We’re halfway through the first Boston Celtics game in what feels like forever, and the Cs look like a team that’s had a few days off — not in a good way. At the break, they’re leading the Chicago Bulls by just three, 57-54.
Now, get ready for some Halftime Hot Takes, buddy.
The Celtics holiday hype video is a W
The Celtics started Thursday’s game with a little something different for the holidays (no, I’m not talking about the cold start from three). Before Boston’s starters were introduced, we were all treated to a special holiday-themed hype video.
I gotta tell you, I’ve never been so pumped up about “Jingle Bells.”
Take a look.
This is a nice reminder of why the Celtics should always wear white at home
The Celtics are wearing white at home against the Bulls and it’s a reminder of a time when the NBA was a proper league. It was a time when you could turn on your TV and immediately know which two teams were playing in the game.
Now that Adam Silver and Nike have milked jerseys for all that they’re worth, that task isn’t always so easy. I’m not joking when I tell you that I mistook the Cleveland Cavaliers for the University of North Carolina Tar Heels a few weeks back. They were wearing their baby blue “City Edition” unis.
There’s something comforting about seeing the home team actually wear the uniforms that they’re meant to be wearing.
Is that… Jaden Springer?
It sure is.
Jaden Springer played his first stretch of first-quarter minutes all season on Thursday when he checked in late in the period. It was clear from the beginning that he was out there to bring the energy on the defensive end of the floor.
Possession after possession, the 21-year-old hounded Bulls guards and crashed the glass hard. He wound up with three rebounds by the time he went back to the bench and looked like he fit seamlessly into the defense.
On offense, however, his use was a bit odd. As a career 22% shooter from beyond the arc, Joe Mazzulla had Springer spotting up in the dunker’s spot (the short baseline) on offense, instead of on the perimeter.
It’s pretty clear that Springer is going to have to be more comfortable shooting from distance before he is ready to play real minutes.
