After another disheartening loss deep in the playoffs last season, the Boston Celtics are hoping to make another run at their 18th NBA championship.

They made big changes during the offseason, jettisoning former Defensive Player of the Year Marcus Smart and sharpshooter Danilo Gallinari to obtain star center Kristaps Porzingis, and although they also lost 3-and-D forward Grant Williams, some insist trading for Porzingis was a genius move.

Yet Boston’s championship hopes will ultimately fall on star forward Jayson Tatum more than anyone.

Via ClutchPoints, Ramona Shelburne said Tatum thought he may need surgery on his non-shooting wrist, but he ended up deciding against it.

"[Jayson Tatum] went into the offseason thinking he might need surgery on his non-shooting wrist. [He] went to a bunch of specialists and essentially decided [not to get the surgery]."

– @ramonashelburnepic.twitter.com/5Y47sB5mOd

— ClutchPoints (@ClutchPoints) September 29, 2023

Tatum had a career-best effort last season by averaging 30.1 points. 8.8 rebounds, and 4.6 assists a game as the Celtics finished with a 57-25 record, which put them in second place in the Eastern Conference.

In the Eastern Conference Finals they fell behind, 3-0, to the Miami Heat, a team that looked inferior to them on paper, only to charge back and win the next three games.

Everything seemed set up for Boston to achieve a historic Game 7 win at home, but they scored only 84 points and lost by 19.

Tatum was a major reason for the loss, as he scored just 14 points on 5-of-13 shooting.

By trading Smart and receiving Porzingis, the Celtics may be much improved offensively, but the question is how they will continue to be one of the NBA’s top defensive squads.

In addition, their bench has been greatly weakened, as Malcolm Brogdon, the reigning Sixth Man of the Year, is their only reserve who is any kind of offensive threat.

The post Insider Reveals Celtics Star Decided Not To Get Offseason Surgery appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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Friday came with big news for Detroit Tigers fans.

Not only they are enjoying Miguel Cabrera’s last series as an active major leaguer, but they also found out that the talented slugger already has a job lined up in the organization once this weekend’s series is over.

“Following Sunday’s game, Miguel Cabrera’s next chapter will be in Detroit as a Special Assistant to the President of Baseball Operations,” the team announced.

Fans weren’t afraid to voice their opinion on this move.

Most of them were happy to learn that the franchise legend, who won just about every individual accolade there is to win with the Tigers, will at least have an influence on baseball decisions in the future.

Happy to see this

— aj armento (@ajarmento03) September 29, 2023

Good stuff , keep him around doing anything Tigers .

— Aaron (@Coach_Them_Up) September 29, 2023

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It could be a positive influence for the Tigers’ current players to see Cabrera around Comerica Park often, although his exact role is still undetermined (or least hasn’t been revealed).

I love this! pic.twitter.com/Wxzpzdka5V

— Josh Augdahl (@UMFanAugdahl) September 29, 2023

So happy he's staying with the team. I knew he said he wanted to stay in the game, but to have it be official and with the Tigers is great news!

— Alexandra (@WordsInAWhisper) September 29, 2023

There is an important aspect of retaining Cabrera in an advisor/assistant role: he could stay around the organization, helping Latin players in anything they may need from adapting to the culture, to the language.

The impact this may have on potential latin players could be huge

— Talkin’ Tigs (@TalkinTigs) September 29, 2023

Perhaps it will be Cabrera’s first experience in what could be a career making baseball decisions in Detroit at some point, although it’s unclear if it will be a role that interests him.

In any case, he is one of the biggest, most prominent Tigers in history, and having him around so quickly after retiring is huge news for the organization as it tries to return to contention eventually.

The post Fans React To Notable Miguel Cabrera News appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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Earlier this week, the Portland Trail Blazers were finally able to pull off a blockbuster trade to send superstar guard Damian Lillard to another team.

Ultimately, the team was able to put together a three-team deal, in which Lillard goes to the Milwaukee Bucks in exchange for Jrue Holiday and Deandre Ayton, which is a pretty good haul considering the circumstances.

Although all signs pointed to Lillard being shipped to the Miami Heat at some point this summer due to his desire to play in South Beach with Jimmy Butler and Bam Adebayo, he landed in an ideal spot that might give him an even better chance to compete for a title in what could be the last few years of his career.

As for the Blazers, the team was able to get a solid return for the face of the franchise and can now begin the rebuilding process around rookie guard Scoot Henderson.

In the aftermath of Lillard being traded to the Bucks, Blazers legend Terry Porter chimed in on the deal and what he thinks about what transpired this week via SiriusXM NBA Radio.

“I give [the Trail Blazers front office] credit for doing an amazing job.”

Former Blazers guard @terryporter30 tells @TermineRadio and @Jumpshot8 it was hard to see Lillard leave, but Portland got a lot of value in return for the superstar. pic.twitter.com/mOi9eo8cdr

— SiriusXM NBA Radio (@SiriusXMNBA) September 29, 2023

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Porter seems to think that the Bucks and Blazers got a good deal in this blockbuster trade, even though he didn’t mention the Phoenix Suns, who were the third team.

It’s hard to argue with Porter’s stance, as the Blazers accomplished what they wanted and will be able to get more by trading Holiday, who is now a hot commodity around the league.

As for the Bucks, the team can focus on Giannis Antetokounmpo and Lillard being a new dynamic duo while not having to depend on the shaky health situation of Khris Middleton moving forward.

The post Blazers Legend Shares His Thoughts On Damian Lillard Trade appeared first on The Cold Wire.

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