It’s been an interesting couple of weeks for the Celtics – and Kyrie Irving

By BUNKY McCOY

• What does the Celtics’ decision to trade Kemba Walker tell us?
Clearly, new basketball boss/former head coach Brad Stevens wasn’t a fan of a free agent signing
that was orchestrated by predecessor, Danny Ainge. Yes, the Celtics are receiving some salary-
cap relief by shipping Walker to Oklahoma City, yet the message here is that Stevens did not
like the hand he was dealt courtesy of Ainge.

• Memo to the Celtics: Does a coaching search really take this long?

• Another example of revenge from above courtesy of Red Auerbach? Kyrie Irving stomps on
the Celtics’ logo after Brooklyn eliminates Boston from the NBA Playoffs. Then, Irving gets hurt
and misses the end of the Nets-Bucks series and watches his team lose on its home floor.
Somewhere, Red is smiling as he puffs on a cigar.

• Any pitcher who gets caught using a foreign substance during the first week of MLB’s
crackdown on sticky stuff – in the words of NESN analyst Jerry Remy during Tuesday’s Red Sox-
Rays game – “has to be pretty stupid.”

• I’m still waiting to see who emerges as the “Jersey Red” equivalent of the
KevinMc Sports Hour.

• Does Bill Belichick see what the rest of us are seeing in Cam Newton? And Cam calling the Pats’ number one pick `Mac and Cheese’ is just classic.

• There’s no truth to the rumor that the NFL seems to be in session more than the General
Assembly. Actually there is truth. And it’s not even close.

• Or that the Hoodie is prepared to offer a contract to the WooSox security person who made
an open-field tackle on the fan who was dumb enough to run onto the field during a recent
game at Polar Park.

• Or that the R.I. Interscholastic League is going to re-arrange the high school baseball playoff
format to ensure that either Hendricken or La Salle make the finals. It’ll be a Catholic School-free
championship series after the Hawks and Rams were each sent packing in the first round of this
year’s postseason.

• Speaking of the WooSox, did you hear some poor fan attended a game only to see his car
stolen but it ended up getting tossed in a nearby lake? Never heard a problem
along those lines at McCoy Stadium.

• It goes without saying that Ed Cooley and his Friar assistants need to make significant
headway when it comes to the Class of 2022 prospects.

• QUIZ OF THE WEEK: Michael Jordan was the No. 3 pick in the 1984 NBA Draft. Who were the
No. 1 and No. 2 picks? (Answer near the bottom of the column.)

• I’m looking forward to the day when a pro athlete announces he’s gay and it’s not considered
a big deal.

• If you’re of the opinion that the 2021 U.S. Open field crumbled as opposed to eventual winner
Jon Rahm seizing control, rest assured you’re not alone.

• D’Angelo Ortiz – the teenage son of former Red Sox slugger David Ortiz – is attending the
same Florida high school that Alex Rodriguez shined at.

• The Red Sox plan to honor Dustin Pedroia before Friday’s Red Sox-Yankees game at Fenway
Park. You can take it to the bank that the tribute won’t include a video message from Manny
Machado – the player who in essence chased Pedroia into retirement.

• I could listen to Dennis Eckersley all day long.

• QUIZ ANSWER: Hakeem Olajuwon, at No. 1. Sam Bowie at No. 2.

✌️ homers for @MichaelChavis11 last night.

That's 6 bombs in his last 9 games. pic.twitter.com/0KQQPpNwRb

— Worcester Red Sox (@WooSox) June 23, 2021

• Via Twitter, the WooSox sent best wishes to the Cape Cod League. In case you have forgotten,
one of the Cape teams – Wareham Gateman – threatened to sue the WooSox after the “W”
logo used by the Triple-A team closely resembles the “W” used by Wareham.

• No question, R.I. Senator Sheldon Whitehouse probably wishes he can stick his head in the
sand. Problem is, it’s probably not a good idea to do so down at Newport’s Bailey’s Beach Club.