Jack Simone

1 week ago | hardwoodhoudini.com | Jack Simone

Change nothing (yet be ready for anything). BOSTON — Three years ago, the Boston Celtics were on the cusp of a championship but fell just short. A major coaching change ensued, and they were thrown back into the fire. Two years ago, the Celtics were left heartbroken at TD Garden by a flurry of Caleb Martin threes and a symphony of Jimmy Butler heroics. Two huge roster additions later, they were back to business. One year ago: Glory.

1 week ago | hardwoodhoudini.com | Jack Simone

What a mess. For the past three seasons, Brad Stevens and the Boston Celtics have carefully built one of the best lineups in recent basketball history. Everyone in their lineup can play defense and shoot threes (outside of Luke Kornet, who makes his offensive impact with screening and passing out of the short roll). This formula won them a title last season and has them poised to compete for another this year. On the other side of the country, the Phoenix Suns have taken a different approach.

1 week ago | hardwoodhoudini.com | Jack Simone

"Let me just do me."BOSTON — ‘Playing like Jrue Holiday’ should be a compliment that basketball players of all levels should strive to earn. A two-time NBA Champion, two-time All-Star, and six-time All-Defensive player, Holiday has cemented himself as one of the most well-respected players in the NBA today. Yet, when Phoenix Suns head coach Mike Budenholzer asked Bradley Beal to play like Holiday, the message wasn’t well-received.

1 week ago | hardwoodhoudini.com | Jack Simone

The path to a title is difficult. Boston knows that. From here on out, every single game matters. So did the regular season, but now, the line between glory and elimination grows thinner with every passing win or loss. The Boston Celtics are looking to become the first repeat NBA Champions since the 2017 and 2018 Golden State Warriors, but before they get the chance to play for gold, they need to get through three grueling rounds of playoff basketball.

1 week ago | hardwoodhoudini.com | Jack Simone

Non-shooter? Yes. Paint beast? Yes. But now? Connector. BOSTON — Early in his career, Luke Kornet had his feet planted firmly behind the three-point line. Dating back to his time at Vanderbilt, Kornet’s three-point shooting is what made him stand out. To this day, Kornet holds the NCAA’s all-time record for most three-point makes (150) by a player listed at seven feet or taller in their collegiate career.So, naturally, when he entered the NBA, that was his calling card.