Joe Murray: The Celtics added beef to fans’ delight
The NBA Trade deadline has come and gone, and the Celtics have made a few moves, adding some size to the front-court in Xavier Tillman.
The big man played college ball for Tom Izzo at Michigan State and was the 2020 Big 10 Defensive player of the year. Tillman has been productive since being drafted in the 2nd round, has playoff experience playing for Memphis last season. The 25-year-old Tillman has appeared in 34 games with this season, averaging 6.0 points, 4.6 rebounds, and 1.0 blocks per game.
Tillman is in the final year of his contract and adds insurance to Kristaps Porziņģis and Al Horford. He is known for his defense and is one of just 14 players in the league averaging at least one block and one steal per while averaging 20.6 minutes per game. After Steven Adams got injured last year, Tillman was inserted as the starting center and played well against the Lakers in their six-game series.
Tillman averaged 8.7 points, 8.0 rebounds, 3.2 assists and 0.7 blocks in a featured role. He led the Grizzlies in both scoring (22 points) and rebounds (13) during the team’s 103-93 win over Los Angeles in Game 2 of that series. Tillman shot 61% from the field last season and his numbers have dipped, shooting just a 41% from the field and 23% from beyond the arc. He will be an unrestricted free agent next season.
Marketing Idea for McDonald’s and the Celtics
Continuing with the beef theme, the Celtics had a promotion that I can certainly get behind and has never happened in 75 years.
It’s called “Miss for McD’s”. If the visiting team missed a free throw in the fourth quarter during a regular season game, Celtics fans will have the opportunity to receive a free Big Mac with a $2 minimum purchase via the McDonald’s app. Former Celtic Bruno Fernando missed a free throw, and it was free beef for everyone (with the option to receive a 6-piece chicken nugget) with a minimum $2 purchase.
We were tipped off from callers Rachel & Jen that before the game, Celtics Owner Wyc Grousbech was buying drinks before the game and hanging with fans on Causeway street. Not a bad day to be a Celtics fan.
