicks have a great transition layup. Can’t knock it down as Bridges gets the layup inside. But when you have those type of fast breaks, you have to figure out a way to get a quality look right there. Have to get the possession. Throw the lob up. You got to be able to finish it. And a foul on Huck. Turnover number 15 for the Knicks. And in the first half, other players controlling the point for the Knicks. Now they’re going with Tyler Kick to start this second half. But here it is, the putback on like you said, 16 points. Shman iso and Dier behind the back attack pull up. Nice take by Sh. Excellent footwork right there. Got to his spot. Understood how to fake the defender. McCuller takes it over. Williams. He has 18 now. Six for seven from the field. You talk about McCulla’s last year in college at Kansas. He averaged 18 a game, but he’s shown us why he was able to score that much at the collegiate level. And the defense on Walsh, the whistle was blown after McCull came down. Whistle was blown a little bit late. But let’s see if we got the right call. As we see Walsh right here. I don’t know, man. And there’s the whistle. Yeah, that’s the part of it. I don’t know about that one. Whether or not there was a foul, it’s the whistle occurred after he grabbed the board. That’s why you heard the crowd and their reaction. I know that’s why you had your reaction because you I know people don’t know you a street ball legend in New York and you hate those late calls. In street ball, you can’t have late calls. You can make a call, but you can’t be a late call. No blood, no foul. Brendon, oh, that’s how you played on on the New York City courts. It’s how you play. All right. and Walsh having himself a nice offensive outing now. 10 points. Seven of those coming at the free throw line. The nice pass to Dier gets the open look. Sh once again involved on the glass looking ahead to Walsh. And another relatively late whistle. This time there was no reaction. Looked like Walsh got hit right on the arm on the layup right there. And so for Walsh, a very physical game on both ends. You see him with five fouls. Now he’s headed to the free throw line for attempts number 10 and 11. That’s the name of the And that’s the name of the game is is being able to get to the free throw line. Put something positive out there. score becomes a lot easier when you got a couple of free throws underneath your ball. Sh with the vision in the pass. Shman’s skill set just all around. Yeah, he can shoot it. He can pass it. He rebounds and is able to get steals on defense. Yeah, Shman’s somebody that can do a little bit of everything. And so that’s why in the summer league said he Some guys have to pick and choose what they want to display. Like they only can be their only shooters or their only defensive players, but a guy like Shman, he can just show a little bit of everything. So the second offensive foul for the Knicks and we’ve been focused on Jordan Walsh. How about McCull now? Six fouls. So we got two candidates to reach the 10 foul plateau. And we talked about the 10 foul plateau was normally hit by big men and we got two wing defenders out there challenging for that spot. And Hucking fouls Bridges. That is the theme of the third quarter so far. Foul, foul, and foul. Watch it again. Clear as day. Bridges coming in on 40 grabs arm. So for Bridges today, he’s flashed a bit of athleticism. 24 years old out of Baylor and High School won back-to-back state titles in the state of West Virginia. Celtics with a 16-point lead now. Their largest of the game. The Knicks still struggling to get any sort of defensive rhythm. Kick pulling up and that’ll help to get it going. His first bucket. Excellent drive and take right there by Kick. They’re going to need a lot more of that. Kick and daddy are the only guys that I feel like can create even a resemblance of offense in the half court for the Knicks. Shalier running with him. Throws it up and Erased by Bridges have trouble finishing off the alleyoops. Boston not so much as Walsh is able to sneak behind the defense and throw it down. So Shman showing the assist, but it all starts with the defense from the Boston Celtics leading to some easy instant offense and a 16 lead. defensive struggle but their guys Tyler Kick one for eight m three for 11 McCull really the offensive bright spot for seven for 18 points and there he is with the ball now adding to that total make that 20 points been the only one that has been able to find a little bit of room and break down this Celtics defense at all. Daddy going to the back for the Knicks. Try to figure out what’s happening with him as he heads to the locker room. Of course, the Knicks first round pick from 2024. New York down by 14. So despite their offensive walls, they’re still relatively in this one. And they’re lucky to be down 14. Only reason they’re down 14 is as bad as they’re playing offensively. The Celtics aren’t playing great either, they’re only shooting 39% from the field and 21% from three. So the alioop attempt deflected away by Hucking. Looks like Williams will earn a trip to the free throw line. So Amari Williams the second round pick for the Boston Celtics 610 227. I point that out because clearly They have an opportunities in that front court, especially for a guy of his size to come in, try to get some playing time. Summer League action continues tonight on NBA TV, ESPN, and the ESPN app. Cleveland Cavaliers, Miami Heat at 7:30 here on NBA TV on ESPN 2. Raptors, Magic, Nets, Wizards, Warriors, and the Utah Jazz. We look at the Jazz. We look at the Wizards. The fifth and six picks in the draft on the court. Trey Johnson for the Wizards and Ace Bailey for the Jazz. I can’t wait to see that one. Color fouled by guess who you already if you have to. Yeah, at this point when you hear foul, you don’t even have to guess. You know Walsh’s name is going to be a part of it. His sixth foul and he is clearly unfased. Unbothered. He understands the summer league rules. runs in 40. That’s seven. I mean, you you have to like you have Walsh has to have a little bit of awareness right there. You got six. Now, I understand you get 10, but you you have to try to navigate that screen a little bit. Smiling about it, too. I I do not I do not know why, but you have to try to go under that screen, over that screen, but running straight through it, that’s that’s normally not a good option. McCully throwing it down with authority. That got Miguel Bridges to stand up on the baseline. Shyman driving, turning, not connecting. had an impactful first half. We see him for the first time here in the second half. That ball tipped out of bounds by Shyman. Check it out again. McCulla doing a great job right here drawing two, dropping it off through for the big fella who knows how to throw it down. Now take me behind the curtain a bit because we know Muel Bridges established vet in the NBA out here to support. As a teammate, when you’re a vet, are there certain young guys that you develop a good relationship with in particular like Hucky, potentially with Bridges? Yeah, man. Listen, when you’re a vet, there’s certain young guys that you take underneath your wing. And when you see those guys doing well, whether it’s in a summer league environment or just even in a regular season game in a blowout form, you’re happy for those guys because you understand how much work that goes into just being an NBA player, how much work they put in behind the scenes. So, you’re happy whenever they get their moment. So, another foul on that play. The aggressive nature of the Celtics defense. You said I didn’t even see where’s Bridges at. I didn’t see you see him baseline underneath the Knicks basket. Oh, for three. I do see him over there now. Mull backing off. About the only thing wrong McCull has done wrong all game. I mean all day and dives for it undercutting long. I see McCulla right here. Man, maybe the easiest look he’s had all day. One of the easiest looks. Let me ask you a question, Chris. You look at this Knicks team as we see Oiana on the baseline and Bridges as well. I’m looking over to my right. I see their new head coach, Mike Brown, over there. this Knicks team coming off of the Eastern Conference Finals and we’ve talked about the state of the Eastern Conference. Do you think they’re the favorites now to make a to make a run to the finals out of the Eastern Conference? We understand. That’s a very good question. Like I said, we understand Boston is going to be not going to be the same Boston. They’re they’re trying to figure some things outvious. The Pacers obviously don’t aren’t gonna have Hallebertton this year. Dane Lillard no longer a Portland trail player. I mean, no longer a Milwaukee B. It depends on how you view it. If you’re going with the team with the best record last year, as Grant pulls up, you’d have to go Cleveland Cavaliers. Yeah. If you go on paper, you probably go Cleveland Cavaliers. But if you look at them, the Knicks, the last time they faced the Cavs in the playoffs, They eliminated the Cavs and the Cavs haven’t been out of the second round. So when you say favorite, if you’re saying to go back to the NBA finals and representing the Eastern Conference as the nice up and in under finish by Brown, it’s typically a team and you know this that has been so close to conference finals that has been the years of going to the playoffs and you think, “Oh, that seems like the Knicks are the next team up, right?” And I tell you who I’m not going to overlook. Who’s that? The team the Knicks beat the Detroit Pistons. Kade Cunningham who’s arguably top two or three player in the Eastern Conference and the Orlando Magic with the moves they’ve made and they now have Paulo Ban Carol emerging as a potential top five player. It’s going to be the East is going to be very interesting. Like I said, the biggest thing for me watching the Knicks when I look at them from a championship level standpoint will be how do you win playoff series? when two of your best players aren’t really good defenders and you know teams are going to attack you. When we talk when we talk about Brunson, when we talk about Carl Anthony Towns, we see Grant knock down the triple. But getting back to the Knicks, you understand that teams are going to attack those two guys specifically and it’s going to be very hard to hide two guys of that caliber on the defensive end. Great point. And the one thing I would say offsets that is when you look at Mike Brown, who was coach of the year just two years ago, now the new head coach of the Knicks as the Knicks start to get their offense going. That’s Anton Watson for three, making an 11point deficit. They had the the Kings had the best offensive rating his last season as a head coach. And the Knicks certainly have the offensive firepower and a balanced roster to do so if more guys are able to. So I want to see how the first half of the season goes under Mike Brown before making that determination. But it’s very interesting to see those things come together. Yeah, I definitely think that Mike Brown’s going to use the bench a little bit more. We understand this Knicks team is very talented. Brunson, I mean, he is just he he just continues to amaze me what he’s able to do as far as scoring the ball at all three levels, especially in the mid-range. You don’t see a a guy like Brunson is not supposed to be able to dominate from 15 feet on in the way. Not the biggest, not the fastest, not the quickest, not the strongest, but he just understands angles, timing, has a very unique and calm skill set. So, I I like this Knicks team, but they just going to have to figure out defensively, how do they hide their guys in close ball games? Because when you when you get down to it, Carl Anthony Towns and Brunson will be called upon to guard in the last four to five minutes of any close playoff game. And what we did see towards the end of the regular season in the playoffs, Mitchell Robinson came back. Yes, he changed their defensive dynamic and I want to see how Mike Brown uses that. Bridges OG and Anobi plus defenders. So you have to offset what you’re saying. Maybe more staggered minutes for Brunson and Towns in that way. who’s been the entire offense for the Knicks, takes a seat with three minutes to go here in the third quarter. Grant making it difficult for Long to initiate some offense. Loftton the Euroep switching hands getting back to the left going right at Watson and shot clock went off. It is a violation. And you got to give Watson credit for handling Loftton in the post. The Knicks down by 12 with 243 to go here in the third quarter. Happy Hey little feel. No, it’s been it’s been very physical. Um game hasn’t been aesthetically pleasing to the eye. Hasn’t been a lot of shot making. Um hasn’t been a lot of shot creation. This has just been honestly a struggle. I would call it a rock fight, but that would be disrespectful to rock fights. Now, take for instance Jordan Walsh, who you see number 27 on the floor as we get this jump ball here. He has never had a game where he’s had more than three fouls in a single game in his NBA career. He’s got seven fouls on this one. Tyler Kick chase that one down. Brown can do. Great hustle right there by Brown. Celtics in control. from the opening tip ahead by 14 late in the third. Grant stepped out of bounds in that deadly sideline. We’ve got a lot of guys stepping out of bounds in that in that in that short corner today. So Marjan Boamp checking back in 0 for five so far for the Knicks are set to check back in zero points. A player to keep an eye out on later in the game. And Bo was somebody that I thought would excel in this format because he’s been here before. He’s done it. I thought he would be the most comfortable here, but he’s been one of the guys that’s actually struggled the most. Watson contines a tough shot on the glass. Excellent defense by Watson. I love the fact that big fell didn’t waste any time. As soon as he caught the ball, he got straight to the money. No fade away jumpers, none of that. I got a little man on me. I’m going make him feel the pain. Watson kicking it out in the corner. Tapping it back out for three. Watson again. Absolute brick. So the Knicks, you see the hustle, but no. Did you say Did you say absolute break? You just couldn’t let him You just couldn’t let him go with the reg. That was more than a break. Okay. Well, guess what we have now? The largest lead of the game up to 18 for the season. And great take by Loftton. Loftton was able to use his body to create that space and get that shot up. Long with the wrapound foul on Kick. I’m about to steal that one. Not Not just a regular break, absolute certified break. Max under a minute to go here in the third. Knicks still riding the struggle bus offensively and that’s why pass from Watson Walsh in its Walsh got to kick that I mean kick that ahead. Looked like he had Shoga out in front a little bit. 20 turnovers now for the Knicks right here. Good defense by Walsh now. Right. You got to give it up right there. Right there. I mean, Max Scha is better than me. I I’ll be like, “Hey, listen here, Walsh. I’m going to need that on the fast break. You got to drop that dime.” Speaking of dropping dimes, dropping one to Bass. He might not have received a dime, but he gives one out. Say it’s better to give than to receive. That’ll go against Shoga. So after the assists, fouls here, but perfection. Yeah, this is an excellent read of the pick and roll game. Once Shoga turned that corner and he saw the defensive bigs numbers, he knew he had to lob over the top of the basket, he put it right where it needed to be. So for the Knicks down by 19, 25 seconds to go here in the third quarter. Doesn’t feel like a comeback’s in order, but what would you like to see from them to close out the four? Well, I mean, anything can happen. There’s still a lot of time. I’ve seen a lot of summer league games that can just turn at the drop of a dime. It’s going to start off with not fouling, knocking down some shots, and then turning up from the defensive end. The good thing is the Boston Celtics haven’t played a absolute clean game themselves. So, you can get back in this game. The Celtics, like I said, only shooting 41% from the field. Celtics also only four of 21 from three. So, if the Knicks can just make a couple of shots, they can get back in this ball game. As Bassie turns it over. Oh, they going to call a foul. So, the foul on Watson, which looked like a back violation, but foul number 41 of the game, that’s the most important step, unfortunately. So, Bassie at the free throw line, 610, 235, second round pick back in 2021. And when you look at players like this, as we discussed before, seems like there could be an opportunity this season to play with the Boston Celtics. Listen, right now, if you’re on the Boston Celtics summer league team, you just have to understand that if you can convince somebody in the front office that you deserve to be there at camp, that you deserve to get a shot at being in the rotation. There’s a lot of minutes up for grabs. There’s a lot of transition with this roster. This roster is in flux right now. Like I said, no Chris Porzingis, Drew Holiday is gone. Jason Tatum won’t be playing this year. So there’s a there’s a lot of opportunity. Well, for Bassie joined the Celtics summer league roster just days before the first game at 14 and 11 in the summer league debut. And in this one also impact another double double 13 and 10 in just right now. The Celtics going with a little bit of his own. I guess I would say they’re trying to throw the Knicks off, but the Knicks have been off all game. We need to try to throw them off now. stick works and almost another turnover. Bo Champ inside taking it out with four seconds to go. And Bassie was telling the bench to look for a replay and McCull snuck right in behind him for the layup. Bassie as he allowed the easy layup for the Knicks who haven’t had many of those. They’re down by 18 with just 10 minutes left to play. Whatever the moment, make it a cocktail on the rocks. Bartender created cocktails. Mom. Yeah, I fell. Okay, there’s bandages in the cabinet. Heat. Heat. Heat. Heat. We have to stay processor oriented and just continue to take every possession one at a time. And for you individually, what sorts of things are you working on in the offseason that you hope to display here today? I’m just trying to impact the game in in in a lot of different areas, whether that’s defense, getting steals, finding the open man, rebounding, hitting shots. Just trying to impact the game in whatever way I can positively. Thanks for stopping. Good luck. Appreciate you guys. Thank you. Oh, and making an impact with the block at the rim. And you ask me, how did Nick Beck get back in the game? With hustle plays like that, sometimes those type of plays can just spark your ball club. Kick remains frigid now. for 10 from the field. 0 for five from long range. Shogi gets it to McCullers going up top. Can’t get it to drop. G some good defense, but offensively can’t get it to fall. But I like the fact the big fell has 11 rebounds. to Walsh in the post. The turn with the quick hands. Great hands by Kick right there. Another good defensive play by the Knicks but blown on the other end. Bo Champ turning it over. I tell you what, Bo Champ has just had a game to forget. Zero points over five. Those costly turnovers. So good. Strong move that lead back up to 20. over Williams. No, again on the back. We talked about Hawk, what he did from a rebounding standpoint. That one right there being his 12th show with the handles on 40 on Walsh pulling up over Kick all McCull on the cut to hook 40 with get foul there’s been a lot been very active here in the third in the beginning of this third quarter fourth quarter so Ariel Hugport played in 25 games in his rookie season tore his meniscus in February but Clearly that added depth to that front line and got his playing time when Mitchell Robinson was out, sevenfooter, 262 lbs. Would you say provides an impact defensively has the right size and athleticism, but offensively is where he needs to grow. Yeah. Offensively, a guy like him, you just you want him to figure out the little nuances of the game going to help him out. You’re not going to ask him to shoot the corner three, but if he’s not getting a dunk at the rim, he has to develop his touch around the basket. If you set us pick and roll and you roll and you catch and you can’t get a direct dunk, can you get to a little jump hook or floater? Do you have the footwork inside to bump guys off and get out and and create space inside? Those are the little nuances that can take you from a guy that’s out of the rotation to a guy that they can consistently depend on in the rotation. A foul on the perimeter goes on And getting back to our conversation with Brad Stevens earlier, an easy break there for Bridges getting the opportunity on a fast break. That was a tough about the mentality for the Celtics coming into next season. You were asking me about the Knicks as a team that could potentially contend in the East. What do you think about his optimism? What can the Celtics actually be in the Eastern Conference? Play in play off. Well, a lot of what the Celtics can be will depend on how things go. Great. I mean, great by now. So, just when you thought the Knicks were out, they pull us right back in here in the fourth quarter. at 18. And even from last season, George Ning projected starter for Jason Tatum, Luke Garza, and then Anthony Simons for Drew Holiday. So, three different starters projected for the Celtics as Bridges. He’s up to 15 points and and the Celtics as a team this year, they’re going to have a lot of different things that are going to be intriguing to look at. First of all, can Anthony Simons get his numbers on a winning ball? I want to see that. Brad Stevens mentioned about this this young man as we see McCull knock down another jumper as he has 28, but Anthony Simons has been over 20 the last three seasons. Can he do that for a winning ball club? Can Jaylen Brown take the step from going from Robin to Batman? We understand that he’s the number two to Jason Tatum, but can he be a true number one in effect winning? And last but not least, is Derek White able to take the step up from a dynamic role player to a true go-to option? Those are the three things that I’ll be looking for and I’ll be watching throughout the course of the season. So, Hucky back to the free throw line. He’s got six points but 13 rebounds and McCuller finding him inside. We saw him find him for a dunk and now finding him sending him to the charity strike. So for Kevin McCull 28 points, four rebounds the one assist, but we’ve seen other good passes not really having a good allound game. Yeah, McCulla has been the lone bright spot for the New York Knicks offensively. He’s been a guy that whether we talking about knocking down free throws, getting big time knock hitting shots, he’s been one of the few shot makers that we’ve had on both sides of the ball today. So McCulla McCuller has been somebody that has st stood out from an offensive standpoint and it’s been right from the jump of the game. He got going at the free throw line early, got six quick free throws and ever since then he’s just been in the groove. So 13-point deficit, 622 to go. Celtics have been in command for most of the game. The with an opportunity here to try to stay in striking distance. And it feels like the Knicks and it feels like the Knicks should be down more than 13. I mean, you say 13, you look up, you would think the Knicks were down 23 with the way they play from an offensive standpoint. And Huck another impact play. He’s been a big part of the Knicks being able to be in this, but he’s been a big part. No, can’t get that to drop. Knicks needed that a lot of bumping up and down the court. Loft it up to pass. I’m not sure was better the pass or the finish. Kick inside to Hordi. Oh wow. And the sack by Bassie. See right here, Loftton coming off the I love the big the big pick and roll action. Loftton throws it up and Bassie catching it and just finishing it with the soft touch with the left. Porty three for four so far at the free throw line. Heading back here. An impact performance for him overall. 58th pick from last year’s draft. this season 46% from the free throw line, but it looks good for a guy his size. Yeah, I mean 46% during the year, but he doesn’t look like 46% right now. Looks calm. Has a nice follow. Looks calm at the free throw line. Has a nice follow through as well. breaking that press with ease. Shyman to Wong in the paint. That’s a nice finish. A great drive by Wong. Wong. Somebody that had a call. A crosscourt pass and the push in the back. You see Wong right here driving down the lanes able to finish over diara somebody I had a chance to watch a lot of him in college at Miami had a really really special season where he scored the ball well team did well that year also still trying to find his footing in the league but does have a little bit of a scoring back on all over Wong. Loftton sets the screen and quick hands by Kohic. Forces the turnover. McCull driving, switching hands, and another foul. McCull did a good job right there when he didn’t fade, didn’t step it away, understood that he had bridges on his hip, went right into his chest. He’s like, “Listen, either you’re getting out of the way, you’re going to get this foul call, but I’m not letting you off the hook.” So, for a 66, 205, 24 year old guard, we’ve seen the stats and how he’s a proven scorer at the collegiate level, at the GLeague level, at the summer league level. From what you’ve seen today, do you think he will get an opportunity in the NBA? I can’t tell you for sure, but I do know that he had the qualities of a player that can be in an NBA rotation. He can knock down shots, confident scorer, can get it done at the free throw line as well. Oh, and Bassie fouled on the way up. Had an opportunity to turn that into a nasty alleyoop three-point. And Bassie had a chance to really bring the house down with that one. So Bassie again, 15 points, 11 rebounds. Has not missed a free throw in just 19 minutes. Just an outstanding overall game for him. Nice free throw stroke and the Toronto Raptor Orlando Magic in action at the Thomas. So that’s Jace Richardson, the Orlando Magic first round pick and his debut was eight for the field and looked good. Clearly his ability to shoot will translate from Michigan State as he plays in the NBA for the Orlando Magic. And that’s something that Orlando needed last season, some outside shooting. Orlando needed shooting in the worst way as we get a offensive foul from McCull. Seven fouls from McCull now. Oh wow. But getting back to Orlando, Orlando like I had a chance to do one of their playoff games and it was just amazing that Paulo would get into the paint, create a problem, two to three guys would have to guard him. is when they were playing the Celtics and when they would swing swing that ball to the perimeter, it was always like a 29 or 31% three-point shooter that was getting that shot on the weak side corner. So, that’s a hard way to make a living. Orlando, one of the worst three-point shooting teams in the league last year. Obviously, they’ve done a lot this offseason to change that. Baylor Sh with the right hook. He’s a lefty. Shows the craftiness. Had a great game in that way. If he made it with his left hand, I would have been incredibly impressed. But doing that with his right, that shows a high degree of skill. Front rim. Very cold game for him. 1 for 12 from the field. 0 for six from long range. Loftton. Loftton knew he wanted that one right away. Soon as he saw McCulla on him, he went he got he got right to it. He’s never afraid of the contact. And we see in the gym now, Cooper Flag has walked in. We know he’s been shut down from summer league play. But Brendan, 31 points in his second game. He took 21 shots in the first game, 20 shots in his second game. Certainly not shots in his second game. Certainly not. Is just somebody that you know right away he’s going to be able to impact winning. And it’s because he doesn’t have to score the ball to impact winning. He does everything well. He rebounds. Uh he defends. He’s a good arm ball defender, weak side defender, good passer. There have been times where I’ve seen Cooper Flag not shooting great from the field and I look up and I say, “Well, he has seven assists, 10 rebounds, three blocks, four steals.” Like that’s the type of player you really want to build your franchise around. A guy that can do multiple things. Tyler looking for the basket and they’ll count that as a goalending. He needed that as he was one for 12 before that if that was swatted away. Heat. Hey. Hey. Hey. Happy. Tyler one for now for the field. He thought he had himself with the steel. finds McCullman running the point on a break. Find loses it. Gets it back and a block and one. Who’s that? Who’s that? That’s down for Oh, that’s McCulla. So, we’ve seen for the Knicks, Daddy went back to the locker room, has not returned, and now McCull that left elbow hit him right in the face. He’s down and is shaken up. And we’re going to have another replay for what? A hostile. Two summer sensations are flying into DQ. Hey. Hey. Hey. Hey, hey, hey. Everybody. And for the Knicks, he was their lone bright spot with 30 points. The Knicks got 69 on the board. Then they challenged that play called a block on the floor and it is now called a charge. Yeah. And now it’s going to be, like I said, not a lot of time left in this game. 90 to 69. It was going to be really hard to come back for the Knicks anyway, but with McCulla not probably not reporting back into this game and he’s somebody that has 30 points, it’s really going to be an uphill battle as we see Kick go to full length of the court and Kick struggled contin one for 14. Wow. So for the Knicks, the players that we told you to watch out for, Tyler Kohic, one for 14 from the field, Pome Daddy, three for 11, Marjan Boamp, 0 for five, zero points. So that entire group has struggled and you got to give credit where it’s due to the Celtics defense. Yeah, the Celtics defense has been very good from the start. Hasn’t given the Knicks a lot of really good clean looks. And then at the same time also when you look at this Knicks roster, not a lot of dynamic playmakers. And in summer league, you need one or two things. Either guy that’s really good at making plays for others or guys that are really good for making plays for themselves. The Knicks really don’t have either. I’m going to ask you this very important question. Over on fouls in the game as that one goes in. 45 fouls. I’m going to take the over. 50 fouls. Why are you giving him the answers to the test? He said because you went to North Carolina. Hey yo, don’t do me like that on here. Dave, what is that? He’s giving me the answers to the test and he said it’s because I went to North Carolina. Are you serious? I’m not even allowed I’m not even allowed to laugh at that joke. Dave, I’m not even Is Stephanie ready down there laughing, too? Oh, you see y’all all ganging up to go against me? Huh? I see 3D’s laughing, too. I see what’s going I see what’s going on down here. I see what’s going on. Ain’t no love for your boy, man. Hey, I’m just saying Carolina alumni won’t even allow me to laugh at that joke. They don’t think they won’t think that’s funny. I didn’t set that up in that way, my friend. I was just trying to figure out if you would guess the fouls and you were right. I expect it from you. I expect it from you. But I’m disappointed in Steph. No, Steph turned on me. That’s why I’m disappointed. We go way back. We go way back like car seats. I can’t believe that she would turn on me like that. I would never I would never be. As you said, we go way back. Yeah, but I saw you laughing, man. I saw you laughing. Be you know, it doesn’t take much to make me laugh. This too is true. That’s why we That’s why we get along. Well, that’s right. I feel like Stephanie’s the type that, you know, someone’s in pain, they laugh instead of crying. No, she feels like that type of person. stump like that was funny. Oh man, I tell you what’s not funny. What Bassie is doing to the Knicks right now. 22 and 13 for Bassie. Those are grown men numbers right there. He’s going to foul real quickly to get out the game as the Celtics are about to clear the bench. So for Bassie, 22 and 13 on just 12 shots following up an excellent debut where he had 14 and 11. So you could say leveling up and doing his damage coming off the bench. So I would say if there’s one thing we learned today, Charles Bassie someone to look for potential on the Celtics roster during the regular season. Yeah, definitely. You look at Bassie had multiple double doubles in this summer league already. He’s somebody that could come in and definitely fill the void in the front court and take some of those minutes. And I also know if I’m going to give you a quiz or a test again that Dave Freed is going to attempt to give you the answers as I’m asking the question. Unbelievable. But I did have the I did have it right though. I took the over. Took the over at 40. But we are up to 53. Oh, I’m sorry. 54 fouls now. So for the Celtics, the standout players, Baylor Shyman, Charles Bassie would be number one and number two. Jordan Walsh all over the place defensively, but two for 10 from the field. One for six from long range 13. Yeah, but the thing about Jordan Walsh is even though he didn’t hit shots and he committed a lot of fouls, he can at least hang his head on the fact that he went to the free throw line 11 times and hit eight of them. When things aren’t going well for you, show me you can do something else. And that’s what Walsh did tonight. Couldn’t knock down shots, but did a great job of getting to the free throw line at an elite level. Yeah. for Brad Stevens stopping by the show in the second quarter. Thought he had some interesting things to say about this roster. Yeah, I I think the biggest thing biggest takeaway for me is the Brad Stevens and the Celtics are not changing as you see the bank is open. Brad Stevens and the Celtics are not changing their mindset of what they want to accomplish this year. They’re not coming in there with a wo is me attitude. They’re They’re coming out here trying to win their championship even though they know the cards and the deck is stacked against them. And he also seems to be adjusting to the second apron in a way that he’s got to come up with a new strategy as opposed to the strategy he had before for the Celtics to win. Well, a lot of teams are going to have to deal with that second apron. I mean that second apron right now is something that is as you see another layup right there but the second apron is a problem for a lot of teams right now in the league trying to figure out the fans the oldest player on the 29 years old represents Japan since 2018 including in the Olympics And though the Knicks are losing by 12, the crowd is chanting ba. Nick’s faithful here. Loving it. Very emphatic, very distinct crowd, man. Listen, get that guy another shot, man. Right. What are you doing? That’s all you need to do here. Run a pin down for Baba. You’re not understanding the assignment. Unbelievable. Oh, come on, man. And another foul. Well, bails. But that does mean we might have a shot at another BA shot of him. There we go. Maybe that’s what he was doing. Maybe he realized the error in his ways of not finding Baba. And now, oh n Celtic side out. So they had a foul again. Are you he take a foul? Is he serious? Number 35, Lucas, man. Down 12 with eight to play. Can’t say I’ve seen that one before. So Bridges, who’s had some standout moments for the Celtics, 15 points, looking up that misses this free throw in 23 minutes. It started this game, Jaylen Bridges did. Made the most of the opportunity. All right, the Celtics up by 13 and the air and this indicative of how the game went for the New York Knicks. Boston on top 94 to 81. That is your final score. Lance McCuller the game leading scorer with 30 points for the Celtics. They had six players in double figures. Charles Bassie leading away with 22 points and 13 rebounds. 9481 your final score. We have more summer league action coming your way shortly on NBA TV.
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