Morning sports update: Bill Belichick had high praise for Russell Wilson ahead of Week 2 matchup
"I don’t know, but I don’t really see anybody better than this player."
The Celtics face the Heat tonight in Game 2 of the Eastern Conference Finals at 7 p.m. Boston is looking to get back on even terms after dropping Game 1 in overtime.
The Red Sox lost 8-4 to the Marlins on Wednesday, and will play the final game of the series against Miami at 1:10 p.m.
Bill Belichick on Russell Wilson: Speaking to reporters on Thursday, Patriots coach Bill Belichick gave Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson high praise.
“This guy is a tremendous player,” Belichick offered. “Honestly, I think he’s, in a way, maybe underrated by the media or the fans. I don’t know, but I don’t really see anybody better than this player. He can do everything. He’s got, obviously, great leadership, play-making skills. He plays very well in the most critical situations in the game with his decision-making, running, passing.”
Belichick also noted that defending Wilson will be an immense challenge, considering the Seattle quarterback’s versatility.
“He attacks, literally every inch of the field, you have to defend with him,” said Belichick. “The deep balls, the sidelines, his scrambles, his ability to get the ball to his playmakers in space, and then you have to try to tackle them, which is very difficult, too.”
The Patriots travel to face the Seahawks, kicking of on Sunday night at 8:20 p.m.
Trivia: Can you name the Celtics’ starting five from Game 2 of the last Eastern Conference Finals against the Heat (in 2012)?
(Answer at the bottom).
More from Boston.com:
- Danny Ainge offered some constructive criticism of the Celtics after Game 1
- Derek Jeter’s mansion — the same estate Tom Brady is renting — is on the market for $29 million
- ‘It was just one mistake’: Cam Newton came to N’Keal Harry’s defense over his fumble against the Dolphins
- WNBA star Maya Moore marries the man she helped free from prison
- Patriots’ Week 2 injury report: Julian Edelman, N’Keal Harry limited in practice
- Jorge Alfaro homers twice, Marlins beat Red Sox 8-4
- Seahawks coach Pete Carroll has been doing it his way after his time with the Patriots
- Jets’ Adam Gase favored to be first NFL coach fired this season
- Celtics, Heat both see ways to improve before Game 2
- Famed Boston University hockey coach Jack Kelley dies at 93
- Steve Grogan — the Patriots’ last mobile quarterback — likes what Cam Newton is bringing to New England
Danny Ainge’s response to “Toucher & Rich” about Pat Riley
: The Ainge-Riley rivalry probably started during the 1980s, when Ainge was a player for the Celtics and Riley was the Lakers’ coach. But it resurfaced in 2013 when Riley heard Ainge’s comments calling it “embarrassing” that then-Heat forward LeBron James would complain about a particular call from the officiating.
“Danny Ainge needs to shut the f— up and manage his own team,” Riley stormed back in a team statement. The feud between the two has apparently subsided, though the two teams’ current Eastern Conference Finals matchup might test that.
Asked about the chance to beat Riley during his weekly interview with Toucher & Rich on Wednesday, Ainge insisted he’s moved on.
“Yeah know Pat and I had our little tiff — that was what, seven or eight years ago?” Ainge recalled. “But I respect Pat Riley, I have a great admiration for what he’s accomplished in his life and in the NBA and he’s been a great competitor. I don’t hold any grudges against Pat Riley at all.”
Accused of not being entirely honest in his response, Ainge insisted he was being serious.
“No, I’m telling you, it’s the truth,” Ainge replied, before interjecting some humor. “The stuff that we went through that one time where Pat Riley, you know, told me to mind my own business and that I was a whiner, I mean you know, hey listen, all that stuff was true.
“I don’t agree with how he went about that, but I don’t hold anything against Pat Riley,” Ainge continued. “Pat Riley has done a great job in Miami.”
The Patriots’ postgame locker room scene:
https://www.instagram.com/p/CFK3kbHlitc/
On this day: In 1996, Hideo Nomo pitched the first of his no-hitters. He was the first Japanese pitcher to ever throw a no-hitter in Major League Baseball. And while the original came with the Dodgers, a second (in 2001) would come with the Red Sox.
Here’s Vin Scully’s call:
Daily highlight: Lionel Messi might not be happy staying at Barcelona, but the 33-year-old is still hammering in world class goals, as he did in a preseason friendly on Wednesday.
G⚽️AL OF THE DAY
🚀 MESSI 🚀 pic.twitter.com/FFxqv2MKXr— FC Barcelona (@FCBarcelona) September 17, 2020
Trivia answer: Rajon Rondo, Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, and Brandon Bass.
Get Boston.com's browser alerts:
Enable breaking news notifications straight to your internet browser.
To comment, please create a screen name in your profile
To comment, please verify your email address
Conversation
This discussion has ended. Please join elsewhere on Boston.com