As I currently write this, the Boston Celtics are opening up their 2026-27 season in Detroit against the Pistons. 

Boston is coming off a 56-26 regular season and a subsequent first-round exit from the Eastern Conference Playoffs. The Pistons were the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, but lost in the second round of the playoffs.

If you're watching the C's in the opener, you've likely noticed a commemorative No. 19 patch on the Boston uniforms. That's to honor former Celtics star Don Nelson, who died this offseason at the age of 86.

There's no word yet on if the Celtics will wear the patch all season long, but it's certainly possible given Nelson's lasting impact on the franchise. Back in August, we advocated for a jersey patch as well as a special tribute at the home opener. It also seems appropriate for the Celtics to honor him prior to games against the Dallas Mavericks, Golden State Warriors and Milwaukee Bucks, three other teams he coached for during his Hall of Fame career. He also coached the New York Knicks for one season.

A 14-year player, Nelson was a head coach for 31 years, giving him nearly 50 years of service to the NBA game. He's truly one of the most decorated people to ever represent the league.

As a player, Nelson won all five titles with the Celtics in the 1960s and 1970s, playing with some of the franchise's true legends like Bill Russell and John Havlicek. Boston retired his No. 19 in 1978.

--Boston took the fourth-most 3-pointers in the league a season ago and I've made my bold prediction that they'll lead the league this season in 3's taken. Maybe it's not that bold, but it feels appropriate given the personnel on this team.

--Former Celtics guard RJ Luis, who was with the team briefly in preseason last year, is not going to go back to college and play at LSU as he wanted. Luis was trying to earn an additional year of eligibility, but the SEC has barred players who had professional contracts from coming back to school. Luis was on an Exhibit 10 deal with the C's last season, which has him ineligible to play in the SEC.

Luis previously played at both UMass and St. John's, but he was not teammates with Dillon Mitchell at the latter stop.