Rumors

While the Celtics and Warriors battle on the court in a tightly contested NBA Finals, the governors of California and Massachusetts have joined in on the action. In a tweet Wednesday, about a half hour before the tipoff of game three, Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker promised California Gov. Gavin Newsom that the Celtics would claim the Larry O’Brien Trophy this year.

Boston Globe

A statue in honor of Boston Celtics and Holy Cross great Bob Cousy was unveiled Friday outside the DCU Center. The 92-year-old hall-of-fame point guard was in attendance for the 2 p.m. ceremony, along with Massachusetts Gov. Charlie Baker, Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty, Celtics owners Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca. Mike Gorman, the voice of the Celtics and Cousy's former broadcast partner, emceed the outdoor event.

wcvb.com

Among those scheduled to attend the statute unveiling are his daughters, Gov. Charlie Baker, Worcester Mayor Joseph Petty and City Manager Edward Augustus, current Celtics owners Wyc Grousbeck and Steve Pagliuca, and former teammate Tom “Satch” Sanders.

NBA.com

Governor Charlie Baker announced Thursday that the state will reopen large venues on March 22, including the arenas where Boston’s pro sports teams play: Fenway Park, Gillette Stadium, and TD Garden.

Boston Globe

Boston Celtics players: We were disappointed to see that Governor Charlie Baker, in his amendments to the police reform legislation, removed the bill’s proposed regulations of government use of facial recognition technology. Since the tragic and outrageous police killing of George Floyd in May, Boston Celtics players have doubled-down on our commitment to raising public awareness about policing and systemic racism, and advocating for sound changes to law enforcement that improve public safety and strengthen racial justice for everyone.

Boston Globe

Boston Celtics players: This bias against Black people and other people of color is baked into the criminal legal system, and it’s perpetuated at every level, including the tools that police departments use. That’s why we were disappointed to see that Governor Charlie Baker, in his amendments to the police reform legislation, removed the bill’s proposed regulations of government use of facial recognition technology. Baker’s rejection is deeply troubling because this technology supercharges racial profiling by police and has resulted in the wrongful arrests of innocent people.

Boston Globe

The former Boston Celtics coach and his successor took part in the Action for Boston Community Development Hoops Dreams charity event, joining a few local celebrities, such as Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker, Attorney General Maura Healey, and journalists Bob Ryan and Jackie MacMullan, for a friendly shooting competition. “I haven’t shot on this court probably yet, other than in shoot-arounds a little bit,” said Stevens. “We don’t usually even shoot around here because the only time I ever come down here is for games, so it’s great to be here in a setting where you’re doing something for somebody else where it’s not just a part of a game.”

NBA.com