Morning sports update: Kyle Van Noy’s real motivation doesn’t come from the skeptics
Also: Celtics' incredible passing, Jason Varitek's award, and more.
The Celtics defeated the Cavaliers on Wednesday night minus Kyrie Irving (who was out with the flu). Yet Boston’s depth – led by Terry Rozier’s 26 points – carried the team to a 123-103 win.
The Patriots continue to prepare in Foxborough for Super Bowl LIII, with the team expected to travel to Atlanta over the weekend.
Kyle Van Noy talked about his main motivation: It’s no secret that Patriots linebacker Kyle Van Noy is aware of the team’s critics. He recently suggested that ESPN pundit Max Kellerman should “stick to boxing” after his continued dismissal of Tom Brady’s playoff performances.
Still, Van Noy isn’t primarily motivated by proving doubters wrong, even if he enjoys it.
“That is fun,” Van Noy admitted to reporters on Wednesday, “but I want to prove the people right. There’s a lot of people — our families, teammates — that believe in each other. We went to prove those people right. That’s at least what I want to do.”
Of course, Van Noy’s supporters won’t necessarily have luck getting Super Bowl tickets from him. The 27-year-old had a succinct response for how he deals with a majority of those who ask.
“You just have to say, ‘Hell no.'”
More from Boston.com:
- Patriots center David Andrews is going home . . . to work
- Greg Schiano in line to take over top defensive role for Patriots, report says
- Search resumes for missing plane carrying soccer player Emiliano Sala
- Watch Robert Williams reach 12 feet in the air to block a shot
- Report: Pacers believe Victor Oladipo lost for year with serious knee injury
- A Jets defensive back clobbered Pat Patriot at the Pro Bowl
- Sports Q: Who was Bill Belichick’s best playoff opponent?
- Robert Kraft discussed NFL officiating, laser pointers, and Tom Brady in ‘Good Morning America’ interview
- Julian Edelman was mic’d up for Patriots-Chiefs
Where does this Patriots team stand in comparison to its predecessors? The Patriots have made four of the last five Super Bowls, a remarkable run even before considering the other title runs the team made in the previous decade. This time feels different, however. [The Boston Globe]
Dolphins meet with Flores for second time: Patriots defensive assistant Brian Flores met with the Dolphins for a second time about the team’s current head coaching vacancy. Flores is expected to become Miami’s new head coach, but the process is delayed because the Dolphins can’t make the hire official until New England’s season is over following the Super Bowl. [The Boston Globe]
Former Red Sox captain Jason Varitek was awarded NCAA Silver Anniversary Award:
His number is retired at Georgia Tech for a reason.
Jason Varitek accepts the incredibly well-deserved NCAA Silver Anniversary Award tonight from Coach Hall!
RECAP: https://t.co/OovohKgV5p pic.twitter.com/zXrc00872P
— Georgia Tech Baseball (@GTBaseball) January 24, 2019
On this day: In 1962, Jackie Robinson was the first African-American player elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame. Here’s a recording of his induction speech.
Daily highlight: Celtics ball movement was on point, capped by Terry Rozier’s three.
https://twitter.com/celtics/status/1088247896493838337
