A few things I care about …
⋅ Catching up on the wonderful show “Welcome to Wrexham,” I enjoyed the segment about what is known on the Welsh shores as a “derby” game, or as we call it in America, a “rivalry” game. By way of explaining, the show used Red Sox-Yankees as one of its examples, a well-deserved nod to the long, passionate enmity between the cities.
Yet as we approach the start of the NBA season, it’s another city rivalry that could trump Boston-New York, even as the Celtics look to outwit the reigning champion Knicks. With Jaylen Brown now a 76er, the often underappreciated Boston-Philadelphia rivalry adds an emotional new chapter. From the two preseason games already on the schedule to the inevitable regular-season clashes and potential playoff series yet to come, get your popcorn ready as Brown looks to make the Celtics pay for their decision to trade him.
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Will he be the next Mookie Betts? Or Brad Marchand? Or Tom Brady? Will he join the list of Boston champs who went on to win a title elsewhere, earning a place in the divided loyalty Hall of Fame? And as he tries, how will the Boston fans react to him?
Not that any of them deserves to be a villain, least of all Brown, who gave the Celtics so much in his 10 years. Even beyond the title he helped win alongside his fellow Jay, Jayson Tatum, in 2024, Brown was such a fixture in the community, such a thoughtful interview subject with the media, and such a consistent performer for the franchise. Watching him carve the same inroads in Philadelphia won’t be easy, even if booing him on the court is the default reaction.
Related: Shaughnessy: Watching the Red Sox from the front row of baseball’s alternate universe has been quite the trip, and other thoughts
But what choice will there be if the teams meet again in the playoffs? Odds are it will happen. The Celtics and 76ers share the most meetings in NBA postseason history, facing off 23 times. Though Boston is the bigger winner (15 series wins), Philadelphia got some revenge with last season’s first-round win, beating a Tatum-less team in Game 7.
Two small, big Revolutionary cities, two rabid fan bases. One player. Should be fun.
⋅ Two entries in the “when good things happen to good people” department. First, to Jason McCourty, for his well-deserved promotion to ESPN’s “Monday Night Countdown” crew. Like his brother, Devin, a fixture on NBC’s “Football Night in America,” Jason has proven himself an engaging, astute, and thoroughly informative commentator.
And second, to the Celtics’ Ron Harper Jr., whose dogged determination to improve his game and make himself versatile earned him a three-year, $9 million contract extension, the first long-term contract of his career. After appearing in 29 regular-season games with three starts last season, Harper also started Game 7 against the 76ers in place of the injured Tatum.
⋅ The pressure on Gianni Infantino continues to mount, the latest coming in a scathing statement from UEFA, CONCACAF, and the Asian Football Confederation. Infantino’s apology tour, floated last week after he’d gathered endorsements from countries desperate to stay in his good graces (such as Morocco, looking to host the next World Cup) was perfectly dismantled by the soccer powers, who wrote of Infantino’s private investment idea/folly, “It treats this as a failure of communication, when what football witnessed was a failure of judgment.”
Will the Tarik Skubal trade be the last straw on the way to a work stoppage?
Will the Tarik Skubal trade be the last straw on the way to a work stoppage?Michael Reaves/Getty
⋅ Hate the Tarik Skubal trade for ruining baseball as the rich get richer, or love the Tarik Skubal trade for rewarding teams willing to spend money, but understand the trade as a warning sign of an almost certain work stoppage next season. Owners are ready to lock out while a salary cap — one with both a ceiling and a floor — looms as the biggest point of contention in labor negotiations.
⋅ Aaron Rodgers cannot retire soon enough. Maybe he’s been great on the field (though with that arm, more than one Super Bowl title surely seemed inevitable), but his act off it is beyond worn out. Rodgers loves dishing out his opinions (see his latest screed against Dr. Anthony Fauci) but can’t take it when he is criticized. I sincerely hope no one hires him as a commentator when his playing days are finally (mercifully) over.
⋅ Will Trevor Story write a happy ending to his mostly tortured Red Sox tenure? His return is a fascinating subplot to this season’s stirring turnaround. Story was pretty vocal about his disappointment with Alex Cora’s firing and Craig Breslow’s lack of communication about that decision, putting voice to the overall feeling of anger with the front office. Not long after that, Story was sidelined by hernia surgery, and the season outlook fell even further. Not so now, and we’ll see if he can contribute.
Related: Gasper: The Patriots pride themselves on giving the third phase — special teams — first-class treatment
⋅ A recent vacation to Ireland reminded me that great sports stories know no boundaries. Watching the All-Ireland football championship from the pub at Donegal’s Great Northern Hotel was an absolute blast, and the joy when Mayo ended a 75-year title drought was contagious. Also fun was a visit to the Esker Hills Golf Club, where Shane Lowry earned his golfing stripes. Lowry memorabilia fills its 19th hole, including a signed flag from his 2019 British Open win.
⋅ Book notes from a book nerd. Loved “Land” by Maggie O’Farrell, who also authored “Hamnet.” Beautifully written and thick with emotion, such a tribute to the Irish immigrant experience. Another great historical fiction novel was Ken Follett’s latest, “Circle of Days.”
Jaylen Brown introduced to the 76ers
Thursday the 76ers welcomed former Celtic, Jaylen Brown to their team with an introductory press conference.