Jon and Justin discuss the recent defensive turnaround which will hopefully be the final resolve of a season long identity crisis at that end of the floor. The Carmello rumors don't seem to want to go away and Rondo pays tribute to "His Vets" as things in Chicago play out predictably poor. Finally, with Paul Pierce's last game in Boston less than a week away, we talk about his legacy and remember some classic moments from his career.
Jon returns to the show after his week vacation in Disney and has his checklist of gripes for a Celtics team that has lost it's way on defense and went 1-2 in his absence. There is some debate about the Knicks, Carmelo Anthony as a possible trade target, and proof that Phil Jackson has not been on Red Auerbach's level.
Patrick Gilroy fills in this week while Jon Duke is vacationing at Disney World. With the first half of the season set to close after the completion of tonight's tilt against the Hornets, we offer a mid-season review and set expectations for the second half. Kelly Olynyk gets heavy discussion following his best performance of the season against the Hawks and subsequent bizarre ankle injury at practice on Sunday. So goes the Celtics and while their depth doesn't put them over the top, it certainly keeps them from falling to the middle of the pack in the Eastern Conference. All tht and more on this week's edition of Celtics Stuff Live.
Jon and Justin kick it all off with a look at the standings which find Tuesday's opponent, the Toronto Raptors, with a single game of separation in the standings. The Celtics have won four straight while the Raps are 5-5 in their last ten games and the Celtics find themselves right where we thought they would be; fighting their Atlantic Division rival for 2nd place in the Conference. In the second half of the show we take a quick look at Olynyk and Smart before giving our takes on Jae Crowder's response to the fans cheering for Gordon Hayward and rumors that Jimmy Butler may be available once again.
Jon and Justin return from a holiday break with lots to discuss from around the NBA. The Celtics squad is now healthy and the schedule has finally begun to loosen it's grip. Old Friend Rajon Rondo finds himself in a predictably awkward position with his new team and Justin wonders if it was all by design, not just in Chicago but Atlanta as well. Enjoy the show!