Morning sports update: Jayson Tatum joked about not being picked No. 1 in the draft
Also: The Bruins' "shadow" plan, what Julian Edelman did during his suspension, and David Pastrnak's quadruple deke.
The Bruins soundly defeated the Oilers at TD Garden on Thursday night, 4-1. The Red Sox prepare for Game 1 of the ALCS at Fenway Park on Saturday, while the Patriots continue to get ready for the Chiefs on Sunday night.
Here’s a look at a few other stories:
Jayson Tatum’s joke with Kyrie Irving about not going No. 1 overall: In 2017, Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge executed a rarely seen maneuver in the NBA. He traded the coveted first overall pick in the draft after the league’s lottery, opting to select third instead (and collect an additional asset from the 76ers in the trade).
Ainge has insisted since then that Tatum would’ve been the Celtics’ pick at No. 1 had the trade not happened. Yet one of the NBA’s top rookies from a season ago was nonetheless not a first overall pick, a fact that Kyrie Irving (jokingly) referenced on Thursday according to Celtics reporter Chris Forsberg.
Tatum responded with a joke of his own, blaming Ainge:
Jayson Tatum ribbing Kyrie Irving about only playing 11 games at Duke. Kyrie fires back that he was No. 1 pick.
Tatum deadpans: “It’s Danny’s fault I didn’t go No. 1.”
— Chris Forsberg (@ChrisForsberg_) October 12, 2018
The latest from Boston.com:
- Tony La Russa shares the lessons he’s learned from Bill Belichick
- Fans will love ‘Basketball: A Love Story’
- It’s going to be an insane week of sports across Boston. Here’s a guide.
- Jalen Ramsey calls Stephon Gilmore’s criticism ‘lame’ and ‘corny’
- Marchand, Nordstrom score in 36-second span, Bruins win
- Will home-field advantage make a difference for the Red Sox?
- Kyrie Irving’s announcement was a surprise to the Celtics’ Danny Ainge
- Fantasy focus: What experts say about Sony Michel’s increasing role and injury status
Bill Belichick on Patrick Mahomes and Tyreek Hill:
"He can ruin a game."
Bill Belichick breaks down the Chiefs defense, Mahomes and Hill on the Belestrator. pic.twitter.com/mOBW7c6PdX
— New England Patriots (@Patriots) October 12, 2018
David Pastrnak is next for the Bruins: With established stars like Zdeno Chara and Patrice Bergeron, Bruins fans wonder who might take over for them in the future. Yet with the emergence of David Pastrnak, it seems apparent where the answer lies. [Boston Globe]
How did the Bruins stop Connor McDavid? The Bruins were able to get a convincing 4-1 win over the Oilers, thanks in large part to an effective game plan against superstar Connor McDavid. Instead of an old school one-on-one “shadow” strategy, the Bruins employed a modern approach that essentially amounted to a “five-man shadow.” [The Athletic]
Julian Edelman’s approach during his suspension: The Patriots’ wide receiver missed four games due to suspension, but appears to have come back in good form. Edelman’s routine during his suspension included training at various fields around Boston with Rob Ninkovich, and working out at the Celtics facility (along with pingpong games against Gordon Hayward). ESPN’s Mike Reiss explored the full story.
Daily highlight: David Pastrnak scored a sensational goal utilizing a quadruple deke Gordon Bombay could only dream about:
Take a bow, @pastrnak96.#NHLBruins pic.twitter.com/msroekamTK
— Boston Bruins (@NHLBruins) October 12, 2018