Kritik und Anregungen » point to Romos back injury push

BOSTON -- From afar, Al Horford has always had respect for the history of the Boston Celtics.He made his first visit to the Garden as a rookie in 2007 and found himself drawn to the championship banners that hung above the court.That was the same season that Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen joined Paul Pierce to form the Big 3 and went on to win Bostons 17th NBA championship.As the Celtics biggest free agent signing since then, Horford -- with his four-year, $113 million contract -- is now the centerpiece of the franchise as it chases banner No. 18.He enters the 2016-17 campaign no longer the wide-eyed rookie that arrived in Atlanta nine years ago. Hes now a veteran four-time All-Star that team president Danny Ainge believes can provide leadership to a young core led by Isaiah Thomas, Avery Bradley and Jae Crowder. The immediate goal is to help Boston advance past the first round of the playoffs for first time since 2012.I know that Im gonna help our team be better, Horford said. Im gonna try to come in and try to gel as fast as I can and just make sure that were playing at a high level, and that were working every day. And well see what happens.Theres no denying that Horford joins a team that has been on the upswing under coach Brad Stevens. Boston won just 25 games his first season in 2013-14 but have improved to 40 and 48 wins the past two, which have included back-to-back playoff berths.But each of those postseason appearances ended in first-round exits, including a 4-2 loss to Horfords Hawks last season.That loss was marred by a hamstring injury to Bradley in Game 1, as well as nagging injuries which dogged Crowder and center Kelly Olynyk.With all of that behind them, Thomas is anxious to see what this group can accomplish when healthy and with some extra star power.Aside from providing some help defending the rim and rebounding, Horfords shooting ability also should open up the floor more for a scoring point guard like Thomas, and improved shooter like Bradley.The expectation is that Crowder will also be freer to operate with Horford drawing attention in the paint.There is also No. 3 overall draft pick Jaylen Brown, whose athleticism should fit right in with a group that loves to run the floor.We have a pretty good team, a team that could make some noise -- some legitimate noise, Thomas said. If we put it together and play the right way, we can make a lot happen this season. You dont ever want to put a ceiling on it, but we have a really good team I know that.MAKING ADJUSTMENTSProbably the Celtics biggest loss this offseason was the departure of swingman Evan Turner to Portland in free agency. Aside from being a productive sixth man, he also at times triggered their half-court sets when he was in the game. Thats a big loss, Stevens said. A big loss because of the way he handled the ball, the big shots that he made late in the game, his positional versatility defensively, his everyday workman-like attitude in the gym.MINUTES FOR ROZIERThe Celtics were dealt a small blow to their second unit when Marcus Smart suffered a left ankle sprain in their preseason finale. The silver lining is that while hes out, it will almost certainly mean increased playing time for second-year point guard Terry Rozier. Rozier had his best moments as a rookie on the defensive end, but showed a lot of improvement in his shooting during the preseason. He works hard at the game and its no surprise that hes having success, Stevens said. Were going to rely on him.INJURY WATCHOlynyk sat out the entire preseason recovering from arthroscopic surgery on his right shoulder in May. After not being cleared for contact in time to appear in any preseason games, its possible he could miss a good chunk of games early in the season. It will mean one less body to relieve Horford, but will give the Celtics opportunities to play smaller at times.MARK YOUR CALENDARThe Celtics have a fairly balanced schedule over the first full month of the season, but will play 10 of their first 18 games on the road. Horford will play his former Hawks team three times this season, beginning Jan. 13 in Atlanta.---Follow Kyle Hightower on Twitter at http://www.twitter.com/khightowerTrent Alexander-Arnold Jersey . -- Playing time has been limited for Maxim Tissot this season, so the Montreal Impact defender made the most of his first scoring opportunity on Saturday. Dele Alli England Jersey . Listen to the game live on TSN Radio 1050 at 7pm et. The Raptors traded Rudy Gay, Quincy Acy and Aaron Gray to the Sacramento Kings on Monday, in exchange for Greivis Vasquez, John Salmons, Patrick Patterson and Chuck Hayes. http://www.englandsoccerpro.com/Kyle-Walker-England-Jersey/ . If ever they start actually putting pictures beside words in the dictionary, the Blue Jays left-handers mug will appear beside “Consistency. Jamie Vardy Jersey . Dallas hasnt ruled out the star quarterback for Sunday nights game against Philadelphia, but all signs point to Romos back injury pushing Kyle Orton into the starting role after two years of limited play as the backup. Surely Ortons name isnt the first that comes to mind for fans wanting a change after years of damaging interceptions, fumbles or, most infamously, the field goal flub when Romo dropped the snap on a kick that could have won his first playoff game in 2006. Jordan Pickford Jersey . PAUL, Minn.What a whirlwind the past couple of months have been on tour.?Novak Djokovic, once unbeatable, has come earthbound rapidly, while Serena Williams, after a dominant run at Wimbledon, enters the final Grand Slam of the season with confidence question marks and shoulder issues.?Whhat to expect at the US Open? ?Truth is, we really dont know, but our experts make their best guesses in the final picks of the year.dddddddddddd.? ' ' '