It’s that time again. Time for another edition of my world famous This and That column. It’s been a while since I have done one of these but with the NBA, NHL, and NFL all in season and the MLB Hot Stove heating up, I figure there will be more of these in our future. So let’s dive right in and see what there is to talk about today.

Windex Needed–The Celtics have developed a defensive rebounding problem.  It’s the reason for both of their home losses.  The only reason Atlanta was in the last game, never mind winning it, was because of offensive rebounds.  Sure, the turnovers didn’t help, but they could have overcome them if it wasn’t for all the offensive rebounds they gave up. It’s not just about giving up a ton of offensive rebounds, it’s about when you give them up.   In the game against Golden State, the three baskets that sealed the game for the Warriors were three consecutive second chance baskets.  If the Celtics could grab a rebound, they would have won.  They really have to solve this issue by seasons end.  Obviously, getting Porzingis back will help but they can’t just rely on him.  Their other bigs have to start cleaning the glass (do you get the Windex reference now?) if they are going to play their best basketball. 

Nothing Bruin–I blame all the Bruins issues on Don Sweeney.  For two reasons.  1) The team just doesn’t have any legit goal scorers except for Pastrnak.  They lost some of their secondary scoring in the off season and did not replace or upgrade their forwards except for Elias Lindholm and he feels more like a set up guy than a scorer.  Last year guys like Coyle and Geekie had career years.  This year they are off to slow starts and expecting them to automatically be as good, if not better than they were last season, is asking a lot.  You hope that’s the case but I don’t feel you can expect it.  Especially from an older, established player like Coyle.

The second reason I blame Sweeney is because he did not extend Montgomery heading into the season.  Lame duck coaches never work out.  Look what happened with the 49ers and Jim Harbough.  He went 13-3, 11-4-1, and 12-4.  Then his lame duck year came and they went 8-8 with pretty much the same team.  Everyone knew he wasn’t coming back and the whole thing fell apart.  This is what’s happening with the Bruins.  The players are not responding to anything he does and he is coach in fear of his job.  That’s why he changes the lines every game.  I am all for a coach trying new things when stuff isn’t working but you have to give guys a chance to develop chemistry.  But he can’t afford to wait around.  Every time the Bruins lose everyone is asking if this is the game that gets him fired.  Every Friday night people are expecting the Bruins to news dump that they let him go.  A team can’t excel like this.  If the front office doesn’t believe in the coach, then why should the players?  And if the front office believed in the players, wouldn’t they hire a coach they believe in?  It is just a terrible situation all around.  (One I am praying the Yankees avoid) Sweeney has to either pull the trigger and fire him or come to an agreement on an extension.  I don’t think a vote of confidence will work because no one takes them seriously.

Cornering the Market–The San Francisco 49ers and corner back Deommodore Lenoir have reached a five-year, $92-million extension. The Niners lock up another member of their core with this signing.  I know it doesn’t seem possible that the 49ers can keep signing guys to big contracts but the NFL salary cap is very manipulatable. For instance, the 49ers should have about 50 mil in cap space to carry over to next season.  That will really help.  But is it true you cannot sign everyone.  Some guys are going to have to be let go.  The Lenoir signing does bring into question the future of Moony Ward.  Obviously, the team is better with both of them but are they going to be able to have two corners signed to big contracts?  Could he restructure and bring down his cap hit?  We shall see.  But it is great news that the Niners continue to resign their good players and that we will get to see Lenoir in the Red and Gold for the next few years at least. 

Some Quick Hitters…

–The new Celtics Uniforms are ugly and I am willing to bet will be awful on TV.  If you happen to be an Oregon Ducks fan you may really like them though. 

–Juan Soto is meeting with teams over the next few days.  After that hopefully he will make a quick decision.  The real offseason will not begin until he picks his destination.

–The Tampa Bay Rays are going to play their home games next season in Steinbrenner Field as the Trop will not be fixed in time after the roof was blown off by a hurricane.  I think that seeing as the Yankees are letting them use their field, MLB should force all the other teams to let the Yankees sign Juan Soto as payment. 

–The New courts for the NBA Cup are just as bad as the ones from last season.  They really should just use the old courts with the big Cup logos in the paint and at center court.  Or even better, just get rid of this stupid tournament.  

–The Bruins sent Matt Poitras to Providence.  I don’t like this. People keep saying he needs time one the ice and on powerplays to develop.  I don’t know why they don’t just put him on Boston’s powerplay then.  Their PP is tied for worst in the league.  Maybe he would help. Sending one of the few skilled players down doesn’t seem conducive to improving your scoring.  At least not to me. 

Well, that about does it for now. Till next time…