Maybe this year

The Boston Celtics blew two attempts in annexing their 18th crown in the NBA the past two seasons. The Celtics lost to the Golden State Warriors and then failed to advance to the Finals after losing to the Miami Heat. Boston, however, is expected to win this season’s championship with brilliant acquisition to make it one of the strongest contenders for the crown.  Although the Celtics traded Marcus  Smart, Robert Williams and Malcolm Brogdon, they got Kristaps Porzingis and Jrue Holiday, which I think would  fit in the team’s chemistry.  Holiday helped  the Milwaukee Bucks won the crown in 2021, their first after 50 years. Holiday is a two-time NBA All-Star and five-time NBA All-Defensive Team. He also won the NBA Teammate of the Year Award in three of the past seasons. Porzingis could be the center the Celtics are looking for.  Al Horford is old and couldn’t keep up with younger centers while  Williams is injury-prone. Porzingis can also score , averaging 23 points and 8 rebounds last season.  The 7’3” center-forward can also shot from the arc. Derrick White was impressive last season averaging 12.4 PPG and will start alongside Holiday.  Also expected to spark the Celtics are rookie Jordan Walsh, Sam Hauser, Luke Kornet, Payton Pritchard and Svi Mykhailiuk. Of course Boston will still have the explosive duo of Jayson Tatum and Jaylen Brown.  Looks like there’s no stopping  Boston this time.

2023 Asian Games Marathon

China’s He Jie highlighted his country’s domination of the Asian Games when he won the men’s marathon in 2 hours 13 minutes and 2 seconds. Korean Han Ryong took second place in 2:13:37 while Yang Shaohui, also of China, dropped Ethiopian-born Bahraini Shumi Dechase Leche in the final  stages of the race, pocketing  third place in 2:13:39. Eunice Chebichii Chumba of Bahrain, won the women’s race to relegate Zhang Deshun of China to  third place.  Chumba was also this year’s Rotterdam Marathon  champion.  Sardana Trofimova of  Kyrgzstan, wound up third in 2:28:41.