There’s a difficult path, as it pertains to acquiring an external one. Houston is just $1.2 million under the apron.
The NBA’s hard cap is real.
We know this.
We’ve seen Rockets coach Ime Udoka deploy a hodgepodge of methods toward replacing Fred VanVleet.
Or attempting to.
No option has been perfect. Amen Thompson running point takes him away from his best offensive skills, which is attacking, cutting to the rim and slashing.
Instead, it leaves him at the top of the key, oftentimes standing around and/or taking low-percentage threes.
Kevin Durant has been relied on to handle some of the playmaking and offensive initiation, but he’s rather turnover prone. Especially when blitzed or trapped.
Reed Sheppard is a good option, save for the fact that he gets hunted defensively. He’s thrived in an off-ball role.
JD Davison is a decent fall back, but you don’t necessarily want to be relying on a two-way signee for offensive playmaking and creation.
Especially not the bulk of it. And he’s the best pick-and-roll point guard on the roster.
“Jose Alvarado.. The Houston Rockets—they have kind of did some background on Alvarado.”
Alvarado is a defensive pest. He’s also the type of player who you hate when he’s not on your team but absolutely love to have on your team.
He’s a hell of a spark off the bench and is infectious.
In 22 minutes of action, he averages 7.9 points, 3.3 assists, 2.8 rebounds one steal, 42.4 percent from the field, 36.1 percent from three (4.4 attempts) and 82.6 percent from the foul line.
He has a player option next season worth $4.5 million and has a $4.5 million number this season also, making him a realistic target, should they decide to look into making a move.
There will be competition for his services, however, as Haynes also reported the New York Knicks are interested in Alvarado’s services as well.
Before the season began, everyone had a different opinion about how the Celtics would fare.
Some people naively thought they would plummet to the bottom of the East and tank for hometown kid AJ Dybantsa. Others thought they would hang around and perhaps make a surge if, and only if, Jayson Tatum returned. Most thought they would end up right around .500 or maybe a bit better (I was in that group).
Very few genuinely believed that, more than halfway through the season, they would be 11 games above .500 and second in the East. If you did, kudos to you, but I certainly didn’t.
So, how have they done it? Well, a lot goes into it, but from my perspective, here are ten reasons they’re still contenders.
1. Jaylen Brown has gone from outstanding to unstoppable.
I think we can all officially stop debating whether or not Jaylen Brown is capable of thriving as the No. 1 option on a contender. I thought Brown would embrace this role and excel in it, but I didn’t expect this level of pure domination.
Brown has upped his scoring (22.2 to 29.8), rebounding (5.8 to 6.7) and assists (4.5 to 4.8) per game from last year, while also improving his efficiency (46.3 to 48, 32.4 to 36.4, 76.4 to 79.1). He’s taking over games, leading by example and making life easier for everyone around him. His teammates have followed suit.
Jaylen Brown continues to get buckets at will as the @celtics win at home ☘️
When the season began, people fairly wondered if the Celtics could continue their 3-point shooting prowess without Tatum, Jrue Holiday, Al Horford and Kristaps Porzingis.
The answer is a resounding yes. They still have Brown, Derrick White, Payton Pritchard and Sam Hauser. Add in Anfernee Simons, Luka Garza and some young guys who are improving in that area, and that’s a whole lot of offensive firepower.
Boston is second in the NBA in 3-pointers made per game (15.6), second in 3’s attempted per game (42.4) and seventh in 3-point percentage (36.8). Last year’s percentage? 36.8. How’s that for consistency?
3. Returning catalysts have expanded their roles.
While Brown has elevated his game, White, Pritchard, Hauser and Neemias Queta have embraced more opportunity as well.
Some of White’s shooting numbers are down, but he’s averaging more points (16.4 to 17.6), rebounds (4.5 to 4.6) and assists (4.8 to 5.4) than last year and is still everywhere defensively. Pritchard is posting career-highs in minutes, points, assists and rebounds as well, and Hauser hasn’t missed a shot in 2026. Queta is handling a lot of responsibility on an undersized team and making it look easy.
I’m always amazed how seamlessly NBA players can adjust to greater responsibility, but the thing about this team is that those adjustments are leading to wins.
4. Young guys are ready when their number is called.
It can be hard to play some nights and sit on the bench others, but this group hasn’t flinched in that respect. Joe Mazzulla tends to mix and match based on the opponent, and the young players on the roster deserve credit for staying ready and pouncing when they get the chance.
Jordan Walsh is playing some of the best basketball of his career and is a menace defensively. Baylor Scheierman is starting to figure it out, holding his own defensively and displaying his unique ability as a playmaker. Hugo González has a chance to be special and is just scratching the surface.
Orlando, FL – April 25: Boston Celtics forward Baylor Scheierman, left, and guard Jordan Walsh participate in the team shoot-around before Game 3 of the NBA Eastern Conference playoffs against the Orlando Magic at the Kia Center. (Photo by Danielle Parhizkaran/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
5. The new guys have fit in seamlessly.
Simons, Garza and Josh Minott have exceeded expectations and bought into the overall identity of the group. Simons is a starting-caliber player coming off the bench, Garza is often the glue for this team and Minott has been a pest and insane athlete when healthy.
6. They’ve made strides on the glass.
The Celtics are now 10th in the NBA in rebounds per game (45.1) and sixth in offensive rebounds per game (12.7). They were never going to be at the very top in that category, and that’s OK. As long as they’re holding own, and not letting teams bully them inside, they’ll be in most games. Teams like the Pistons and Rockets are tough matchups because of their size, but the Celtics are capable of finding creative ways to compensate.
Of all the things you didn't see coming…the Celtics are now 8th in the NBA in rebounding.
CELTICS REBOUNDING (NBA Rank)
First two months… Offensive: 7th Defensive: 30th Overall: 18th
Last month… Offensive: 5th Defensive: 2nd Overall: 3rd
Already-elite defenders like Brown, White and Queta have taken the next step. Players like Pritchard, Hauser, Simons and Garza, who are probably sick of constantly hearing about their defensive shortcomings, continue to prove people wrong. Guys like Walsh, Minott and González have provided contagious energy.
Defense was a way bigger question mark than offense, and so far, the Celtics have passed the test and then some. They’ve allowed the second-fewest points in the league (109.8), behind only the Thunder, which is extremely impressive.
8. They’ve leaned into playing at their own pace.
I expected this team to play a run-and-gun style of offense, but so far, it’s been just the opposite. The Celtics are dead last in the league in pace (96.43) and have had the third-fewest possessions (4,140) in the league. They’re dictating the action and making teams play their style. That’s generally an indicator that the ball is moving and they’re turning down good shots for great ones.
Miami, FL – May 21: Miami Heat head coach Erik Spoelstra screams at a referee while Boston Celtics head coach Joe Mazzulla looks away. The Celtics lost to the Heat, 128-102, in Game 3 of the 2023 Eastern Conference Finals. (Photo by Jim Davis/The Boston Globe via Getty Images)
9. Joe Mazzulla is coaching at an extremely high level.
The players deserve the bulk of the credit for items 1 through 8, but Mazzulla and his staff deserve praise as well.
Mazzulla inherited one of the best situations in NBA history, but he’s proving day by day that his early success wasn’t just a product of his circumstances. He’s one of the best coaches in the NBA and has found a sustainable winning formula with this team.
10. They’re playing with joy and for one another.
Body language is important in sports. You can tell when players are sick of one another and aren’t bought in for the greater good. This team is clearly united and relentlessly pursuing a common goal. Of course, winning can lead to buy in, but without the buy in, wins can be hard to find.
This could be a season to remember, and oh yeah, that Tatum guy is making steady progress.
Minnesota Wild coach John Hynes said it’s not up to him whether Quinn Hughes will play with Brock Faber at the Olympics.
But if Team USA coach Mike Sullivan needed any convincing, all he has to do is look at the stats since Hughes arrived in a blockbuster trade to Minnesota last month. What started out as a one-game trial has turned into a six-week tour de force, with Hughes and Faber combining for seven goals and 41 points in 20 games.
Chemistry this instant is not easy to find. Which is why you have to imagine that the dynamic defensive duo, who seem so similar but bring different elements that complement each other’s game, will be paired together in Milan next month.
“Both of them are obviously high-end players,” said Hynes, who is an assistant coach for Team USA. “I would say they’re a little bit different in the way that they play. But they’re both excellent skaters, I think they can break the puck out well, they can transition the puck well, and obviously you see their skating ability, whether it’s off the rush or in the offensive zone, they’re mobile and they make very good decisions with the puck.
“From a defensive standpoint, they’re both committed guys. They’re not just one-way players — they play a strong, two-way game.”
Chances are the Olympics were not on Bill Guerin’s mind when the Wild GM acquired Hughes in a trade from the Vancouver Canucks on Dec. 18. But considering that Guerin is also the GM of the U.S. Olympic team, it certainly doesn’t hurt to have a defense pairing that looks like they’ve been playing together for years — not weeks.
After all, the Olympics are a short tournament with little lead-up time. The last NHL game is on Feb. 5. A week later, the U.S. starts the tournament against Latvia on Feb. 12.
Not that Hughes needs much time to feel comfortable, anyway. From the moment he arrived in Minnesota, Hughes has fit in seamlessly with the Wild, helping the team to a 11-5-3 record. In 20 games, he has two goals and 24 points. Faber has also benefitted, scoring five goals and 17 points, while adding about a minute more per game in ice time.
“The way he moves — from the time he got here, I think everyone was like, 'Whoa,' " said Faber said of Hughes. “You don’t realize how good he is until you see it and you play with it. He’s only going to get better the more comfortable he gets. Obviously, he’s been playing so good for us. He’s been a huge part of why we’re winning games. Just such a great addition.”
The U.S., which also has two pairs of brothers — Quinn and Jack Hughes, and Matthew and Brady Tkachuk — is not the only country that will be bringing along the familiarity of linemates.
Canada’s top pairing will likely feature Colorado’s Cale Makar and Devon Toews, who have been playing together in Colorado for years. Finland will also send defensemen Miro Heiskanen and Esa Lindell, as well as forwards Mikko Rantanen and Roope Hintz — all Stars players.
That is, if Sullivan decides to keep the experiment going and keep Hughes and Faber together.
"Look, obviously they feel comfortable with each other so we'll see where it goes," said Hynes.
With the standings being as tight as they are right now, each game is of pivotal importance, but especially those intra-divisional matchups like the Montreal Canadiens’ Thursday night match-up with the Buffalo Sabres. After being beaten by those same Sabres 5-3 a week ago, Martin St-Louis’ men had an opportunity to get a do-over against Lindy Ruff’s formation.
Even though it was Jakub Dobes who backstopped the Canadiens to their first win against the Minnesota Wild since 2019 on Tuesday night, the coach had elected to give the net to Samuel Montembeault for Thursday’s game. It was understandable since Dobes had given three goals on just 19 shots on Tuesday night. Still, Montembeault hadn’t looked great either in his only game since Jacob Fowler was sent back down to the Laval Rocket, surrendering five goals on 34 shots to the Ottawa Senators.
They say fake it ‘till you make it because if you believe in yourself, others will. As regretful as it is to write, the Canadiens do not seem to be confident when Montembeault is in the net. Once again, on Thursday night, the first shot he faced went in. Granted, it was on a two-on-one, but still, to win, you need a goaltender who will make the tough saves, the ones that make you think that your last line of defence can do the job. On that play, all three of the Canadiens’ forwards went deep in the Sabres’ zone, Lane Hutson applied pressure in their territory as well, and Jayden Struble didn’t play well on the odd-man rush, but if the goalie pulls off a spectacular save, we have a different game.
Then, the Sabres’ second goal was a shorthanded marker. Noah Dobson was outworked and overtaken on the wing, but Montembeault was passive and deep in his own net. Yes, Dobson should have been more of a nuisance for Beck Malenstyn, but nothing prevented Montembeault from making a poke check.
Buffalo took a 3-0 lead early in the second frame when Zach Benson hit both posts before scoring on his third shot. Of course, the defence shouldn’t let a team take three shots in close succession, but if Montembeault stops the first shot from hitting the post and makes the save, he doesn’t end up looking like a weathercock in his net, and the next two shots don’t happen right under Hutson and Struble’s noses.
Three goals on just nine shots, those are not numbers that inspire confidence. That being said, at least in the third period, Montembeault made a big save on Alex Tuch on a breakaway, which allowed the Canadiens to stay in the game and prevented the Sabres from getting a second shorthanded goal in the same game.
Making Adjustments
After the Habs fell behind 3-0, they woke up. On an offensive zone faceoff, Kirby Dach dished out a great hit along the boards, which allowed Mike Matheson to get the puck back. He then left it for Suzuki, who fed Cole Caufield in the high slot. The sniper one-timed it in, bringing the Canadiens back within two.
Less than 10 minutes later, St-Louis elected to send Zach Bolduc out on an offensive faceoff with Suzuki and Caufield. While the Habs lost the draw, it was Bolduc who then intercepted a pass and got himself alone in front of the goalie, who couldn’t freeze the puck on his shot, allowing Suzuki to take the rebound and score to make it 3-2 Buffalo. The coach’s decision to send the Trois-Rivieres native out for the draw was an inspired one. After the game, he explained that he felt Bolduc had played well and wanted to manage Dach's minutes since he had just returned from injury.
On the other bench, though, it took about two seconds for Ruff, who had just seen his team give up two goals in less than 10 minutes after forging itself a three-goal lead, call for a timeout and give his men a stern talking to. Buffalo only allowed two more shots in the rest of the period, and it stopped the Canadiens from building up their momentum right away. That’s one way to prevent a hemorrhage and an example the Habs’ coach could follow. Oftentimes, he seems reluctant to use his timeout.
A Recurring Issue
If the Canadiens have got the message about shooting more, they finished the game with 34 shots on goal, but they still struggle to play a full 60 minutes and start playing the right way straight from the puck drop. Two of the goals they gave were within three minutes of the start of a period, and their power play has been atrocious for the last two games.
The man-advantage doesn’t mean you don’t have to play as well or be as patient. It’s incredible to see how impatient the top unit can be when it’s time to enter the zone on the man-advantage, while they can be as patient as a young parent who never says no to their spoiled toddler when they are set up in the offensive zone, passing the puck.
In the game against the Wild, Caufield tried to beat three guys on his own to enter the zone on the power play, when by definition, a power play means you’ll have at least one man open on the ice. Tonight, the zone entries were just as hard, and, just like Tuesday, the power play coast the Canadiens’ momentum; it didn’t give them any, especially after it gave up a goal and nearly gave up a second one.
In the end, for much of the game, the Canadiens were dominant; they led 34-17 in shots, they won 64% of the faceoffs (36-20), and they led 28-26 in hits, but not playing for 60 minutes can be fatal, which it was on Thursday night.
This defeat leaves the Habs in a precarious position in the standings, with a two-point lead over the Sabres, but Buffalo has a game in hand. They are also just three points ahead of the Boston Bruins, who won tonight as well. As luck would have it, the Canadiens’ next game on Saturday will be against the Bruins, in Boston, and needless to say, it will be a do-or-die affair.
If last week's game in Las Vegas between the Toronto Maple Leafs and Vegas Golden Knights taught us anything, it's that the rematch on Friday at Scotiabank Arena is sure to be an emotionally-charged game.
Mitch Marner returns to Toronto and will play as a visitor for the first time since the sign-and-trade that saw the player leave for the desert.
And following Toronto's last game, a 2-1 overtime loss to the Detroit Red Wings, spme of Marner's ex-teammates were asked about what they expect it will be like in the building when they play against the former Leaf of nine seasons.
He's been a special player for this team for a long time. He's been a big presence in the community as well, not just with hockey. So I would hope it's a warm welcome. I know he has nothing but good memories here, and I think the fans have experienced a lot of good memories with him as well. So he's a great guy. It's unfortunate he's not with our group anymore. But, yeah, I mean, I hope hockey is a place of respect, and I hope that the fans pay him respect. And I can't speak for everyone. and I don't know how everyone feels, but, just with playing with him. I know he's been an unbelievable guy, and it's going to be emotional for him.
It's going to be good. I think Mitch did a lot for this city while he was here. He was a really good player for this team for a while. I was fortunate to play with him for only a short period of time, but he did a lot of good things, and, yeah, I'm sure it's going to be........... loud *smirk*.
A lot of emotions, but if there's anything I can say, it's a beautiful thing in all regards. Obviously, he was here for a long time, but I hope he just comes in and takes advantage of the opportunity to appreciate just all the memories that he's built over his years here, and there's definitely going to be an extra spring in his step for sure. But overall, I think we want to just continue to play our game, focus on ourselves, but that will be an emotional one for him for sure.
- Maple Leafs defenseman Brandon Carlo on Marner's return.
In the first video of the series “Building Dreams,” presented by Self, we see the beginning of the 2025-2026 season through the eyes of Stephon Castle and Dylan Harper.
As the season progresses, the latest installment continues to follow Castle and Harper as they develop their on court Slash Brotherhood and their off court antics. The two are really like brothers.
Castle won the Rookie of the Year award last season, the fourth for the San Antonio Spurs. Harper has an impressive skillset and came into the NBA ready to compete. Both a aggressive, fearless, and lightning quick.
This episode introduces David Jones Garcia and his emergence into the league. Jones Garcia has a great story. He’s been that underdog that has Spurs fans in his corner.
Ther first episode launched at the beginning of December. The latest episode became available yesterday. At this pace, there could be a half-dozen videos by season’s end.
Enjoy, Pounders.
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These are the dog days of the season. Legs get heavy. Minds wander. Teams start peeking at the calendar, counting down the days until the All-Star break like it is a lifeboat. But in Phoenix, this part of the schedule feels different. Even on nights off, you can stare at the standings and feel real hope. Other teams lose, you inch up, and that only happens because you have earned the right to care.
So yeah, like most of you, I have been scoreboard watching. Quietly rooting for Western Conference chaos. I even threw a little money on the perfect Suns scenario last night. And if you have lived this life long enough, you know how that usually ends. Something always goes sideways.
Being a Suns fan teaches you to expect turbulence. But right now, even with that history, it feels okay to look up and dream a little. And for once, the basketball gods did not pull the rug out from under Phoenix.
While the Suns rested, the rest of the league finally caught up in games played. Houston is still sitting at 42, two fewer than Phoenix, but that math always evens out. You cannot hide forever.
So we had three games circled, three little stress tests for the standings, and all three broke the Suns’ way. Houston lost in overtime to Philadelphia, a Sixers team Phoenix had already handled, even if that version was missing Joel Embiid and Paul George. I do find an odd delight in seeing their boards flooded with the “KD is so good, why do we keep losing” conversations. Hmmm. I think I have some reasons why…
Chicago then did the funniest thing imaginable and knocked off Minnesota 120-115, pushing the Timberwolves a half game behind the Suns. And then came the battle of Los Angeles. Clippers versus Lakers, in an actual home building, not that rented Crypto situation. The Clippers took care of business by winning 112-104, stayed hot, and reminded everyone why the Play-In is not a place you want to be. Because they are lurking.
So what does it all mean? It means the Suns are fifth in the Western Conference. Fifth. In late January. The last time Phoenix was sitting fifth this late was March 1, 2024. They are tied with Houston at 9.5 games back of OKC, and sit 2.5 games back of Denver.
The Phoenix Suns sit at 5th in the West after losses by the Rockets, Lakers, and Wolves on Thursday night. pic.twitter.com/VzhLzo3wFB
That is real. That is earned. And for once, the night broke exactly how a Suns fan dreams it up, without the universe stepping in to ruin the ending.
None of it matters if you do not take care of your own business. The Suns have a real opportunity tonight as Houston plays Detroit. Beat Atlanta, and you move ahead of Houston and slide into fourth place in the West. Simple math. Hard reality.
The problem is the building. Atlanta has been a house of horrors for Phoenix. They have not won there since March of 2014. That is not a typo. That is a decade of weird bounces, bad vibes, and games that get away.
Scoreboard watching is fun. Tossing a little money on the perfect parlay is fun too, especially when it hits. But all of that is noise if you do not handle what is in front of you. Focus on Atlanta. Play clean. Finish the trip. Let everything else sort itself out. Tonight, that is the job.
MLB teams are continuing to make big moves for starting pitchers. Unfortunately, the Orioles are not currently one of those teams.
The Texas Rangers were the latest to strike for a high-upside hurler, acquiring Nationals ace MacKenzie Gore yesterday for a five-prospect package. The 26-year-old Gore was a first-time All-Star last season for Washington, posting a 3.02 ERA in the first half before injuries slowed him in the final month. He’s a hard-throwing, strikeout-happy, somewhat command-challenged lefty with two years of team control.
The rebuilding Nats had Gore on the market all winter, and there were some whispers that the Orioles were interested, but ultimately it was the Rangers who made the deal. They gave up five of their top 18 prospects (as ranked by MLB Pipeline), so it’s not as if Gore came cheap. That kind of package might have been too rich for Mike Elias’s blood, assuming the O’s were even interested in Gore to begin with. The Birds already parted with a number of prospects in their December deal for Shane Baz, another 26-year-old with an intriguing arm and multiple years of team control remaining.
With Gore off the board, one day after the Brewers dealt Freddy Peralta to the Mets, there are precious few starting pitchers left on the trade market. If the Orioles were hoping to go the trade route for a rotation upgrade, they might have missed their chance. Then again, they could swoop out of nowhere and acquire some pitcher that nobody even knew was available. That’s essentially what they did with Baz, who hadn’t been linked to the Orioles in any rumors before the O’s pulled off the trade. Elias tends to keep us on our toes, you know.
Do the Orioles have another pitching acquisition still to come, or are they going to roll into the spring with what they’ve got now? The latter would seem like a disappointing outcome, especially when so many O’s fans were convinced the team would act aggressively to land a top-shelf starter after the Pete Alonso signing.
It could still happen. But the opportunities are dwindling.
These two pitchers are more similar than I’d like to admit. But Baz has the advantage of having already returned from injury and pitched a full season, which is more than can currently be said of Grayson.
It’s the right decision, but it’s a real bummer that the Orioles’ fan event weekend will be cut short. I haven’t gotten to go bowling with Adley Rutschman in weeks.
Orioles birthdays and history
Is today your birthday? Happy birthday! You have five Orioles birthday buddies, though you might not have heard of most of them: infielders Cord Phelps (39) and Marty Brown (63); catcher Charlie Greene (55); outfielder Sherman Obando (56); and the late infielder Chico Carrasquel (b. 1926, d. 2005), who was a four-time All-Star with the White Sox before joining the Birds.
On this day in 1984, the Orioles signed Dan Ford. On this day in 1986, the Orioles released Dan Ford. Jan. 23 sure has been an eventful day for Dan Ford.
And on this date in 2010, the Orioles reunited with All-Star infielder Miguel Tejada, signing him to a one-year, $6 million deal. Tejada had been a star in his first stint with the Orioles from 2004-07, including a franchise-record 150 RBIs in 2004, before the rebuilding O’s traded him to Houston. His second stint in Baltimore, though, was forgettable. The longtime shortstop shifted to third base and struggled defensively, while his offense also plummeted (seven homers and a .670 OPS in 97 games). The Birds dumped Tejada and his salary to the Padres at the trade deadline.
On Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays, Bleed Cubbie Blue is pleased to present a Cubs-centric look at baseball’s colorful past. Here’s a handy Cubs timeline, to help you follow the various narrative paths.
“Maybe I called it wrong, but it’s official.” — Tom Connolly, HoF Umpire.
Hack Wilson finds another new team. Happy birthday, Jeff Samardzija*and other storiesfor the discerning reader.
Today in baseball history:
1887 – In Alameda, California, Dave Foutz and a touring team based in Louisville are accused of throwing a game against another touring team of Eastern pros. These exhibitions and the local California League competition are making for a lively winter in the San Francisco Bay Area. (2)
1927 – In the continuing clash between CommissionerKenesaw Landis and American League President Ban Johnson, the AL owners are prepared to censure Johnson. But his serious health problems convince them to change their stance and Johnson is given an indefinite leave of absence instead. Detroit Tigers President Frank Navin takes over control of the league on an interim basis and the owners adopt a resolution repudiating the charges that Johnson made against Landis. (2)
1932 – The Brooklyn Dodgers acquire slugger Hack Wilson from the St. Louis Cardinals. Wilson, who costs only $45,000 and a minor league pitcher, will sign for $16,500, half his previous year’s salary. He will hit .297 with 23 home runs and 123 RBI for Brooklyn.
1953 – Argyle R. Mackey warns ‘alien players’ they will face deportation if found jumping U.S. professional contracts. The Commissioner of Immigration and Naturalization cites the McCarran-Walter Act as the basis of his decision. (1)
1981 – Faced with the possibility of losing star outfielder Fred Lynn to free agency because of a front-office blunder, the Red Sox trade Lynn and pitcher Steve Renko to the Angels for pitchers Frank Tanana and Jim Dorsey and outfielder Joe Rudi. The Players Association contends that Lynn and catcher Carlton Fisk are free agents because the Red Sox failed to mail their new contracts by the deadline provided for in the Basic Agreement. Lynn signs a four-year deal with the Angels and agrees to drop his case. Fisk’s case will go to arbitration. (1,2)
1988 – Arbitrator Thomas Roberts declares seven presently contracted players no-risk free agents as a result of the collusion suit against Major League baseball. The players, who include Kirk Gibson, Carlton Fisk, and Joe Niekro, have until March 1 to make deals with other clubs. (1)
393 – Roman Emperor Theodosius I proclaims his nine year old son Honorius co-emperor.
971 – War elephant corps of the Southern Han defeated at Shao by crossbow fire from Song Dynasty troops; Southern Han state forced to submit to the Song Dynasty. 1st regular war elephant corps in Chinese army.
1556 – Shaanxi Earthquake, the deadliest ever recorded, kills 830,000 in Shaanxi Province, China.
1812 – 7.8 earthquake shakes New Madrid, Missouri.
Some of these items spread from site to site without being fact-checked, and that is why we ask for verifiable sources, in order to help correct the record.
If we’re being perfectly logical, the Phillies right now have not been completely successful in their offseason plan as they did not reel in the big fish in Bo Bichette. However, the word “completely” is doing a lot of heavy lifting here since we can still term this offseason successful by looking at what they did actually do.
Imagine this lineup without the 50 home run power potential Kyle Schwarber possesses. What if he signed with Cincinnati?
Imagine the bullpen without the impact that Brad Keller projects to have. Do we think Orion Kerkering deserves that kind of high leverage assignment again?
Are there still issues with the roster? Of course. God help us all if one of the main starting outfielders gets any kind of major injury. Are there depth issues in the rotation? Adding yet another starter would be kind of nice to mitigate some of the potential pitfalls that lay ahead. But calling the entirety of the offseason a failure is a bit extreme. It could have, and maybe should have, been better. But a failure? No.
Fisilau, Sela and Iyogun all included by Borthwick
George Furbank has been included in England’s squad for the forthcoming Six Nations, handing Steve Borthwick a timely boost after recovering from a calf injury.
The Northampton full-back has not appeared for his club since 20 December and missed the entire autumn internationals campaign but returns to the 36-man squad that will head to Girona next week for a warm-weather training camp.
Jayson Tatum’s long morning workout in Detroit and the competitiveness that followed that night confirmed dreams that the Celtics could contend this season. Jaylen Brown looked like the best player on the floor early, Boston won the offensive rebounding battle again over one of the league’s most physically imposing teams and Brown barely missed a game-winning leaner over Tobias Harris that would’ve tied the season series 2-2.
Elsewhere, a fading Knicks squad remained 1.5 games behind Boston as their season continued spiraling. The Celtics rolled over conference rivals Miami and Atlanta on their recent road trip, and entered Wednesday in an effective tie with Denver for the top offense in the NBA and 14th in defense, amounting to a tie with Detroit for the best net rating (+7.4) in the Eastern Conference. And however much Joe Mazzulla stresses it could all disappear tomorrow, this Celtics team proved itself as a legitimate contender in the first half of the season.
“We have to make that decision every day, so I’m not sure we can say, ‘this is where we’re at now,’” Mazzulla said in Atlanta. “We could lose it all tomorrow, so it’s everything. It’s just the process that goes into winning, defending at a high level, understanding the details, rebounding, offensive execution, time-and-score, situational basketball, game plan execution. We have to make the decision every day to get better.”
Mazzulla and the players never considered this anything other than another season to compete. The payroll reductions, comments about prioritizing getting Tatum back on the floor and a relative lack of front court depth the front office assembled signaled another direction: a step back that never happened due to excellent coaching, individual player developments across the board and relatively full health throughout the first half.
Still, decisions loom about setting the Celtics up best for the long term, Boston is still relatively high above the tax, and the team could use another consistent rotation player especially if Tatum can’t return this season. Brad Stevens, Bill Chisholm and company at least owe it to this group to stand pat and allow this team to play out the year.
However, reports have painted mixed signals about that direction. Old talks between the Celtics and Nets resurfaced about what would amount to an Anfernee Simons salary dump. Other interest in expensive upgrades inside like Ivica Zubac or Jaren Jackson Jr. reflect the team’s willingness to explore the other direction. The trade deadline could involve both for the Celtics as they focus on moves that’ll help them both now and in the long-term over short term fixes. There has also been some signal that ownership won’t strictly mandate payroll or tax reductions for the sake of doing so. Simons, long a subject of speculation over his status given his $27.7 million salary, has fans of his first half performance and in the building.
“I think a lot of teams are really in let’s see how everything looks as time moves on,” Brad Stevens said in December. “Everybody’s a work in progress … we’re all still trying to figure out who we are and what we can be. We will not put a ceiling on this group. If it makes sense for us to look for things that can help us, we certainly will, but it all has to be within good deals and it all has to be within the ultimate goal … retooling so we’re in a position to compete for what we want to compete for.”
Brown’s start to the season proved sustainable through his consistent availability and ability to beat different defenses. He received the most All-Star media votes in the Eastern Conference, and would likely finish at least in the top-five if MVP votes came in today. Derrick White and Payton Pritchard have managed one of the league’s best ball control back courts. Defensively, they’ve managed their rebounding issue, forced turnovers and used that to dominate the possession game. The Celtics, on many nights, look like they’re in full control and fought with the Pistons, split their New York matchups and recently took the Spurs to crunch time. They’ve only looked overmatched by the Rockets on a back-to-back that also marked their fifth game in seven nights.
Of course, they’re as vulnerable as anyone, losers to the Jazz, Nets, Blazers and Pacers with their speed, athleticism and size deficiencies on display in Detroit. The Celtics touted losing the 50-50 balls as a reason for falling short. They’ve changed their lineups constantly throughout the season and have to find a different closing group on most nights. There’s still an enormous amount riding on Neemias Queta staying on the floor. White and Pritchard have often struggled to convert shots against extra defensive attention, and they only recently rose into a tie for seventh in three-point percentage. They’ve opted for a quantity over quality approach to offense that they’ve needed to back up with elite offensive rebounding that might not sustain into the playoffs.
“Obviously, we’re less talented than we have been before, less experienced than we have been before, so this is the style of basketball we have to play,” Brown admitted in October. “We have to double down on it if we want to be successful. I think Joe has done a good job of that.”
That’s involved aggressive crashing, calculated defensive risk-taking that also involves fouling more and in turn utilizing more depth than in recent years. The Celtics’ rotation reached down to two-way rookie Amari Williams at one point this season and consistently involved 12 of their 14 available active roster players. Only Xavier Tillman Sr. and Chris Boucher have consistently sat outside their rotation this year, with the Celtics giving a nod to the Pacers’ layered, almost hockey style lineup attack that they utilized on the way to the Finals last season.
That makes the looming deadline complicated, given the culture, array contributions and connectivity of their start. Boston still projects to pay over $230 million between payroll and tax for this year’s team, and another season spent above the tax line would maintain their repeater tax penalty status through at least 2027-28. They still have long-term holes to fill and with each passing week, it becomes more unlikely than likely that Tatum impacts a significant portion of this season. Yet Brown looks the part of a player good enough to lead a team deep into the postseason, the top-end talent on the roster does what Mazzulla wants them to do at an elite level and the depth contributors fit in almost perfectly.
The Celtics have a flawed roster in a league now built to ensure each one has some flaws. Their room for error in any series remains small and full health, along with some breaks from their opponents missing bodies, have undoubtedly padded their record to begin the year. But enough is real here to make this group more than deserving of seeing out their season together — what’s become the greatest pleasant surprise of my Celtics lifetime through the first half of the season.
“Start of the season, the expectations weren’t high,” Brown said on Wednesday. “But these guys, they came in and worked day-in and day-out, and last year, we were second in the east, that we finished? We’re halfway through the season and we’re second in the east, so that’s just a testament to the work ethic, the resiliency of our head coach, of our leadership and that’s a testament to where we are right now.”
It's one of the most exciting things to watch yet one of the most excruciating places to be in college basketball: the NCAA tournament bubble.
Even though Selection Sunday is more than 50 days away, there are teams already approaching desperation mode, in need of impressing the selection committee — or it could make for an uncomfortable ride in March.
It's already time to start looking at resumes and figuring what teams need to ensure their spot in the Big Dance. Welcome to the bubble watch, where we'll examine teams on the fence in the recent USA TODAY Sports Bracketology:
UCLA
Record: 13-6 (3-2)
NET Ranking: 40
Quad 1 record: 2-5
Projected seed: No. 11 (first four).
Quality wins: vs. Purdue
Bad losses: vs. California (neutral)
It's been a largely disappointing season for the Bruins, unable to live up to the preseason expectations by not playing up to marquee opponents. The new year got off to a tough start with three losses in five games, pushing UCLA further away from NCAA tournament certainty. It tremendously helped its case by beating Purdue for that first signature win of the season. The schedule gets lighter now with Northwestern next, and it doesn't leave the West Coast again until the middle of February. A winning streak is a must.
Eric Olen's first season in Albuquerque had a bumpy start with a 3-2 record, but the Lobos have righted the ship with a 12-2 record since. However, this current stretch doesn't have any real significant wins, and the loss to Boise State inflicted some real damage. There was the chance against San Diego State but New Mexico couldn't pull of the late road comeback. The next week includes Quad 2 games at Nevada and UNLV, which it can't afford to drop.
Ohio State
Record: 13-5 (5-3)
NET Ranking: 35
Quad 1 record: 1-4
Projected seed: No. 11 (first four)
Quality wins: vs. UCLA
Bad losses: at Pittsburgh, at Washington
You never know what team you're going to get with Ohio State, who crumbled against Washington but then looked solid against UCLA right after. While it doesn't have any major win, the Buckeyes benefit from having a strong NET ranking, thanks to some close games against top-tier squads. The chance to really make a statement is now with trips to Michigan and Wisconsin coming up, as the loss to Pittsburgh looms large.
TCU
Record: 12-7 (2-4)
NET Ranking: 46
Quad 1 record: 2-4
Projected seed: No. 11 (first four)
Quality wins: vs. Florida (netural), vs. Wisconsin (neutral)
Bad losses: vs. New Orleans, vs. Notre Dame, at Utah
The season-opening loss to New Orleans immediately made it a tough road for TCU, and it hasn't gotten any easier despite some real good wins against Florida and Wisconsin in November. The shocking loss to Kansas started a four-game losing streak that was punctuated with a head-scratching defeat to Utah. It's getting harder for the Horned Frogs with Baylor and Houston next, needing at least one win to avoid tumbling.
Starting 5-5 with a Quad 3 loss wasn't ideal for Creighton, but it could have been redeemed with a strong start to Big East play. Unfortunately, it hasn't gone that way. The Bluejays haven't taken advantage, picking up just a win against Villanova that finally got them a Quad 1 win, only for it to be wiped out with a loss to Providence. Creighton just avoided disaster by barely getting past Xavier, and it needs to get a win streak going, starting with an easy opportunity against Marquette.
Baylor
Record: 11-7 (1-5)
NET Ranking: 53
Quad 1 record: 1-6
Projected seed: First four out.
Quality wins: at Oklahoma State
Bad losses: at Memphis
Baylor has yet to catch up with the rest of the Big 12, finding itself in another odd position. Even though it lost to Memphis, it finished nonconference play 10-2. It's gone bad since with a 1-5 conference start, and while they've all been Quad 1 games, that won't cut it for any tournament candidate, especially a NET ranking so high. Simply put, Baylor needs to get out of the Big 12 basement, starting with TCU and Cincinnati up next.
Texas
Record: 11-8 (2-4)
NET Ranking: 43
Quad 1 record: 3-5
Projected seed: First four out
Quality wins: at Alabama, vs. Vanderbilt
Bad losses: vs. Arizona State (neutral), vs. Mississippi State
Sean Miller had a largely unimpressive start in Austin and it's been an up-and-down start to the SEC schedule. Texas started 0-2 with a bad Quad 3 overtime loss to Mississippi State, but then got some marquee wins in Alabama and Vanderbilt, handing the Commodores their first loss of the season. The Longhorns have slid again with back-to-back losses, now owning an 0-3 Quad 2 and 3 record. That can be forgiven if Texas can pick up wins against Georgia and Auburn to even out the Quad 1 record.
Indiana
Record: 12-7 (3-5)
NET Ranking: 37
Quad 1 record: 0-6
Projected seed: First four out
Quality wins: none
Bad losses: vs. Minnesota
The lack of quality wins says it all for Indiana, with the Hoosiers still looking for a notable victory to prove it belongs in the field. They swung and missed at every opportunity in the nonconference schedule and in the early part of the Big Ten slate, currently on a four-game losing skid that included three top-10 teams. The Hoosiers need to get a Quad 1 win soon, and it will have three chances in the next four games.
As the NBA All-Star Game approaches, the race for Most Valuable Player is clearing up.
Early injuries have impacted the race, and Denver Nuggets do-it-all center Nikola Jokić is the latest player to fall victim. Jokić has missed the last 12 games, which has momentarily pushed him out of consideration. When he’s on the floor, he has as good an argument as anyone, but it’s hard to justify his position in the Top 5, given his current absence.
The Nuggets, however, have been encouraged with the progress he has made, so that could change very quickly.
Here's the latest iteration of the USA TODAY Sports NBA MVP rankings:
USA TODAY Sports NBA MVP rankings
All stats entering play Thursday, Jan. 22
5. Giannis Antetokounmpo, Milwaukee Bucks
He has expressed his frustrations and an eventual separation from the Bucks may be forthcoming, but Antetokounmpo remains a force when he’s on the floor. Even though his usage and numbers have dropped over Milwaukee’s last four games — he’s averaging just 12 shots per game over that span — he’s still averaging 28.2 points, 9.9 rebounds and 5.6 assists per game.
4. Cade Cunningham, Detroit Pistons
The last week has seen Cunningham rely far more on his ability to distribute, and he keeps leading the Pistons to victories. Cunningham dished out 14 assists in a one-point win over the No. 2 seed Celtics and has totaled 43 dimes over the last four games. The Pistons trail only the defending-champion Thunder in victories with 32 and have built a solid 5½-game lead on Boston in the East.
3. Luka Dončić, Los Angeles Lakers
The defense continues to be a significant issue, but Dončić is still the NBA’s leading scorer. He’s a three-level scorer and carries Los Angeles’ offense as the Lakers have remained competitive in a stacked Western Conference. A 38-13-10 triple-double in a massive victory against the Nuggets, who were without Nikola Jokić, showed his impact on any given night.
2. Jaylen Brown, Boston Celtics
He’s having a career year, averaging personal bests in points (29.8) and assists (4.8) while unexpectedly leading the Celtics to the No. 2 seed in the East. Brown is also putting in excellent effort on the defensive end, using his length to frustrate the opposition. If Jayson Tatum ever does make it back this season, Brown’s usage figures to dip. But even then, he’s proving he’s capable as a No. 1.
1. Shai Gilgeous-Alexander, Oklahoma City Thunder
It’s, once again, the consistency Gilgeous-Alexander plays with that separates him from the pack. SGA is second in the NBA in scoring (32.0 points per game) and is on the verge of breaking Wilt Chamberlain’s record of consecutive games with at least 20 points. His defense is stellar and he never seems to be flustered. And, because he’s typically available, he may end up running away with his second consecutive MVP.
The NBA trade deadline is fewer than two weeks away, and teams are assessing the market, potentially working up viable offers.
It has been a fairly quiet leadup, with the lone trade so far being the one that sent Trae Young to the Wizards and CJ McCollum and Corey Kispert to the Hawks.
Still, there are plenty of stars and big names who may be available in deals, if the price is right. None is bigger than Giannis Antetokounmpo, though a lot has to happen for him to not only become available, but also for the Bucks to find an offer that works and move him.
In any case, here’s a look at possible landing spots for the biggest NBA trade targets:
Giannis Antetokounmpo
Things appear to be deteriorating by the day in Milwaukee, with Antetokounmpo clearly frustrated. But even if he does ask out — and he would need to do so soon — he’s a generational player that Milwaukee wouldn’t move for just any offer. The Bucks, who are lacking draft capital, would need to ensure that they’re getting appropriate value for the two-time MVP.
Most likely landing spot: Stays in Milwaukee
This comes with a massive caveat: if Antetokounmpo is eventually moved, a deal in the offseason would be far easier to execute. But if the relationship really sours, and Antetokounmpo does ask out, the Heat, Warriors and Lakers are viable spots, though — frankly — just about every team will be lining up for his services.
Anthony Davis
According to ESPN, Davis wants to be moved to a team that is in position to contend. Davis, 32, may not be an ideal fit in Dallas’ timeline, so it could look to move the veteran big who has struggled to stay on the floor for the Mavericks. In fact, his hand injury appears to be significantly impacting his trade market.
Most likely landing spot: Warriors
Golden State will be looking to maximize the window to win with Stephen Curry, and Jimmy Butler’s injury doesn’t help. The Warriors have Jonathan Kuminga to offer, and they have desperately needed a center for years.
Other options include the Hornets, Pistons, Bulls, Hawks, Raptors and Kings.
Ja Morant
His recent return to form after he sat with a right calf contusion is helping his trade value, and Memphis may be looking to rebuild, with rumors also swirling about the future of Jaren Jackson Jr. Morant, despite his injury history and off-court issues, is still only 26 and explosive. His shooting has taken a massive step back, but he can inject athleticism into the right offense.
Most likely landing spot: Bucks
Milwaukee could try one last-ditch attempt to sway Antetokounmpo, and Morant is an athletic player who thrives in the pick-and-roll.
Other options include the Timberwolves, Kings, Raptors and Clippers.
Michael Porter Jr.
This appears to be a case of a team that loves draft capital wanting to leverage value for more picks. Porter is having a career year and his offense could help teams that struggle to score.
Most likely landing spot: Pistons
Detroit is No. 1 in the East and the temptation may be to not shake things up, but the Pistons, who rank 25th in offensive rating (110.3) in January, need some more shooting and offensive production.
Other spots include the Mavericks, Bucks, Grizzlies and Wizards.
Jonathan Kuminga
The Warriors simply haven’t found a way to seamlessly incorporate Kuminga into the lineup. And now with Jimmy Butler hurt, Golden State may be looking to aggressively ramp up its efforts to trade Kuminga.
Most likely landing spot: Mavericks
Other spots include the Lakers and Bucks.
Domantas Sabonis
He has dealt with injuries and has seen his scoring and assist numbers drop significantly. Sabonis does best when he’s the anchor of an offense, distributing the ball from the top of the key and engaged in pick-and-rolls with a capable point guard.
Most likely landing spot: Raptors
Other spots include the Clippers, Celtics and Pistons.
