From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Thu Jan 1 11:09:24 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Thu, 1 Jan 2009 03:09:24 -0800 (PST) Subject: Developing the "Young Guns" Message-ID: <959927.60330.qm@web63808.mail.re1.yahoo.com> 2009 is here and hopefully it will be as successful or, possibly,?more successful than 2008. While it is hard to improve on a Championship year there is always room for improvement. This year the challenge is also to develop the young players and prepare for the future, which is always a goal but last year it was slightly overlooked in order to win the Championship (which is fair enough! ha ha). However, there definitely needs to be some tweaks made to the 2nd unit to improve interior defense and ball-handling mainly and a new big man would also be great.?The ball-handling may be improved by bringing in Gabe more?often and it gives a young player court time which he has earned. There is also Sam Cassell who will help with the ball-handling duties?in the playoffs hopefully. As for the defense, I'm surprised Powe and Big Baby have been ineffective on the recent road trip against taller players. I remember Big Baby defending Tim Duncan among other players last year. Roy Enrile, your post on Big Baby was great, could someone else please provide more info on?these 2 players as they are definitely a big part of the future and need as much playing time as possible. In any case, the team has been actively pursuing a veteran big man so the Powe-Davis project may been put on hold slightly until next season or permanently. They will still have plenty of playing time at power forward, surely, but if they improve their defense at the center position then it will be great for them and the team. So it may be worth giving this current group of players a bit more time to gel and hopefully one of the young players will step-up, namely Gabe Pruitt. The season is barely 3 months old and the bench has had some great games. Tony Allen, in particular, has improved in leaps-and-bounds compared to last season. There is time to add the veteran big man that may be desperately needed as P.J. Brown signed with the team in March 2007 and was worked into the rotation brilliantly. Finally, as much as losing sux it?may well prompt the team to come back stronger in the New Year. It is very similar to the road trip in February last year where the team actually lost 3 in a row to Denver, Golden State and Phoenix?before winning the final game in Portland. There were also 5 losses in January including back-to-back defeats to Washington. But after these setbacks the team finished the year strong with 25 wins and only 4 losses. Compare this to our record this season?(28-5) and you can see that we're still in very very good shape, regardless of the 70 win plateau. On another note, the?Blazers?are certainly quite a contrast to last year's team. They will be a force for many years by the looks of it and are a perfect model for developing young talent, from bringing in the right players (although luckily winning the #1 draft pick) to giving them plenty of court time to develop. Cheers Adam (wondering how this season's team will fare in the "Texas Triangle") Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Thu Jan 1 12:22:08 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Thu, 1 Jan 2009 04:22:08 -0800 (PST) Subject: =?utf-8?B?RHIuIER1a2XigJlzIFRvbmljIGZvciBhbiBBaWxpbmcgQmVuY2g=?= Message-ID: <70098.84644.qm@web63805.mail.re1.yahoo.com> A good article from old mate JB. It is important to note that both Big Baby and Powe are free agents at the end of this season... Also, I checked the schedule and we're already 1-up on the "Texas Triangle" having beaten the Rockets in Houston. We play in Dallas in February (last game before the All Star Weekend) and then San Antonio in March. Much better than last year's San Antonio-Houston-Dallas road trip (although we were undefeated for it and also ended Houston's 22 game winning streak). From: http://newengland.comcastsportsnet.com/wickedgoodsports/celtics/dr-dukes-tonic-for-an-ailing-bench/ Dr. Duke?s Tonic for an Ailing Bench 1 Comment By The Duke | CSL - Blogs, Celtics Wednesday, December 31, 2008 at 10:30 am ET * In the three Celtics losses of this most recent road trip the Celtics bench is averaging 15.3 points per game. * In the three Celtics losses of this most recent road trip the Celtics opponent?s bench is average 25.6 points per game. * In the three Celtics losses of this most recent road trip the Celtics are averaging a losing margin of 8 points per game. Certainly there are other areas to gripe about, notably the difficulty in guarding SIX men at one point Tuesday night, but the bench is giving a bit more heartburn than necessary just a week after these Celtics looked like one of the greatest of all time. Instead, the C?s have made"Marky Mark" Heisler sit in his cubicle and nod knowingly while the candles of his Kobe Bryant Shrine flicker in the dark Los Angeles night. While the bench?s recent inability to perform has nothing to do their height, or lackthereof, the absence of a veteran presence has made their play inconsistent at best. Therefore it is time to roll up the sleeves and help old friends Doc and Danny out of their mess? lord knows if they need a blogger?s help, they would look first in this direction. Play The Kid Doc. Jeff at CelticsBlog talked about this a bit yesterday, and I have to immediately add my voice to the chorus looking for more Gabe Pruitt in their lives. Pruitt, while not a complete player or even the "veteran presence" I noted above, can "score the basketball" (and if you are asking: No, I don?t mind using quotes twice in that last sentance and, yes, I did have a coach that used "score the basketball" often. Unfortunately for my playing time prospects, I couldn?t do it enough). Scoring isn?t the only area of need on this team, but Pruitt has played well enough as a shooter and a playmaker (in comparison to House) to get some burn. Pruitt isn?t the answer, but he?s the easiest and cheapest solution to shake it up a bit and introduce more slashing and scoring into the second unit. Pruitt can do both, as opposed to House and Tony Allen who can only do one of those things. Choose? but choose wisely. Big Baby and Leon Powe bring a lot to the table and can be a frustrating matchup for opposing teams as these two use their Smurf sense (Thanks Marky Mark!) to outhustle sedentary stiffs like Chris Mihm or Brad Miller. However both players? contracts expire at the end of this season and the likelyhood of keeping Davis and Powe is as slim as the chances of Eric Mangini?s stapler still sitting on his old desk in Hempstead, NY. If it were my money, (and it is only via the fact that .000000001% of the potential salary of one of these players accounts for the mountains of championship shwag I?ve purchased), I would want Leon Powe as a Celtic for the long haul and look for a new home for Glen Davis. And when I say "new home" I mean traded. And when I say "traded", I mean in another city in return for a better, more consistent player. And when I say a "better, more consistent player", the names Joe Smith, Drew Gooden, and even Jeff Foster come to mind. Gooden in particular makes a fair amount of money, is well known as a bit of a head case, but can score inside and out. It would take more to send out in trade, but the C?s would have his rights for two years as well. Are we really that desperate? I think the answer might be in the affirmative, though I hate to admit it. It is that desperation that causes many Celtics fans to look south? down I-95 to Coney Island (or is it the front row at the Staples Center?). I am of course referring to the enigma wrapped in a puzzle wrapped in a cocoon of insanity that is Stephon Marbury (though the nougaty center is pretty tasty). Partially I am deathly afraid of the chips Danny Ferry has at his disposal to add at least one solid addition to the Cavaliers core. They are good now without any moves made, but how will we feel if they add Shawn Marion or Vince Carter? Neither one is a great player (though they may believe they are), but Lebron sure as shinola is and he brings everyone?s game up two or three notches. If Lebron teamed with a rejuvenated Carter (bringing back memories of the Raptors Era Carter who attacked the basket and was the receipient of MJ comparisons), I know I would be much more concerned about the Celtics escaping the Eastern Conference than any potential opponent from the west. Now, I don?t suggest we add Marbury only to keep up with the Jameses, but rather consistent bench scoring with a sidehelping of occasional playmaking for the low low promotional price of the veteran?s minimum. Marbury needs Boston as much, if not more so, than Boston needs Marbury so I can Steph being on his best behavior here. This may mean staying away from Head Shop-Tattoo parlor combos for the next six months, but Marbury can do it with the Big 3 keeping him in line and the promise of a decent payday in Europe around the bend. Gone in a Flash The Celtics have the opportunity to send its players to the D-League up three times per season. To this point the C?s have not chosen to call up either J.R. Giddens or Bill Walker once, and at 27-2 who could argue this decision? However, I wonder if the development of Giddens and Walker is best aided by consistent play in a league of lesser calibur, or a stint with the big club here and there to keep the sweet taste of the NBA life as readily available motivation in their minds. For those frustrated by a lack of production from the bench, it doesn?t seem as though either Giddens or Walker couldn?t help the big club in one way or another right now as they continue to tear up the D League on a nightly basis. Neither player could be considered anything close to a finished product, but both players can bring energy and perhaps in addition to a steadying influence, the boys off the pine could use a shot in the tookus. Think about it Danny and Doc, and I?ll look for the check in the mail. Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From JoeFan11111 at aol.com Fri Jan 2 17:19:56 2009 From: JoeFan11111 at aol.com (JoeFan11111 at aol.com) Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2009 12:19:56 EST Subject: Celts doing good in All-Star voting Message-ID: Garnett - 2nd among Eastern Division forwards Pierce - 5th among ED forwards Allen - 4th among ED Guards Perkins - 10th among ED Centers. NBA Eastern Conference All-Star Voting Forwards Player Votes LeBron James (Clev) 1,259,764 Kevin Garnett (Bos) 905,506 Yi Jianlian (NJ) 762,162 Chris Bosh (Tor) 500,700 Paul Pierce (Bos) 313,474 Shawn Marion (Mia) 210,040 Hedo Turkoglu (Orl) 137,035 Danny Granger (Ind) 116,238 Josh Smith (Atl) 110,186 Michael Beasley (Mia) 100,257 Tayshaun Prince (Det) 98,262 Guards Player Votes Dwyane Wade (Mia) 1,259,764 Allen Iverson (Det) 858,469 Vince Carter (NJ) 600,087 Ray Allen (Bos) 354,642 Devin Harris (NJ) 267,504 Gilbert Arenas (Wash) 205,223 Derrick Rose (Chi) 203,687 Luke Ridnour (Mil) 197,933 Jose Calderon (Tor) 193,715 Jameer Nelson (Orl) 174,081 Joe Johnson (Atl) 162,772 Centers Player Votes Dwight Howard (Orl) 1,421,882 Samuel Dalembert (Phi) 232,733 Rasheed Wallace (Det) 163,279 Jermaine ONeal (Tor) 147,534 Andrew Bogut (Mil) 112,708 Al Horford (Atl) 107,118 Ben Wallace (Clev) 89,809 Emeka Okafor (Char) 69,015 Zyrdrunas Ilgauskas (Cle) 60,970 Kendrick Perkins (Bos) 54,772 Brendan Haywood (Wash) 28,182 NBA Western Conference All-Star Voting Forwards Player Votes Tim Duncan (SA) 903,311 Amare Stoudemire (Pho) 626,796 Carmelo Anthony (Den) 602,457 Dirk Nowitzki (Dal) 553,611 Ron Artest (Hou) 509,717 Pau Gasol (LAL) 424,135 Shane Battier (Hou) 292,287 Bruce Bowen (SA) 286,923 Josh Howard (Dal) 209,802 Luis Scola (Hou) 181,253 LaMarcus Aldridge (Por) 145,857 Guards Player Votes Kobe Bryant (LAL) 1,280,912 Tracy McGrady (HOU) (746,098) Chris Paul (NO) 725,251 Manu Ginobili (SA) 386,846 Tony Parker (SA) 358,107 Jason Kidd (Dal) 299,107 Steve Nash (Pho) 281,909 Jason Terry (Dal) 226,754 Rafer Alston (Hou) 211,017 Brandon Roy (Por) 174,244 Chauncey Billups (Den) 170,645 Centers Player Votes Yao Ming (Hou) 1,114,709 Shaquille ONeal (Pho) 546,583 Andrew Bynum (LAL) 259,331 Mehmet Okur (Utah) 235,292 Greg Oden (Por) 144,650 Andris Biedrins (GS) 101,115 Al Jefferson (Minn) 86,296 Tyson Chandler (NO) 85,452 Nick Collison (OKC) 67,338 Marcus Camby (LAC) 49,235 Chris Kaman (LAC) 19,415 ************** New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026) From BDodgers at aol.com Fri Jan 2 18:22:43 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2009 13:22:43 EST Subject: Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal Message-ID: Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal By Marc Stein ESPN.com Nearly one year since _Stephon Marbury_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=509) last played in a regular-season game, signals are getting stronger that the New York Knicks' outcast will eventually make his comeback with the _Boston Celtics_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos) . That still depends largely on Marbury's ability to negotiate his release from the Knicks after weeks of fruitless and oft-contentious buyout talks, but sources with knowledge of the situation told ESPN.com this week that Boston is Marbury's preferred destination if he manages to become a free agent and that the Celtics are indeed hopeful of signing him. Celtics general manager _Danny Ainge_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3622) did not immediately respond to a request for comment on a New Year's Day holiday for the entire league and has generally refused to address the possibility of signing Marbury. Yet it's believed that the Celtics' concerns about their depth, after losing _James Posey_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=671) and _P.J. Brown_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=99) from last season's title team, have swelled noticeably since they followed up the best 29-game start in NBA history at 27-2 by losing three of the next four games on the road. With Brown telling the New Orleans Times-Picayune on Wednesday that he is "officially retired" and _Dikembe Mutombo_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=588) having re-signed earlier this week with the _Houston Rockets_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=hou) , Marbury easily ranks as the most accomplished low-cost veteran that the Celtics can add to their bench in-season. Boston also knows it would have the option to simply release Marbury without significant salary-cap consequences if he fails to click as a backup or proves unwilling to accept a secondary role. It appears that the biggest obstacle to such a move is Marbury actually securing a buyout from the Knicks in a timely fashion as opposed to reservations Boston might have about Marbury's impact on team chemistry. Although it has been widely assumed that Celtics forward _Kevin Garnett_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=261) would resist a reunion with the controversial point guard -- after Marbury broke up their Minnesota parternship in less than three seasons together by forcing a trade to New Jersey -- one Celtics source insists that Garnett has voiced no opposition to the idea of signing Marbury for the rest of the season to strengthen Boston's backcourt depth behind starters _Rajon Rondo_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3026) and _Ray Allen_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=9) . When asked specifically about the likelihood of Marbury joining the Celtics this season, the source predicted that "it will happen." Joining the NBA's reigning champions would certainly back up Marbury's recent claim at halftime of a Knicks-Lakers game in Los Angeles that "the team I'm going to go to, a lot of people will be shocked." The 31-year-old hasn't officially played for New York since Jan. 11 of last season and began this season on the inactive list while awaiting a buyout. Marbury was then barred from contact with the team in late November after a dispute over Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni's offering him the chance to start playing again following the Knicks' two trades on Nov. 21, which left them short of available players. The Celtics lack size more than anything off the bench, which should explain their interest in Brown and Mutombo. But Marbury -- when he's right -- is a proven scoring threat who can also handle pressure on the ball, freeing up _Eddie House_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=348) to focus on his preferred role of designated shooter. The Celtics also clearly have the strong team culture -- with Garnett, _Paul Pierce_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=662) , Ray Allen and coach _Doc Rivers_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1579) -- to take on the various challenges of a Marbury dice roll. "All the people who say nobody wants me on their team, [that] I'm all different things -- a cancer -- that's not what's going on," Marbury said at the game in L.A. earlier this month when surrounded by reporters. One source close to Marbury cautioned that it would be premature to say that he's narrowed his wish list down to the Celtics, but one Western Conference executive said of the notion that Marbury is Boston-bound: "I've heard the exact same thing." The fact remains, though, that Marbury has to extricate himself from the Knicks before he can make any firm future plans. Media outlets in New York have reported in recent days that Knicks president Donnie Walsh is planning to seriously rekindle buyout talks now that the calendar has flipped to 2009, but one theory in circulation holds that the Knicks have dragged out Marbury's release this long in part because they don't want to see him wind up as a contributor in a championship race with a team from the same division. The Celtics have also yet to make either of their two scheduled regular-season visits to Madison Square Garden. The first is Sunday and the second is Feb. 6. In buyout negotiations to date, Marbury has refused to surrender more than $1 million of his $20.8 million salary and, at last report, was no longer offering to give back that much. The Knicks have reportedly asked Marbury to give up at least $3 million for the right to choose his next team, although they could be moved to lower those demands if a trade materializes that requires New York to open Marbury's roster spot. Assuming that Marbury does eventually secure a buyout from the Knicks, it would appear that his options are scarce should the Celtics ultimately decide not to take the gamble. Orlando and Phoenix are among the top teams needing guard help which have publicly declared their intent to steer clear of Marbury. Miami is often mentioned as a possible destination, but the luxury-tax implications from signing Marbury and the Heat's status as a rebuilding team make it a questionable fit. It is unclear whether the _Los Angeles Lakers_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=lal) -- who recently lost backup point guard _Jordan Farmar_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3002) until mid-February at the earliest because of knee surgery -- would be a Marbury bidder. ESPN.com reported in mid-November that Dallas planned to investigate the possibility of signing Marbury if he became available -- with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Marbury having built a casual friendship over the years -- but that was before J.J. Barea emerged as a reliable contributor off the Mavs' bench. Club sources, meanwhile, have maintained from the start that the Mavs would likely pass on the tricky prospect of bringing in Marbury to back up _Jason Kidd_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=429) , given what happened after those two were traded for each other in the summer of 2001. Kidd led New Jersey to back-to-back appearances in the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003; Marbury experienced only moderate success in 2? seasons with Phoenix before a 2004 trade to the Knicks which has delivered little beyond a steadily deteriorating relationship with his hometown team. In a first-person weblog entry for the New York Post on Wednesday, Marbury discussed his ongoing exile from the Knicks. "People who know me know I'm in the best shape of my life," Marbury wrote. ". . . Bottom line, I came to camp with the right attitude, in shape and ready to play. I didn't come to be a distraction. "I didn't want to be a distraction for the team first and me second. I honestly came to help the team win. Real talk. I was willing to put in the work necessary to earn my starting spot and humble enough to accept coming off of the bench. "It was unfortunate that the coach wanted to go in a different direction and didn't want me to be part of the team. I just wish it had been handled correctly from jump. I could understand the fact they didn't want _Chris Duhon_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2377) looking over his shoulder, but if you don't want me just pay me and let me go. I just want to play basketball." Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com **************New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026) From pdelevett at yahoo.com Fri Jan 2 23:10:57 2009 From: pdelevett at yahoo.com (Peter Delevett) Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2009 15:10:57 -0800 (PST) Subject: Marbury/Cassell Message-ID: <510722.85050.qm@web110107.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Please, can somebody explain this to me? Both guys are 6'2. Last season before his ankle surgery, Marbury's line was: G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG 24 19 33.5 0.419 0.378 0.716 0.7 1.8 2.5 4.7 0.9 0.1 2.00 2.40 13.9 Last season with the Clippers, before coming to Boston, Sam's line was this: G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG 38 33 25.7 0.455 0.259 0.891 0.3 2.4 2.8 4.7 0.7 0.1 2.05 1.80 12.8 The only offensive category in which Marbury was clearly superior was 3-point shooting; but Sam shot 40% from beyond the line after coming to Boston, and his career 3-point percentage is 33%, compared to Marbury's 32%. Another way to look at thiese numbers is: Sam averaged virtually as many points, assists, rebounds and steals as Marbury last season in roughly 2/3 as many minutes. So the argument for signing him instead of actually JUST PLAYING SAM is, what exactly? From jozersky at optonline.net Fri Jan 2 23:14:00 2009 From: jozersky at optonline.net (Josh Ozersky) Date: Fri, 02 Jan 2009 18:14:00 -0500 Subject: Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal References: Message-ID: <000f01c96d2f$cbd69ce0$fe8dbc18@your4f1261a8e5> What we really need is a big man who can spell Garnett. Powe and Davis are clearly redundant, much as I like them. It can't be that hard for the Celts to replace PJ Brown. Any big body with defensive skills would do. Rather than bother with the likes of Marbury, I'd like to see us make a trade for a quality defensive specialist along the lines of a Chander / Camby type, or even Alonzo Mourning. Better still would be the outright theft of an Emeka Ekafor. ----- Original Message ----- From: To: ; Sent: Friday, January 02, 2009 1:22 PM Subject: Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal By Marc Stein ESPN.com Nearly one year since _Stephon Marbury_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=509) last played in a regular-season game, signals are getting stronger that the New York Knicks' outcast will eventually make his comeback with the _Boston Celtics_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos) . That still depends largely on Marbury's ability to negotiate his release from the Knicks after weeks of fruitless and oft-contentious buyout talks, but sources with knowledge of the situation told ESPN.com this week that Boston is Marbury's preferred destination if he manages to become a free agent and that the Celtics are indeed hopeful of signing him. Celtics general manager _Danny Ainge_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3622) did not immediately respond to a request for comment on a New Year's Day holiday for the entire league and has generally refused to address the possibility of signing Marbury. Yet it's believed that the Celtics' concerns about their depth, after losing _James Posey_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=671) and _P.J. Brown_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=99) from last season's title team, have swelled noticeably since they followed up the best 29-game start in NBA history at 27-2 by losing three of the next four games on the road. With Brown telling the New Orleans Times-Picayune on Wednesday that he is "officially retired" and _Dikembe Mutombo_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=588) having re-signed earlier this week with the _Houston Rockets_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=hou) , Marbury easily ranks as the most accomplished low-cost veteran that the Celtics can add to their bench in-season. Boston also knows it would have the option to simply release Marbury without significant salary-cap consequences if he fails to click as a backup or proves unwilling to accept a secondary role. It appears that the biggest obstacle to such a move is Marbury actually securing a buyout from the Knicks in a timely fashion as opposed to reservations Boston might have about Marbury's impact on team chemistry. Although it has been widely assumed that Celtics forward _Kevin Garnett_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=261) would resist a reunion with the controversial point guard -- after Marbury broke up their Minnesota parternship in less than three seasons together by forcing a trade to New Jersey -- one Celtics source insists that Garnett has voiced no opposition to the idea of signing Marbury for the rest of the season to strengthen Boston's backcourt depth behind starters _Rajon Rondo_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3026) and _Ray Allen_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=9) . When asked specifically about the likelihood of Marbury joining the Celtics this season, the source predicted that "it will happen." Joining the NBA's reigning champions would certainly back up Marbury's recent claim at halftime of a Knicks-Lakers game in Los Angeles that "the team I'm going to go to, a lot of people will be shocked." The 31-year-old hasn't officially played for New York since Jan. 11 of last season and began this season on the inactive list while awaiting a buyout. Marbury was then barred from contact with the team in late November after a dispute over Knicks coach Mike D'Antoni's offering him the chance to start playing again following the Knicks' two trades on Nov. 21, which left them short of available players. The Celtics lack size more than anything off the bench, which should explain their interest in Brown and Mutombo. But Marbury -- when he's right -- is a proven scoring threat who can also handle pressure on the ball, freeing up _Eddie House_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=348) to focus on his preferred role of designated shooter. The Celtics also clearly have the strong team culture -- with Garnett, _Paul Pierce_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=662) , Ray Allen and coach _Doc Rivers_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1579) -- to take on the various challenges of a Marbury dice roll. "All the people who say nobody wants me on their team, [that] I'm all different things -- a cancer -- that's not what's going on," Marbury said at the game in L.A. earlier this month when surrounded by reporters. One source close to Marbury cautioned that it would be premature to say that he's narrowed his wish list down to the Celtics, but one Western Conference executive said of the notion that Marbury is Boston-bound: "I've heard the exact same thing." The fact remains, though, that Marbury has to extricate himself from the Knicks before he can make any firm future plans. Media outlets in New York have reported in recent days that Knicks president Donnie Walsh is planning to seriously rekindle buyout talks now that the calendar has flipped to 2009, but one theory in circulation holds that the Knicks have dragged out Marbury's release this long in part because they don't want to see him wind up as a contributor in a championship race with a team from the same division. The Celtics have also yet to make either of their two scheduled regular-season visits to Madison Square Garden. The first is Sunday and the second is Feb. 6. In buyout negotiations to date, Marbury has refused to surrender more than $1 million of his $20.8 million salary and, at last report, was no longer offering to give back that much. The Knicks have reportedly asked Marbury to give up at least $3 million for the right to choose his next team, although they could be moved to lower those demands if a trade materializes that requires New York to open Marbury's roster spot. Assuming that Marbury does eventually secure a buyout from the Knicks, it would appear that his options are scarce should the Celtics ultimately decide not to take the gamble. Orlando and Phoenix are among the top teams needing guard help which have publicly declared their intent to steer clear of Marbury. Miami is often mentioned as a possible destination, but the luxury-tax implications from signing Marbury and the Heat's status as a rebuilding team make it a questionable fit. It is unclear whether the _Los Angeles Lakers_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=lal) -- who recently lost backup point guard _Jordan Farmar_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3002) until mid-February at the earliest because of knee surgery -- would be a Marbury bidder. ESPN.com reported in mid-November that Dallas planned to investigate the possibility of signing Marbury if he became available -- with Mavericks owner Mark Cuban and Marbury having built a casual friendship over the years -- but that was before J.J. Barea emerged as a reliable contributor off the Mavs' bench. Club sources, meanwhile, have maintained from the start that the Mavs would likely pass on the tricky prospect of bringing in Marbury to back up _Jason Kidd_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=429) , given what happened after those two were traded for each other in the summer of 2001. Kidd led New Jersey to back-to-back appearances in the NBA Finals in 2002 and 2003; Marbury experienced only moderate success in 2? seasons with Phoenix before a 2004 trade to the Knicks which has delivered little beyond a steadily deteriorating relationship with his hometown team. In a first-person weblog entry for the New York Post on Wednesday, Marbury discussed his ongoing exile from the Knicks. "People who know me know I'm in the best shape of my life," Marbury wrote. ". . . Bottom line, I came to camp with the right attitude, in shape and ready to play. I didn't come to be a distraction. "I didn't want to be a distraction for the team first and me second. I honestly came to help the team win. Real talk. I was willing to put in the work necessary to earn my starting spot and humble enough to accept coming off of the bench. "It was unfortunate that the coach wanted to go in a different direction and didn't want me to be part of the team. I just wish it had been handled correctly from jump. I could understand the fact they didn't want _Chris Duhon_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2377) looking over his shoulder, but if you don't want me just pay me and let me go. I just want to play basketball." Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com **************New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026) _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com Sat Jan 3 00:32:49 2009 From: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com (Ryan W) Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2009 16:32:49 -0800 (PST) Subject: Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal In-Reply-To: <000f01c96d2f$cbd69ce0$fe8dbc18@your4f1261a8e5> Message-ID: <735087.99707.qm@web65601.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Length is the primary concern, but you're overestimating our ability to add it. Who exactly can we get? Mourning would be great, but he'll play for Miami or nobody. Joe Smith would be greater, but he said he'd prefer to sign with Cleveland. Who else is there and more importantly who do we trade to get them? All our tradeable assets make little money, yet most of the bigs who we could potentially trade for are making big money. It just isn't working out, unless PJ gets turned again. And if we can't get length, Marbury just might be the answer...I'm surely not pulling for that scenario, but if it happens it'll probably be alright, assuming he can behave for 6 months and Doc can manage the rotation. Ryan --- On Fri, 1/2/09, Josh Ozersky wrote: > From: Josh Ozersky > Subject: Re: Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal > To: celtics at igtc.com > Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 5:14 PM > What we really need is a big man who can spell Garnett. > Powe and Davis are clearly redundant, much as I like them. > It can't be that hard for the Celts to replace PJ > Brown. Any > big body with defensive skills would do. Rather than bother > with the likes of Marbury, I'd like to see us make a > trade for > a quality defensive specialist along the lines of a Chander > / > Camby type, or even Alonzo Mourning. Better still would > be the outright theft of an Emeka Ekafor. > > > ----- Original Message ----- From: > To: ; > > Sent: Friday, January 02, 2009 1:22 PM > Subject: Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal > > > > > Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal > > By Marc Stein > ESPN.com > > > > > > > > Nearly one year since _Stephon Marbury_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=509) > last played in a regular-season game, signals are > getting stronger that the New York Knicks' outcast will > eventually make his > comeback with the _Boston Celtics_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos) . > That still depends largely on Marbury's ability to > negotiate his release from > the Knicks after weeks of fruitless and oft-contentious > buyout talks, but > sources with knowledge of the situation told ESPN.com this > week that Boston is > Marbury's preferred destination if he manages to become > a free agent and that > the Celtics are indeed hopeful of signing him. > Celtics general manager _Danny Ainge_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3622) > did not immediately respond to a request for comment > on a New Year's Day holiday for the entire league and > has generally refused > to address the possibility of signing Marbury. Yet it's > believed that the > Celtics' concerns about their depth, after losing > _James Posey_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=671) > and _P.J. Brown_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=99) > from last season's title team, > have swelled noticeably since they followed up the best > 29-game start in NBA > history at 27-2 by losing three of the next four games on > the road. > With Brown telling the New Orleans Times-Picayune on > Wednesday that he is > "officially retired" and _Dikembe Mutombo_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=588) > having re-signed earlier this week with the _Houston > Rockets_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=hou) > , Marbury easily > ranks as the most accomplished low-cost veteran that the > Celtics can add to > their bench in-season. Boston also knows it would have the > option to simply > release Marbury without significant salary-cap > consequences if he fails to > click as a backup or proves unwilling to accept a > secondary role. > It appears that the biggest obstacle to such a move is > Marbury actually > securing a buyout from the Knicks in a timely fashion as > opposed to reservations > Boston might have about Marbury's impact on team > chemistry. > Although it has been widely assumed that Celtics forward > _Kevin Garnett_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=261) > would resist a > reunion with the controversial point guard -- after > Marbury broke up their > Minnesota parternship in less than three seasons together > by forcing a trade to New > Jersey -- one Celtics source insists that Garnett has > voiced no opposition to > the idea of signing Marbury for the rest of the season to > strengthen > Boston's backcourt depth behind starters _Rajon Rondo_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3026) > and _Ray Allen_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=9) > . > When asked specifically about the likelihood of Marbury > joining the Celtics > this season, the source predicted that "it will > happen." > Joining the NBA's reigning champions would certainly > back up Marbury's recent > claim at halftime of a Knicks-Lakers game in Los Angeles > that "the team I'm > going to go to, a lot of people will be shocked." The > 31-year-old hasn't > officially played for New York since Jan. 11 of last season > and began this > season on the inactive list while awaiting a buyout. > Marbury was then barred from > contact with the team in late November after a dispute over > Knicks coach Mike > D'Antoni's offering him the chance to start playing > again following the > Knicks' two trades on Nov. 21, which left them short of > available players. > The Celtics lack size more than anything off the bench, > which should explain > their interest in Brown and Mutombo. But Marbury -- when > he's right -- is a > proven scoring threat who can also handle pressure on the > ball, freeing up > _Eddie House_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=348) > to > focus on his preferred role of designated shooter. The > Celtics also clearly > have the strong team culture -- with Garnett, _Paul > Pierce_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=662) > , Ray Allen and coach _Doc Rivers_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1579) > -- to take on the > various challenges of a Marbury dice roll. > "All the people who say nobody wants me on their team, > [that] I'm all > different things -- a cancer -- that's not what's > going on," Marbury said at the > game in L.A. earlier this month when surrounded by > reporters. > One source close to Marbury cautioned that it would be > premature to say that > he's narrowed his wish list down to the Celtics, but > one Western Conference > executive said of the notion that Marbury is Boston-bound: > "I've heard the > exact same thing." > The fact remains, though, that Marbury has to extricate > himself from the > Knicks before he can make any firm future plans. Media > outlets in New York have > reported in recent days that Knicks president Donnie Walsh > is planning to > seriously rekindle buyout talks now that the calendar has > flipped to 2009, but > one theory in circulation holds that the Knicks have > dragged out Marbury's > release this long in part because they don't want to > see him wind up as a > contributor in a championship race with a team from the > same division. > The Celtics have also yet to make either of their two > scheduled > regular-season visits to Madison Square Garden. The first > is Sunday and the second is > Feb. 6. > In buyout negotiations to date, Marbury has refused to > surrender more than $1 > million of his $20.8 million salary and, at last report, > was no longer > offering to give back that much. The Knicks have > reportedly asked Marbury to give > up at least $3 million for the right to choose his next > team, although they > could be moved to lower those demands if a trade > materializes that requires > New York to open Marbury's roster spot. > Assuming that Marbury does eventually secure a buyout from > the Knicks, it > would appear that his options are scarce should the Celtics > ultimately decide > not to take the gamble. > Orlando and Phoenix are among the top teams needing guard > help which have > publicly declared their intent to steer clear of Marbury. > Miami is often > mentioned as a possible destination, but the luxury-tax > implications from signing > Marbury and the Heat's status as a rebuilding team make > it a questionable fit. > It is unclear whether the _Los Angeles Lakers_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=lal) -- who > recently lost backup point guard _Jordan Farmar_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3002) > until > mid-February at the earliest because of knee surgery -- > would be a Marbury bidder. > ESPN.com reported in mid-November that Dallas planned to > investigate the > possibility of signing Marbury if he became available -- > with Mavericks owner > Mark Cuban and Marbury having built a casual friendship > over the years -- but > that was before J.J. Barea emerged as a reliable > contributor off the Mavs' > bench. Club sources, meanwhile, have maintained from the > start that the Mavs > would likely pass on the tricky prospect of bringing in > Marbury to back up _Jason > Kidd_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=429) > , given > what happened after those two were traded for each other > in the summer of 2001. > Kidd led New Jersey to back-to-back appearances in the NBA > Finals in 2002 > and 2003; Marbury experienced only moderate success in 2? > seasons with Phoenix > before a 2004 trade to the Knicks which has delivered > little beyond a > steadily deteriorating relationship with his hometown > team. > In a first-person weblog entry for the New York Post on > Wednesday, Marbury > discussed his ongoing exile from the Knicks. > "People who know me know I'm in the best shape of > my life," Marbury wrote. ". > . . Bottom line, I came to camp with the right attitude, in > shape and ready > to play. I didn't come to be a distraction. > "I didn't want to be a distraction for the team > first and me second. I > honestly came to help the team win. Real talk. I was > willing to put in the work > necessary to earn my starting spot and humble enough to > accept coming off of the > bench. > "It was unfortunate that the coach wanted to go in a > different direction and > didn't want me to be part of the team. I just wish it > had been handled > correctly from jump. I could understand the fact they > didn't want _Chris Duhon_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2377) > looking over his > shoulder, but if you don't want me just pay me and let > me go. I just want to > play basketball." > Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com > > > > **************New year...new news. Be the first to know > what is making > headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026) > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com Sat Jan 3 00:35:46 2009 From: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com (Ryan W) Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2009 16:35:46 -0800 (PST) Subject: Marbury/Cassell In-Reply-To: <510722.85050.qm@web110107.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <61365.2166.qm@web65601.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Sam is about 7 years older and can't run...he slows the team down, can't play defense, and is deteriorating as a playmaker....now, Marbury also plays no defense, but at least he has the physical ability to do so---the hope being that if he signs, we can get him to play defense and push the ball in transition. There's no such hope with Sam... Ryan --- On Fri, 1/2/09, Peter Delevett wrote: > From: Peter Delevett > Subject: Marbury/Cassell > To: celtics at igtc.com > Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 5:10 PM > Please, can somebody explain this to me? > > Both guys are 6'2. Last season before his ankle > surgery, Marbury's line was: > > G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO > PF PPG > 24 19 33.5 0.419 0.378 0.716 0.7 1.8 2.5 4.7 0.9 0.1 2.00 > 2.40 13.9 > > Last season with the Clippers, before coming to Boston, > Sam's line was this: > > G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO > PF PPG > 38 33 25.7 0.455 0.259 0.891 0.3 2.4 2.8 4.7 0.7 0.1 2.05 > 1.80 12.8 > > The only offensive category in which Marbury was clearly > superior was 3-point shooting; but Sam shot 40% from beyond > the line after coming to Boston, and his career 3-point > percentage is 33%, compared to Marbury's 32%. > > Another way to look at thiese numbers is: Sam averaged > virtually as many points, assists, rebounds and steals as > Marbury last season in roughly 2/3 as many minutes. So the > argument for signing him instead of actually JUST PLAYING > SAM is, what exactly? > > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From stevebknight at yahoo.com Sat Jan 3 03:42:20 2009 From: stevebknight at yahoo.com (steve knight) Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2009 19:42:20 -0800 (PST) Subject: chchchanges References: Message-ID: <806106.6367.qm@web37407.mail.mud.yahoo.com> i can't believe we'll be bringing marbury in. my mind is open, but wtf? we do need a big man with some length, someone like joe smith, tony battie, even a mikki moore type would do. pob isn't ready. he may be a player eventually, but not this year. he'll need to get much stronger and tougher mentally before he can play at our level. not saying he can't get there, but it won't be this year. From martind42 at cox.net Sat Jan 3 03:57:24 2009 From: martind42 at cox.net (martind42 at cox.net) Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2009 22:57:24 -0500 Subject: Marbury/Cassell In-Reply-To: <510722.85050.qm@web110107.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20090102225724.3DQ0C.252358.imail@eastrmwml37> Marbury is only 31, so I'm guessing age is one plus. Despite his baggage, Marbury is able to play both positions (1 and 2) and would probably be a better talent than Sam I am. I believe there are enough veteran players who can keep a leash on Marbury, if these rumors have any iota of truth to them. Another thing to consider is that Marbury wants to play ball and show up the Knicks, so he's out to prove to the NBA that he's still got game. We shall see. ---- Peter Delevett wrote: > Please, can somebody explain this to me? > > Both guys are 6'2. Last season before his ankle surgery, Marbury's line was: > > G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG > 24 19 33.5 0.419 0.378 0.716 0.7 1.8 2.5 4.7 0.9 0.1 2.00 2.40 13.9 > > Last season with the Clippers, before coming to Boston, Sam's line was this: > > G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG BPG TO PF PPG > 38 33 25.7 0.455 0.259 0.891 0.3 2.4 2.8 4.7 0.7 0.1 2.05 1.80 12.8 > > The only offensive category in which Marbury was clearly superior was 3-point shooting; but Sam shot 40% from beyond the line after coming to Boston, and his career 3-point percentage is 33%, compared to Marbury's 32%. > > Another way to look at thiese numbers is: Sam averaged virtually as many points, assists, rebounds and steals as Marbury last season in roughly 2/3 as many minutes. So the argument for signing him instead of actually JUST PLAYING SAM is, what exactly? > > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Sat Jan 3 07:33:49 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Fri, 2 Jan 2009 23:33:49 -0800 (PST) Subject: Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal Message-ID: <954988.65222.qm@web63807.mail.re1.yahoo.com> There were some names thrown up on CelticsBlog over the last couple of days: Aaron Gray Adonal Foyle Calvin Booth Charlie Villanueva Chris Andersen Jake Tsakalidis (free agent according to his Wikipedia page) Joe Smith Juwan Howard (free agent) Kwame Brown Lorenzen Wright Robert Swift Sean Williams Steven Hunter Zaza Pachulia and some other tall players above our price range ($5 million and over): Andrea Bargnani Dan Gadzuric Darko Milicic Etan Thomas Jeff Foster Mikki Moore Nazr Mohammed But realistically only a few of them could be had. One question- how many championship teams have won playing small-ball? I know there was the 1970 Knicks when Willis Reed was injured but that seems like a bit of an aberration. Almost all championships have been won with big men it seems. Because we only need Powe and Big Baby to hold the fort while Garnett and Perkins are having a quick rest on the bench (barring an injury), and if we add Marbury he may well space the floor better on offense for the bench and perhaps the bench defense can be improved by increasing the pace... --- Ryan W wrote: Length is the primary concern, but you're overestimating our ability to add it. Who exactly can we get? Mourning would be great, but he'll play for Miami or nobody. Joe Smith would be greater, but he said he'd prefer to sign with Cleveland. Who else is there and more importantly who do we trade to get them? All our tradeable assets make little money, yet most of the bigs who we could potentially trade for are making big money. It just isn't working out, unless PJ gets turned again. And if we can't get length, Marbury just might be the answer...I'm surely not pulling for that scenario, but if it happens it'll probably be alright, assuming he can behave for 6 months and Doc can manage the rotation. Ryan --- On Fri, 1/2/09, Josh Ozersky wrote: > From: Josh Ozersky > Subject: Re: Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal > To: celtics at igtc.com > Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 5:14 PM > What we really need is a big man who can spell Garnett. > Powe and Davis are clearly redundant, much as I like them. > It can't be that hard for the Celts to replace PJ > Brown. Any > big body with defensive skills would do. Rather than bother > with the likes of Marbury, I'd like to see us make a > trade for > a quality defensive specialist along the lines of a Chander > / > Camby type, or even Alonzo Mourning. Better still would > be the outright theft of an Emeka Ekafor. > > > ----- Original Message ----- From: > To: ; > > Sent: Friday, January 02, 2009 1:22 PM > Subject: Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal > > > > > Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal > > By Marc Stein > ESPN.com > > > > > > > > Nearly one year since _Stephon Marbury_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=509) > last played in a regular-season game, signals are > getting stronger that the New York Knicks' outcast will > eventually make his > comeback with the _Boston Celtics_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos) . > That still depends largely on Marbury's ability to > negotiate his release from > the Knicks after weeks of fruitless and oft-contentious > buyout talks, but > sources with knowledge of the situation told ESPN.com this > week that Boston is > Marbury's preferred destination if he manages to become > a free agent and that > the Celtics are indeed hopeful of signing him. > Celtics general manager _Danny Ainge_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3622) > did not immediately respond to a request for comment > on a New Year's Day holiday for the entire league and > has generally refused > to address the possibility of signing Marbury. Yet it's > believed that the > Celtics' concerns about their depth, after losing > _James Posey_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=671) > and _P.J. Brown_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=99) > from last season's title team, > have swelled noticeably since they followed up the best > 29-game start in NBA > history at 27-2 by losing three of the next four games on > the road. > With Brown telling the New Orleans Times-Picayune on > Wednesday that he is > "officially retired" and _Dikembe Mutombo_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=588) > having re-signed earlier this week with the _Houston > Rockets_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=hou) > , Marbury easily > ranks as the most accomplished low-cost veteran that the > Celtics can add to > their bench in-season. Boston also knows it would have the > option to simply > release Marbury without significant salary-cap > consequences if he fails to > click as a backup or proves unwilling to accept a > secondary role. > It appears that the biggest obstacle to such a move is > Marbury actually > securing a buyout from the Knicks in a timely fashion as > opposed to reservations > Boston might have about Marbury's impact on team > chemistry. > Although it has been widely assumed that Celtics forward > _Kevin Garnett_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=261) > would resist a > reunion with the controversial point guard -- after > Marbury broke up their > Minnesota parternship in less than three seasons together > by forcing a trade to New > Jersey -- one Celtics source insists that Garnett has > voiced no opposition to > the idea of signing Marbury for the rest of the season to > strengthen > Boston's backcourt depth behind starters _Rajon Rondo_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3026) > and _Ray Allen_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=9) > . > When asked specifically about the likelihood of Marbury > joining the Celtics > this season, the source predicted that "it will > happen." > Joining the NBA's reigning champions would certainly > back up Marbury's recent > claim at halftime of a Knicks-Lakers game in Los Angeles > that "the team I'm > going to go to, a lot of people will be shocked." The > 31-year-old hasn't > officially played for New York since Jan. 11 of last season > and began this > season on the inactive list while awaiting a buyout. > Marbury was then barred from > contact with the team in late November after a dispute over > Knicks coach Mike > D'Antoni's offering him the chance to start playing > again following the > Knicks' two trades on Nov. 21, which left them short of > available players. > The Celtics lack size more than anything off the bench, > which should explain > their interest in Brown and Mutombo. But Marbury -- when > he's right -- is a > proven scoring threat who can also handle pressure on the > ball, freeing up > _Eddie House_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=348) > to > focus on his preferred role of designated shooter. The > Celtics also clearly > have the strong team culture -- with Garnett, _Paul > Pierce_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=662) > , Ray Allen and coach _Doc Rivers_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1579) > -- to take on the > various challenges of a Marbury dice roll. > "All the people who say nobody wants me on their team, > [that] I'm all > different things -- a cancer -- that's not what's > going on," Marbury said at the > game in L.A. earlier this month when surrounded by > reporters. > One source close to Marbury cautioned that it would be > premature to say that > he's narrowed his wish list down to the Celtics, but > one Western Conference > executive said of the notion that Marbury is Boston-bound: > "I've heard the > exact same thing." > The fact remains, though, that Marbury has to extricate > himself from the > Knicks before he can make any firm future plans. Media > outlets in New York have > reported in recent days that Knicks president Donnie Walsh > is planning to > seriously rekindle buyout talks now that the calendar has > flipped to 2009, but > one theory in circulation holds that the Knicks have > dragged out Marbury's > release this long in part because they don't want to > see him wind up as a > contributor in a championship race with a team from the > same division. > The Celtics have also yet to make either of their two > scheduled > regular-season visits to Madison Square Garden. The first > is Sunday and the second is > Feb. 6. > In buyout negotiations to date, Marbury has refused to > surrender more than $1 > million of his $20.8 million salary and, at last report, > was no longer > offering to give back that much. The Knicks have > reportedly asked Marbury to give > up at least $3 million for the right to choose his next > team, although they > could be moved to lower those demands if a trade > materializes that requires > New York to open Marbury's roster spot. > Assuming that Marbury does eventually secure a buyout from > the Knicks, it > would appear that his options are scarce should the Celtics > ultimately decide > not to take the gamble. > Orlando and Phoenix are among the top teams needing guard > help which have > publicly declared their intent to steer clear of Marbury. > Miami is often > mentioned as a possible destination, but the luxury-tax > implications from signing > Marbury and the Heat's status as a rebuilding team make > it a questionable fit. > It is unclear whether the _Los Angeles Lakers_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=lal) -- who > recently lost backup point guard _Jordan Farmar_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3002) > until > mid-February at the earliest because of knee surgery -- > would be a Marbury bidder. > ESPN.com reported in mid-November that Dallas planned to > investigate the > possibility of signing Marbury if he became available -- > with Mavericks owner > Mark Cuban and Marbury having built a casual friendship > over the years -- but > that was before J.J. Barea emerged as a reliable > contributor off the Mavs' > bench. Club sources, meanwhile, have maintained from the > start that the Mavs > would likely pass on the tricky prospect of bringing in > Marbury to back up _Jason > Kidd_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=429) > , given > what happened after those two were traded for each other > in the summer of 2001. > Kidd led New Jersey to back-to-back appearances in the NBA > Finals in 2002 > and 2003; Marbury experienced only moderate success in 2? > seasons with Phoenix > before a 2004 trade to the Knicks which has delivered > little beyond a > steadily deteriorating relationship with his hometown > team. > In a first-person weblog entry for the New York Post on > Wednesday, Marbury > discussed his ongoing exile from the Knicks. > "People who know me know I'm in the best shape of > my life," Marbury wrote. ". > . . Bottom line, I came to camp with the right attitude, in > shape and ready > to play. I didn't come to be a distraction. > "I didn't want to be a distraction for the team > first and me second. I > honestly came to help the team win. Real talk. I was > willing to put in the work > necessary to earn my starting spot and humble enough to > accept coming off of the > bench. > "It was unfortunate that the coach wanted to go in a > different direction and > didn't want me to be part of the team. I just wish it > had been handled > correctly from jump. I could understand the fact they > didn't want _Chris Duhon_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2377) > looking over his > shoulder, but if you don't want me just pay me and let > me go. I just want to > play basketball." > Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com > > > > **************New year...new news. Be the first to know > what is making > headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026) > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List >celtics at igtc.com >http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List >celtics at igtc.com >http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Sat Jan 3 08:22:08 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 00:22:08 -0800 (PST) Subject: 2010 Free Agents Message-ID: <158463.58106.qm@web63805.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Just wondering about the next few years, I found this website which lists our salaries: http://www.shamsports.com/content/pages/data/salaries/celtics.jsp Depending on who is signed this offseason, we will have almost $12 million to spend on free agents in 2010. It also depends on Pierce's contract and how much it counts towards the the 2010-2011 salary cap. According to the following website, a restricted free agent's salary does count towards the salary cap, but there is a limit. Also, the "Early Termination" option in Pierce's contract is essentially a player option according to this website: http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q50 I'm hoping this is possible but it probably isn't- we can arrange Pierce to opt out of the final year of his contract and then re-negotiate a *new contract* for the next few years with Bird rights. We will then have around $33 million to spend on a free agent. The next task will then be to re-sign Ray Allen immediately and then prepare for Rajon's and Kendrick's big contracts in 2011. Wyc, please show them the money :) Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From jlyell at verizon.net Sat Jan 3 16:47:33 2009 From: jlyell at verizon.net (John Lyell) Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 08:47:33 -0800 (PST) Subject: Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal Message-ID: <365963.41869.qm@web84004.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Villanueva, Anderson & Williams could help us as could Zo, Gadzurich and Mikki Moore. We need a young athletic backup 4/5. Not sure Joe Smith is the answer. Is Smith headed back to Cleveland if they move Varejao for someone? Anderson has been playing well, not sure we can get him now. We should have signed him instead of O'Bryant. McDyess would have been nice We haven't seen Etan in a few years. Not sure where he is at. He used to be a decent big man John ________________________________ From: Adam Patterson To: Celtics Mailing List Sent: Friday, January 2, 2009 11:33:49 PM Subject: Re: Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal There were some names thrown up on CelticsBlog over the last couple of days: Aaron Gray Adonal Foyle Calvin Booth Charlie Villanueva Chris Andersen Jake Tsakalidis (free agent according to his Wikipedia page) Joe Smith Juwan Howard (free agent) Kwame Brown Lorenzen Wright Robert Swift Sean Williams Steven Hunter Zaza Pachulia and some other tall players above our price range ($5 million and over): Andrea Bargnani Dan Gadzuric Darko Milicic Etan Thomas Jeff Foster Mikki Moore Nazr Mohammed But realistically only a few of them could be had. One question- how many championship teams have won playing small-ball? I know there was the 1970 Knicks when Willis Reed was injured but that seems like a bit of an aberration. Almost all championships have been won with big men it seems. Because we only need Powe and Big Baby to hold the fort while Garnett and Perkins are having a quick rest on the bench (barring an injury), and if we add Marbury he may well space the floor better on offense for the bench and perhaps the bench defense can be improved by increasing the pace... --- Ryan W wrote: Length is the primary concern, but you're overestimating our ability to add it.? Who exactly can we get?? Mourning would be great, but he'll play for Miami or nobody.? Joe Smith would be greater, but he said he'd prefer to sign with Cleveland.? Who else is there and more importantly who do we trade to get them?? All our tradeable assets make little money, yet most of the bigs who we could potentially trade for are making big money.? It just isn't working out, unless PJ gets turned again.? And if we can't get length, Marbury just might be the answer...I'm surely not pulling for that scenario, but if it happens it'll probably be alright, assuming he can behave for 6 months and Doc can manage the rotation. Ryan --- On Fri, 1/2/09, Josh Ozersky wrote: > From: Josh Ozersky > Subject: Re: Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal > To: celtics at igtc.com > Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 5:14 PM > What we really need is a big man who can spell Garnett. > Powe and Davis are clearly redundant, much as I like them. > It can't be that hard for the Celts to replace PJ > Brown. Any > big body with defensive skills would do. Rather than bother > with the likes of Marbury, I'd like to see us make a > trade for > a quality defensive specialist along the lines of a Chander > / > Camby type, or even Alonzo Mourning. Better still would > be the outright theft of an Emeka Ekafor. > > > ----- Original Message ----- From: > To: ; > > Sent: Friday, January 02, 2009 1:22 PM > Subject: Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal > > > > > Sources: Marbury, Celtics interested in deal > > By Marc Stein > ESPN.com > > > > > > > > Nearly one year since _Stephon Marbury_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=509) >? last played in a regular-season game,? signals are > getting stronger that the New York Knicks' outcast will > eventually? make his > comeback with the _Boston Celtics_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos) . > That still depends largely on Marbury's ability to > negotiate his release from > the Knicks after weeks of fruitless and oft-contentious > buyout talks, but > sources with knowledge of the situation told ESPN.com this > week that Boston is > Marbury's preferred destination if he manages to become > a free agent and that > the Celtics are indeed hopeful of signing him. > Celtics general manager _Danny Ainge_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3622) >? did not immediately respond to a request? for comment > on a New Year's Day holiday for the entire league and > has generally? refused > to address the possibility of signing Marbury. Yet it's > believed that? the > Celtics' concerns about their depth, after losing > _James Posey_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=671) >? and _P.J. Brown_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=99) >? from last season's title team, > have swelled? noticeably since they followed up the best > 29-game start in NBA > history at 27-2? by losing three of the next four games on > the road. > With Brown telling the New Orleans Times-Picayune on > Wednesday that he is > "officially retired" and _Dikembe Mutombo_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=588) >? having re-signed earlier this week with? the _Houston > Rockets_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=hou) > , Marbury easily > ranks as the most? accomplished low-cost veteran that the > Celtics can add to > their bench in-season.? Boston also knows it would have the > option to simply > release Marbury without? significant salary-cap > consequences if he fails to > click as a backup or proves? unwilling to accept a > secondary role. > It appears that the biggest obstacle to such a move is > Marbury actually > securing a buyout from the Knicks in a timely fashion as > opposed to reservations > Boston might have about Marbury's impact on team > chemistry. > Although it has been widely assumed that Celtics forward > _Kevin Garnett_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=261) >? would resist a > reunion with the? controversial point guard -- after > Marbury broke up their > Minnesota parternship? in less than three seasons together > by forcing a trade to New > Jersey -- one? Celtics source insists that Garnett has > voiced no opposition to > the idea of? signing Marbury for the rest of the season to > strengthen > Boston's backcourt? depth behind starters _Rajon Rondo_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3026) >? and _Ray Allen_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=9) > . > When asked specifically about the likelihood of Marbury > joining the Celtics > this season, the source predicted that "it will > happen." > Joining the NBA's reigning champions would certainly > back up Marbury's recent > claim at halftime of a Knicks-Lakers game in Los Angeles > that "the team I'm > going to go to, a lot of people will be shocked." The > 31-year-old hasn't > officially played for New York since Jan. 11 of last season > and began this > season on the inactive list while awaiting a buyout. > Marbury was then barred from > contact with the team in late November after a dispute over > Knicks coach Mike > D'Antoni's offering him the chance to start playing > again following the > Knicks' two trades on Nov. 21, which left them short of > available players. > The Celtics lack size more than anything off the bench, > which should explain > their interest in Brown and Mutombo. But Marbury -- when > he's right -- is a > proven scoring threat who can also handle pressure on the > ball, freeing up > _Eddie House_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=348) > to > focus on his preferred role of? designated shooter. The > Celtics also clearly > have the strong team culture --? with Garnett, _Paul > Pierce_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=662) > , Ray Allen and coach _Doc Rivers_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1579) >? -- to take on the > various challenges of a? Marbury dice roll. > "All the people who say nobody wants me on their team, > [that] I'm all > different things -- a cancer -- that's not what's > going on," Marbury said at the > game in L.A. earlier this month when surrounded by > reporters. > One source close to Marbury cautioned that it would be > premature to say that > he's narrowed his wish list down to the Celtics, but > one Western Conference > executive said of the notion that Marbury is Boston-bound: > "I've heard the > exact? same thing." > The fact remains, though, that Marbury has to extricate > himself from the > Knicks before he can make any firm future plans. Media > outlets in New York have > reported in recent days that Knicks president Donnie Walsh > is planning to > seriously rekindle buyout talks now that the calendar has > flipped to 2009, but > one theory in circulation holds that the Knicks have > dragged out Marbury's > release this long in part because they don't want to > see him wind up as a > contributor in a championship race with a team from the > same division. > The Celtics have also yet to make either of their two > scheduled > regular-season visits to Madison Square Garden. The first > is Sunday and the second is > Feb. 6. > In buyout negotiations to date, Marbury has refused to > surrender more than $1 > million of his $20.8 million salary and, at last report, > was no longer > offering? to give back that much. The Knicks have > reportedly asked Marbury to give > up at? least $3 million for the right to choose his next > team, although they > could be? moved to lower those demands if a trade > materializes that requires > New York to? open Marbury's roster spot. > Assuming that Marbury does eventually secure a buyout from > the Knicks, it > would appear that his options are scarce should the Celtics > ultimately decide > not to take the gamble. > Orlando and Phoenix are among the top teams needing guard > help which have > publicly declared their intent to steer clear of Marbury. > Miami is often > mentioned as a possible destination, but the luxury-tax > implications from signing > Marbury and the Heat's status as a rebuilding team make > it a? questionable fit. > It is unclear whether the _Los? Angeles Lakers_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=lal)? -- who > recently lost backup point guard _Jordan Farmar_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3002) >? until > mid-February at the earliest? because of knee surgery -- > would be a Marbury bidder. > ESPN.com reported in mid-November that Dallas planned to > investigate the > possibility of signing Marbury if he became available -- > with Mavericks owner > Mark Cuban and Marbury having built a casual friendship > over the years --? but > that was before J.J. Barea emerged as a reliable > contributor off the Mavs' > bench. Club sources, meanwhile, have maintained from the > start that the Mavs > would likely pass on the tricky prospect of bringing in > Marbury to back up _Jason > Kidd_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=429) > , given > what happened after those two were? traded for each other > in the summer of 2001. > Kidd led New Jersey to back-to-back? appearances in the NBA > Finals in 2002 > and 2003; Marbury experienced only? moderate success in 2? > seasons with Phoenix > before a 2004 trade to the Knicks? which has delivered > little beyond a > steadily deteriorating relationship with his? hometown > team. > In a first-person weblog entry for the New York Post on > Wednesday, Marbury > discussed his ongoing exile from the Knicks. > "People who know me know I'm in the best shape of > my life," Marbury wrote. ". > . . Bottom line, I came to camp with the right attitude, in > shape and ready > to? play. I didn't come to be a distraction. > "I didn't want to be a distraction for the team > first and me second. I > honestly came to help the team win. Real talk. I was > willing to put in the work > necessary to earn my starting spot and humble enough to > accept coming off of the > bench. > "It was unfortunate that the coach wanted to go in a > different direction and > didn't want me to be part of the team. I just wish it > had been handled > correctly? from jump. I could understand the fact they > didn't want _Chris Duhon_ > (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2377) >? looking over his > shoulder, but if you don't? want me just pay me and let > me go. I just want to > play basketball." > Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for? ESPN.com > > > > **************New year...new news.? Be the first to know > what is making > headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026) > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List >celtics at igtc.com >http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List >celtics at igtc.com >http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics ? ? ? Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Sat Jan 3 17:05:13 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 09:05:13 -0800 (PST) Subject: Fw: 2010 Free Agents Message-ID: <143826.37399.qm@web63803.mail.re1.yahoo.com> FYI ----- Forwarded Message ---- From: Larry Coon To: Adam Patterson Sent: Saturday, 3 January, 2009 3:55:37 PM Subject: Re: Fw: 2010 Free Agents Yes. You don't even have to wait 'til 2010 -- for example, Kobe Bryant has an ETO this summer. Larry Coon Adam Patterson wrote: Hi there, Just reading through your (fantastic!) website and I found this: From: http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q50 "A contract with a player option can be extended when the option is not exercised. A contract with an ETO may not be extended if the ETO is exercised." One question- is it possible for a player to exercise the ETO and then re-negotiate a new contract using the Larry Bird Exception? I'm enquiring for the lead-up to the 2010 Free Agent frenzy :) Thanks in advance, Adam Patterson ________________________________ Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look. Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From BDodgers at aol.com Sat Jan 3 18:54:11 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 13:54:11 EST Subject: Departing Thoughts: The Starbury FAQ Message-ID: Departing Thoughts: The Starbury FAQ (http://search.espn.go.com/marc-stein/) By Marc Stein ESPN.com _Stephon Marbury_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=509) confirmed Friday night that he loves the idea of starting over with _Kevin Garnett_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=261) in Boston. Donnie Walsh announced Friday night that he hopes to return to the negotiating table with Marbury next week to see if his banished point guard is finally ready to bring an end to his stubborn, smothering ways. Us? Friday night at Stein Line HQ was spent assembling a Steph-to-the-Celts FAQ to detail all of the hurdles involved and address your first round of questions about the growing prospect of Marbury winding up with the (gulp) defending champs. Uh ... why would the Celtics even consider this? For three reasons. 1. Because their bench clearly needs a booster shot. More than one, actually. Boston's starting five might be even more formidable than it was last season, thanks to the progress of _Rajon Rondo_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3026) , but its bunch on the bench is thinner than anticipated and undeniably undersized. And while they clearly need a dependable big man off that bench more than anything with _P.J. Brown_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=99) back in retirement -- Brown arguably sealed two wins in last spring's second-round series with Cleveland -- they also need a third guard who can score and handle the ball. If a gamble on Marbury panned out, Rondo wouldn't be overworked before the playoffs get here, _Tony Allen_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2367) can return to spot duty (since he doesn't look ready for more than that) and _Eddie House_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=348) won't need to be a regular ball-handler, which is clearly not his thing. 2. Because the Celts believe they have the culture to handle anyone, even a player as universally shunned by teammates as Marbury is. Any team that takes on Steph has to have a unified locker room, and where on the NBA map outside of San Antonio can you find a tighter relationship between a coach and his stars than what _Doc Rivers_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1579) has with _Paul Pierce_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=662) , Garnett and _Ray Allen_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=9) ? 3. Because it's virtually a free trial by the standards of today's NBA. The Celtics can sign Marbury to a minimum-wage deal with the option to cut him instantly if problems arise. Why does this sound so scary to some people? So why isn't this done already if it makes so much sense? The Celtics' biggest names could always huddle at the moment of Pierce, er, truth, and decide that the dice roll is too dangerous. But I don't see that happening. I truly struggle to imagine any way they'll pass if Marbury makes it onto the open market and says he's ready to come to Boston, even though GM Danny Ainge would face the difficult choice of waiving someone to create an open roster spot. The biggest issue has been, and remains, Marbury actually divorcing the Knicks and becoming a free agent. As stated in _Thursday's news story_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3804977) , sources close to the situation maintain that Marbury completing a buyout with the Knicks after weeks with little to no progress is a far bigger obstacle than any hesitation Boston might have about Marbury's impact on team chemistry. There is ongoing skepticism in Celtics circles about whether we'll see a buyout any time soon. Our man Howard Beck of the New York Times reported Friday that the Knicks and Marbury have had no "substantive" buyout discussions since Dec. 1, when Marbury stormed out of a meeting with Knicks president Donnie Walsh after 15 minutes. "Marbury," wrote Beck, "has shown no interest in negotiating. Steph has repeatedly said that he's no longer willing to offer $1 million of his $20.8 million salary back to the Knicks in exchange for his freedom and that he intends to keep fighting to recoup the $400,000 in salary he lost when the Knicks fined him for refusing to play in a Nov. 26 game at Detroit. That's fine. He's well within his rights to maintain such stances. Yet you also can't blame the Knicks for expecting Marbury to forfeit $3 million or so for the right to immediately choose his next team. Now that Marbury is on New York's suspended list -- with pay -- and no longer around the team on a daily basis, Walsh is not going to pay Marbury his full green so he can come back to Madison Square Garden on Feb. 6 in Celtics green. Why should he? There would be no motivation for Walsh to do so unless an irresistible trade offer materializes that would create a need for Marbury's roster spot. In a first-person weblog entry this week for the New York Post, Marbury insisted: "I just want to play basketball." But he also wrote: "It's the principle of the whole thing. It's really not about the money, but it's about the money. Feel me?" No, Steph. Not really. If you really just want to play basketball, would it be so bad to walk away from the Knicks with, say, $17-18 million, sign with Boston and try to finish out the season as the good teammate so many of us media know-it-alls say you'll never be? How much would that be worth to your reputation? Won't the Knicks try to structure a buyout agreement with Marbury that forbids him from signing with Boston? They can't. This has been reported in various places but NBA rules don't allow a clause that would force Marbury to sign with a Western Conference team. The Knicks can certainly tell Marbury during buyout negotiations that they won't sign off on his release unless he promises not to go to Boston or Miami or wherever. The team and the player can even strike a verbal agreement to that effect. But the league office confirmed to ESPN.com on Friday that such stipulations can't be made in writing and are in no way enforceable. If Steph becomes a free agent before March 1, he can go anywhere he wants. He can go anywhere he wants if he's released by the Knicks after March 1 as well, but then he wouldn't be eligible for the playoffs. Wouldn't the Celtics just be overreacting to a few bad losses on the road if they brought Marbury in now? It might look that way, but the reality is the Celtics came into the season knowing they had issues looming on the bench after _James Posey_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=671) defected to New Orleans in free agency and with Brown walking away from the game. Plugged-in sources say that the idea of signing Marbury was hatched weeks ago, when Boston was still in the midst of that 27-2 start. So it's really not a reaction to the 1-3 road trip out West. This is about helping Rondo and Allen keep something in the tank and adding a proven scorer and ball handler to a reserve unit that is going to need some help against the Cavs and the Lakers. Is KG really on board? Everything I've heard so far points to a clear yes. I was as skeptical as anyone when the Marbury-to-Boston chatter started that Garnett would ever consent to reuniting with a guy who broke up their Timberwolves partnership in less than three years by forcing a trade to New Jersey. But that was nearly 10 years ago. Garnett ultimately found his championship sidekicks. What he needs now is bench help, specifically low-cost vets who have proven they can do it because the Celtics have few trade chips to bring in help otherwise. You'd never use the word ideal to describe Marbury given all his baggage, but he figures to be highly available and easily cuttable if he and the Knicks can ever reach a settlement. That combination is hard to resist. You've heard Rivers say this for days: Boston started 27-2 and put zero distance between itself and the onrushing Cavaliers and Magic. Even if the Celts are fortunate enough to convince Brown to come back one more time -- and Rivers made it clear this that he won't stop trying no matter how many times Brown says he's retired -- they need another quality guard. They won't know if Marbury still fits that description, if he has anything left, until they give him a live audition. Wouldn't Steph rather go somewhere he can be a starter? Sure. A team that doesn't have an assistant coach like Tom Thibodeau, hounding everyone about defense, wouldn't be bad, either. The problem? There are no starting jobs out there for him. I know Marbury also has serious interest in Miami -- and there would theoretically be more minutes available in Miami -- but the Heat have a much younger team. Can they really handle the various challenges of trying to integrate Starbury in-season? You'd have to think not, especially given the other deterrent: Miami's luxury-tax issues. And ... In one of the most amazing aspects of this wild story's arc, Boston appears to be the only upper-crust team with a confirmed interest in signing Marbury. Or the only team with a sufficient low number of reservations to go through with signing him. Crazy. But don't the Celtics know about Marbury's track record? Minnesota, New Jersey, Phoenix ... all those teams won 50 games in the first season after Steph left. You know what? Knowing how highly the Celtics think of themselves and their own chemistry -- don't forget that they even named it, using an African word (ubuntu) for unity -- I would fully expect KG, P-Squared and Ray Ray to spin Marbury's potential arrival into an us-against-the-world challenge to prove to everyone how strong their ubuntu is. They'll be the guys, in other words, who finally get the most out of Marbury's oft-wasted talent. "That's our greatest strength," Pierce insisted back in November. "The greatest strength of our team is our togetherness." If they can police Marbury enough so he becomes a content contributor in a (gulp) backup role, it'll be tough for anyone to argue.Marc Stein is the senior NBA writer for ESPN.com. **************New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026) From BDodgers at aol.com Sat Jan 3 18:55:30 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 13:55:30 EST Subject: From ESPN re Joe Smith Message-ID: There would be a l-o-n-g line of teams eager to sign _Joe Smith_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=788) if he's eventually bought out of his contract by the Thunder. The line would inevitably start with Boston and Cleveland, with the Celtics having the considerable advantage of tabbing Smith's dear friend _Kevin Garnett_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=261) as lead recruiter. However ... I'm consistently told that the Thunder -- even though the B word has been thrown around by various media types lately -- have zero intention of considering a buyout for Smith before the Feb. 19 trading deadline. They know there's a fair bit of interest in the No. 1 overall pick from the 1995 draft, who, at 33 years old, is the sort of seasoned big man with a jumper that playoff teams crave and comes with the added bonus of an expiring contract worth $4.8 million. Rumblings persist that the Thunder plan to hold out until the deadline in hopes of landing a future first-round pick in exchange for Smith. If no trade materializes, they would still have more than a week to buy Smith out before the March 1 deadline and thus keep him eligible to play in the playoffs with another team. NBA front-office sources have maintained for weeks that big men _Chris Wilcox_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1731) , _Johan Petro_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2780) and Smith are all available in Oklahoma City -- as is _Nick Collison_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1978) , except that Collison doesn't have a salary-cap friendly contract -- even before the Thunder added to a crowded frontcourt group by signing _Nenad Krstic_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1719) . But Smith's veteran presence is valued by management in a locker room filled with kids, so you needn't look for the Thunder to just let him go because several contending teams wish they would. **************New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026) From BDodgers at aol.com Sat Jan 3 18:57:42 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 13:57:42 EST Subject: For Your Calendars Message-ID: For Your Calendars Three key dates to make note of early in the first month of the new year for those of you obsessed with tracking roster movement, salary-cap space and general front-office minutiae (like us): Sunday, Jan. 4 The Grizzlies' home game against Dallas is the first game _Darius Miles_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=550) is eligible to play after serving a 10-game suspension with his new team for what was _reported here in July_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/columns/story?columnist=stein_marc&page=NBA-Notes-080719) as the illegal use of the appetite suppressant Phentermine. As long as he plays in 10 games this season, with the Grizz or anyone else, Miles' $9 million salary will be reinstated to the Portland Trail Blazers' payroll and makes them a taxpayer for the 2008-09 season. Ten games for Miles this season would also lower Portland's room under the cap in the summer of 2010 by another $9 million. Miles underwent microfracture surgery on his right knee in November 2006 and has not played in a regular-season game since the 2005-06 season. The Blazers waived him in April after an independent doctor appointed by the league and players' union ruled that his knee troubles were career-ending, enabling Portland to erase its financial obligations to Miles from its payroll even though the Blazers are required to pay him the $9 million owed this season and next. However, Miles is now a virtual lock to change all of that after he failed to stick with the _Boston Celtics_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos) following training camp and got a shot with the Grizz. One disclaimer: Miles actually has to play in 10 games to trigger those expensive charges for the Blazers. Simply dressing for a game doesn't count. (One footnote: Miles has to stick with the Grizz until Feb. 18 if he wants the chance to play a game in Portland.) Monday, Jan. 5 That's the first day players can sign 10-day contracts. Of course, as of Friday morning, there were only 12 open roster spots in the league. The Suns have two spots open. The teams with one spot: the Bulls, Mavericks, Nuggets, Pistons, Rockets, Lakers, Grizzlies, Hornets, 76ers and Raptors. The Kings could also create an open spot by petitioning the league to remove the $6.2 million salary of the recently retired _Shareef Abdur-Rahim_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3) from their roster -- Reef is working as a Kings assistant coach now -- but aren't looking to add any salary these days and have not yet done so. Saturday, Jan. 10 All contracts are guaranteed for the rest of the season if a player is on a roster as of Jan. 10 or has not cleared waivers before 6 p.m. on Jan 9. Teams will thus be required to shed any player deemed surplus to requirements by 6 p.m. on Jan. 7. The 25 players facing the greatest risk over the next few days, all of whom are working on minimum deals: _Mario West_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3278) (Atlanta); _Juwan Howard_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=351) (Charlotte); _Lindsey Hunter_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=359) and _Michael Ruffin_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=741) (Chicago); _Jawad Williams_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2850) (Cleveland); _Rob Kurz_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3837) , _Anthony Morrow_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3474) , _DeMarcus Nelson_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3838) and _C.J. Watson_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3277) (Golden State); _Von Wafer_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2793) (Houston); _Paul Davis_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2998) and _Fred Jones_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1718) (_Los Angeles Clippers_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=lac) ); _Josh Powell_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2197) (_Los Angeles Lakers_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=lal) ); Darius Miles (Memphis); _Shaun Livingston_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2393) and _Jamaal Magloire_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=498) (Miami); _Austin Croshere_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=167) (Milwaukee); _Kevin Ollie_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=620) (Minnesota); _Sean Marks_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=511) (New Orleans); _Jeremy Richardson_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3160) (Orlando); _Dee Brown_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2994) (Phoenix); _Malik Hairston_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3433) and _Anthony Tolliver_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3276) (San Antonio); _Jake Voskuhl_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=879) (Toronto); _Juan Dixon_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1707) (Washington). **************New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026) From ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com Sat Jan 3 19:52:00 2009 From: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com (Ryan W) Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 11:52:00 -0800 (PST) Subject: Marbury/Cassell In-Reply-To: <741713.43328.qm@web110105.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <457272.33389.qm@web65615.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Because Sam's a good guy to have around...keeps 'em loose, spreads his veteran savvy around, makes a good practice player.... I don't know who they'll get rid of in order to add a new player...there are lots of possibilities, from trading Baby for picks, to releasing POB (that's becoming less likely, I think he's made strides the last month), to swinging a 2-for-1 deal (Scal and Giddens, maybe, for something)....the easiest, of course, is to release Sam and bring him in as an assistant coach. So, maybe the easiest thing is what they'll end up doing. Ryan --- On Fri, 1/2/09, Peter Delevett wrote: > From: Peter Delevett > Subject: Re: Marbury/Cassell > To: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com > Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 8:54 PM > So why keep him around? Will they buy out his contract and > formally add him to the coaching staff to open up a roster > spot for Marbury? > > > --- On Fri, 1/2/09, Ryan W > wrote: > > > From: Ryan W > > Subject: Re: Marbury/Cassell > > To: pdelevett at yahoo.com > > Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 4:34 PM > > Sam is about 7 years older and can't run...he > slows the > > team down, can't play defense, and is > deteriorating as a > > playmaker....now, Marbury also plays no defense, but > at > > least he has the physical ability to do so---the hope > being > > that if he signs, we can get him to play defense and > push > > the ball in transition. There's no such hope with > > Sam... > > > > Ryan > > > > > > --- On Fri, 1/2/09, Peter Delevett > > wrote: > > > > > From: Peter Delevett > > > Subject: Marbury/Cassell > > > To: celtics at igtc.com > > > Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 5:10 PM > > > Please, can somebody explain this to me? > > > > > > Both guys are 6'2. Last season before his > ankle > > > surgery, Marbury's line was: > > > > > > G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG > BPG > > TO > > > PF PPG > > > 24 19 33.5 0.419 0.378 0.716 0.7 1.8 2.5 4.7 0.9 > 0.1 > > 2.00 > > > 2.40 13.9 > > > > > > Last season with the Clippers, before coming to > > Boston, > > > Sam's line was this: > > > > > > G GS MPG FG% 3P% FT% OFF DEF RPG APG SPG > BPG > > TO > > > PF PPG > > > 38 33 25.7 0.455 0.259 0.891 0.3 2.4 2.8 4.7 0.7 > 0.1 > > 2.05 > > > 1.80 12.8 > > > > > > The only offensive category in which Marbury was > > clearly > > > superior was 3-point shooting; but Sam shot 40% > from > > beyond > > > the line after coming to Boston, and his career > > 3-point > > > percentage is 33%, compared to Marbury's 32%. > > > > > > Another way to look at thiese numbers is: Sam > averaged > > > virtually as many points, assists, rebounds and > steals > > as > > > Marbury last season in roughly 2/3 as many > minutes. So > > the > > > argument for signing him instead of actually JUST > > PLAYING > > > SAM is, what exactly? > > > > > > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > > > celtics at igtc.com > > > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From jlyell at verizon.net Sat Jan 3 20:18:25 2009 From: jlyell at verizon.net (John Lyell) Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 12:18:25 -0800 (PST) Subject: Marbury/Cassell Message-ID: <128091.55713.qm@web84007.mail.mud.yahoo.com> If we can land a backup perimeter player and athletic big man for scal, baby, giddens and maybe Tony Allen, and allow us to give?Pruitt & Walker some more time that would be awesome. Scal for Antoine would be awesome, but it sounds like Ainge isn't interested, but would be a good Posey replacement. I forgot all Mchale's issues went down with Smith while KG was there. John ________________________________ From: Ryan W To: celtics at igtc.com Sent: Saturday, January 3, 2009 11:52:00 AM Subject: Re: Marbury/Cassell Because Sam's a good guy to have around...keeps 'em loose, spreads his veteran savvy around, makes a good practice player.... I don't know who they'll get rid of in order to add a new player...there are lots of possibilities, from trading Baby for picks, to releasing POB (that's becoming less likely, I think he's made strides the last month), to swinging a 2-for-1 deal (Scal and Giddens, maybe, for something)....the easiest, of course, is to release Sam and bring him in as an assistant coach.? So, maybe the easiest thing is what they'll end up doing. Ryan --- On Fri, 1/2/09, Peter Delevett wrote: > From: Peter Delevett > Subject: Re: Marbury/Cassell > To: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com > Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 8:54 PM > So why keep him around? Will they buy out his contract and > formally add him to the coaching staff to open up a roster > spot for Marbury? > > > --- On Fri, 1/2/09, Ryan W > wrote: > > > From: Ryan W > > Subject: Re: Marbury/Cassell > > To: pdelevett at yahoo.com > > Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 4:34 PM > > Sam is about 7 years older and can't run...he > slows the > > team down, can't play defense, and is > deteriorating as a > > playmaker....now, Marbury also plays no defense, but > at > > least he has the physical ability to do so---the hope > being > > that if he signs, we can get him to play defense and > push > > the ball in transition.? There's no such hope with > > Sam... > > > > Ryan > > > > > > --- On Fri, 1/2/09, Peter Delevett > > wrote: > > > > > From: Peter Delevett > > > Subject: Marbury/Cassell > > > To: celtics at igtc.com > > > Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 5:10 PM > > > Please, can somebody explain this to me? > > > > > > Both guys are 6'2. Last season before his > ankle > > > surgery, Marbury's line was: > > > > > > G? GS MPG? FG%? 3P%? FT%? OFF DEF RPG APG SPG > BPG > > TO? > > > PF? PPG > > > 24 19 33.5 0.419 0.378 0.716 0.7 1.8 2.5 4.7 0.9 > 0.1 > > 2.00 > > > 2.40 13.9 > > > > > > Last season with the Clippers, before coming to > > Boston, > > > Sam's line was this: > > > > > > G GS? MPG? FG%? 3P%? FT%? OFF DEF RPG APG SPG > BPG > > TO? > > > PF? PPG > > > 38 33 25.7 0.455 0.259 0.891 0.3 2.4 2.8 4.7 0.7 > 0.1 > > 2.05 > > > 1.80 12.8 > > > > > > The only offensive category in which Marbury was > > clearly > > > superior was 3-point shooting; but Sam shot 40% > from > > beyond > > > the line after coming to Boston, and his career > > 3-point > > > percentage is 33%, compared to Marbury's 32%. > > > > > > Another way to look at thiese numbers is: Sam > averaged > > > virtually as many points, assists, rebounds and > steals > > as > > > Marbury last season in roughly 2/3 as many > minutes. So > > the > > > argument for signing him instead of actually JUST > > PLAYING > > > SAM is, what exactly? > > > > > > > > >? ? ? > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > > > celtics at igtc.com > > > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics ? ? ? _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From douglas342 at aol.com Sat Jan 3 20:16:52 2009 From: douglas342 at aol.com (douglas342 at aol.com) Date: Sat, 03 Jan 2009 15:16:52 -0500 Subject: Marbury/Cassell In-Reply-To: <457272.33389.qm@web65615.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <8CB3BF75975779D-1788-96C@WEBMAIL-MY40.sysops.aol.com> Well, the FAQ says that the Cs can sign Marbury to a minimum contract and cut him if there's trouble. I trust the players to report that trouble, and also assume that Ainge would get the OK from PGA before signing him. So that's part one, assuming that he is willing to take a financial "bath" (gee, knock 3 mil off the 22 you say you're owed. Man, that hurts.) Part two is the roster space. I am assuming that if Cassell retires, his salary still counts, but his roster space is open? If they cut Marbury, could Sam reinstate active status? Doesn't that actually create more hidden roster spots? You have 15 players and five assistant coaches, but all the salaries count? Part three is the role he'd play. We have lost two players from last year: Posey, an outside shooting 3/4, and Brown, a professional 4. Marbury is (yet another) undersized 2 who usually plays point. How does that fix the problems we have? Maybe it doesn't. Maybe replacing Sam with Marbury is just one little piece of the puzzle. So go with it - what the hell. But Danny, you'd better have a long heart-to-heart with Garnett and Allen (both of whom, I think, have been teamates with Marbury) before pulling the trigger. And you'd better listen. And if I were you, I'd be asking my players to call their buddies around the league for input. -----Original Message----- From: Ryan W To: celtics at igtc.com Sent: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 11:52 am Subject: Re: Marbury/Cassell Because Sam's a good guy to have around...keeps 'em loose, spreads his veteran savvy around, makes a good practice player.... I don't know who they'll get rid of in order to add a new player...there are lots of possibilities, from trading Baby for picks, to releasing POB (that's becoming less likely, I think he's made strides the last month), to swinging a 2-for-1 deal (Scal and Giddens, maybe, for something)....the easiest, of course, is to release Sam and bring him in as an assistant coach. So, maybe the easiest thing is what they'll end up doing. Ryan --- On Fri, 1/2/09, Peter Delevett wrote: > From: Peter Delevett > Subject: Re: Marbury/Cassell > To: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com > Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 8:54 PM > So why keep him around? Will they buy out his contract and > formally add him to the coaching staff to open up a roster > spot for Marbury? > > From ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com Sat Jan 3 20:41:38 2009 From: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com (Ryan W) Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 12:41:38 -0800 (PST) Subject: Marbury/Cassell In-Reply-To: <8CB3BF75975779D-1788-96C@WEBMAIL-MY40.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: <198799.19174.qm@web65606.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> That's good stuff, Doug. Danny will definitely get and use the input of the Big 3 before he makes any contact with Marbury. They MUST be okay with it before it happens. Also, regarding Sam's ability to come back to the team if Marbury burns out....well, it depends on when he was resigned...after a certain point in March (I don't remember the exact date) playoff rosters are set and if a player isn't signed by that date he's not eligible for the playoffs. I also agree that even if Marbury is signed, we'll still need to sign another veteran big....Baby and Leon need the help up front. So I think we're actually looking at clearing two roster spots, if the Marbury rumors are true. Ryan --- On Sat, 1/3/09, douglas342 at aol.com wrote: > From: douglas342 at aol.com > Subject: Re: Marbury/Cassell > To: celtics at igtc.com > Date: Saturday, January 3, 2009, 2:16 PM > Well, the FAQ says that the Cs can sign Marbury to a minimum > contract and cut him if there's trouble. I trust the > players to report that trouble, and also assume that Ainge > would get the OK from PGA before signing him. So that's > part one, assuming that he is willing to take a financial > "bath" (gee, knock 3 mil off the 22 you say > you're owed. Man, that hurts.) > > Part two is the roster space. I am assuming that if > Cassell retires, his salary still counts, but his roster > space is open? If they cut Marbury, could Sam reinstate > active status? Doesn't that actually create more hidden > roster spots? You have 15 players and five assistant > coaches, but all the salaries count? > > Part three is the role he'd play. We have lost two > players from last year: Posey, an outside shooting 3/4, and > Brown, a professional 4. Marbury is (yet another) > undersized 2 who usually plays point. How does that fix the > problems we have? Maybe it doesn't. Maybe replacing > Sam with Marbury is just one little piece of the puzzle. > > So go with it - what the hell. But Danny, you'd better > have a long heart-to-heart with Garnett and Allen (both of > whom, I think, have been teamates with Marbury) before > pulling the trigger. And you'd better listen. And if I > were you, I'd be asking my players to call their buddies > around the league for input. > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Ryan W > To: celtics at igtc.com > Sent: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 11:52 am > Subject: Re: Marbury/Cassell > > > > Because Sam's a good guy to have around...keeps 'em > loose, spreads his veteran > savvy around, makes a good practice player.... > > I don't know who they'll get rid of in order to add > a new player...there are > lots of possibilities, from trading Baby for picks, to > releasing POB (that's > becoming less likely, I think he's made strides the > last month), to swinging a > 2-for-1 deal (Scal and Giddens, maybe, for > something)....the easiest, of course, > is to release Sam and bring him in as an assistant coach. > So, maybe the easiest > thing is what they'll end up doing. > > Ryan > > > --- On Fri, 1/2/09, Peter Delevett > wrote: > > > From: Peter Delevett > > Subject: Re: Marbury/Cassell > > To: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com > > Date: Friday, January 2, 2009, 8:54 PM > > So why keep him around? Will they buy out his contract > and > > formally add him to the coaching staff to open up a > roster > > spot for Marbury? > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Sat Jan 3 20:59:10 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 12:59:10 -0800 (PST) Subject: =?utf-8?B?Q2Fzc2VsbDogSeKAmW0gY29vbCB3aXRoIGl0?= Message-ID: <136919.97532.qm@web63802.mail.re1.yahoo.com> From: http://blogs.weei.com/jessicacamerato/2009/01/02/celtics-10494/ Cassell: I?m cool with it with 3 comments Posted by Jessica Camerato The buzz surrounding the Boston Celtics interest in Stephon Marbury lends itself to a pressing question ? what does this mean for Sam Cassell? The 39-year-old point guard has yet to play a minute this season and is biding his time coaching the reserves from the bench. It?s no secret that Cassell has bigger plans after basketball, so what does he think about a possible acquisition that could bump him from the roster? ?I?m here to do what this team asks me to do,? Cassell said. ?I?ve had a great career and I?m cool with it. Whatever the team needs from me. I want to coach. I?m almost 40-years-old ? so it?s going to happen sooner or later. Either this year or next year.? But just because Cassell is up for whatever helps the Celtics, that doesn?t mean he?s ready to hang up his sneakers today. Cassell said there is no agreement between he and the Cs that he?ll step down during the season. ?No not at all. There?s nothing unwritten in this league,? he said. ?I?m a part of this team til the end.? RELATED CONTENT Marbury Speculation Heats Up - By Paul Flannery Does Marbury Want to Start? - By Jessica Camerato Stephon Marbury on Celtics? Radar - By Jeff Goodman Horry Interested in Celtics - By Jessica Camerato Posted in Celtics Game Day Blog, WEEI Blogs Tagged with Boston Celtics, Sam Cassell, Stephon Marbury ? Celtics-Wizards Passing Analysis Sounds of the game? Celtics 108, Wizards 83 ? 3 Responses to 'Cassell: I?m cool with it' Subscribe to comments with RSS 1. i already wrote and pitced this idea months ago. Your good friends at weei big show blew me up when i mention steph. Its absurd how i continue to get overlooked. I ahve tis article proofed and dated if your interested. Long story short its a great idea with the patriots like regime the celtics can afford tooo take these risks they did it with d miles and the passed . they are doing it at the right time. Your nuts if you dont think doc, danny, kevin, paul, or ray will know if hes a good fit . any ways i iam tired of writing my sh@#. I have more to offer but to the big show less talk more listen eddie chandler 2 Jan 09 at 10:18 pm 2. I`m cool with it also. bosoxyaz8 2 Jan 09 at 11:13 pm 3. Adding Stephon Marbury to the Celtics would be absolutely insane. He can kill any team, and it would be unfortunate for the Celtics? repeat chances derailed because they added a selfish player at a position where they?re not thin to begin with. Surely Ainge is smarter than that . . . Bill Ingram 3 Jan 09 at 12:43 am Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From BDodgers at aol.com Sat Jan 3 21:36:46 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 16:36:46 EST Subject: Cav's Ilgauskas ruled out for up to a month Message-ID: Cav's Ilgauskas ruled out for up to a month CHICAGO (Reuters) ? Towering Cleveland Cavaliers starting center Zydrunas Ilgauskas is expected to be sidelined for up to a month while he recovers from a bone chip in his ankle, the team said on Saturday. The seven-foot three-inch (2.21 meter) Lithuanian incurred the injury during a 101-93 win against the Philadelphia 76ers on December 10. After missing three games, he returned to action with a 23-point haul against the Denver Nuggets on December 19 before waking up the following morning in discomfort. His recovery from the injury slowed and an MRI scan on Friday revealed he had chipped a bone in the back of the ankle. "I played on it but it didn't feel good," Ilgauskas, 33, was quoted as saying by the Cleveland Plain Dealer. "I wasn't the player I should be." "One thing we don't want to do is rush it. We'll take it weekly and see how it goes; we really don't know." Ilgauskas is averaging 13.8 points and 7.1 rebounds in 28 games this season, helping the Cavaliers set the pace in the Central Division with a win-loss record of 27-5. In his absence, Brazilian Anderson Varejao is expected to take over as starting center. **************New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026) From jlyell at verizon.net Sat Jan 3 23:02:51 2009 From: jlyell at verizon.net (John Lyell) Date: Sat, 3 Jan 2009 15:02:51 -0800 (PST) Subject: =?utf-8?B?UmU6IENhc3NlbGw6IEnigJltIGNvb2wgd2l0aCBpdA==?= Message-ID: <698001.99558.qm@web84005.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Forgot about Horry. There's Posey's replacement! ________________________________ From: Adam Patterson To: Celtics Mailing List Sent: Saturday, January 3, 2009 12:59:10 PM Subject: Cassell: I?m cool with it From: http://blogs.weei.com/jessicacamerato/2009/01/02/celtics-10494/ Cassell: I?m cool with it with 3 comments Posted by Jessica Camerato The buzz surrounding the Boston Celtics interest in Stephon Marbury lends itself to a pressing question ? what does this mean for Sam Cassell? The 39-year-old point guard has yet to play a minute this season and is biding his time coaching the reserves from the bench. It?s no secret that Cassell has bigger plans after basketball, so what does he think about a possible acquisition that could bump him from the roster? ?I?m here to do what this team asks me to do,? Cassell said. ?I?ve had a great career and I?m cool with it. Whatever the team needs from me. I want to coach. I?m almost 40-years-old ? so it?s going to happen sooner or later. Either this year or next year.? But just because Cassell is up for whatever helps the Celtics, that doesn?t mean he?s ready to hang up his sneakers today. Cassell said there is no agreement between he and the Cs that he?ll step down during the season. ?No not at all. There?s nothing unwritten in this league,? he said. ?I?m a part of this team til the end.? RELATED CONTENT Marbury Speculation Heats Up - By Paul Flannery Does Marbury Want to Start? - By Jessica Camerato Stephon Marbury on Celtics? Radar - By Jeff Goodman Horry Interested in Celtics - By Jessica Camerato Posted in Celtics Game Day Blog, WEEI Blogs Tagged with Boston Celtics, Sam Cassell, Stephon Marbury ? Celtics-Wizards Passing Analysis Sounds of the game? Celtics 108, Wizards 83 ? 3 Responses to 'Cassell: I?m cool with it' Subscribe to comments with RSS ??? 1. i already wrote and pitced this idea months ago. Your good friends at weei big show blew me up when i mention steph. Its absurd how i continue to get overlooked. I ahve tis article proofed and dated if your interested. Long story short its a great idea with the patriots like regime the celtics can afford tooo take these risks they did it with d miles and the passed . they are doing it at the right time. Your nuts if you dont think doc, danny, kevin, paul, or ray will know if hes a good fit . any ways i iam tired of writing my sh@#. I have more to offer but to the big show less talk more listen eddie chandler 2 Jan 09 at 10:18 pm ??? 2. I`m cool with it also. bosoxyaz8 2 Jan 09 at 11:13 pm ??? 3. Adding Stephon Marbury to the Celtics would be absolutely insane. He can kill any team, and it would be unfortunate for the Celtics? repeat chances derailed because they added a selfish player at a position where they?re not thin to begin with. Surely Ainge is smarter than that . . . Bill Ingram 3 Jan 09 at 12:43 am ? ? ? Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From jlyell at verizon.net Sun Jan 4 16:21:26 2009 From: jlyell at verizon.net (John Lyell) Date: Sun, 4 Jan 2009 08:21:26 -0800 (PST) Subject: On the block? Message-ID: <890819.41204.qm@web84002.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Supposedly Barnani & Anthony Parker are on the block. Parker shoots 46% from the field & 43% behid the arc. Parker for Tony Allen? Colangelo says pretty much everyone is available except Bosh & Calderone Any chance getting a sleeper?like Morris Almond out of Utah for Giddens? Mutombo says C's were interested in him, Zo, Smith & P.J. 2 are now out of the picture and rumor has it?the C's don't want to add Smith's salary and it is doubtful he will be released. Why not Scal or Baby & Giddens for Joe if he really is the answer? How many more years does Scal have on his contract? Other names that may be released: Austin Croshere, Jamal Magliore, Darius Miles, Michael Ruffin Magliore addsa a bigger enforcer type inside to spell Perk. JJ Hickson would be great, but chances are slim Cleveland would trade with us. Another young athletic player is Hilton Armstrong It is good to see Al and Gomes playing well. Al has been a beast as of late. From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Mon Jan 5 13:20:44 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 05:20:44 -0800 (PST) Subject: Celtics and Lakers Message-ID: <462082.46736.qm@web63801.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Fair enough, we're in a slump. But if we win the next 3 this week, 2 games against contenders (Houston, Cleveland) then we'll be in good shape again. It's an easy schedule next week (Toronto and New Jersey twice each - 4 games in total). As for the Lakers and the love they get from ESPN among others, it's?enough to make you sick: From: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-090105 "And a win is a win. At the end of the first weekend in January, 40 percent of the way through the season, the Lakers have racked them up at a better rate than anyone." I'd much rather see things like this: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/photos?photoId=2116888&gameId=290104013 :) Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Mon Jan 5 17:14:13 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 09:14:13 -0800 (PST) Subject: O'Brien talks about the Joe Johnson Trade Message-ID: <649933.89373.qm@web63803.mail.re1.yahoo.com> A topic that has been discussed on this list recently... From: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/other_nba/view.bg?articleid=1142961&format=text O?B: I erred on J.J. ? Jim O?Brien has been known to change his mind. ? And though his greatest moment as a Celtics coach - taking his first C?s roster to the 2002 conference finals - would not have been possible without the trade that sent Joe Johnson to Phoenix for Tony Delk and Rodney Rodgers, the Pacers coach is having some extremely late buyers? remorse. ? Perhaps that?s because he can now see the difference Johnson might have made in those ensuing years when the Celtics truly hit bottom. ?It was a good move in the short run,? O?Brien said last week. ?The people we ended up bringing in helped us get to the Eastern Conference finals. It was a horrible move for the long run. ? ?He?s one of the smoothest players in the NBA from the standpoint it almost seems like he glides. If there?s any such thing as as playing basketball on ice skates, that?s what it would be like. He?s very long. He has a shot that he gets off very, very high. He is a terrific passer.? ? And who knows what Johnson would have been like as a seasoned Celtic. Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From jbrainin at verizon.net Mon Jan 5 17:40:40 2009 From: jbrainin at verizon.net (Jonathan Brainin) Date: Mon, 05 Jan 2009 12:40:40 -0500 Subject: O'Brien talks about the Joe Johnson Trade In-Reply-To: <649933.89373.qm@web63803.mail.re1.yahoo.com> References: <649933.89373.qm@web63803.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <0BD87239-57E3-4938-ABDF-CE1D322A4B5E@verizon.net> Actually, what I've always wondered is what position Johnson would have played on the Celtics. So long as Pierce remained a Celtic, I don't think there would be any room on the team for Johnson. On Jan 5, 2009, at 12:14 PM, Adam Patterson wrote: > And who knows what Johnson would have been like as a seasoned Celtic. From cecilw45 at hotmail.com Mon Jan 5 22:40:29 2009 From: cecilw45 at hotmail.com (Cecil Wright) Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 18:40:29 -0400 Subject: Oh Toine Message-ID: MIAMI (AP) -- Former NBA player Antoine Walker was charged with suspicion of drunk driving in Miami Beach early Monday morning, further hurting his chances of playing again this season. Walker was driving a black Mercedes without the lights on when he was pulled over at 5:39 a.m., according to the arrest report. Officers detected a strong odor of alcohol and wrote in the report that Walker had a sleepy look on his face. He refused a breathalyzer test. Walker was a three-time All-Star forward for the Boston Celtics and helped the Miami Heat win the NBA championship in 2006. He was also a starting forward on Kentucky's 1996 national title team. His up-and-down career has often been just as tumultuous off the court. In July 2007, Walker and a relative were bound at gunpoint while multiple robbers took a car, cash and jewelry from his suburban-Chicago residence. He also was the victim of an armed robbery in 2000 along with center Nazr Mohammed as the two sat in a vehicle waiting for a restaurant to open on Chicago's South Side. And his once prominent career has since faded. Walker struggled in 46 games with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. His contract was bought out by the Memphis Grizzlies in December, making him a free agent. The 32-year-old Chicago native was selected sixth overall in the 1996 NBA draft by the Celtics, earning All-Star honors in 1998, 2002 and 2003. He ranks 10th in league history for 3-point field goals made (1,386) and second (sixth all-time) in 3-point field goal attempts (4,264). He played a key role off the bench in Miami's championship run in 2006. But he was often dogged by fans late in his career for his poor conditioning, briefly being suspended by then-Heat coach Pat Riley in the 2006-07 season over his body-fat level. The 6-foot-9, 245-pound forward has not played this season but has indicated he wants to sign with another NBA team. Walker was being held Monday on a $1,000 bond and jail officials said they did not immediately know if he has attorney. _________________________________________________________________ From jlyell at verizon.net Tue Jan 6 02:38:26 2009 From: jlyell at verizon.net (John Lyell) Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 18:38:26 -0800 (PST) Subject: Oh Toine Message-ID: <795843.45591.qm@web84008.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Was he out with Vin Baker? ?:) ________________________________ From: Cecil Wright To: celtics at igtc.com Sent: Monday, January 5, 2009 2:40:29 PM Subject: Oh Toine MIAMI (AP) -- Former NBA player Antoine Walker was charged with suspicion of drunk driving in Miami Beach early Monday morning, further hurting his chances of playing again this season. Walker was driving a black Mercedes without the lights on when he was pulled over at 5:39 a.m., according to the arrest report. Officers detected a strong odor of alcohol and wrote in the report that Walker had a sleepy look on his face. He refused a breathalyzer test. Walker was a three-time All-Star forward for the Boston Celtics and helped the Miami Heat win the NBA championship in 2006. He was also a starting forward on Kentucky's 1996 national title team. His up-and-down career has often been just as tumultuous off the court. In July 2007, Walker and a relative were bound at gunpoint while multiple robbers took a car, cash and jewelry from his suburban-Chicago residence. He also was the victim of an armed robbery in 2000 along with center Nazr Mohammed as the two sat in a vehicle waiting for a restaurant to open on Chicago's South Side. And his once prominent career has since faded. Walker struggled in 46 games with the Minnesota Timberwolves last season. His contract was bought out by the Memphis Grizzlies in December, making him a free agent. The 32-year-old Chicago native was selected sixth overall in the 1996 NBA draft by the Celtics, earning All-Star honors in 1998, 2002 and 2003. He ranks 10th in league history for 3-point field goals made (1,386) and second (sixth all-time) in 3-point field goal attempts (4,264). He played a key role off the bench in Miami's championship run in 2006. But he was often dogged by fans late in his career for his poor conditioning, briefly being suspended by then-Heat coach Pat Riley in the 2006-07 season over his body-fat level. The 6-foot-9, 245-pound forward has not played this season but has indicated he wants to sign with another NBA team. Walker was being held Monday on a $1,000 bond and jail officials said they did not immediately know if he has attorney. _________________________________________________________________ _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From troynsusiehash at alltel.net Tue Jan 6 02:49:11 2009 From: troynsusiehash at alltel.net (Troy Hash) Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 21:49:11 -0500 Subject: Celtics and Lakers In-Reply-To: <462082.46736.qm@web63801.mail.re1.yahoo.com> References: <462082.46736.qm@web63801.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <009a01c96fa9$5aca8df0$6401a8c0@troyscomputer> Easy schedule? We just got beat by the 2 worse defensive teams in the league, GS & NY, and held us to under 90 points! There are NO easy scheduled games! -----Original Message----- From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of Adam Patterson Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 8:21 AM To: Celtics Mailing List Subject: Celtics and Lakers Fair enough, we're in a slump. But if we win the next 3 this week, 2 games against contenders (Houston, Cleveland) then we'll be in good shape again. It's an easy schedule next week (Toronto and New Jersey twice each - 4 games in total). As for the Lakers and the love they get from ESPN among others, it's?enough to make you sick: From: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-090105 "And a win is a win. At the end of the first weekend in January, 40 percent of the way through the season, the Lakers have racked them up at a better rate than anyone." I'd much rather see things like this: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/photos?photoId=2116888&gameId=290104013 :) Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.10.2/1876 - Release Date: 1/5/2009 9:44 AM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.10.2/1876 - Release Date: 1/5/2009 9:44 AM From jlyell at verizon.net Tue Jan 6 02:52:36 2009 From: jlyell at verizon.net (John Lyell) Date: Mon, 5 Jan 2009 18:52:36 -0800 (PST) Subject: O'Brien talks about the Joe Johnson Trade Message-ID: <912118.84402.qm@web84004.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Wouldn't have been too?bad of a nucleus Billups, West (Tony Parker if we wouldn't have wasted picks on?Kedrick Brown or Forte!) Johnson Pierce, ?Gomes Jefferson Perkins ? ________________________________ From: Jonathan Brainin To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List Sent: Monday, January 5, 2009 9:40:40 AM Subject: Re: O'Brien talks about the Joe Johnson Trade Actually, what I've always wondered is what position Johnson would? have played on the Celtics.? So long as Pierce remained a Celtic, I? don't think there would be any room on the team for Johnson. On Jan 5, 2009, at 12:14 PM, Adam Patterson wrote: > And who knows what Johnson would have been like as a seasoned Celtic. _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From snoopy at celticsbeagle.net Tue Jan 6 04:03:28 2009 From: snoopy at celticsbeagle.net (Snoopy the Celtics Beagle) Date: Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:03:28 -0500 Subject: Gilbert Arenas is not The Batman (slightly off-topic) Message-ID: <20090106040351.7E69CE18698@ignite.igtc.com> In an article from the ESPNinnies.com about Gilbert Arenas' progress in returning from knee surgery is written the following from teammate Antawn Jamison: "We all know Gil. We all know how Gil likes to do things. So I guess he's been in the Bat Cave, working with -- what's the butler's name? -- Alfred," Jamison said. "He looks good, from what I've seen. But I don't know a timetable or how healthy he is." As a lifelong fan of the Batman, I bring this recent quote from his longtime nemesis, the Joker, upon hearing another group thinks they have captured the Batman, drugged him, driven him insane, then buried him alive waiting for his air to run out just long enough so he'd be permanently brain damaged. "...you have no idea what you're dealing with! I bet, double or nothing, Batman crawls out of that shallow grave with his faculties intact and hunts you down like the dogs you all are!" As he says this, the Batman has slowed his breathing and metabolism to conserve air and counteract the drugs, gotten out of the straitjacket, then bench-pressed his coffin lid and made his way out. Oh, and he's imprisoned the group in their own hideout by remote control, prior to the commencement of the stuffing removal of the bad guys (the preceding from Batman 681). So, Antawn, there's a considerable difference between "Agent Zero" and the Batman. Just saying, is all...knee surgery doesn't even slow the Dark Knight down! Snoopy the Celtics Beagle Please visit the Celtics Beagle Website From snoopy at celticsbeagle.net Tue Jan 6 04:06:13 2009 From: snoopy at celticsbeagle.net (Snoopy the Celtics Beagle) Date: Mon, 05 Jan 2009 23:06:13 -0500 Subject: Oh Toine In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <20090106040635.22A6AE18698@ignite.igtc.com> I felt sad seeing this article. Until now, I'd hoped he might get in with some team, though I doubted it'd be Boston. After this, he might as well hang it up, if this is how bad his judgement has become. At 05:40 PM 1/5/2009, Cecil Wright wrote: >MIAMI (AP) -- Former NBA player Antoine Walker was charged with >suspicion of drunk driving in Miami Beach early Monday morning, >further hurting his chances of playing again this season. >Walker was driving a black Mercedes without the lights on when he >was pulled over at 5:39 a.m., according to the arrest report. >Officers detected a strong odor of alcohol and wrote in the report >that Walker had a sleepy look on his face. He refused a breathalyzer test. >Walker was a three-time All-Star forward for the Boston Celtics and >helped the Miami Heat win the NBA championship in 2006. He was also >a starting forward on Kentucky's 1996 national title team. >His up-and-down career has often been just as tumultuous off the court. >In July 2007, Walker and a relative were bound at gunpoint while >multiple robbers took a car, cash and jewelry from his >suburban-Chicago residence. He also was the victim of an armed >robbery in 2000 along with center Nazr Mohammed as the two sat in a >vehicle waiting for a restaurant to open on Chicago's South Side. >And his once prominent career has since faded. >Walker struggled in 46 games with the Minnesota Timberwolves last >season. His contract was bought out by the Memphis Grizzlies in >December, making him a free agent. >The 32-year-old Chicago native was selected sixth overall in the >1996 NBA draft by the Celtics, earning All-Star honors in 1998, 2002 >and 2003. He ranks 10th in league history for 3-point field goals >made (1,386) and second (sixth all-time) in 3-point field goal >attempts (4,264). >He played a key role off the bench in Miami's championship run in >2006. But he was often dogged by fans late in his career for his >poor conditioning, briefly being suspended by then-Heat coach Pat >Riley in the 2006-07 season over his body-fat level. >The 6-foot-9, 245-pound forward has not played this season but has >indicated he wants to sign with another NBA team. >Walker was being held Monday on a $1,000 bond and jail officials >said they did not immediately know if he has attorney. >_________________________________________________________________ > >_______________________________________________ >The Boston Celtics Mailing List >celtics at igtc.com >http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From BDodgers at aol.com Tue Jan 6 05:09:16 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2009 00:09:16 EST Subject: Wizards rib James for 'crab dribble' Message-ID: Wizards rib James for 'crab dribble' Story Highlights LeBron James was called fo ra travel in a loss to the Wizards James called it a bad call, saying he took a "crab dribble" WASHINGTON (AP) -- Add _LeBron James_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3704) ' "crab dribble" to the lengthy list of talking points in the Cavaliers-Wizards rivalry. "I'll have to check in my book to see what a 'crab dribble' is. I'm not quite sure," Washington interim coach Ed Tapscott said with a smile Monday. "I do know that we don't seem to get away with very many of them, whatever they are." James and the rest of the Cavaliers were given Monday off by coach Mike Brown, so the world will have to wait for more thoughts from them as to whether The Chosen One did, indeed, travel a day earlier when driving for a potential tying basket in the closing seconds of Cleveland's 80-77 loss at Washington. Referee Bill Spooner waved off the play and called the violation. Asked to clarify his ruling, Spooner wrote in an e-mail to a pool reporter: "3 steps on the move to the basket. Basic travel call." The NBA did not immediately respond to a request from The Associated Press to comment on whether Spooner made the correct call. On Sunday, James said it was a "bad call" and that "they need to look at it and they need to understand that's not a travel." In giving his take on what happened, James said: "I watched it again, and I took a 'crab dribble,' which is a hesitation dribble, and then two steps." Asked Monday if he knows what a "crab dribble" is, Wizards All-Star forward _Antawn Jamison_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3247) said, "I know what a traveling is. ... I think we all know what traveling is." Washington's other All-Star forward, _Caron Butler_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3608) , gave a similar answer. "'Crab dribble' is when you, uh, travel," Butler said. "That's the hottest thing on the market right now." Turning to a more serious explanation, Butler said he thought James switched his pivot foot. "I couldn't do it in AAU, I couldn't do it in college," Butler said, "and obviously I can't do it now." Copyright 2009 _Associated Press_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/interactive_legal.html#AP) . All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed. **************New year...new news. Be the first to know what is making headlines. (http://www.aol.com/?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000026) From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Tue Jan 6 09:19:05 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2009 01:19:05 -0800 (PST) Subject: Celtics and Lakers Message-ID: <333132.17033.qm@web63805.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Perhaps the preferred words are "relatively easy" or "easier" compared to playing Houston and Cleveland this week. I do agree that every game is important, especially considering the recent run by the Celts. If we can finish this week successfully then I honestly think that we'll be fine for next?week and the rest of January (and February... etc.) Tonight against Charlotte they'll most likely go to Diaw in the post and?Gerald Wallace will come on strong?also. Emeka Okafor will test us also. The Celts defence must be ready. --- Troy Hash: Easy schedule?? We just got beat by the 2 worse defensive teams in the league, GS & NY, and held us to under 90 points!? There are NO easy scheduled games! -----Original Message----- From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of Adam Patterson Sent: Monday, January 05, 2009 8:21 AM To: Celtics Mailing List Subject: Celtics and Lakers Fair enough, we're in a slump. But if we win the next 3 this week, 2 games against contenders (Houston, Cleveland) then we'll be in good shape again. It's an easy schedule next week (Toronto and New Jersey twice each - 4 games in total). As for the Lakers and the love they get from ESPN among others, it's?enough to make you sick: From: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-090105 "And a win is a win. At the end of the first weekend in January, 40 percent of the way through the season, the Lakers have racked them up at a better rate than anyone." I'd much rather see things like this: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/photos?photoId=2116888&gameId=290104013 :) ????? Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.10.2/1876 - Release Date: 1/5/2009 9:44 AM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.10.2/1876 - Release Date: 1/5/2009 9:44 AM Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From gk_tyler at yahoo.com Tue Jan 6 14:02:39 2009 From: gk_tyler at yahoo.com (gene kirkpatrick) Date: Tue, 6 Jan 2009 06:02:39 -0800 (PST) Subject: on traveling Message-ID: <350212.28029.qm@web39603.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I had hoped the NBA would begin to crack down on traveling, aka steps or walking.? The LeBron crab thing is surprising since he's become the current beneficiary of "Jordan Rules."? Cleveland has been able to mount comebacks and win close games in part because he can muscle his way in the lane (ala Shaq) and travel with the ball (ala a lot of people).? In the Sportscenter clip, I thought he walked worse on the play previous to the one called.? Perhaps one ref decided that enough was enough. The point, to me, is that three steps is one too many.? I have never liked the so-called "jump-stop" where a player can take a legal step followed by two quick, liftoff steps.? It makes for more power plays, especially dunks, but it's still walking in my book.? Furthermore, almost every player on the perimeter abuses the hop when they receive the ball.? It's almost comical that it's not called.? The advantage is meagre on the perimeter (gaining the ability to use either foot as the pivot), but substantial in the paint where one step can give a post man variable options.? Most perimeter players hop after they catch the ball, a violation that is whistled in college ball at times.? Perhaps this is like welcoming new words into the dictionary--when enough people use them, they become acceptable.? How can the refs start calling a violation when everyone does it? Ha.? This makes me feel old.? When we got the new arena in Ruston and Karl was on the floor, I used to stand up when the opposing team got the ball the first time and shout, "he's walking with the ball."? It didn't matter if he was or not, I wanted some of the rules to be enforced.? Ah, long term memory.? Cheers, Gene From noah.evans at gmail.com Wed Jan 7 17:27:29 2009 From: noah.evans at gmail.com (Noah Evans) Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 11:27:29 -0600 Subject: This is why we can't have nice things Message-ID: <56a297000901070927r5bc211f4r6d817e50f8afc6b3@mail.gmail.com> http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/dailydime?page=dime-090107 From renrile at qualcomm.com Wed Jan 7 17:28:24 2009 From: renrile at qualcomm.com (Enrile, Roy) Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 09:28:24 -0800 Subject: Why couldn't starters get stops on below ave Bobcats In-Reply-To: <912118.84402.qm@web84004.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <912118.84402.qm@web84004.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <0938E4C6C3C7CF48BB2F343EC9CF161814D6AB5D1F@NASANEXMB02.na.qualcomm.com> What do you all think of our starter's heart & defense against dribble penetration in overtime? In that 5 minutes, Augustin drives on Ray (no help D) & draws foul. Then he assists Felton on a layup, next hits a kickout 3 in KG's face (from Wallace blowing past Paul), Finally Wallace drives again and gets an assist for a dunk. After that game was over with fouling/freethrows . You would think the 4 likely allstars plus healthy Perk could have locked down a poor halfcourt team (the C's were defending on their side of the court in front of Thibodeau). That rook PG doesn't take crap from KG (remember their feud last game where he kept driving in during all of Kevin's trashtalk), Paul or anybody. I think he played better than Rajon & Felton twice in a row. From douglas342 at aol.com Wed Jan 7 18:11:58 2009 From: douglas342 at aol.com (douglas342 at aol.com) Date: Wed, 07 Jan 2009 13:11:58 -0500 Subject: Why couldn't starters get stops on below ave Bobcats In-Reply-To: <0938E4C6C3C7CF48BB2F343EC9CF161814D6AB5D1F@NASANEXMB02.na.qualcomm.com> References: <912118.84402.qm@web84004.mail.mud.yahoo.com> <0938E4C6C3C7CF48BB2F343EC9CF161814D6AB5D1F@NASANEXMB02.na.qualcomm.com> Message-ID: <8CB3F0A7F0C64C2-14A8-14@WEBMAIL-MZ17.sysops.aol.com> Here's what I have been wondering after having seen only parts of the slump: 1. It looks like we're getting very few points from the bench. Am I right or wrong? 2. The stats for the starters don't look like they're down - Ray, Rondo, and Perk in particular are putting up their usual numbers. 3. Is the bench maintaining leads when handed them? Not being an x-o kind of guy, here's my thought: the Laker loss hurt. The Cs romp through last season and win the title. Amazingly, they srat up right where they left off and go 27-2. The come the Lakers. Suddenly they're not quite as invulnerable as they thought. Suddenly the future is not a foregone conclusion, and there are 50 games to go. Three of the starters are over 30 and suddenly, with the air partly let out after the Laker loss, they're tired and dispirited. They try, but just can't muster the same level of intensity. Maybe a nice homestand will help, or maybe they can put it together in Cleveland. Now, a win in Cleveland (have they changed the name of the city to LeBron yet?) would, IMHO, be REALLY big. -----Original Message----- From: Enrile, Roy To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List Sent: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 9:28 am Subject: Why couldn't starters get stops on below ave Bobcats What do you all think of our starter's heart & defense against dribble penetration in overtime? In that 5 minutes, Augustin drives on Ray (no help D) & draws foul. Then he assists Felton on a layup, next hits a kickout 3 in KG's face (from Wallace blowing past Paul), Finally Wallace drives again and gets an assist for a dunk. After that game was over with fouling/freethrows . You would think the 4 likely allstars plus healthy Perk could have locked down a poor halfcourt team (the C's were defending on their side of the court in front of Thibodeau). That rook PG doesn't take crap from KG (remember their feud last game where he kept driving in during all of Kevin's trashtalk), Paul or anybody. I think he played better than Rajon & Felton twice in a row. _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From noah.evans at gmail.com Wed Jan 7 19:00:00 2009 From: noah.evans at gmail.com (Noah Evans) Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 13:00:00 -0600 Subject: Why couldn't starters get stops on below ave Bobcats In-Reply-To: <8CB3F0A7F0C64C2-14A8-14@WEBMAIL-MZ17.sysops.aol.com> References: <912118.84402.qm@web84004.mail.mud.yahoo.com> <0938E4C6C3C7CF48BB2F343EC9CF161814D6AB5D1F@NASANEXMB02.na.qualcomm.com> <8CB3F0A7F0C64C2-14A8-14@WEBMAIL-MZ17.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: <56a297000901071100h81addbbvf190e5a817f20f41@mail.gmail.com> In all of our recent losses the starters have been the main factor. If you look at the +/- in the games against the weaker teams our bench has been consistently in the + range with the starters in the -. In the games against the stronger teams the whole team has been in the -. The Lakers game broke us. We need more toughness. Out of all the FA's left only Zo brings that to the table. On Wed, Jan 7, 2009 at 12:11 PM, wrote: > Here's what I have been wondering after having seen only parts of the slump: > > 1. It looks like we're getting very few points from the bench. Am I right > or wrong? > > 2. The stats for the starters don't look like they're down - Ray, Rondo, > and Perk in particular are putting up their usual numbers. > > 3. Is the bench maintaining leads when handed them? > > Not being an x-o kind of guy, here's my thought: the Laker loss hurt. The > Cs romp through last season and win the title. Amazingly, they srat up > right where they left off and go 27-2. The come the Lakers. Suddenly > they're not quite as invulnerable as they thought. Suddenly the future is > not a foregone conclusion, and there are 50 games to go. Three of the > starters are over 30 and suddenly, with the air partly let out after the > Laker loss, they're tired and dispirited. They try, but just can't muster > the same level of intensity. > > Maybe a nice homestand will help, or maybe they can put it together in > Cleveland. Now, a win in Cleveland (have they changed the name of the city > to LeBron yet?) would, IMHO, be REALLY big. > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Enrile, Roy > To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List > Sent: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 9:28 am > Subject: Why couldn't starters get stops on below ave Bobcats > > > > What do you all think of our starter's heart & defense against dribble > penetration in overtime? > > In that 5 minutes, Augustin drives on Ray (no help D) & draws foul. Then he > assists Felton on a layup, next hits a kickout 3 in KG's face (from Wallace > blowing past Paul), Finally Wallace drives again and gets an assist for a > dunk. > After that game was over with fouling/freethrows . > > You would think the 4 likely allstars plus healthy Perk could have locked > down a > poor halfcourt team (the C's were defending on their side of the court in > front > of Thibodeau). > > That rook PG doesn't take crap from KG (remember their feud last game where > he > kept driving in during all of Kevin's trashtalk), Paul or anybody. I think > he > played better than Rajon & Felton twice in a row. > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > From pdelevett at yahoo.com Wed Jan 7 19:02:39 2009 From: pdelevett at yahoo.com (Peter Delevett) Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 11:02:39 -0800 (PST) Subject: Time to dust off Cassell? Message-ID: <343308.56083.qm@web110101.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> With Rondo playing poorly and the team unable to afford the luxury of seeing if Pruitt can really handle big minutes, does anybody see a reason not to let Cassell play? The Marbury situation might not be resolved for weeks. Ditto Joe Smith, if that's even gonna happen. In the meantime, our inability to get scoring from the bench - and the lack of a proven quarterback to spell Rondo - have finally caught up with us. (Lastly, am I the only one who noticed that our recent skid against sub-par teams began right as the Marbury rumors were heating up? Is the team, and especially Rondo, distracted?) From jlyell at verizon.net Wed Jan 7 20:11:06 2009 From: jlyell at verizon.net (John Lyell) Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 12:11:06 -0800 Subject: Time to dust off Cassell? In-Reply-To: <343308.56083.qm@web110101.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> References: <343308.56083.qm@web110101.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: I am not sure cassell will help We need to move house baby and tony for some an athletic perimeter threat and defender and a big man Ray and kg have not played well lately john On Jan 7, 2009, at 11:02 AM, Peter Delevett wrote: > With Rondo playing poorly and the team unable to afford the luxury > of seeing if Pruitt can really handle big minutes, does anybody see > a reason not to let Cassell play? > > The Marbury situation might not be resolved for weeks. Ditto Joe > Smith, if that's even gonna happen. In the meantime, our inability > to get scoring from the bench - and the lack of a proven quarterback > to spell Rondo - have finally caught up with us. > > (Lastly, am I the only one who noticed that our recent skid against > sub-par teams began right as the Marbury rumors were heating up? Is > the team, and especially Rondo, distracted?) > > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From martind42 at cox.net Wed Jan 7 21:08:11 2009 From: martind42 at cox.net (martind42 at cox.net) Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 16:08:11 -0500 Subject: Why couldn't starters get stops on below ave Bobcats In-Reply-To: <56a297000901071100h81addbbvf190e5a817f20f41@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <20090107160811.IQB9B.316734.imail@eastrmwml35> I disagree that the Lakers broke us. They may have humbled us, but didn't break us. We had a chance to beat them (and the officials), but fell short. However, I do agree with your + and - statement. Case in point, refer to the Knicks game- the entire starting 5 were all minuses, while the entire bench was all pluses. ---- Noah Evans wrote: > In all of our recent losses the starters have been the main factor. If > you look at the +/- in the games against the weaker teams our bench > has been consistently in the + range with the starters in the -. In > the games against the stronger teams the whole team has been in the -. > > The Lakers game broke us. We need more toughness. Out of all the FA's > left only Zo brings that to the table. > > On Wed, Jan 7, 2009 at 12:11 PM, wrote: > > Here's what I have been wondering after having seen only parts of the slump: > > > > 1. It looks like we're getting very few points from the bench. Am I right > > or wrong? > > > > 2. The stats for the starters don't look like they're down - Ray, Rondo, > > and Perk in particular are putting up their usual numbers. > > > > 3. Is the bench maintaining leads when handed them? > > > > Not being an x-o kind of guy, here's my thought: the Laker loss hurt. The > > Cs romp through last season and win the title. Amazingly, they srat up > > right where they left off and go 27-2. The come the Lakers. Suddenly > > they're not quite as invulnerable as they thought. Suddenly the future is > > not a foregone conclusion, and there are 50 games to go. Three of the > > starters are over 30 and suddenly, with the air partly let out after the > > Laker loss, they're tired and dispirited. They try, but just can't muster > > the same level of intensity. > > > > Maybe a nice homestand will help, or maybe they can put it together in > > Cleveland. Now, a win in Cleveland (have they changed the name of the city > > to LeBron yet?) would, IMHO, be REALLY big. > > > > > > -----Original Message----- > > From: Enrile, Roy > > To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List > > Sent: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 9:28 am > > Subject: Why couldn't starters get stops on below ave Bobcats > > > > > > > > What do you all think of our starter's heart & defense against dribble > > penetration in overtime? > > > > In that 5 minutes, Augustin drives on Ray (no help D) & draws foul. Then he > > assists Felton on a layup, next hits a kickout 3 in KG's face (from Wallace > > blowing past Paul), Finally Wallace drives again and gets an assist for a > > dunk. > > After that game was over with fouling/freethrows . > > > > You would think the 4 likely allstars plus healthy Perk could have locked > > down a > > poor halfcourt team (the C's were defending on their side of the court in > > front > > of Thibodeau). > > > > That rook PG doesn't take crap from KG (remember their feud last game where > > he > > kept driving in during all of Kevin's trashtalk), Paul or anybody. I think > > he > > played better than Rajon & Felton twice in a row. > > > > _______________________________________________ > > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > > celtics at igtc.com > > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > > > > _______________________________________________ > > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > > celtics at igtc.com > > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From martind42 at cox.net Wed Jan 7 21:10:30 2009 From: martind42 at cox.net (martind42 at cox.net) Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 16:10:30 -0500 Subject: Time to dust off Cassell? In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <20090107161030.UPMZF.316776.imail@eastrmwml35> All 3 of our "big 3" have been inconsistant. I think Rondo and Perkins have been more steady. ---- John Lyell wrote: > I am not sure cassell will help > We need to move house baby and tony for some an athletic perimeter > threat and defender and a big man > > Ray and kg have not played well lately > > john > > On Jan 7, 2009, at 11:02 AM, Peter Delevett wrote: > > > With Rondo playing poorly and the team unable to afford the luxury > > of seeing if Pruitt can really handle big minutes, does anybody see > > a reason not to let Cassell play? > > > > The Marbury situation might not be resolved for weeks. Ditto Joe > > Smith, if that's even gonna happen. In the meantime, our inability > > to get scoring from the bench - and the lack of a proven quarterback > > to spell Rondo - have finally caught up with us. > > > > (Lastly, am I the only one who noticed that our recent skid against > > sub-par teams began right as the Marbury rumors were heating up? Is > > the team, and especially Rondo, distracted?) > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > > celtics at igtc.com > > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From kmalo17 at verizon.net Wed Jan 7 22:05:03 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Wed, 07 Jan 2009 17:05:03 -0500 Subject: Why couldn't starters get stops on below ave Bobcats In-Reply-To: <8CB3F0A7F0C64C2-14A8-14@WEBMAIL-MZ17.sysops.aol.com> References: <912118.84402.qm@web84004.mail.mud.yahoo.com> <0938E4C6C3C7CF48BB2F343EC9CF161814D6AB5D1F@NASANEXMB02.na.qualcomm.com> <8CB3F0A7F0C64C2-14A8-14@WEBMAIL-MZ17.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: <0KD4004Y3FY619Z0@vms173007.mailsrvcs.net> At 01:11 PM 1/7/2009, douglas342 at aol.com wrote: >Here's what I have been wondering after having seen only parts of the slump: > >1. It looks like we're getting very few points from the bench. Am >I right or wrong? Who would you expect to reliably get them from? House? And who else? I have always had trouble putting the words Tony and expectations in the same sentence. That's part of why there's almost always one of the big three out there, which FWIW also means that's often where all the shots go. >2. The stats for the starters don't look like they're down - Ray, >Rondo, and Perk in particular are putting up their usual numbers. You're probably looking at the wrong side of the stats. People always focus on offense but we won with defense last year and we're losing with less than the same defensive intensity this year. Rondo's also been inconsistent and the offense pretty much goes as he does. There are also other key stats that are not comparable. We started the season leading the league in TO, haven't changed much and it is not a fluke stat - we're incredibly careless with the ball even when we're trying to climb back in after once again falling behind. Last year we created TO for the other team. Apparently that got boring and we've switched to raining them on ourselves. >3. Is the bench maintaining leads when handed them? Everyone's picking on the bench as the easy target. Look, guys are usually on the bench because they aren't good enough to start. And the emotional focus of the unit is a schizoid 2 guard. While as someone else posted on + / - the assumption that our bench always brings a minus isn't accurate. Can you improve the bench? You can always improve the bench. That's why they're the bench. But they're not the biggest problem even if they are at times a weakness. But they're a weakness for everyone. So figure out ways to minimize that rather than planning based on dumping them wholesale because that's not going to happen and it's not going to solve things. >Not being an x-o kind of guy, here's my thought: the Laker loss hurt. >The Cs romp through last season and win the title. Amazingly, they >srat up right where they left off and go 27-2. The come the Lakers. Problem with this is that they may have had the record but they weren't playing the same way they started last season. They didn't start right up where they left off. Even though we won we were still too often playing down to the level of the competition, were incredibly sloppy, and too often having to press to come back off deficits we shouldn't have had in the first place. Plus that whole defense thing, which includes an element of habit that we've gotten out of. We're paying some price for that now in terms of physical and mental tiredness and we haven't learned the lessons about what we were doing wrong. The Lakers exposed some of that, but sorry if you're going to talk the talk then walk the walk. The Lakers aren't tough enough to take us down unless we assist in the process. Someone put it well on EEI today noting that last year we played as if we didn't quite believe it either, creating that ferocious intensity. We aren't doing that this year. We aren't acting like we're satisfied, but we're acting like we can get away with a step less. Kim From jlyell at verizon.net Thu Jan 8 04:20:25 2009 From: jlyell at verizon.net (John Lyell) Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 20:20:25 -0800 (PST) Subject: Time for a change Message-ID: <378296.55148.qm@web84007.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Boy it is getting worse nightly. Backups like Brooks and Augustine keep putting up big numbers and no 4th qtr killer instinct, we can't make 2 footers. We are going to lose the homecourt advantage. Cleveland could be ugly. From troynsusiehash at alltel.net Thu Jan 8 04:55:16 2009 From: troynsusiehash at alltel.net (Troy Hash) Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 23:55:16 -0500 Subject: Time for a change In-Reply-To: <378296.55148.qm@web84007.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <378296.55148.qm@web84007.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <015801c9714d$4c61fb40$6401a8c0@troyscomputer> My theme for 2009 is the same 2 words: FREE GABE! Troy -----Original Message----- From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of John Lyell Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 11:20 PM To: celtics at igtc.com Subject: Time for a change Boy it is getting worse nightly. Backups like Brooks and Augustine keep putting up big numbers and no 4th qtr killer instinct, we can't make 2 footers. We are going to lose the homecourt advantage. Cleveland could be ugly. _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.10.4/1880 - Release Date: 1/7/2009 8:49 AM No virus found in this outgoing message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.10.4/1880 - Release Date: 1/7/2009 8:49 AM From jbrainin at verizon.net Thu Jan 8 04:56:22 2009 From: jbrainin at verizon.net (Jonathan Brainin) Date: Wed, 07 Jan 2009 23:56:22 -0500 Subject: Time for a change In-Reply-To: <378296.55148.qm@web84007.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <378296.55148.qm@web84007.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <84D81635-7A48-442B-B950-B061640443EC@verizon.net> Time to overreact: Fire Doc (or move him to the front office) and make Thibodeau head coach. On Jan 7, 2009, at 11:20 PM, John Lyell wrote: > Boy it is getting worse nightly. Backups like Brooks and Augustine > keep putting up big numbers and no 4th qtr killer instinct, we can't > make 2 footers. We are going to lose the homecourt advantage. > Cleveland could be ugly. > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From gk_tyler at yahoo.com Thu Jan 8 12:24:09 2009 From: gk_tyler at yahoo.com (gene kirkpatrick) Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 04:24:09 -0800 (PST) Subject: Time for a change Message-ID: <134498.92002.qm@web39608.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I'm for a change, but only if it works.? (That's meant to be funny.)? One of the hardest things in sports is to "turn it on" when you want to.? That winning mentality comes deep from within and is hard to manufacture late in the third quarter--of any sport, I presume.? We seem to be failing at many points:? Rondo's overall game, Allen's shooting, Garnett in the clutch, the defensive smarts, the bench overall in certain games.? I think the core of it is mental, but the stimulus package needs to be specific to shake us out of it.? The Gabe suggestion is good, but his impact would not be major.? My hope that Bill Walker might get a shot could work, but he certainly would make many mistakes.? What's up with Tony's absence?? I haven't seen a newspaper note on him.? I don't think we need much, since I'm convinced we're still better than anyone else, but we do need a resurgence of confidence.? We seem to have made comebacks in the last two games only to have the starters fail to hold the lead. Perhaps nothing would do it best.? I'm serious, although I would push a button or two and see if our ability to close out games improves. Cheers, Gene From bosox18 at charter.net Thu Jan 8 13:55:49 2009 From: bosox18 at charter.net (Steve Ouellette) Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 08:55:49 -0500 Subject: Time for a change In-Reply-To: <134498.92002.qm@web39608.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <134498.92002.qm@web39608.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: What's wrong with Rondo? That's my biggest question. Is he playing hurt? There doesn't seem to be any explosiveness and he's not playing with the same aggressiveness. I don't know if it's a mental thing or if he's taken too many hard tumbles to the court. Steve O -----Original Message----- From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of gene kirkpatrick Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 7:24 AM To: celtics Subject: Re: Time for a change I'm for a change, but only if it works.? (That's meant to be funny.)? One of the hardest things in sports is to "turn it on" when you want to.? That winning mentality comes deep from within and is hard to manufacture late in the third quarter--of any sport, I presume.? We seem to be failing at many points:? Rondo's overall game, Allen's shooting, Garnett in the clutch, the defensive smarts, the bench overall in certain games.? I think the core of it is mental, but the stimulus package needs to be specific to shake us out of it.? The Gabe suggestion is good, but his impact would not be major.? My hope that Bill Walker might get a shot could work, but he certainly would make many mistakes.? What's up with Tony's absence?? I haven't seen a newspaper note on him.? I don't think we need much, since I'm convinced we're still better than anyone else, but we do need a resurgence of confidence.? We seem to have made comebacks in the last two games only to have the starters fail to hold the lead. Perhaps nothing would do it best.? I'm serious, although I would push a button or two and see if our ability to close out games improves. Cheers, Gene _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From stevebknight at yahoo.com Thu Jan 8 14:56:55 2009 From: stevebknight at yahoo.com (steve knight) Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 06:56:55 -0800 (PST) Subject: time for a change References: Message-ID: <563711.57033.qm@web37407.mail.mud.yahoo.com> i don't think there's a magic elixir for this team, nor do i think we're going to fall off the map and disappear. there's too much pride, too much talent. however, we do need to make a few tweaks. if you assume the tweaks can be made only with who we have, i think the most obvious one is to start using pruitt more in various combinations with rondo, house and the allens. he's the one player on the roster who has much growth to go thru, so let's give him time now so we can reap benefits come playoff time. he has flaws that i'm sure will be uncovered with time, but he's the backup qb right now, and he may be able to give us the lift we need. personally, i think our slump starts with rondo, who's not been attacking over the last 10 games like he did earlier. he needs the ball in his hands and he needs to attack to get us easy shots. rondo was playing like the best pg in the east and was forcing himself into all-star consideration. now he's playing timid and has nearly taken himself out of contention for the all-star game. as for possible trades, i think house and tony allen are about the only ones who are going to get us something usable in a trade. i don't want to dangle leon and bb because i think they'll both be solid pros for many, many years to come. i hope danny saw a player who can play in this league when he went to check out giddens and walker in utah recently. Message: 12 Date: Wed, 7 Jan 2009 23:55:16 -0500 From: "Troy Hash" Subject: RE: Time for a change To: "'The Boston Celtics Mailing List'" Message-ID: <015801c9714d$4c61fb40$6401a8c0 at troyscomputer> My theme for 2009 is the same 2 words: FREE GABE! Troy -----Original Message----- From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of John Lyell Sent: Wednesday, January 07, 2009 11:20 PM To: celtics at igtc.com Subject: Time for a change Boy it is getting worse nightly. Backups like Brooks and Augustine keep putting up big numbers and no 4th qtr killer instinct, we can't make 2 footers. We are going to lose the homecourt advantage. Cleveland could be ugly. _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG. Version: 7.5.552 / Virus Database: 270.10.4/1880 - Release Date: 1/7/2009 8:49 AM From ellie at oreilly.com Thu Jan 8 15:07:22 2009 From: ellie at oreilly.com (Ellie Cutler) Date: Thu, 08 Jan 2009 10:07:22 -0500 Subject: Time for a change In-Reply-To: <134498.92002.qm@web39608.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <134498.92002.qm@web39608.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <496616AA.3040803@oreilly.com> gene kirkpatrick wrote: > The Gabe suggestion is good, but his impact would not be major. My hope that Bill Walker might get a shot could work, but he certainly would make many mistakes. > Well I would have liked to see Walker on Artest last night, rather than Ray Allen! What's up with that, Doc? and I agree, Rondo is just not the same lately. And we are playing 1/2 court as a result. Ellie From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Thu Jan 8 15:41:36 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 07:41:36 -0800 (PST) Subject: Time for a change Message-ID: <155750.68975.qm@web63807.mail.re1.yahoo.com> I agree also. The 2 games we lost at the start of the season were when Rondo was playing timid. All of a sudden, we went on a 19 game winning streak at the behest of Rondo and his afterburners. This team has many more wins in them, hopefully starting tomorrow night in Cleveland. The 19 game winning streak was not a fluke. Also count me in for Bill Walker to get some minutes. --- Ellie Cutler wrote: gene kirkpatrick wrote: >The Gabe suggestion is good, but his impact would not be major.? My hope that Bill Walker might get a shot could work, but he certainly would make many mistakes. >?? Well I would have liked to see Walker on Artest last night, rather than Ray Allen!? What's up with that, Doc? and I agree, Rondo is just not the same lately. And we are playing 1/2 court as a result. Ellie Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com Thu Jan 8 19:09:22 2009 From: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com (Ryan W) Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 11:09:22 -0800 (PST) Subject: Time for a change In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <196608.34682.qm@web65603.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Blame part of it on Rondo, blame the other part on Ray Allen. Rondo's been getting Ray the same looks, but they haven't been falling very regularly since the Lakers game. I've also noticed more willingness on Ray Allen's part to lead the break himself over the last 8 games, which has led to some not-so-good results. Ray's trying to do too much right now... For Rondo, I think we're going to see stretches this season where he struggles a little. I mean, his so-called struggles in the last 8 games are much better than what he did most of last year. We need to remember that he's still just 23 (and he just turned 23). But, yes, his overall aggressiveness is down, especially on the defensive end (ever since the early foul trouble in the Lakers game). This is a defensive team and we haven't been playing Celtic defense in the last 8 games. And like the offense, it starts with Rondo. Ryan --- On Thu, 1/8/09, Steve Ouellette wrote: > From: Steve Ouellette > Subject: RE: Time for a change > To: gk_tyler at yahoo.com, "'The Boston Celtics Mailing List'" > Date: Thursday, January 8, 2009, 7:55 AM > What's wrong with Rondo? That's my biggest question. > Is he playing hurt? > There doesn't seem to be any explosiveness and he's > not playing with the > same aggressiveness. I don't know if it's a mental > thing or if he's taken > too many hard tumbles to the court. > > Steve O > > -----Original Message----- > From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com > [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf > Of gene kirkpatrick > Sent: Thursday, January 08, 2009 7:24 AM > To: celtics > Subject: Re: Time for a change > > I'm for a change, but only if it works.? (That's > meant to be funny.)? One of > the hardest things in sports is to "turn it on" > when you want to.? That > winning mentality comes deep from within and is hard to > manufacture late in > the third quarter--of any sport, I presume.? > > We seem to be failing at many points:? Rondo's overall > game, Allen's > shooting, Garnett in the clutch, the defensive smarts, the > bench overall in > certain games.? I think the core of it is mental, but the > stimulus package > needs to be specific to shake us out of it.? > > The Gabe suggestion is good, but his impact would not be > major.? My hope > that Bill Walker might get a shot could work, but he > certainly would make > many mistakes.? What's up with Tony's absence?? I > haven't seen a newspaper > note on him.? I don't think we need much, since > I'm convinced we're still > better than anyone else, but we do need a resurgence of > confidence.? We seem > to have made comebacks in the last two games only to have > the starters fail > to hold the lead. > > Perhaps nothing would do it best.? I'm serious, > although I would push a > button or two and see if our ability to close out games > improves. > > Cheers, Gene > > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com Thu Jan 8 19:24:57 2009 From: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com (Ryan W) Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 11:24:57 -0800 (PST) Subject: Time for a change In-Reply-To: <134498.92002.qm@web39608.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <739256.71413.qm@web65602.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Gabe's impact would be major, because it moves TA and Eddie to their more natural positions. Gabe, even in the limited minutes, has shown more court savvy and ballhandling confidence than TA or Eddie combined. He needs to play. The 2nd unit struggles for 2 reasons: lack of a point guard and lack of veteran leadership. Gabe definitely addresses one of those concerns. Just take a second next game to watch Gabe out there. He's never flustered. He's never frustrated. He takes what the defense gives him, can get his shot with regularity, and plays better perimeter defense than anyone not named TA (and, yes, that includes Rondo). Pruitt's only problem, in my opinion, is that he occasionally tries to do a Rondo imitation, dribbling into the lane, jumping and trying to kick the ball for a 3. It works, occasionally, but that's not his game: his game is off-the-dribble jumpers, spot-up threes, and getting to the rim. And unlike Eddie House, he has enough ball-handling ability to run an offense when he's not looking for his own offense. Last night, he was the only one to score in the 4th quarter for about the first 6 minutes of the quarter. And what does Doc do? He subs Gabe out early (leaving Eddie out there, to 'play' point and 'defend' Brooks, of which he does neither) and then we don't score. One of things that's also got astray in the last 8 games is Doc's ability to manage the game. He's had some head-scratching substitution patterns lately...and I'm using the word 'pattern' loosely. As for Tony, he re-injured his ankle in the Knick game. He's still questionable for Friday and hopefully he's playing at least by the Raptor game. It's disappointing that he's injured the same ankle twice. I was of the opinion that the ankle was troubling him more than he wanted to tell us (which led to some uneven December play), and now he's hurt it again. TA needs to stay healthy for months at a time before he'll ever get back to where he once was... Ryan --- On Thu, 1/8/09, gene kirkpatrick wrote: > The Gabe suggestion is good, but his impact would not be > major.? My hope that Bill Walker might get a shot could > work, but he certainly would make many mistakes.? > What's up with Tony's absence?? I haven't seen > a newspaper note on him.? I don't think we need much, > since I'm convinced we're still better than anyone > else, but we do need a resurgence of confidence.? We seem > to have made comebacks in the last two games only to have > the starters fail to hold the lead. From ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com Thu Jan 8 19:53:55 2009 From: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com (Ryan W) Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 11:53:55 -0800 (PST) Subject: Why couldn't starters get stops on below ave Bobcats In-Reply-To: <0KD4004Y3FY619Z0@vms173007.mailsrvcs.net> Message-ID: <644934.37545.qm@web65608.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> --- On Wed, 1/7/09, Kim Malo wrote: > From: Kim Malo > Subject: Re: Why couldn't starters get stops on below ave Bobcats > To: "The Boston Celtics Mailing List" , celtics at igtc.com > Date: Wednesday, January 7, 2009, 4:05 PM > At 01:11 PM 1/7/2009, douglas342 at aol.com wrote: > > Here's what I have been wondering after having > seen only parts of the slump: > > > > 1. It looks like we're getting very few points > from the bench. Am I right or wrong? > > Who would you expect to reliably get them from? House? And > who else? I have always had trouble putting the words Tony > and expectations in the same sentence. That's part of > why there's almost always one of the big three out > there, which FWIW also means that's often where all the > shots go. The ENTIRE bench unit has been inconsistent. House is the king of unreliability, which is why he was benched in the playoffs and will probably be benched again at some point during this season. We lack a point guard and veteran leadership on the 2nd unit and unless we resolve at least one of those issues, our bench will be inconsistent against the good teams... > > > 2. The stats for the starters don't look like > they're down - Ray, Rondo, and Perk in particular are > putting up their usual numbers. > > You're probably looking at the wrong side of the stats. > People always focus on offense but we won with defense last > year and we're losing with less than the same defensive > intensity this year. Rondo's also been inconsistent and > the offense pretty much goes as he does. There are also > other key stats that are not comparable. We started the > season leading the league in TO, haven't changed much > and it is not a fluke stat - we're incredibly careless > with the ball even when we're trying to climb back in > after once again falling behind. Last year we created TO for > the other team. Apparently that got boring and we've > switched to raining them on ourselves. Yes! Less defensive intensity (since the Laker game), incredible carelessness with the ball, the seemingly retarded idea that we can 'turn it on and off' whenever we want to....that and Ray Allen's mini-slump have all contributed to the perfect storm that is this 2-6 stretch. > > > 3. Is the bench maintaining leads when handed them? > > Everyone's picking on the bench as the easy target. > Look, guys are usually on the bench because they aren't > good enough to start. And the emotional focus of the unit > is a schizoid 2 guard. While as someone else posted on + / - > the assumption that our bench always brings a minus > isn't accurate. Can you improve the bench? You can > always improve the bench. That's why they're the > bench. But they're not the biggest problem even if they > are at times a weakness. But they're a weakness for > everyone. So figure out ways to minimize that rather than > planning based on dumping them wholesale because that's > not going to happen and it's not going to solve things. Right on, Kim. The problems of this team aren't located primarily on the bench. Many of these games could have been won had the starters stepped up (the Warrior, Portland, Knick, Bobcat, and Rocket games all could have been won with timely plays during crunch time), but they haven't in the last 8 games. Maybe they're mentally tired, but it's the starters who have lost these games. That said, the bench could be doing a lot more, perhaps minimizing the starter's problems by better maintaining the flow of the game. I mean, how many times has the game slowed to a halt when the 2nd team and Eddie House's stylings at point guard have come into the game? And then how often have Rondo and the starters been able to re-ignite the original flow of the game? It seems to me that the bench often slows the game down so much that the starters are unable to regain their initial flow and the rest of the game is played at a very un-Celtic pace. This is why having no point guard and hardly any veterans on the 2nd unit is hurting us. We can't maintain the original push of the starters. The 2nd problem with the 2nd team is that they don't always play hard on defense and that too sometimes gets translated to the 1st team. Every single player on the 2nd unit is a hustle player, yet too many times this season they haven't been hustling as much as they can... > > > Not being an x-o kind of guy, here's my thought: > the Laker loss hurt. > > The Cs romp through last season and win the title. > Amazingly, they srat up right where they left off and go > 27-2. The come the Lakers. > > Problem with this is that they may have had the record but > they weren't playing the same way they started last > season. They didn't start right up where they left off. > Even though we won we were still too often playing down to > the level of the competition, were incredibly sloppy, and > too often having to press to come back off deficits we > shouldn't have had in the first place. Plus that whole > defense thing, which includes an element of habit that > we've gotten out of. We're paying some price for > that now in terms of physical and mental tiredness and we > haven't learned the lessons about what we were doing > wrong. The Lakers exposed some of that, but sorry if > you're going to talk the talk then walk the walk. The > Lakers aren't tough enough to take us down unless we > assist in the process. Someone put it well on EEI today > noting that last year we played as if we didn't quite > believe it either, creating that ferocious intensity. We > aren't doing that this year. We aren't acting like > we're satisfied, but we're acting like we can get > away with a step less. You're very right that the slippage was happening during the winning streak, and that they have been playing down to the level of the competition....but I still think a lot of that can be explained by mental tiredness. They played the most games in the NBA last season, had a very hard early season schedule in terms of games played, and I think when you combine all that with the mental strain created by the streak....well, you've got alot of slippage occurring right after the streak because these guys are abnormally tired, having played at such an emotional peak. And instead of leaning more on the starters, as Doc has been doing, the smart thing would have been to lean on the 2nd unit... One more thing: these teams have been playing OUT OF THEIR ASS for the last 8 games. How many random bit players have kilt us these last 8 games? Guys like Von Wafer or Steve Blake or Wilson Chandler or CJ Watson....random guys having their season bests on our behalf. Teams are playing really really well against us, having their best games of the season against us, and they've been catching us at not-our-best and getting the breaks down the stretch.... During the streak, we got the breaks, and now it seems like the other team is getting those same breaks. I lied--one more thing: the officiating has been absolutely TERRIBLE during this stretch. Starting with the Laker game, the officials have allowed the other teams to body us without restraint (as we discussed on this list the way Gasol bodied KG down the stretch of the Laker game) and have called us for a bunch of cheap fouls on the other end. During the entire Knick game, Pierce was getting bodied on the shot by Richardson, still making the shot because Pierce is awesome, but still getting fouled but not getting the whistle and the and-1s. Wallace did the same thing to KG during the Bobcat game, and then Artest was allowed to get away with it again during the Rocket game. Teams are hitting us first and the officials are letting them do it, and we're afraid to respond because 1.) the officials are looking harder at what we're doing and thus calling more ticky-tack fouls and 2.) we're afraid to get thrown out of a game. We need some instigators on this team and right now we're afraid to instigate anything. About the only good reason to bring up Bill Walker is that he's not afraid to mix it up out there and we need that kind of toughness right now. The target on our back and the mental strain of the past year and half have caused us to back down too much in the last 8 games. We need to hit someone in the mouth, preferably BEFORE the other team does it to us. Ryan From ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com Thu Jan 8 19:57:36 2009 From: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com (Ryan W) Date: Thu, 8 Jan 2009 11:57:36 -0800 (PST) Subject: Why couldn't starters get stops on below ave Bobcats In-Reply-To: <56a297000901071100h81addbbvf190e5a817f20f41@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <838196.22775.qm@web65614.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> We might have bent but we did not break. But you're right on the other count: we dearly need some instigators. Teams are hitting us first (and being allowed to by the officials) and we're too scared or too conditioned by Doc not to respond in kind. Somebody needs to hit a Cav in the mouth next game. Ryan --- On Wed, 1/7/09, Noah Evans wrote: > > The Lakers game broke us. We need more toughness. Out of > all the FA's > left only Zo brings that to the table. From gk_tyler at yahoo.com Fri Jan 9 12:12:42 2009 From: gk_tyler at yahoo.com (gene kirkpatrick) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 04:12:42 -0800 (PST) Subject: key game Message-ID: <470733.67690.qm@web39602.mail.mud.yahoo.com> There will be so much to see tonight; glad to have it in HD.? It should be more interesting, and telling, than the LA game since we're flat on our backs and going in to our chief Eastern rival's unbeaten home theatre.? We face the league's new poster boy at the time that he is eclipsing Kobe, Stern, Michael, Barack, Sarah, Hellboy, and the Dallas Cowboy Cheerleaders--and that's something to say in East Texas.? So, I'll be interested is how we react, our mental energy, our resilience, the big three's leadership and calm, Rondo's zest, and Thibodeaux's defensive schemes.? Big game.? Not like last night's football.? Cheers, Gene From ellie at oreilly.com Fri Jan 9 12:39:59 2009 From: ellie at oreilly.com (Ellie Cutler) Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 07:39:59 -0500 Subject: Walker! Message-ID: <4967459F.1010401@oreilly.com> For those of us who love the draft and the D-League, I ran across this very fun site: http://www.ridiculousupside.com/ "Where potential is way cooler than reality" and on that note, Walker and Giddens are on their way up to Boston. This should get interesting! - Ellie From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Fri Jan 9 13:07:05 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 05:07:05 -0800 (PST) Subject: Why couldn't starters get stops on below ave Bobcats Message-ID: <96136.49843.qm@web63802.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Hopefully it is "Boobie" Gibson that cops it :) Cleveland are a team that is easy to respect though, especially LeBron. They play hard but they don't play dirty. As for teams gunning for us recently, there have been multiple reports of teams openly gunning against us. Apparently it's the first time since the Chicago Bulls in the 90's that a defending Champion team has such a large target on their back. Not to worry, we'll come good! --- Ryan W wrote: We might have bent but we did not break.? But you're right on the other count: we dearly need some instigators.? Teams are hitting us first (and being allowed to by the officials) and we're too scared or too conditioned by Doc not to respond in kind.? Somebody needs to hit a Cav in the mouth next game. Ryan --- On Wed, 1/7/09, Noah Evans wrote: > >The Lakers game broke us. We need more toughness. Out of >all the FA's >left only Zo brings that to the table. Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Fri Jan 9 13:07:10 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 05:07:10 -0800 (PST) Subject: NBA.com Celtics-Cavaliers Preview Message-ID: <810827652.3801461231506430381.JavaMail.tomcat@localhost> *Please note, the sender's email address has not been verified. This is a pretty good preview for the BIG game tonight. For those outside the U.S. who would like to watch the game, go to this website: http://www.myp2p.eu/ I'll be online watching the game (hopefully) and will post some game thoughts. Enjoy! ******************** If you are having trouble with any of the links in this message, or if the URL's are not appearing as links, please follow the instructions at the bottom of this email. Title: NBA.com Celtics-Cavaliers Preview Copy and paste the following into your Web browser to access the sent link: http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=viewThis&etMailToID=919676106&pt=Y Copy and paste the following into your Web browser to SAVE THIS link: http://www.savethis.clickability.com/st/saveThisPopupApp?clickMap=saveFromET&partnerID=401129&etMailToID=919676106&pt=Y Copy and paste the following into your Web browser to forward this link: http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=forward&etMailToID=919676106&partnerID=401129&pt=Y ******************** Email pages from any Web site you visit - add the EMAIL THIS button to your browser, copy and paste the following into your Web browser: http://www.emailthis.clickability.com/et/emailThis?clickMap=browserButtons&pt=Y" ********************* Instructions: ----------------------------------------- If your e-mail program doesn't recognize Web addresses: 1. With your mouse, highlight the Web Address above. Be sure to highlight the entire Web address, even if it spans more than one line in your email. 2. Select Copy from the Edit menu at the top of your screen. 3. Launch your Web browser. 4. Paste the address into your Web browser by selecting Paste from the Edit menu. 5. Click Go or press Enter or Return on your keyboard. ******************** From ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com Fri Jan 9 18:47:58 2009 From: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com (Ryan W) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 10:47:58 -0800 (PST) Subject: Why couldn't starters get stops on below ave Bobcats In-Reply-To: <96136.49843.qm@web63802.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <584179.31036.qm@web65606.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Yeah, not only are teams gunning for us, we're also being openly disrespected by the teams that beat us too, which pretty much has never happened to a defending champion. Augustine said that if you hit us back we'll fold, and in the past guys like Aldridge and Richardson have said the same things after wins. The Cavs haven't done that, but these piss ant teams sure seem to like to disrespect the champs. It seems that from the refs to the opposing teams, people don't think we're that good or that we deserved to win last season. And that kind of disrespect is only going to make us stronger... Ryan --- On Fri, 1/9/09, Adam Patterson wrote: > From: Adam Patterson > Subject: Re: Why couldn't starters get stops on below ave Bobcats > To: "Celtics Mailing List" > Date: Friday, January 9, 2009, 7:07 AM > Hopefully it is "Boobie" Gibson that cops it :) > > Cleveland are a team that is easy to respect though, > especially LeBron. They play hard but they don't play > dirty. > > As for teams gunning for us recently, there have been > multiple reports of teams openly gunning against us. > Apparently it's the first time since the Chicago Bulls > in the 90's that a defending Champion team has such a > large target on their back. > > Not to worry, we'll come good! > > > > --- Ryan W wrote: > > We might have bent but we did not break.? But you're > right on the other count: we dearly need some instigators.? > Teams are hitting us first (and being allowed to by the > officials) and we're too scared or too conditioned by > Doc not to respond in kind.? Somebody needs to hit a Cav in > the mouth next game. > > Ryan > > > --- On Wed, 1/7/09, Noah Evans gmail.com> wrote: > > > >The Lakers game broke us. We need more toughness. Out > of > >all the FA's > >left only Zo brings that to the table. > > > Stay connected to the people that matter most with a > smarter inbox. Take a look > http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil Fri Jan 9 19:41:51 2009 From: Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil (Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 14:41:51 -0500 Subject: Iraq'd my brain for a solution In-Reply-To: <584179.31036.qm@web65606.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> References: <96136.49843.qm@web63802.mail.re1.yahoo.com> <584179.31036.qm@web65606.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <200901091941.n09JftZ3016207@poseidon.afrc.af.mil> I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.......... He y'all. Greetings and salutations from the lovely city of Marietta, GA. I have returned from a very successful deployment to Iraq and subsequently moved to GA for a new job. Very happy to be home and I look forward to returning to some good discussion about our Cs. In that vein the main thing I've seen thus far is that the team definitively peaked too early and now are now coming back toward where I think they more realistically reside - as one of the top four teams in the league - but not the unbeatable juggernaut that some pundits anointed them. Add to that a crushing early schedule that loaded a ton of games on them in a short time span (on older legs no less), and a degraded bench and this recent losing streak is not unrealistic. Anyway - hope everyone had a great holiday season - looking forward to the discourse. From Eric at ericalbert.net Fri Jan 9 19:55:23 2009 From: Eric at ericalbert.net (Eric Albert) Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 14:55:23 -0500 Subject: Iraq'd my brain for a solution Message-ID: <7.0.1.0.2.20090109145454.11624a58@wheresmymailserver.com> > wrote: > >I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.......... Good to have you back. -- Eric From pdelevett at yahoo.com Fri Jan 9 20:15:00 2009 From: pdelevett at yahoo.com (Peter Delevett) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 12:15:00 -0800 (PST) Subject: Just wonderin' Message-ID: <836772.50654.qm@web110102.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> If recalling Giddens and Walker from Utah might be some sort of prelude to trading them. I mean, #1, you don't want them blowing out a knee in the D-League if you're sending them elsewhere. #2, since they've already proven they can excel at that level, maybe Doc and Danny get them a few minutes with the big club so other GMs are comfortable they'll be able to contribute. Clearly, we're not recalling the rooks because we think they're going to solve our problems ... at least, let's hope not. If they start getting serious minutes, I'll read that as a "well, the season's lost so let's at least start developing the kids" decision. (Don't get me wrong, I'll be delighted if Walker suddenly takes the league by storm and helps spark a 10-game winning streak, but I'm not expecting it.) Also wondering if Boston might not think about offering Darius Miles a 10-day contract. From what I've read, OKC let him go not because they didn't think he could play (http://tinyurl.com/9p7toz) but because they didn't want to be on the hook for his full salary; they seem to be keeping the door open to bringing him back on a 10-day deal. Why not beat them to the punch? It wouldn't cost that much (except maybe buying out Cassell's contract, which seems like it's going to happen sooner or later when Marbury comes over), and he might be able to fill some of the gaping, yawning chasm left by Posey's departure. Check out this ESPN posting on Miles' ability to still be a contributor, especially on the defensive end: http://tinyurl.com/9wgndj From ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com Fri Jan 9 20:27:44 2009 From: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com (Ryan W) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 12:27:44 -0800 (PST) Subject: Just wonderin' In-Reply-To: <836772.50654.qm@web110102.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <529777.80382.qm@web65612.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Thanks for the links. Miles is an interesting idea...at the time we cut him Doc didn't rule out signing him again later in the season...and with this cautionary email sent out by Portland I really hope he signs with someone, he deserves to play this season and Portland deserves to lose their cap space because Miles is healthy enough to play. As for Walker and Giddens: officially they're being brought back to get medical attention (Giddens was wrapping his own sprained wrist, so that gives you an idea of the kind of medical assistance they get in Utah), Giddens has a sprained wrist, Walker a hip pointer. They will also be re-evaluated in private workouts, given access to the training facility...I think it's just a mid-season checkup to see how they're progressing. With TA currently out till Monday, I personally would like to see Walker activated...but it sounds like that won't happen. People are theorizing that this could be the prelude to a deal or a checkup to see who might get dealt or cut...I just don't see either getting cut. They're might be a deal in the works, though, I've heard rumblings of Jason Kaponno for Scal and House/Giddens and a pick. Regardless, I think this team is attempting to clear 2 roster spots, and at least one of the Sam/Giddens/POB trio is going to be sent away, and maybe House/Scal/Baby might get traded as well. Changes are coming... Ryan --- On Fri, 1/9/09, Peter Delevett wrote: > From: Peter Delevett > Subject: Just wonderin' > To: celtics at igtc.com > Date: Friday, January 9, 2009, 2:15 PM > If recalling Giddens and Walker from Utah might be some sort > of prelude to trading them. I mean, #1, you don't want > them blowing out a knee in the D-League if you're > sending them elsewhere. #2, since they've already proven > they can excel at that level, maybe Doc and Danny get them a > few minutes with the big club so other GMs are comfortable > they'll be able to contribute. > > Clearly, we're not recalling the rooks because we think > they're going to solve our problems ... at least, > let's hope not. If they start getting serious minutes, > I'll read that as a "well, the season's lost so > let's at least start developing the kids" decision. > (Don't get me wrong, I'll be delighted if Walker > suddenly takes the league by storm and helps spark a 10-game > winning streak, but I'm not expecting it.) > > Also wondering if Boston might not think about offering > Darius Miles a 10-day contract. From what I've read, OKC > let him go not because they didn't think he could play > (http://tinyurl.com/9p7toz) but because they didn't want > to be on the hook for his full salary; they seem to be > keeping the door open to bringing him back on a 10-day deal. > Why not beat them to the punch? It wouldn't cost that > much (except maybe buying out Cassell's contract, which > seems like it's going to happen sooner or later when > Marbury comes over), and he might be able to fill some of > the gaping, yawning chasm left by Posey's departure. > Check out this ESPN posting on Miles' ability to still > be a contributor, especially on the defensive end: > http://tinyurl.com/9wgndj > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil Fri Jan 9 20:28:05 2009 From: Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil (Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 15:28:05 -0500 Subject: Just wonderin' In-Reply-To: <836772.50654.qm@web110102.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> References: <836772.50654.qm@web110102.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <200901092028.n09KS6Td002553@artemis.afrc.af.mil> To be traded they have to have actual value, which to my knowledge is not gained (value that is) by playing on any Utah team not named "Jazz". They're being brought up as emergency end of the bench guys to fill in for the injured Tony Allen - don't read anything else into it. Secondly, when has Doc ever pushed rookies into the lineup in his entire career? While many fingers may be poised over the panic button - I doubt that the Celtics fingers are. If this funk stretches through another 10 or so games - then such drastic moves as significant minutes for two D-league guys might be considered (although even then I'd bet not). Doc is going to ride the horses that brung him - count on his veteran leadership to do most of the heavy motivational lifting, and probably make very few, if any, changes to what they've been doing all along. From kmalo17 at verizon.net Fri Jan 9 20:39:25 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 15:39:25 -0500 Subject: Iraq'd my brain for a solution In-Reply-To: <7.0.1.0.2.20090109145454.11624a58@wheresmymailserver.com> References: <7.0.1.0.2.20090109145454.11624a58@wheresmymailserver.com> Message-ID: <0KD800H3Q1BEWMI4@vms173007.mailsrvcs.net> At 02:55 PM 1/9/2009, Eric Albert wrote: > > wrote: > > > >I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.......... > >Good to have you back. Ditto, adding the word safely. Kim From BDodgers at aol.com Fri Jan 9 20:45:22 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 15:45:22 EST Subject: Miles clears waivers, up for grabs Message-ID: Miles clears waivers, up for grabs By Chris Sheridan ESPN.com NEW YORK -- _Darius Miles_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=550) cleared waivers and became a free agent. That much was clear Friday. Yet everything surrounding the Miles affair -- the possibility of him returning to the NBA this season, and the negative salary-cap ramifications he would cause for the _Portland Trail Blazers_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=por) -- took a complicated and controversial turn Friday after the club sent a memo to the 29 other NBA teams threatening litigation against anyone who signs Miles or claims his contract off waivers if it is solely for the purpose of burdening the Blazers' cap. Before Henry Abbott gets to cap space and e-mail missives, he makes the point that Darius Miles is not, and should not be, medically retired. The matter has been added to this afternoon's agenda at a previously scheduled meeting between NBA and players' union attorneys, ESPN.com has learned. In a memo sent to its 30 teams Friday that announced Miles had cleared waivers, the league office acknowledged it received the e-mail Portland distributed. The NBA in its statement also seemed to indicate that it would support any club wishing to sign the veteran forward. Numerous league executives contacted by ESPN.com suggested Friday that a line in the memo confirming that "teams are free to sign Darius Miles to a Uniform Player Contract" and that "any such contract would be approved by the NBA" are a first in a league-issued waiver notice. If Miles plays two more games, then his Blazers contract, worth $18 million total for this season and next, would count against Portland's salary cap and force the team to pay the NBA's luxury tax next summer. The contract had been removed from salary-cap and tax considerations when the Blazers deemed Miles medically unable to play and released him. "Darius Miles is focused on one thing -- that's returning to play basketball. That's it. He's not focusing on any of those other issues," said agent Jeff Wechsler, who was on the phone Friday morning with union attorneys trying to devise a strategy to confront what many around the league were describing as an unprecedented situation. Although the Blazers have exposed themselves to censure from the league office for the tone of their note to fellow teams regarding Miles -- as well as a hostile reaction from the players' union -- one team did express some sympathy for their position Friday. "It's a lot of money," Mavericks owner Mark Cuban told ESPN.com on Friday, referring to millions in future salary-cap space that the Blazers could lose if Miles' contract is restored to Portland's payroll. "For that much, I would be sending e-mails, too." The Blazers' e-mail, signed by team president Larry Miller, states that if any team were to sign the free-agent forward "for the purpose of adversely impacting the Portland Trail Blazers' Salary Cap and tax positions ... the Portland Trail Blazers will take all necessary steps to safeguard its rights, including, without limitation, litigation." The full text of the e-mail, according to reports by SI.com and Yahoo! Sports, reads: "'Team Presidents and General Managers, 'The Portland Trail Blazers are aware that certain teams may be contemplating signing Darius Miles to a contract for the purpose of adversely impacting the Portland Trail Blazers Salary Cap and tax positions. Such conduct from a team would violate its fiduciary duty as an NBA joint venturer. In addition, persons or entities involved in such conduct may be individually liable to the Portland Trail Blazers for tortuously interfering with the Portland Trail Blazers' contract rights and perspective economic opportunities. 'Please be aware that if a team engages in such conduct, the Portland Trail Blazers will take all necessary steps to safeguard its rights, including, without limitation, litigation.'" Teams had believed the collective bargaining agreement said Miles must play 10 regular-season or postseason games in a season for the $18 million to count against the Blazers. But six preseason games Miles played for the _Boston Celtics_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos) counted toward the 10. Before the _Memphis Grizzlies_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=mem) waived him on Tuesday night to avoid guaranteeing his contract for the rest of the season, Miles served a 10-game drug-related suspension and then played two regular-season games, pushing his total games played to eight. Had they not waived him, Miles' contract with Memphis would have become guaranteed for the remainder of the season. It was not clear whether the Grizzlies had planned to re-sign Miles to a 10-day contract after he cleared waivers. Senior writer Chris Sheridan covers the NBA for ESPN.com. **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62) From hartleyo at bellsouth.net Fri Jan 9 21:17:10 2009 From: hartleyo at bellsouth.net (hartleyo at bellsouth.net) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 16:17:10 -0500 Subject: Iraq'd my brain for a solution References: <96136.49843.qm@web63802.mail.re1.yahoo.com><584179.31036.qm@web65606.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> <200901091941.n09JftZ3016207@poseidon.afrc.af.mil> Message-ID: <588BA33249774991AF62926887CD03E6@D2F52Z11> Many thanks for your service. Glad your home safe and sound. Hart ----- Original Message ----- From: To: Sent: Friday, January 09, 2009 2:41 PM Subject: Iraq'd my brain for a solution > I'm baaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaaack.......... > > He y'all. Greetings and salutations from the lovely city of Marietta, > GA. I have returned from a very successful deployment to Iraq and > subsequently moved to GA for a new job. > > Very happy to be home and I look forward to returning to some good > discussion about our Cs. > > In that vein the main thing I've seen thus far is that the team > definitively peaked too early and now are now coming back toward where I > think they more realistically reside - as one of the top four teams in > the league - but not the unbeatable juggernaut that some pundits > anointed them. Add to that a crushing early schedule that loaded a ton > of games on them in a short time span (on older legs no less), and a > degraded bench and this recent losing streak is not unrealistic. > > Anyway - hope everyone had a great holiday season - looking forward to > the discourse. > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > From kmalo17 at verizon.net Fri Jan 9 21:26:27 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Fri, 09 Jan 2009 16:26:27 -0500 Subject: Miles clears waivers, up for grabs In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <0KD800H2W3HRWQK4@vms173007.mailsrvcs.net> At 03:45 PM 1/9/2009, BDodgers at aol.com wrote: >Miles clears waivers, up for grabs > > >By Chris Sheridan >ESPN.com > >NEW YORK -- _Darius Miles_ >(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=550) >cleared waivers and became a free agent. That much was clear >Friday. >Yet everything surrounding the Miles affair -- the possibility of him >returning to the NBA this season, and the negative salary-cap >ramifications he >would cause for the _Portland Trail Blazers_ >(http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=por) -- took a >complicated and controversial turn Friday after the >club sent a memo to the 29 other NBA teams threatening litigation against >anyone who signs Miles or claims his contract off waivers if it is >solely for >the purpose of burdening the Blazers' cap. OK, I'm not a big fan of most of the times the player's association sticks its nose in, at least the ones that become public, but they're right to raise a stink about this. It's heavy handed tampering, because of course they can claim any signing is simply to burden the Blazers' cap and I have a bridge in Brooklyn to sell to anyone who thinks justice is always properly served when things go to court, so who wants to risk that. This just reeks and is not fair to Miles and his attempt to restart his career. He clearly has lost some athleticism from when he was here, but he still can play. Problem is that he's closer to the easy to find another one role player type for teams looking at him than the star in the making he once was, making teams less likely to want to buy potential trouble like this to go along with him. Kim From BDodgers at aol.com Fri Jan 9 22:22:49 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 17:22:49 EST Subject: Union vows to hit Blazers with grievance Message-ID: Union vows to hit Blazers with grievance ESPN.com news services The NBA players' union said Friday it will file a grievance against the _Portland Trail Blazers_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=por) after team president Larry Miller threatened litigation if a team picks up _Darius Miles_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=550) simply to adversely impact Portland's salary cap. Before the 6-foot-9 small forward cleared waivers Friday morning, Miller sent an e-mail to the other 29 NBA teams as a warning that the Blazers would sue. If Miles plays in two more games this season, Portland would be on the hook for $18 million -- the amount remaining on Miles' contract, which would count against the salary cap and force the team to pay luxury tax. "We are shocked at the brazen attempt by the Portland Trail Blazers to try to prevent Darius Miles from continuing his NBA career," NBPA executive director Billy Hunter said in a statement Friday. "Their attempt to intimidate the other 29 NBA teams by threatening frivolous litigation merely for signing this capable NBA veteran is a clear violation of the anti-collusion and other provisions of our Collective Bargaining Agreement. We will vigorously defend Darius' rights." The matter was added to Friday's agenda at a previously scheduled meeting between NBA and players' union attorneys. In a memo sent to its 30 teams Friday that announced Miles had cleared waivers, the league office acknowledged it received the e-mail Portland distributed. The NBA in its statement also seemed to indicate that it would support any club wishing to sign the veteran forward. The Blazers waived Miles, who has not played for the team since microfracture surgery on his right knee in November 2006, at the end of last season after determining he was medically unable to play. Miles has played in eight games this season -- six preseason games for the _Boston Celtics_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos) , then two games for the _Memphis Grizzlies_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=mem) before being released earlier his week. Miles, the third overall pick by the _Los Angeles Clippers_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=lac) in the 2000 NBA draft, was on the Blazers' roster from 2004-08. He signed a six-year, $48 million deal with the team in September 2004. In 414 career games, he has averaged 10.6 points, 5.2 rebounds and 1.15 blocks. Information from ESPN.com senior NBA writers Chris Sheridan and Marc Stein and The Associated Press was used in this report. **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62) From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Sat Jan 10 01:40:47 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 17:40:47 -0800 (PST) Subject: Celtics Cavaliers- 1st Quarter Notes Message-ID: <574858.72712.qm@web63808.mail.re1.yahoo.com> * The Cavs came out gunning, scoring 12 points in the first 3.5 minutes on 100% shooting! Surprisingly, LeBron wasn't the one scoring and he was the first Cav to miss a shot, missing his first 2 jumpshots before being sent to the foul line for his first 2 points. * The Celts weathered the storm and were within 2 after 4.5 minutes through 6 points from KP43 off some nice passes from Garnett. KG also scored a few early buckets to keep the score close, including a dunk off a nice pass from Rondo. * One of the referees felt it necessary to call a Technical Foul on Garnett for what seemed like simply slapping the ball after a made free throw (the broadcast I saw was in Spanish so the commentary didn't explain). Garnett was at the other end of the court before he realised he had a tech and his exasperation told the whole story. Doc, also, was befuddled and when the 2 Celts asked the referee about it the ref actually had a guilty look on his face. * The Cavs kept pushing the lead by pretty much scoring at will and the Celts defense was quite porous compared to previous games I have seen. The Cavs were shooting at a high percentage, also, by knocking down contested perimeter shots so it was good fortune on their side also. SCORE AT END OF 1st QUARTER - Cavs 33 Celts 23 Key stats: * FG% - Cavs 72% Celts 54% * Cavs Scoring- James 9, Varejao 6, WIlliams 5, Varejao 4, Sczerbiak 3, West Gibson and Hickson 2 each *Celts Scoring- Perkins 9, Garnett 6, Allen 4, Pierce & Rondo 2 each Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Sat Jan 10 02:10:02 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 18:10:02 -0800 (PST) Subject: Celtics Cavaliers- 2nd Quarter Notes Message-ID: <833029.4780.qm@web63804.mail.re1.yahoo.com> * The Celts started the 2nd Quarter with a lineup of House, Pruitt, Ray Allen, Davis & Powe * Garnett & Pierce checked into the game around the 6 minute mark with the score 41 - 31. The bench did OK but did have a couple of loose turnovers leading to at least one transition play for the Cavs. Powe scored 6 points in this time but was subbed out for Garnett, Allen was subbed for Pierce. * A defensive breakdown by Garnett, switching onto LeBron and then going back to his man leaving LeBron wide open for a 3, which he made. * Davis made a good play taking a charge but what was amusing afterwards was seeing Rondo give the big fella a lift up using both of his arms and his entire body shaking on a 45 degree slant :) SCORE AT END OF 2nd QUARTER - Cavs 49 Celts 40 Key stats: * FG% - Cavs 54% Celts 45% * 3 pointers - Cavs 4/7 Celts 1/7 * Turnovers - Cavs 4 Celts 6 * Rebounds - Cavs 14 Celts 18 * Assists - Cavs 9 Celts 16 * Cavs Scoring - James 15, Williams 9, Varejao 8, Gibson 5, Wallace 4, Szczerbiak 3, Hickson 3, West 2 * Celts Scoring - Perkins 11, Garnett 8, Powe 6, Pierce 5, Allen 4, Rondo-Davis-Pruitt 2 each ________________________________ From: Adam Patterson To: Celtics Mailing List Sent: Saturday, 10 January, 2009 1:40:47 AM Subject: Celtics Cavaliers- 1st Quarter Notes * The Cavs came out gunning, scoring 12 points in the first 3.5 minutes on 100% shooting! Surprisingly, LeBron wasn't the one scoring and he was the first Cav to miss a shot, missing his first 2 jumpshots before being sent to the foul line for his first 2 points. * The Celts weathered the storm and were within 2 after 4.5 minutes through 6 points from KP43 off some nice passes from Garnett. KG also scored a few early buckets to keep the score close, including a dunk off a nice pass from Rondo. * One of the referees felt it necessary to call a Technical Foul on Garnett for what seemed like simply slapping the ball after a made free throw (the broadcast I saw was in Spanish so the commentary didn't explain). Garnett was at the other end of the court before he realised he had a tech and his exasperation told the whole story. Doc, also, was befuddled and when the 2 Celts asked the referee about it the ref actually had a guilty look on his face. * The Cavs kept pushing the lead by pretty much scoring at will and the Celts defense was quite porous compared to previous games I have seen. The Cavs were shooting at a high percentage, also, by knocking down contested perimeter shots so it was good fortune on their side also. SCORE AT END OF 1st QUARTER - Cavs 33 Celts 23 Key stats: * FG% - Cavs 72% Celts 54% * Cavs Scoring- James 9, Varejao 6, WIlliams 5, Varejao 4, Sczerbiak 3, West Gibson and Hickson 2 each *Celts Scoring- Perkins 9, Garnett 6, Allen 4, Pierce & Rondo 2 each ________________________________ Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look. Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Sat Jan 10 02:53:17 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 18:53:17 -0800 (PST) Subject: Celtics Cavaliers- 3rd Quarter Notes Message-ID: <513903.74990.qm@web63801.mail.re1.yahoo.com> * Rondo scored the first 5 points of the second half for the Celts on 3 free throws and a layup. The second play in which Rondo was fouled was on a fastbreak against LeBron, and our "little" point guard did not back down one bit from "King James". Good to see. Rondo, however, could have scored another 2 points on free throws but missed both. * The Celts forced the Cavs into a timeout around the 8 minute mark by closing to score to 52-49. It was now the Cavs defense which had become porous whereas the Celts defense was strengthening at this stage. * Some sloppy play then ensued with a couple of layups by LeBron and then some bad turnovers by Perkins and Rondo as well as a missed open layup by Rondo. Our point guard soon made up for it by finding Ray Allen open for a three, which he made, and a layup for Garnett. * At around the 2:30 mark, Garnett and Perkins subbed out for "the bash brothers", with a lineup of Rondo, Ray Allen, Pierce, Davis & Powe * A couple of 3 pointers by LeBron and Delonte West pushed the Cavs lead at the end of the quarter SCORE AT END OF 3rd QUARTER - Cavs 72 Celts 60 Key stats: * FG% - Cavs 72% Celts 54% * Cavs Scoring - James 28, Varejao 13, Williams 9, Gibson 7, West 5, Wallace 4, Szczerbiak 3, Hickson 3 * Celts Scoring - Garnett 16, Perkins 13, Allen 9, Pierce 7, Powe 6, Rondo 5, Davis and Pruitt 2 each ________________________________ From: Adam Patterson To: Celtics Mailing List Sent: Saturday, 10 January, 2009 2:10:02 AM Subject: Re: Celtics Cavaliers- 2nd Quarter Notes * The Celts started the 2nd Quarter with a lineup of House, Pruitt, Ray Allen, Davis & Powe * Garnett & Pierce checked into the game around the 6 minute mark with the score 41 - 31. The bench did OK but did have a couple of loose turnovers leading to at least one transition play for the Cavs. Powe scored 6 points in this time but was subbed out for Garnett, Allen was subbed for Pierce. * A defensive breakdown by Garnett, switching onto LeBron and then going back to his man leaving LeBron wide open for a 3, which he made. * Davis made a good play taking a charge but what was amusing afterwards was seeing Rondo give the big fella a lift up using both of his arms and his entire body shaking on a 45 degree slant :) SCORE AT END OF 2nd QUARTER - Cavs 49 Celts 40 Key stats: * FG% - Cavs 54% Celts 45% * 3 pointers - Cavs 4/7 Celts 1/7 * Turnovers - Cavs 4 Celts 6 * Rebounds - Cavs 14 Celts 18 * Assists - Cavs 9 Celts 16 * Cavs Scoring - James 15, Williams 9, Varejao 8, Gibson 5, Wallace 4, Szczerbiak 3, Hickson 3, West 2 * Celts Scoring - Perkins 11, Garnett 8, Powe 6, Pierce 5, Allen 4, Rondo-Davis-Pruitt 2 each ________________________________ From: Adam Patterson To: Celtics Mailing List Sent: Saturday, 10 January, 2009 1:40:47 AM Subject: Celtics Cavaliers- 1st Quarter Notes * The Cavs came out gunning, scoring 12 points in the first 3.5 minutes on 100% shooting! Surprisingly, LeBron wasn't the one scoring and he was the first Cav to miss a shot, missing his first 2 jumpshots before being sent to the foul line for his first 2 points. * The Celts weathered the storm and were within 2 after 4.5 minutes through 6 points from KP43 off some nice passes from Garnett. KG also scored a few early buckets to keep the score close, including a dunk off a nice pass from Rondo. * One of the referees felt it necessary to call a Technical Foul on Garnett for what seemed like simply slapping the ball after a made free throw (the broadcast I saw was in Spanish so the commentary didn't explain). Garnett was at the other end of the court before he realised he had a tech and his exasperation told the whole story. Doc, also, was befuddled and when the 2 Celts asked the referee about it the ref actually had a guilty look on his face. * The Cavs kept pushing the lead by pretty much scoring at will and the Celts defense was quite porous compared to previous games I have seen. The Cavs were shooting at a high percentage, also, by knocking down contested perimeter shots so it was good fortune on their side also. SCORE AT END OF 1st QUARTER - Cavs 33 Celts 23 Key stats: * FG% - Cavs 72% Celts 54% * Cavs Scoring- James 9, Varejao 6, WIlliams 5, Varejao 4, Sczerbiak 3, West Gibson and Hickson 2 each *Celts Scoring- Perkins 9, Garnett 6, Allen 4, Pierce & Rondo 2 each ________________________________ Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look. ________________________________ Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look. Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From noah.evans at gmail.com Sat Jan 10 03:22:31 2009 From: noah.evans at gmail.com (Noah Evans) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 21:22:31 -0600 Subject: What is wrong with this team? Message-ID: <56a297000901091922q7d7ebbf1yfac4c3bbebefdf5@mail.gmail.com> Blah. From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Sat Jan 10 03:32:31 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 19:32:31 -0800 (PST) Subject: Celtics Cavaliers- 4th Quarter Notes Message-ID: <811724.43338.qm@web63804.mail.re1.yahoo.com> * House, Allen, Pierce, Scalabrine & Powe started the 4th quarter. * Powe made a great 3 point play following Pierce's miss with a rebound and a shot close to the basket. There were 2 Cavs guarding him closely but he still managed to put the shot in somehow. * Timeout at 8:53 with the score 74-66 * Eddie House single-handedly turned momentum to Cleveland's advantage by holding his dribble near halfcourt and then having the ball poked away by LeBron. The ball was inbounded at the Celts baseline and with only half a shot clock left. Pierce managed to put the ball in the basket as the shot clock expired but it wasn't counted. * Timeout at 7:44 with the score 78-66, with Rondo subbing for House after the timeout * Another timeout at 5:36 with the score 83-68. LeBron scored on a fastbreak off a turnover by Pierce. * The Celts seemed to use a hack-a-Wallace tactic soon after and deliberately sending Ben Wallace to the free throw line. This tactic backfired with Wallace hitting some free-throws and the LeBron grabbing an offensive rebound on a miss. The clock was at 4:14 although the score was 90-71, but it was quite an unusual tactic with so much time left. * In came the subs for garbage time SCORE AT END OF 4th QUARTER - Cavs 98 Celts 83 Boxscore: http://www.nba.com/games/20090109/BOSCLE/boxscore.html ________________________________ From: Adam Patterson To: Celtics Mailing List Sent: Saturday, 10 January, 2009 2:53:17 AM Subject: Re: Celtics Cavaliers- 3rd Quarter Notes * Rondo scored the first 5 points of the second half for the Celts on 3 free throws and a layup. The second play in which Rondo was fouled was on a fastbreak against LeBron, and our "little" point guard did not back down one bit from "King James". Good to see. Rondo, however, could have scored another 2 points on free throws but missed both. * The Celts forced the Cavs into a timeout around the 8 minute mark by closing to score to 52-49. It was now the Cavs defense which had become porous whereas the Celts defense was strengthening at this stage. * Some sloppy play then ensued with a couple of layups by LeBron and then some bad turnovers by Perkins and Rondo as well as a missed open layup by Rondo. Our point guard soon made up for it by finding Ray Allen open for a three, which he made, and a layup for Garnett. * At around the 2:30 mark, Garnett and Perkins subbed out for "the bash brothers", with a lineup of Rondo, Ray Allen, Pierce, Davis & Powe * A couple of 3 pointers by LeBron and Delonte West pushed the Cavs lead at the end of the quarter SCORE AT END OF 3rd QUARTER - Cavs 72 Celts 60 Key stats: * FG% - Cavs 72% Celts 54% * Cavs Scoring - James 28, Varejao 13, Williams 9, Gibson 7, West 5, Wallace 4, Szczerbiak 3, Hickson 3 * Celts Scoring - Garnett 16, Perkins 13, Allen 9, Pierce 7, Powe 6, Rondo 5, Davis and Pruitt 2 each ________________________________ From: Adam Patterson To: Celtics Mailing List Sent: Saturday, 10 January, 2009 2:10:02 AM Subject: Re: Celtics Cavaliers- 2nd Quarter Notes * The Celts started the 2nd Quarter with a lineup of House, Pruitt, Ray Allen, Davis & Powe * Garnett & Pierce checked into the game around the 6 minute mark with the score 41 - 31. The bench did OK but did have a couple of loose turnovers leading to at least one transition play for the Cavs. Powe scored 6 points in this time but was subbed out for Garnett, Allen was subbed for Pierce. * A defensive breakdown by Garnett, switching onto LeBron and then going back to his man leaving LeBron wide open for a 3, which he made. * Davis made a good play taking a charge but what was amusing afterwards was seeing Rondo give the big fella a lift up using both of his arms and his entire body shaking on a 45 degree slant :) SCORE AT END OF 2nd QUARTER - Cavs 49 Celts 40 Key stats: * FG% - Cavs 54% Celts 45% * 3 pointers - Cavs 4/7 Celts 1/7 * Turnovers - Cavs 4 Celts 6 * Rebounds - Cavs 14 Celts 18 * Assists - Cavs 9 Celts 16 * Cavs Scoring - James 15, Williams 9, Varejao 8, Gibson 5, Wallace 4, Szczerbiak 3, Hickson 3, West 2 * Celts Scoring - Perkins 11, Garnett 8, Powe 6, Pierce 5, Allen 4, Rondo-Davis-Pruitt 2 each ________________________________ From: Adam Patterson To: Celtics Mailing List Sent: Saturday, 10 January, 2009 1:40:47 AM Subject: Celtics Cavaliers- 1st Quarter Notes * The Cavs came out gunning, scoring 12 points in the first 3.5 minutes on 100% shooting! Surprisingly, LeBron wasn't the one scoring and he was the first Cav to miss a shot, missing his first 2 jumpshots before being sent to the foul line for his first 2 points. * The Celts weathered the storm and were within 2 after 4.5 minutes through 6 points from KP43 off some nice passes from Garnett. KG also scored a few early buckets to keep the score close, including a dunk off a nice pass from Rondo. * One of the referees felt it necessary to call a Technical Foul on Garnett for what seemed like simply slapping the ball after a made free throw (the broadcast I saw was in Spanish so the commentary didn't explain). Garnett was at the other end of the court before he realised he had a tech and his exasperation told the whole story. Doc, also, was befuddled and when the 2 Celts asked the referee about it the ref actually had a guilty look on his face. * The Cavs kept pushing the lead by pretty much scoring at will and the Celts defense was quite porous compared to previous games I have seen. The Cavs were shooting at a high percentage, also, by knocking down contested perimeter shots so it was good fortune on their side also. SCORE AT END OF 1st QUARTER - Cavs 33 Celts 23 Key stats: * FG% - Cavs 72% Celts 54% * Cavs Scoring- James 9, Varejao 6, WIlliams 5, Varejao 4, Sczerbiak 3, West Gibson and Hickson 2 each *Celts Scoring- Perkins 9, Garnett 6, Allen 4, Pierce & Rondo 2 each ________________________________ Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look. ________________________________ Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look. ________________________________ Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look. Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Sat Jan 10 03:37:02 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 19:37:02 -0800 (PST) Subject: What is wrong with this team? Message-ID: <531875.1470.qm@web63805.mail.re1.yahoo.com> The only answer I have is "I don't know". Who does? Although the defense wasn't up to it's previous standards, I must say that the offense was definitely lacking in this game. Ray Allen, Rondo, Pierce- pretty much the whole team. They just looked stagnant after Rondo would bring the ball upcourt at a pretty good pace. The Cleveland defense is definitely stronger than most teams, but this isn't the only game in which the Celts have struggled to score points. They played good in parts but there is definitely something missing that they need to find again, and soon. Very soon. It's 3:36am here in London so I'll catch you all later. --- Noah Evans wrote: Blah. Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com Sat Jan 10 05:17:46 2009 From: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com (Ryan W) Date: Fri, 9 Jan 2009 21:17:46 -0800 (PST) Subject: What is wrong with this team? In-Reply-To: <56a297000901091922q7d7ebbf1yfac4c3bbebefdf5@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <95157.77991.qm@web65605.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> We're tired and there's no toughness on this team...maybe when we're not so tired we'll be a little tougher, but we really need an instigator. Andy V. was begging to get hit in the face tonight, but nobody would do what needed to be done. Also, our defensive breakdowns and propensity to jump shoot instead of attack the basket are really hurting us right now. We could also use a point guard and veteran big man on the 2nd team. TA is being missed right now, since Doc has forced himself into only playing House as a the backup 2 and House can't hit a meaningful shot to save his life or defend anyone. Doc is also too afraid to change up anything, and instead is coddling his team when he could simply juggle the lineup. We'll turn it around, I believe, but it's pretty ugly right now. Ryan --- On Fri, 1/9/09, Noah Evans wrote: > From: Noah Evans > Subject: What is wrong with this team? > To: "The Boston Celtics Mailing List" > Date: Friday, January 9, 2009, 9:22 PM > Blah. > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From ellie at oreilly.com Sat Jan 10 13:15:41 2009 From: ellie at oreilly.com (Ellie Cutler) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 08:15:41 -0500 Subject: my impressions Message-ID: <49689F7D.7080203@oreilly.com> Just finished watching the game. I love watching it on DVR - I can rewind to my hearts's content and see plays 2, 3, even 4 times, watching a different player each time. First off, it's hard to get our tempo going when other teams are shooting 70+ percent. There are no defensive rebounds for quick, long, outlet passes that play to our strengths. We end up playing 1/2 court, which makes us a fairly normal team and takes the wind out of our sails. When players like Von Wafer the other night, or varejao, mo williams, etc. all hitting contested shots, what can you do? I actually thought the bench was pretty good. Pruitt is long and can drive the paint in one fell swoop. Davis has been playing great the past few games. I love his mid-range jump shot, and he has been bodying up on D. Leon, though, is playing more like a 1-man team on too many possessions. We also shot poorly - esp. Ray Allen. If he isn't hitting, and we don't give it more to Pierce, our offense suffers. I loved the first few possessions though that went to Perk. Kaboom! Not sure what happened after that. We only played one stretch of true Celts ball and that was in the 3rd quarter. We've got to do that all game long. Are the refs and league-wide media about KG's over-zealousness on D getting to him? I was pretty bummed. And, missing Posey. Not just for his hoops talent, but for his presence on the team. I think he helped the veteran starters keep their heads and hearts focused in the game. I don't usually crab this much after the fact, but we should have kept Big Game James! And, I don't see us winning the title this year without him - hopefully I will eat these words! Whoever they pick up needs to be mature enough to help out the starters mentally. -Elli From jlyell at verizon.net Sat Jan 10 15:44:22 2009 From: jlyell at verizon.net (John Lyell) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 07:44:22 -0800 (PST) Subject: my impressions References: <49689F7D.7080203@oreilly.com> Message-ID: <271030.37636.qm@web84006.mail.mud.yahoo.com> You could tell Lebron wanted this one badly and wasn't about to let it go. If he gets a consistent outside shot he will be scary. We have seen what the competition is and we are not there. Rondo makes too many mistakes against good defense driving and getting up in the air with no place to go. Younger teams will give us a difficult time in the playoffs, as they did last year As of now, Lebron seems driven to another level that if we don't make changes to get a backup guard, and an athletic big man we will not get by them We need to move some people to get Walker up and go sign Jannero Pargo before the Lakers do. House doesn't cut it any more ________________________________ From: Ellie Cutler To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 5:15:41 AM Subject: my impressions Just finished watching the game. I love watching it on DVR - I can rewind to my hearts's content and see plays 2, 3, even 4 times, watching a different player each time. First off, it's hard to get our tempo going when other teams are shooting 70+ percent. There are no defensive rebounds for quick, long, outlet passes that play to our strengths.? We end up playing 1/2 court, which makes us a fairly normal team and takes the wind out of our sails. When players like Von Wafer the other night, or varejao, mo williams, etc. all hitting contested shots, what can you do? I actually thought the? bench was pretty good. Pruitt is long and can drive the paint in one fell swoop.? Davis has been playing great the past few games. I love his mid-range jump shot, and he has been bodying up on D. Leon, though, is playing more like a 1-man team on too many possessions. We also shot poorly - esp. Ray Allen. If he isn't hitting, and we don't give it more to Pierce, our offense suffers.? I loved the first few possessions though that went to Perk. Kaboom!? Not sure what happened after that. We only played one stretch of true Celts ball and that was in the 3rd quarter. We've got to do that all game long.? Are the refs and league-wide media about KG's over-zealousness on D getting to him? I was pretty bummed. And, missing Posey. Not just for his hoops talent, but for his presence on the team. I think he helped the veteran starters keep their heads and hearts focused in the game. I don't usually crab this much after the fact, but we should have kept Big Game James!? And, I don't see us winning the title this year without him - hopefully I will eat these words!? Whoever they pick up needs to be mature enough to help out the starters mentally. -Elli _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From BDodgers at aol.com Sat Jan 10 18:01:53 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 13:01:53 EST Subject: Ben Maller's NBA rumors Message-ID: Ben Maller's NBA rumors by FOXSports.com _Bulls hoping to trade Larry Hughes_ (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-09-bulls-chicagojan09,0,3372580.story) Larry Hughes has been traded twice during his 11-year career, and that number will grow this season if the Bulls and Hughes get their way. "If you get traded, obviously another team wants you, so it's always a positive in that way," Hughes said. "I definitely want to play minutes and contribute. That's a focus of mine. Hopefully, I'll get the opportunity to do that in the near future." Hughes has made it abundantly clear he would like to play more, venting frustration over his non-starting and limited role twice. And the Bulls absolutely are willing to accommodate him by the Feb. 19 trade deadline to alleviate their crowded backcourt situation. -- Chicago Tribune _Billups: not mad at the Pistons at all_ (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090109/SPORTS0102/901090335/1127) Chauncey Billups is going to want to bust his former teammates, no question about that. But it's more like wanting to beat your brother than wanting to beat a true enemy. "There are no hard feelings, none," Billups said. "I wasn't begging to be traded. And I've always said this: When I've heard rumors about me coming to Denver, of course my ears always perked up from my infatuation with being home. "I'm not mad at (the Pistons) at all. I miss the guys on the team and the city's been great to me, but I accomplished every single thing I could have accomplished in a Pistons jersey. So maybe it was time for a new challenge for me." -- Detroit News _Jannero Pargo could leave Moscow for Lakers?_ (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/sports/basketball/09krstic.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss) Although he would not offer details about Jannero Pargo's ability to break the contract, Bartelstein acknowledged, "There's some things that could drive him back economically" to the N.B.A. "And there's a lot of N.B.A. teams that would love to get him," Bartelstein said. Several teams have been mentioned as potential suitors -- including the Los Angeles Lakers, who gave the undrafted Pargo his first N.B.A. contract in 2002. Pargo averaged 11.9 points as the New Orleans Hornets' sixth man last season and would be a valuable bench player for any playoff-bound team. Bartelstein said that Pargo was enjoying his experience in Moscow but that he intended to be back in the N.B.A. by next season, if not sooner. -- NY Times _Jason Kidd open to playing for Knicks_ (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/sports/basketball/09knicks.html?ref=sports) Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd said he would entertain the notion of joining the Knicks once his contract expires at the end of the season. "Yeah, why not?" Kidd told reporters at the Mavericks' morning shoot-around. He added:" D'Antoni is great. He has a great philosophy and I think people enjoy watching that. Even though they haven't put up enough wins, they competed every night. That's one of the differences in Knick teams of the past, they come to play every night." Kidd, 35, played in the Beijing Olympics, and Mike D'Antoni served as an assistant coach. -- NY Times _Heat's Shawn Marion wants more shots_ (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/sfl-flspheat09sbjan09,0,1557152.story) As an impending free agent, Shawn Marion will get to make that decision this offseason. He cautions that several Eastern teams have also moved toward transition games. "There's East Coast teams that run and have different sets," Marion said. "It's just a style of play." But it's not the Heat's primary style. As a halfcourt player, the frustration seems to be building, although it tends to be muted when utilized at power forward. "I think it's just a matter of getting shots," he said. "You can't score without shooting. Getting five shots ? what the hell's that going to do? But, at the same time, it's a matter if I'm involved." -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel _Former Hawk Childress looking for NBA return?_ (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/sports/basketball/09krstic.html?ref=sports) Josh Childress was the most high-profile player to defect last summer, snubbing the Atlanta Hawks to play in Greece. He does not intend to return this season, according to his representatives. But he will probably entertain N.B.A. offers this summer, when he has the chance to exercise an out clause in his contract with Olympiacos. -- NY Times _Ainge: Celts not close to trade or free agent signing_ (http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/01/09/summit_meeting_tonight/?page=2) Celtics president Danny Ainge still respects his team and has not hit the panic button. Ainge said no trades or free agent signings are imminent. "We're obviously not playing on all cylinders," he said in a phone interview yesterday. "We're not making shots down the stretch. We're having a tough time sc oring in the fourth quarter. I'm not panicking; they're still that same team that won the championship. I feel no different about the team now than I did three weeks ago." -- Boston Globe _Raps deciding future of Bargnani and O'Neal_ (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/564282) Andrea Bargnani, who'll start again tonight against Memphis as Jermaine O'Neal misses is sixth straight game with a sore right knee, is averaging 20.2 points per game in his five starts and that is indeed impressive. Chris Bosh is averaging 23 points per game over the same stretch, giving Toronto arguably the best two big-man combination in franchise history. Whether it continues will be up to the vagaries of O'Neal's health, his role when he returns and any future roster moves being contemplated by GM Bryan Colangelo but, for now, the future looks rosy at the two power positions. -- Toronto Star _Kings Natt isn't scared by his interim tag_ (http://www.sacbee.com/sports/story/1528265.html) So what we have here is a mini-crisis and an interim head coach who is approaching the job as if he has nothing to lose. Wise man, that Kenny Natt. In the NBA, the meek might inherit the job, but they rarely return for an encore season. And Natt desperately wants that second season, and is reacting accordingly. He is teaching, scolding, benching. He is watching film into the wee hours. He is eager to consult with Carril. He has banned talking during practices and fined players for arriving late, though he says the bad habits have been curbed. "That's a start," Natt said with a laugh. -- Sac Bee _Dislocated shoulder to sideline Warriors Wright 3 weeks_ (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/09/SPCS155UVR.DTL) Power forward Brandan Wright is expected to miss a minimum of three weeks after dislocating his left shoulder in Wednesday's loss to the Lakers. The second-year forward, who underwent an MRI exam Thursday, was injured while trying to stop Pau Gasol from dunking at the end of the first half. It's the latest setback for the Warriors, who will be without Stephen Jackson (strained right hamstring) for at least two more weeks and are still missing guard Monta Ellis (ankle surgery). -- SF Chronicle _Nets looking for cheaper ways to build Brooklyn arena_ (http://www.nypost.com/seven/01092009/news/regionalnews/brooklyn/nets_arena_to_be_a_little_less_fran k_149378.htm) If the Nets ever relocate to Brooklyn, their new arena will likely be a scaled-down version of star architect Frank Gehry's much-touted design thanks to the dismal economy. Developer Bruce Ratner shot down rumors yesterday that he had canned Gehry from the embattled Atlantic Yards project but admitted that he was exploring cheaper ways to build an arena. The arena alone is currently estimated to cost nearly $1 billion. -- NY Post _Mavs coach: NBA trade deadline stress is overrated_ (http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/1132871.html) The NBA trading deadline is Feb. 19 and the rumors have started. Although the prospect of relocating and playing for another team can be unsettling, Rick Carlisle said it's not as big of a deal as outsiders might think. "I think it's overrated in terms of the amount of -- quote unquote -- stress that guys feel," Carlisle said. "The games come so fast and furious and you're so into them, this game or the next game and stuff, I just don't think it's that big of a deal. "Also, the way the Internet has become such a part of everyone's daily life the last eight or 10 years, there are so many rumors flying around now about everybody. A lot of it you just take with a grain of salt, do your business and go about doing your job." Kidd was traded last year, but said it's part of the game. "I think when you sign up for this deal, that's just part of the gig," Kidd said. "You know you could be traded for good or bad. The thing with that is to be professional and play if you are one of those candidates. Because you never know in this league. Crazy things happen; you just have to roll with it." -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram _Kings popcorn man a starter again_ (http://www.sacbee.com/sports/story/1528478.html) Jason Thompson, who will move back into the starting lineup tonight as the Kings face the Miami Heat at Arco Arena, watched in shock as his teammates snacked on buckets full of the popcorn that filled the inside of his Cadillac Escalade SUV. His teammates said the Dec. 31 prank was retribution for Thompson not fulfilling his expected rookie task of bringing bagels in the morning for his teammates. As Thompson tried to ignore the smell that lingered, a video of the prank was uploaded online Tuesday, where it has already garnered more than _one million views on YouTube_ (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKP-ysd4VEU) . -- Sac Bee _Lakers Kobe Bryant shooting better_ (http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedition/la-sp-lakers9-2009jan09,0,4533715.story) Of particular importance is Kobe Bryant shooting percentage, which has increased dramatically to 48.3% after enduring some rough early-season outings. If Bryant stays at his current level, he would set a personal best for shooting percentage, topping the 46.9% he shot in 2001-02. Bryant has made 69 of 122 shots in the last six games, a commendable 56.6%. -- LA Times _Pacers Granger has numbers, support for All-Star Game_ (http://www.indystar.com/article/20090109/SPORTS04/901090417/1004/SPORTS) At the rate he's playing -- he has scored at least 35 in his past three games -- Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger will line up alongside LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Kevin Garnett in next month's All-Star Game at Phoenix. "I'd be lying if I said making the All-Star team wasn't one of my goals when I first came into the NBA," Granger said. "I wanted to be an All-Star, but the main focus is making a playoff push and being a championship contender. Being an All-Star along the way is one step along the ultimate goal." -- Indy Star _Deng won't return to Bulls until he is 100 percent healthy_ (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-09-bulls-brite-chicagojan09,0,229518 5.story) The good news is Luol Deng practiced Thursday for the second straight day. The bad news is Deng's left ankle, still recovering from a Dec. 26 sprain, didn't feel as good, and his return from a six-game absence to play Friday night against the Wizards isn't as certain. "Most likely, I probably won't be able to go," Deng said. "I'm pretty close. But coming back and not being 100 percent isn't going to help the team. I know we need to start winning, but I don't want to be favoring it." -- Chicago Tribune _Van Gundy supports Orlando's Redick_ (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-sportsmagic09010909jan09,0,6554943.story) Magic coach Stan Van Gundy remained optimistic about J.J. Redick after the former first-round draft pick started the season in a dismal slump. "You've got to have a lot of respect for him," Van Gundy said. "He started in the year in the rotation and then we took him out. Then he was starting a little bit and we took him out. Now he's back in. He just keeps plugging away and I hope he continues to do that because it's a big help to us." -- Orlando Sentinel _Wolves coach Kevin McHale's month ends on up note_ (http://www.twincities.com/timberwolves/ci_11410091) Kevin McHale was asked if he's more comfortable after a couple of months as the Timberwolves' coach. "If it was a couple months, I'd probably be," he said. "I don't think it's been a month yet, has it?" Actually, Thursday marked the one-month anniversary of McHale leaving his front-office job as the Wolves' vice president of basketball operations to replace Randy Wittman on the bench. Suffice to say, it has been an eventful 31 days. From an 0-8 start and the depths of a 13-game losing streak, the Wolves have rebounded to win six of their past eight and post their first four-game winning streak since Jan. 1-7, 2007. -- Pioneer Press _Gasol blossoming as role increases for Grizzlies_ (http://www.commercial appeal.com/news/2009/jan/08/gasol-blossoming-as-role-increases/) Marc Gasol, who claims he's in better condition now than the start of this season, ranks second among NBA rookies in field goal percentage (.523) behind Portland's Greg Oden. Gasol is on pace to break his older brother Pau's Grizzlies rookie record (.518 in 2001-02) for field goal percentage. Overlooked sometimes is Gasol's consistency, whether starting or as a reserve. "I don't think I'm doing anything special," Gasol said. "The way I look at it is I should be getting better at a lot of things. I think I'm getting there. This is a game of patience. If anything, I think I'm more patient." -- Memphis Commercial Appeal _Bobcats Raja Bell says he's healthy_ (http://www.charlotteobserver.com/423/story/461057.html) Looks like the Charlotte Bobcats have their starting shooting guard back, and just in time for Raja Bell to face his old team. Bell went through his first full practice since suffering a groin strain against the New Jersey Nets Dec.27. Bell missed five straight games, but said he felt no discomfort in a Thursday practice on St. Joseph's campus. -- Charlotte Observer _Did You Know?_ (http://www.indystar.com/article/20090109/SPORTS04/901090417/1004/SPORTS) If history is any indication, though, Danny Granger doesn't need to worry. Since 1985-86, just three players who were in the top five in scoring at the All-Star break were not selected to play in the game, according to the Elias Sports Bureau. -- Indy Star _Who Knew?_ (http://www.torontosun.com/sports/basketball/2009/01/09/7966091-sun.html) In the 22 games he has played fewer than 30 minutes, Toronto's Andrea Bargnani is averaging 7.5 points and 3.3 rebounds. Compare that to the 17.7 points and 6.3 rebounds he has averaged when he plays more than 30 minutes. -- Toronto Sun _TNT won't say if Charles Barkley will be suspended_ (http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/columnists/barry-jackson/v-fullstory/story/844305.html) TNT declined to say whether Charles Barkley will be in its studio when it resumes NBA coverage next Thursday. But that's in a question, with Barkley scheduled to make a court appearance Jan. 20. Barkley was arrested last week on a charge of suspicion of driving under the influence of alcohol. TNT said it's awaiting the results of a blood alcohol test. -- Miami Herald _Sidney Moncrief headed to Beijing_ (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/09/SPCS155UVR.DTL) The Warriors announced that assistant coach Sidney Moncrief has left the team to become a consultant for the Beijing Ducks of the Chinese Basketball Association. Moncrief, who was brought on board as a shooting coach last season before being promoted to a full-time assistant, will mentor the Ducks' coaching staff as part of his new duties. -- SF Chronicle _Suns Amare falls from All-Star starting spot_ (http://www.azcentral.com/arizonarepublic/sports/articles/2009/01/08/20090108nbaallstar-CR.html) Suns forward Amare Stoudemire has lost his hold on a potential starting spot in the Feb. 15 NBA All-Star Game in Phoenix. Denver's Carmelo Anthony passed Stoudemire for the second spot among Western Conference forwards in the final announcement of voting returns today before the All-Star starters are announced Jan. 22. -- Arizona Republic _Doc: Celts still have confidence_ (http://www.projo.com/celtics/content/sp_bkn_boston_celtics09_01-09-09_MMCT69E_v17.8dcbcc.html) Doc Rivers says the Celtics are still a confident team even though they have been struggling to regain their focus. "They have the ultimate confidence," Rivers said. "Our goals haven't changed." Said Pierce, "We know what we're capable of; it's just about going back to the basics and doing what we do." -- Providence Journal _Bulls running extremely basic offense_ (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-090108-ask-kc-johnson-chicago-bulls,0,3452790,print.story ) Scouts say the Bulls run extremely basic offensive sets and they obviously don't have a strong defensive identity (hurt, also, in part by their poor shot selection at times). But some of that is by design because they have a rookie point guard and a rookie coach. Yes, there are growing pains. But he's making just $2 million per year and has a short-term deal and changing coaches now would be a mistake. -- Chicago Tribune _Former Laker has 32 tattoos_ (http://www.nbclosangeles.com/sports/basketball/Whatever-Happened-to-Smush-Parker.html) Former Lakers guard Smush Parker gives an ink update: "I just added a few new tattoos. I have a total of 32 right now. The latest is I got two naked women tattooed on the inside of my forearms." -- NBC 4 LA _Del Negrp dealing with crowded backcourt_ (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-09-bulls-chicagojan09,0,3372580.story) If Larry Hughes isn't moved, the task of balancing playing time for such a crowded backcourt falls on first-year coach Vinny Del Negro. Lindsey's Hunter contract will become guaranteed Saturday, and Kirk Hinrich could return this month from thumb surgery, meaning the Bulls will have six guards. And Thabo Sefolosha needs to play to determine his status moving forward. -- Chicago Tribune Ben Maller can be heard weeknights on "The Third Shift on Fox" via the vast Fox Sports Radio Network. The show is broadcast live Monday-Friday from 2am till 6am (est). Check your local radio listenings for the FSR affiliate in your town, listen to XM Satellite Radio Channel No. 142 or via live streaming audio online at _FoxSports.com/Radio_ (http://msn.foxsports.com/radio) . Say hi to Ben at _myspace.com/benmaller_ (http://www.myspace.com/benmaller) . Interact with Ben's fans and talk sports on _Ben Maller's forum_ (http://www.benmaller.com/forum/) Questions, comments and news tips can be sent to Ben via e mail at _BigBen at Foxsports.com_ (mailto:) or _Ben at BenMaller.com._ (mailto:%20ben at benmaller.com) **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62) From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Sat Jan 10 18:10:59 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:10:59 -0800 (PST) Subject: Ainge Interview - discusses recent struggles Message-ID: <420999.78811.qm@web63802.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Some of you may have heard this interview already, it was on Thursday after the Rockets game. He also talks about Giddens, Walker and that name that keeps coming up - Marbury. http://audio.weei.com/m/audio/21743098/danny_ainge_celtics_president.htm (running time - 16 minutes) Also, our (unreliable) mate at Yahoo! Sports reports the following: From: http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ag19E1eylUfpXmu9OSJWXg.8vLYF?slug=aw-celtics011009&prov=yhoo&type=lgns What GM Danny Ainge wants is a shooter off the bench, but he?s struggling to find one. League sources say he made a bid for the Orlando Magic?s J.J. Redick recently, a guard he?s long coveted, but an offer of J.R. Giddens and Gabe Pruitt couldn?t come close to prying Redick. What?s more, Orlando isn?t motivated to fortify the Celtics. Suddenly, the Magic believe they can beat Boston. League executives say Ainge has become more persistent this week in searching out deals, but as a Western Conference executive said, ?He just doesn?t have any players that anyone wants.? (as reported on CelticsBlog also) Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From wayoftheray at yahoo.com Sat Jan 10 18:51:44 2009 From: wayoftheray at yahoo.com (Way Of The Ray) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:51:44 -0800 (PST) Subject: Orlando Turns Down Pruitt & Giddens For Redick Message-ID: <348292.24098.qm@web110106.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ag19E1eylUfpXmu9OSJWXg.8vLYF?slug=aw-celtics011009&prov=yhoo&type=lgnsc-c Hat Tip Celtics Blog What GM Danny Ainge wants is a shooter off the bench, but he?s struggling to find one. League sources say he made a bid for the Orlando Magic?s J.J. Redick recently, a guard he?s long coveted, but an offer of J.R. Giddens and Gabe Pruitt couldn?t come close to prying Redick. What?s more, Orlando isn?t motivated to fortify the Celtics. Suddenly, the Magic believe they can beat Boston. League executives say Ainge has become more persistent this week in searching out deals, but as a Western Conference executive said, "He just doesn?t have any players that anyone wants." From martind42 at cox.net Sat Jan 10 20:39:35 2009 From: martind42 at cox.net (martind42 at cox.net) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:39:35 -0500 Subject: Orlando Turns Down Pruitt & Giddens For Redick In-Reply-To: <348292.24098.qm@web110106.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20090110153935.OXW4I.361763.imail@eastrmwml35> I don't think Riddick is worth both Giddens and Pruitt. Riddick doesn't impress me. I'll take my chances with our two. ---- Way Of The Ray wrote: > http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ag19E1eylUfpXmu9OSJWXg.8vLYF?slug=aw-celtics011009&prov=yhoo&type=lgnsc-c Hat Tip Celtics Blog What GM Danny Ainge wants is a shooter off the bench, but he?s struggling to find one. League sources say he made a bid for the Orlando Magic?s J.J. Redick recently, a guard he?s long coveted, but an offer of J.R. Giddens and Gabe Pruitt couldn?t come close to prying Redick. What?s more, Orlando isn?t motivated to fortify the Celtics. Suddenly, the Magic believe they can beat Boston. League executives say Ainge has become more persistent this week in searching out deals, but as a Western Conference executive said, "He just doesn?t have any players that anyone wants." _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From bos3332 at woh.rr.com Sat Jan 10 21:06:38 2009 From: bos3332 at woh.rr.com (Tony) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:06:38 -0500 Subject: Orlando Turns Down Pruitt & Giddens For Redick References: <20090110153935.OXW4I.361763.imail@eastrmwml35> Message-ID: <005e01c97367$547a0b80$658c4347@TPinto> What about Larry Hughes? I see the Bulls are looking to trade him. Tony ----- Original Message ----- From: To: "The Boston Celtics Mailing List" ; Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 3:39 PM Subject: Re: Orlando Turns Down Pruitt & Giddens For Redick >I don't think Riddick is worth both Giddens and Pruitt. Riddick doesn't >impress me. I'll take my chances with our two. > ---- Way Of The Ray wrote: >> http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ag19E1eylUfpXmu9OSJWXg.8vLYF?slug=aw-celtics011009&prov=yhoo&type=lgnsc-c >> Hat Tip Celtics Blog > > What GM Danny Ainge wants is a shooter off the bench, but he?s struggling > to find one. League sources say he made a bid for the Orlando Magic?s J.J. > Redick recently, a guard he?s long coveted, but an offer of J.R. Giddens > and Gabe Pruitt couldn?t come close to prying Redick. What?s more, Orlando > isn?t motivated to fortify the Celtics. Suddenly, the Magic believe they > can beat Boston. League executives say Ainge has become more persistent > this week in searching out deals, but as a Western Conference executive > said, "He just doesn?t have any players that anyone wants." > > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From noah.evans at gmail.com Sat Jan 10 22:02:25 2009 From: noah.evans at gmail.com (Noah Evans) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 16:02:25 -0600 Subject: Orlando Turns Down Pruitt & Giddens For Redick In-Reply-To: <005e01c97367$547a0b80$658c4347@TPinto> References: <20090110153935.OXW4I.361763.imail@eastrmwml35> <005e01c97367$547a0b80$658c4347@TPinto> Message-ID: <56a297000901101402n5cc880bcv3384541ece0b7515@mail.gmail.com> http://heylarryhughespleasestoptakingsomanybadshots.com/ On Sat, Jan 10, 2009 at 3:06 PM, Tony wrote: > What about Larry Hughes? I see the Bulls are looking to trade him. > > Tony > ----- Original Message ----- From: > To: "The Boston Celtics Mailing List" ; > > Sent: Saturday, January 10, 2009 3:39 PM > Subject: Re: Orlando Turns Down Pruitt & Giddens For Redick > > >> I don't think Riddick is worth both Giddens and Pruitt. Riddick doesn't >> impress me. I'll take my chances with our two. >> ---- Way Of The Ray wrote: >>> >>> >>> http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ag19E1eylUfpXmu9OSJWXg.8vLYF?slug=aw-celtics011009&prov=yhoo&type=lgnsc-c >>> Hat Tip Celtics Blog >> >> What GM Danny Ainge wants is a shooter off the bench, but he's struggling >> to find one. League sources say he made a bid for the Orlando Magic's J.J. >> Redick recently, a guard he's long coveted, but an offer of J.R. Giddens and >> Gabe Pruitt couldn't come close to prying Redick. What's more, Orlando isn't >> motivated to fortify the Celtics. Suddenly, the Magic believe they can beat >> Boston. League executives say Ainge has become more persistent this week in >> searching out deals, but as a Western Conference executive said, "He just >> doesn't have any players that anyone wants." >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> The Boston Celtics Mailing List >> celtics at igtc.com >> http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics >> >> _______________________________________________ >> The Boston Celtics Mailing List >> celtics at igtc.com >> http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From gk_tyler at yahoo.com Sat Jan 10 23:15:12 2009 From: gk_tyler at yahoo.com (gene kirkpatrick) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 15:15:12 -0800 (PST) Subject: what I saw Message-ID: <321241.99031.qm@web39601.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I thought we lost it in the first quarter.? I was surprised at the lack of intensity.? They moved as if they would make plays when necessary, perhaps turn it on later.? Almost nonchalant.? Sure they were playing and made some good plays, but I didn't see any urgency, any "in your face" defense.? For now, we are sliding to where we will face Orlando and Cleveland to win the East, and that may wear us out.? We're better but we need to show it. House seems to do well when things are going well; he hasn't lifted us up with his shooting and that's all he's got--sometimes. Pruitt is progressing--I wouldn't trade him for Redick.? Pruitt has all the skills; Redick one.? We do need Tony at the two.? But I would like to see Pruitt, Tony, Walker, Baby & Powe, if we're to have a five man bench.? The starters are better, yet they are the problem right now.? So, we're day to day.? Cheers, Gene From snoopy at celticsbeagle.net Sun Jan 11 03:24:44 2009 From: snoopy at celticsbeagle.net (Snoopy the Celtics Beagle) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 22:24:44 -0500 Subject: I think they're tired. Message-ID: <20090111032453.E0A9BE18089@ignite.igtc.com> I keep watching recent games and the same thought pops up. They look tired. I see the same effort on a play, but not the same physical result. They literally hit the ground running over a year ago and never let their foot off the pedal, storming through one of the longest NBA seasons in history. Then after a short summer, back to the grind. At first, they looked great, but now I think they finally, after a year and a half, hit a wall. I realize such things don't happen in the NBA, but what they really need is a break. It used to be that teams had a nice 2 week vacation in February, save those involved in All-Star festivities, but now, it's a mere 4 days, from the 13th to the 16th. Boston plays on the 12th, and several players will likely be involved in the All-Star weekend. To make things tougher, the C's will be in the middle of a road trip at that time. I know some people will wail at this, but I think the C's should decline all but mandatory participation in All-Star weekend and go get some rest. Take a breather and regather their strength. Yes, it'll piss off some people and probably incur some hefty fines, but it would be worth it to get the Good Guys back on track. After all, it's not just how the team starts, but how it finishes that matters. By the way, for those ready to panic, despite the recent losses, the C's are still currently sporting the second best regular season record for the team to this point in thirteen years! Nothing has really changed. Banner 18 is still coming our way in June to the Boston Garden. Snoopy the Celtics Beagle Please visit the Celtics Beagle Website From snoopy at celticsbeagle.net Sun Jan 11 03:38:59 2009 From: snoopy at celticsbeagle.net (Snoopy the Celtics Beagle) Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 22:38:59 -0500 Subject: Predictions list update January 10 2009 Message-ID: <20090111033906.DBF7AE18089@ignite.igtc.com> All good things do come to an end, as the Celtics hit a bump on the road to the Championship. This has had an impact on the list, as the first one to drop this season was Mrs. Celtics Beagle and her 78-4 prediction, lost when the Celtics lost to the Portland Trailblazers on December 30. Had the C's won, we'd have gone the first three months of the season with the list intact. She was not happy to hear this and much chocolate was consumed as a result. The next person to drop off the list is.....well, me. Snoopy the Celtics Beagle and the 74-8 prediction were shot down by the Red Baron, disguised as the Cleveland Cavaliers on January 9. Rats! I really thought I had a shot at winning this season. So who is next closest to the edge? Alden Brosseau and Frederick Hurley, both of whom predicted a 70-12 record for the Good Guys. But hey, when you consider that after the spate of losses recently the C's can still even remotely consider the possibility of 70+ wins in a season, that's pretty cool. Snoopy the Celtics Beagle Please visit the Celtics Beagle Website From jlyell at verizon.net Mon Jan 12 00:59:25 2009 From: jlyell at verizon.net (John Lyell) Date: Sun, 11 Jan 2009 16:59:25 -0800 Subject: Ben Maller's NBA rumors In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: We need to sign pargo!ll On Jan 10, 2009, at 10:01 AM, BDodgers at aol.com wrote: > > Ben Maller's NBA rumors > > by FOXSports.com > > > > _Bulls hoping to trade Larry Hughes_ > (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-09-bulls-chicagojan09,0,3372580.story > ) > > > > Larry Hughes has been traded twice during his 11-year career, and that > number will grow this season if the Bulls and Hughes get their way. > "If you get > traded, obviously another team wants you, so it's always a positive > in that > way," Hughes said. "I definitely want to play minutes and > contribute. That's a > focus of mine. Hopefully, I'll get the opportunity to do that in the > near > future." Hughes has made it abundantly clear he would like to play > more, venting > frustration over his non-starting and limited role twice. And the > Bulls > absolutely are willing to accommodate him by the Feb. 19 trade > deadline to > alleviate their crowded backcourt situation. -- Chicago Tribune > _Billups: not mad at the Pistons at all_ > (http://www.detnews.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20090109/SPORTS0102/901090335/1127 > ) > Chauncey Billups is going to want to bust his former teammates, no > question > about that. But it's more like wanting to beat your brother than > wanting to > beat a true enemy. "There are no hard feelings, none," Billups > said. "I wasn't > begging to be traded. And I've always said this: When I've heard > rumors about > me coming to Denver, of course my ears always perked up from my > infatuation > with being home. "I'm not mad at (the Pistons) at all. I miss the > guys on the > team and the city's been great to me, but I accomplished every > single thing > I could have accomplished in a Pistons jersey. So maybe it was time > for a new > challenge for me." -- Detroit News > _Jannero Pargo could leave Moscow for Lakers?_ > (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/sports/basketball/09krstic.html?_r=1&partner=rss&emc=rss > ) > Although he would not offer details about Jannero Pargo's ability to > break > the contract, Bartelstein acknowledged, "There's some things that > could drive > him back economically" to the N.B.A. "And there's a lot of N.B.A. > teams that > would love to get him," Bartelstein said. Several teams have been > mentioned as > potential suitors -- including the Los Angeles Lakers, who gave the > undrafted Pargo his first N.B.A. contract in 2002. Pargo averaged > 11.9 points as the > New Orleans Hornets' sixth man last season and would be a valuable > bench > player for any playoff-bound team. Bartelstein said that Pargo was > enjoying his > experience in Moscow but that he intended to be back in the N.B.A. > by next > season, if not sooner. -- NY Times > _Jason Kidd open to playing for Knicks_ > (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/sports/basketball/09knicks.html?ref=sports > ) > Mavericks point guard Jason Kidd said he would entertain the notion of > joining the Knicks once his contract expires at the end of the > season. "Yeah, why > not?" Kidd told reporters at the Mavericks' morning shoot-around. He > added:" > D'Antoni is great. He has a great philosophy and I think people > enjoy watching > that. Even though they haven't put up enough wins, they competed every > night. That's one of the differences in Knick teams of the past, > they come to play > every night." Kidd, 35, played in the Beijing Olympics, and Mike > D'Antoni > served as an assistant coach. -- NY Times > _Heat's Shawn Marion wants more shots_ > (http://www.sun-sentinel.com/sports/basketball/heat/sfl-flspheat09sbjan09,0,1557152.story > ) > As an impending free agent, Shawn Marion will get to make that > decision this > offseason. He cautions that several Eastern teams have also moved > toward > transition games. "There's East Coast teams that run and have > different sets," > Marion said. "It's just a style of play." But it's not the Heat's > primary > style. As a halfcourt player, the frustration seems to be building, > although it > tends to be muted when utilized at power forward. "I think it's > just a matter > of getting shots," he said. "You can't score without shooting. > Getting five > shots ? what the hell's that going to do? But, at the same time, it > 's a matter > if I'm involved." -- South Florida Sun-Sentinel > _Former Hawk Childress looking for NBA return?_ > (http://www.nytimes.com/2009/01/09/sports/basketball/09krstic.html?ref=sports > ) > Josh Childress was the most high-profile player to defect last summer, > snubbing the Atlanta Hawks to play in Greece. He does not intend to > return this > season, according to his representatives. But he will probably > entertain N.B.A. > offers this summer, when he has the chance to exercise an out clause > in his > contract with Olympiacos. -- NY Times > _Ainge: Celts not close to trade or free agent signing_ > (http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/01/09/summit_meeting_tonight/?page=2 > ) > > Celtics president Danny Ainge still respects his team and has not > hit the > panic button. Ainge said no trades or free agent signings are > imminent. "We're > obviously not playing on all cylinders," he said in a phone interview > yesterday. "We're not making shots down the stretch. We're having a > tough time sc > oring in the fourth quarter. I'm not panicking; they're still that > same team that > won the championship. I feel no different about the team now than I > did > three weeks ago." -- Boston Globe > _Raps deciding future of Bargnani and O'Neal_ > (http://www.thestar.com/Sports/article/564282) > Andrea Bargnani, who'll start again tonight against Memphis as > Jermaine > O'Neal misses is sixth straight game with a sore right knee, is > averaging 20.2 > points per game in his five starts and that is indeed impressive. > Chris Bosh is > averaging 23 points per game over the same stretch, giving Toronto > arguably > the best two big-man combination in franchise history. Whether it > continues > will be up to the vagaries of O'Neal's health, his role when he > returns and any > future roster moves being contemplated by GM Bryan Colangelo but, > for now, > the future looks rosy at the two power positions. -- Toronto Star > _Kings Natt isn't scared by his interim tag_ > (http://www.sacbee.com/sports/story/1528265.html) > So what we have here is a mini-crisis and an interim head coach who is > approaching the job as if he has nothing to lose. Wise man, that > Kenny Natt. In > the NBA, the meek might inherit the job, but they rarely return for > an encore > season. And Natt desperately wants that second season, and is reacting > accordingly. He is teaching, scolding, benching. He is watching film > into the wee > hours. He is eager to consult with Carril. He has banned talking > during > practices and fined players for arriving late, though he says the > bad habits have > been curbed. "That's a start," Natt said with a laugh. -- Sac Bee > _Dislocated shoulder to sideline Warriors Wright 3 weeks_ > (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/09/SPCS155UVR.DTL > ) > Power forward Brandan Wright is expected to miss a minimum of three > weeks > after dislocating his left shoulder in Wednesday's loss to the > Lakers. The > second-year forward, who underwent an MRI exam Thursday, was injured > while trying > to stop Pau Gasol from dunking at the end of the first half. It's > the latest > setback for the Warriors, who will be without Stephen Jackson > (strained > right hamstring) for at least two more weeks and are still missing > guard Monta > Ellis (ankle surgery). -- SF Chronicle > _Nets looking for cheaper ways to build Brooklyn arena_ > (http://www.nypost.com/seven/01092009/news/regionalnews/brooklyn/nets_arena_to_be_a_little_less_fran > k_149378.htm) > If the Nets ever relocate to Brooklyn, their new arena will likely > be a > scaled-down version of star architect Frank Gehry's much-touted > design thanks to > the dismal economy. Developer Bruce Ratner shot down rumors > yesterday that he > had canned Gehry from the embattled Atlantic Yards project but > admitted that > he was exploring cheaper ways to build an arena. The arena alone is > currently > estimated to cost nearly $1 billion. -- NY Post > _Mavs coach: NBA trade deadline stress is overrated_ > (http://www.star-telegram.com/287/story/1132871.html) > The NBA trading deadline is Feb. 19 and the rumors have started. > Although the > prospect of relocating and playing for another team can be > unsettling, Rick > Carlisle said it's not as big of a deal as outsiders might think. "I > think > it's overrated in terms of the amount of -- quote unquote -- stress > that guys > feel," Carlisle said. "The games come so fast and furious and > you're so into > them, this game or the next game and stuff, I just don't think it's > that big > of a deal. "Also, the way the Internet has become such a part of > everyone's > daily life the last eight or 10 years, there are so many rumors > flying around > now about everybody. A lot of it you just take with a grain of > salt, do your > business and go about doing your job." Kidd was traded last year, > but said > it's part of the game. "I think when you sign up for this deal, > that's just part > of the gig," Kidd said. "You know you could be traded for good or > bad. The > thing with that is to be professional and play if you are one of > those > candidates. Because you never know in this league. Crazy things > happen; you just > have to roll with it." -- Fort Worth Star-Telegram > _Kings popcorn man a starter again_ > (http://www.sacbee.com/sports/story/1528478.html) > Jason Thompson, who will move back into the starting lineup tonight > as the > Kings face the Miami Heat at Arco Arena, watched in shock as his > teammates > snacked on buckets full of the popcorn that filled the inside of his > Cadillac > Escalade SUV. His teammates said the Dec. 31 prank was retribution > for Thompson > not fulfilling his expected rookie task of bringing bagels in the > morning for > his teammates. As Thompson tried to ignore the smell that lingered, > a video > of the prank was uploaded online Tuesday, where it has already > garnered more > than _one million views on YouTube_ > (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YKP-ysd4VEU) . -- Sac Bee > _Lakers Kobe Bryant shooting better_ > (http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedition/la-sp-lakers9-2009jan09,0,4533715.story > ) > Of particular importance is Kobe Bryant shooting percentage, which has > increased dramatically to 48.3% after enduring some rough early- > season outings. If > Bryant stays at his current level, he would set a personal best for > shooting > percentage, topping the 46.9% he shot in 2001-02. Bryant has made 69 > of 122 > shots in the last six games, a commendable 56.6%. -- LA Times > _Pacers Granger has numbers, support for All-Star Game_ > (http://www.indystar.com/article/20090109/SPORTS04/901090417/1004/SPORTS > ) > At the rate he's playing -- he has scored at least 35 in his past > three games > -- Indiana Pacers forward Danny Granger will line up alongside > LeBron James, > Dwyane Wade and Kevin Garnett in next month's All-Star Game at > Phoenix. "I'd > be lying if I said making the All-Star team wasn't one of my goals > when I > first came into the NBA," Granger said. "I wanted to be an All- > Star, but the > main focus is making a playoff push and being a championship > contender. Being > an All-Star along the way is one step along the ultimate goal." -- > Indy Star > _Deng won't return to Bulls until he is 100 percent healthy_ > (http://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/basketball/bulls/chi-09-bulls-brite-chicagojan09,0,229518 > 5.story) > The good news is Luol Deng practiced Thursday for the second > straight day. > The bad news is Deng's left ankle, still recovering from a Dec. 26 > sprain, > didn't feel as good, and his return from a six-game absence to play > Friday night > against the Wizards isn't as certain. "Most likely, I probably won't > be able > to go," Deng said. "I'm pretty close. But coming back and not being > 100 > percent isn't going to help the team. I know we need to start > winning, but I don't > want to be favoring it." -- Chicago Tribune > _Van Gundy supports Orlando's Redick_ > (http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-sportsmagic09010909jan09,0,6554943.story > ) From ellie at oreilly.com Mon Jan 12 13:26:44 2009 From: ellie at oreilly.com (Ellie Cutler) Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 08:26:44 -0500 Subject: that was nice Message-ID: <496B4514.9010406@oreilly.com> Ray gets his shooting touch back (5/5 3-pointers right off the bat) Rajon regains his fullcourt mojo and we get a W (a few slips not withstanding) Good game for Scal - he makes a nice starter, actually, I think we get more out of him D and temperament wise, than when he comes in off the bench ishort spurts. He and Joey Graham squaring off - I would like Graham on the Cs. I thought Davis played really good D. He missed about 5 assorted layups and shots from 1 ft away from the basket, but he really bodied up and was very effective. And, he hits he free throws! Any thoughts on why Davis got so many minutes? Because Perk was out, or the conspiracy theory of 'is he being showcased?' I love his hoop sense - passing, good feet, uses his strength (that would be his big lower half), his mid-range shot, .. lots of things that are hard to develop in a young player. Ellie From kmalo17 at verizon.net Mon Jan 12 14:20:52 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:20:52 -0500 Subject: that was nice In-Reply-To: <496B4514.9010406@oreilly.com> References: <496B4514.9010406@oreilly.com> Message-ID: <0KDD0041T3UTBYY1@vms042.mailsrvcs.net> At 08:26 AM 1/12/2009, Ellie Cutler wrote: >Ray gets his shooting touch back (5/5 3-pointers right off the bat) >Rajon regains his fullcourt mojo >and we get a W (a few slips not withstanding) > >Good game for Scal - he makes a nice starter, actually, I think we >get more out of him D and temperament wise, than when he comes in >off the bench ishort spurts. I think it's got a lot more to do with who he's playing with when he starts. He's a natural role player and all he needs to be with the starters is a step or two above a warm body that doesn't get in the way, with anything more a bonus, their abilities covering for some of his flaws, and his good BBIQ working better with other players who have the same. The problem with him off the bench have usually been from trying to do too much amongst a group of players where everybody's flaws emphasize everyone else's. > He and Joey Graham squaring off - I would like Graham on the > Cs. I thought Davis played really good D. He missed about 5 > assorted layups and shots from 1 ft away from the basket, but he > really bodied up and was very effective. And, he hits he free throws! > >Any thoughts on why Davis got so many minutes? Because Perk was out, >or the conspiracy theory of 'is he being showcased?' I love his hoop >sense - passing, good feet, uses his strength (that would be his big >lower half), his mid-range shot, .. lots of things that are hard to >develop in a young player. Well fairly obviously because Perk is out. Separate from my complete lack of interest in conspiracy theories or shoe shopping for guys / stupid trade talk, he's just not good enough to be worth showcasing and doesn't have a big expiring contract, so he's not going to bring that much back if you do. Certainly not a better replacement big man, which would be the key need. And in fact his value might be higher if you don't showcase him, so it's still all about potential and less about visible flaws like lack off lift. His low salary makes him easy enough to trade if you want to. Anyway, Davis's game is closer to a true center's game than Powe's even if he isn't one, including that he provides more of the bulky obstacle to theoretically slow down drives to the hoop and Doc has used him plenty of times in the past over Powe for similar reasons. Gotta admit that I don't agree about his hoop sense being all that striking though. The mid-range jump shot is pretty clearly in large part for the same reason Antoine stopped playing inside - lack of lift means he gets far too regularly stuffed. Hoop sense or tired of being embarrassed as it was with Antoine? He can carve out space when there's time but he's not going to get it up over someone very often. The use of his strength / bulk I'll grant you, although I'm not so sure that's actually hoop sense. Football linemen do the same things to create holes / hold off pass rush. It's just using what you've got. Likewise, good feet is just athleticism - he is indeed surprisingly nimble for his build. And his passing hasn't particularly impressed me. That's one of the big differences I always notice with Perk out, regardless of who's replacing him. I don't think most people notice, but on top of the outlets, at least 75% of our offensive sets involve the ball moving through his hands. They may try that some with others at center but it always leads to more TO and stagnation. Kim From Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil Mon Jan 12 14:31:30 2009 From: Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil (Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil) Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 09:31:30 -0500 Subject: that was nice In-Reply-To: <0KDD0041T3UTBYY1@vms042.mailsrvcs.net> References: <496B4514.9010406@oreilly.com> <0KDD0041T3UTBYY1@vms042.mailsrvcs.net> Message-ID: <200901121431.n0CEVaLP006024@ares.afrc.af.mil> "That's one of the big differences I always notice with Perk out, regardless of who's replacing him. I don't think most people notice, but on top of the outlets, at least 75% of our offensive sets involve the ball moving through his hands. They may try that some with others at center but it always leads to more TO and stagnation. - Kim" Yep. I'd say more but there isn't anything else to say. From stevebknight at yahoo.com Mon Jan 12 21:52:52 2009 From: stevebknight at yahoo.com (steve knight) Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 13:52:52 -0800 (PST) Subject: reddick, etc. References: Message-ID: <375817.38638.qm@web37407.mail.mud.yahoo.com> not sure what reddick gives us that house doesn't, other than maybe even less of a floor game. maybe danny is angling for battie instead, someone who really could help us--too bad he's on orlando, we'll never pry him away from them. having watched pretty much every game this season, i think we're a couple tweaks and healthy bodies away from going all the way again, in spite of our recent skid. one tweak may happen internally by giving gabe more time on the court. if we give him lots of time now, he may be able to settle in and be ready to contribute in the playoffs. if not, he'll never be ready and we will need to address the pg position. another fix would be to get tony healthy and playing well. he's strictly a groove player who only gets there by being healthy. here's hoping he finds his mojo in the second half of the season. the other fix is obviously another big man. we just don't have much length behind perk, and pob is not going to help this season. not sure what we can reasonably expect to get for nothing. danny just doesn't have much anyone else wants that we wouldn't mind getting rid of. i mean, house and scal and a second rounder won't get you much more than another pob. at this point, i'd be thrilled to land a long, disgruntled vet who can walk and chew gum at the same time without giving up draft picks. michael olowakandi, where are you? btw, i know baby had a horrendous night shooting against toronto, but i thought he played a pretty solid game otherwise. his rotations are great and his passing and hands are first-rate. i dream of him dropping 25-30 pounds and becoming the second incarnation of barkley. is that even possible? From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Mon Jan 12 22:01:05 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 14:01:05 -0800 (PST) Subject: Our new instigator Message-ID: <877063.77025.qm@web63802.mail.re1.yahoo.com> "Scalabrine Doesn't Back Down From Anybody!" http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vwGf5e7dNBY :) Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From noah.evans at gmail.com Tue Jan 13 01:15:00 2009 From: noah.evans at gmail.com (Noah Evans) Date: Mon, 12 Jan 2009 19:15:00 -0600 Subject: reddick, etc. In-Reply-To: <375817.38638.qm@web37407.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <375817.38638.qm@web37407.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <56a297000901121715k19122407maac0dfe1d9ced58a@mail.gmail.com> Even at his fattest Barkley was an amazing athlete. Baby is earthbound with short arms to boot. Baby will never be an all-star but if he loses weight he has the potential to be a bench terror. On Mon, Jan 12, 2009 at 3:52 PM, steve knight wrote: > not sure what reddick gives us that house doesn't, other than maybe even less of a floor game. maybe danny is angling for battie instead, someone who really could help us--too bad he's on orlando, we'll never pry him away from them. > > having watched pretty much every game this season, i think we're a couple tweaks and healthy bodies away from going all the way again, in spite of our recent skid. one tweak may happen internally by giving gabe more time on the court. if we give him lots of time now, he may be able to settle in and be ready to contribute in the playoffs. if not, he'll never be ready and we will need to address the pg position. another fix would be to get tony healthy and playing well. he's strictly a groove player who only gets there by being healthy. here's hoping he finds his mojo in the second half of the season. > > the other fix is obviously another big man. we just don't have much length behind perk, and pob is not going to help this season. not sure what we can reasonably expect to get for nothing. danny just doesn't have much anyone else wants that we wouldn't mind getting rid of. i mean, house and scal and a second rounder won't get you much more than another pob. at this point, i'd be thrilled to land a long, disgruntled vet who can walk and chew gum at the same time without giving up draft picks. michael olowakandi, where are you? > > btw, i know baby had a horrendous night shooting against toronto, but i thought he played a pretty solid game otherwise. his rotations are great and his passing and hands are first-rate. i dream of him dropping 25-30 pounds and becoming the second incarnation of barkley. is that even possible? > > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > From pdelevett at yahoo.com Tue Jan 13 23:14:51 2009 From: pdelevett at yahoo.com (Peter Delevett) Date: Tue, 13 Jan 2009 15:14:51 -0800 (PST) Subject: reddick, etc. Message-ID: <265690.9139.qm@web110112.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> yeah, if only a surefire HOF center had expressed strong interest in coming to the Celtics recently. Oh wait ... >>the other fix is obviously another big man. we just don't have much length behind perk, and pob is not going to help this season. not sure what we can reasonably expect to get for nothing. danny just doesn't have much anyone else wants that we wouldn't mind getting rid of. i mean, house and scal and a second rounder won't get you much more than another pob. at this point, i'd be thrilled to land a long, disgruntled vet who can walk and chew gum at the same time without giving up draft picks. michael olowakandi, where are you? From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Wed Jan 14 11:04:26 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2009 03:04:26 -0800 (PST) Subject: Orlando Turns Down Pruitt & Giddens For Redick References: Message-ID: <734993.22275.qm@web63807.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Apparently this was another hoax from Adrian Wojnarowski at Yahoo! Sports... ...and the offer of Giddens and Pruitt has changed to Walker and Pruitt. From: http://www.orlandosentinel.com/sports/basketball/magic/orl-sportsmnotes14011409jan14,0,1967447.story Magic GM Otis Smith said the reports coming out of Boston that the Celtics asked about acquiring SG J.J. Redick are not true. "Nope," Smith said. "I haven't talked to Danny [Ainge, the Celtics' General Manager/President of Basketball Operations], so I don't know how that can be out there. I can't remember the last time I've talked to him." Reports have said the Celtics offered the Magic F Bill Walker and G Gabe Pruitt for Redick, but that Orlando turned down the deal. Orlando has pulled off a deal before the NBA trading deadline in six of the past seven seasons (no trade in 2006-07.) Smith said it wouldn't surprise him if interest picks up for Redick. But he reiterated that he doesn't expect the Magic to make a deal before this season's Feb. 19 deadline. ________________________________ Message: 2 Date: Sat, 10 Jan 2009 10:51:44 -0800 (PST) From: Way Of The Ray Subject: Orlando Turns Down Pruitt & Giddens For Redick To: Celtics Stuff ,??? Celtics Are ??? Idiots List Message-ID: <348292.24098.qm at web110106.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=utf-8 http://sports.yahoo.com/nba/news;_ylt=Ag19E1eylUfpXmu9OSJWXg.8vLYF?slug=aw-celtics011009&prov=yhoo&type=lgnsc-c Hat Tip Celtics Blog What GM Danny Ainge wants is a shooter off the bench, but he?s struggling to find one. League sources say he made a bid for the Orlando Magic?s J.J. Redick recently, a guard he?s long coveted, but an offer of J.R. Giddens and Gabe Pruitt couldn?t come close to prying Redick. What?s more, Orlando isn?t motivated to fortify the Celtics. Suddenly, the Magic believe they can beat Boston. League executives say Ainge has become more persistent this week in searching out deals, but as a Western Conference executive said, "He just doesn?t have any players that anyone wants." ????? ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics End of celtics Digest, Vol 17, Issue 10 *************************************** Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Wed Jan 14 11:07:42 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Wed, 14 Jan 2009 03:07:42 -0800 (PST) Subject: reddick, etc. Message-ID: <510761.27667.qm@web63807.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Yes, Mutombo would have been a great addition. Especially at the moment with Perkins injured. ? Will Mutombo be in the hall of fame though? He might not be. ? As for the game plan for tonight against the Nets, the newspapers are scouting for Brook Lopez who is playing magnificently as a rookie (10ppg and 8rpg). ? With Allen and Pierce having season-highs in the two games against Toronto, I?d like to see Garnett score a bunch tonight as well as playing great defense as he did in the last game against the Raptors. ? I remember in the playoff series against Atlanta, even in the games where the Hawks beat us?Garnett would put-in massive efforts. He scored 32 points in one of the games. ? Here?s a question for you- what?s Garnett?s highest point total as a Celtic? ? My guess would be the 32 points in the Atlanta series. ? http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/boxscore?gameId=280426001 ? --- Peter Delevett wrote: yeah, if only a surefire HOF center had expressed strong interest in coming to the Celtics recently. Oh wait ... >>the other fix is obviously another big man. we just don't have much length behind perk, and pob is not going to help this season. not sure what we can reasonably expect to get for nothing. danny just doesn't have much anyone else wants that we wouldn't mind getting rid of. i mean, house and scal and a second rounder won't get you much more than another pob. at this point, i'd be thrilled to land a long, disgruntled vet who can walk and chew gum at the same time without giving up draft picks. michael olowakandi, where are you? Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From pdelevett at yahoo.com Thu Jan 15 10:28:39 2009 From: pdelevett at yahoo.com (Peter Delevett) Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 02:28:39 -0800 (PST) Subject: We STILL love Waltuh! Message-ID: <363082.32067.qm@web110101.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> After reading that Walt attended last night's game, I reflected (not for the first time) that he's exactly the kind of player this team needs: long, a pesky defender, career 35% three-point shooter. Unfortunately, Walt's 35, hasn't played in three years and didn't exactly set the league on fire in his final season with the Clips. Still, I hope Ainge is in buying mode ... guys like Hakeem Warrick, Renaldo Belkman, Jarvis Hayes (to beat a dead horse) or, dare I dream, Joe Smith should be available for the right deal. And on that note, any coincidence that Bill Walker played last night (and put up nice numbers)? Or that Scabs has been tearing it up (by his modest standards, anyway) in the past three games? From snoopy at celticsbeagle.net Thu Jan 15 20:06:25 2009 From: snoopy at celticsbeagle.net (Snoopy the Celtics Beagle) Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:06:25 -0500 Subject: We STILL love Waltuh! In-Reply-To: <363082.32067.qm@web110101.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> References: <363082.32067.qm@web110101.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20090115200637.0E945E18721@ignite.igtc.com> Not only that, but in an interview on the televised local broadcast, Waltah made it clear that while he misses playing, his focus is on his coaching career now. And yes, afterwards, Tommy treated us to a stentorian rendition of "I LOVE WALTAH!" At 05:28 AM 1/15/2009, Peter Delevett wrote: >After reading that Walt attended last night's game, I reflected (not >for the first time) that he's exactly the kind of player this team >needs: long, a pesky defender, career 35% three-point shooter. >Unfortunately, Walt's 35, hasn't played in three years and didn't >exactly set the league on fire in his final season with the Clips. Snoopy the Celtics Beagle Please visit the Celtics Beagle Website From snoopy at celticsbeagle.net Thu Jan 15 20:18:06 2009 From: snoopy at celticsbeagle.net (Snoopy the Celtics Beagle) Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 15:18:06 -0500 Subject: McHale's Basketball team Message-ID: <20090115201818.C768CE18721@ignite.igtc.com> Consider that Kevin left a job he said he liked where he wasn't doing very well to once more coach the T'Wolves. Despite some rough games, his current record of 7-11 (.389) actually put him at the 4th most successful coach behind himself in his previous stint. going 19-12 (.681), the recently departed Flip Saunders at 411-326 (.558), and Dwane Casey 53-65 (.449). So, doing a job he really doesn't want to do, he's been two of the most successful coaches in Timberwolves history. All the more amazing when you consider that Casey had a losing record. If you combine his current and previous stint, he's now at 26-23 (.531) which gives him the one and three spots. Pretty good for 9 coaches in 19 years. Maybe he should keep this gig. Snoopy the Celtics Beagle Please visit the Celtics Beagle Website From BDodgers at aol.com Fri Jan 16 01:19:42 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Thu, 15 Jan 2009 20:19:42 EST Subject: Cavs' dilemma: Deal or no deal? Message-ID: Chris Mannix > INSIDE THE NBA (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/writers/chris_mannix/archive/) Cavs' dilemma: Deal or no deal? Story Highlights The Cavaliers have the assets to make a big move by the Feb. 19 trade deadline It's no lock that the NBA-leading Cavs would shake up their team at midseason More topics: Gilbert Arenas' waiting game; rookie Brook Lopez's rapid progress You could make a rather convincing argument that the Cavaliers are the deepest team in the NBA despite the fact that they may end up with only one All-Star selection. But that's not all that makes rival coaches and general managers nervous. No, what's really scary to them is how good Cleveland (30-6 through Wednesday) could be. With the Feb. 19 trade deadline five weeks away, the Cavs possess two enormously attractive assets in swingman _Wally Szczerbiak_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3329) (who is being paid $13 million this season in the last year of his contract) and forward-center _Ben Wallace_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3149) (who has one year and $14 million remaining on his contract after this season). That is $27 million in salaries that expire before the anticipated summer of 2010, when a free-agent bonanza is expected to hit the market. Those assets put the Cavs in position to significantly upgrade an already impressive roster and, with the right move, position themselves as the clear favorite to win the NBA title this season and perhaps in 2009-2010, too. Certainly there are question marks. For one, how much is owner Dan Gilbert willing to spend? The mortgage magnate already oversees the third-highest payroll in the league ($90.3 million). Would the Cavs be willing to take on a long-term contract via trade in addition to re-signing free-agent-to-be _Anderson Varejao_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3847) to a lucrative deal when he becomes a free agent this summer? And what about _Danny Ferry_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/110) ? The Cleveland GM has the opportunity to be a player on the trade market, but he could also choose to conserve his own cap space. With Szczerbiak, Wallace and _Eric Snow_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3045) coming off the books before 2010, the Cavs could wait and see if they can lure a first-tier free agent that offseason. Do you think the prospect of playing alongside, say, _Chris Bosh_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3707) for the next five years would be incentive for _LeBron James_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3704) to stay in Cleveland? But let's assume for the sake of argument that Cleveland will be active in the trade market this season. What does a team with the NBA's best record really need? Based on conversations with NBA coaches, scouts and general managers this week, here are three possible targets. 1. Michael Redd, SG, Milwaukee Why it could happen: John Hammond has done a masterful job retooling the Bucks and changing the culture since taking over as GM last April. Hammond has always spoken highly of Redd publicly, but if one thing is clear it's that the personnel boss has no allegiances to any of the players he has inherited. Like most teams, the Bucks are trying to create some financial flexibility, and unloading Redd (who is owed $17 million next season and has an $18.3 million player option for 2010-2011) would go a long way toward accomplishing that. Why it should happen: "The one thing they could probably use is a big guard," an Eastern Conference scout said of the Cavs. "Mo [Williams] and _Delonte West_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3841) are great, but they are on the small side." At 6-foot-6, 215 pounds, Redd is a prototypical shooting guard with a jump shot that ranks among the best in the league. With Redd spotting up on the perimeter, James would have wide lanes to penetrate and teams would be forced to defend _Zydrunas Ilgauskas_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3121) one-on-one on the block lest Redd beat them from the outside. Redd would probably welcome the move. A Columbus native and Ohio State alum, Redd was close to accepting an offer to play with the Cavs in 2005 before signing a bigger contract with the Bucks. Free from the pressures of being a team's No. 1 option, Redd would thrive as a complementary scorer. Why it might not happen: Money, specifically Gilbert's. By taking on Redd's contract, Gilbert effectively guarantees paying an eight-figure luxury-tax bill every year there is one. Gilbert hasn't been shy about shelling out cash -- and he's been rewarded for it with loyal fan support -- but this kind of money might be too much. 2. Vince Carter, SG, New Jersey Why it could happen: "I think if New Jersey was offered an enticing package for Carter before the season, they might have taken it," an NBA source said. "Now, I'm not so sure." Any deal that involves Carter and Szczerbiak or Wallace would not be a basketball decision for the Nets; a seemingly rejuvenated Carter has been stellar this season in averaging 22.2 points and 4.8 assists in 39 games. But New Jersey is considered to be one of the teams most interested in clearing cap space for 2010, and keeping Carter (who has two years and $36.6 million remaining on his contract) doesn't jibe with that plan. Why it should happen: Like Redd, Carter would probably be happier in a supporting role. "When has Vince ever led a team to anything in the playoffs?" one of Carter's former teammates said. Criticism aside, Carter is still a dynamic offensive player capable of scoring inside and out, and he wouldn't have to work as hard to score while playing alongside James. With Carter complementing James as a starter and leading the second unit for stretches, the Cavs would put constant pressure on opposing defenses. Why it might not happen: The Nets didn't anticipate being in playoff contention this late in the season, and Carter's play has a lot to do with it. Paired with _Devin Harris_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3822) , Carter has helped the Nets become a dangerous offensive team. Coach Lawrence Frank has effusively praised Carter's leadership, too. Trading Carter would be a blatant salary dump. Such a move would completely turn off an already alienated fan base that the Nets, with the move to Brooklyn looking more like a dream every day, might need to reclaim at some point. 3. Earl Watson, PG, Oklahoma City Why it could happen: Watson has been on the trade block all season. A deal seems inevitable given that his contract expires in 2010 and that the Thunder are committed to rookie _Russell Westbrook_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/4390) at point guard. Watson's price tag isn't hefty: He's owed the balance of his $6.2 million salary this season and $6.6 million next season. Why it should happen: "I think _Mo Williams_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.c om/basketball/nba/players/3750) could be even better if he were playing off the ball," another Eastern Conference scout said. "What Cleveland needs is the Eric Snow from five years ago. They need a guy who can put the ball in LeBron's hands at the right time and doesn't need a lot of shots himself." Watson, obviously, is not on Redd's or Carter's level, but his presence would occasionally free Williams to concentrate on his own offense. Why it might not happen: Oklahoma City is shopping Watson around the league and might be presented with an offer better than Cleveland's. What's more, the rebuilding Thunder might insist that a young talent like rookie forward J.J. Hickson be included in any deal. Any trade involving Hickson is a non-starter for Cleveland, according to sources. Arenas' waiting game The Wizards aren't ready to admit it, but there's a good chance _Gilbert Arenas_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3540) won't play this season. Arenas declined an interview request Wednesday, saying he didn't want to talk again until he returns, but watching him shoot around before the Wizards' game in New York told the story. Dressed in black Adidas sweats and a long-sleeved T-shirt, Arenas fired up dozens of stationary jump shots but made no movements that involved cutting or putting any significant stress on his thrice surgically repaired left knee. The workout affirmed Arenas' statements earlier this week to The Washington Times that he was "not even close" to returning. While Wizards forward _Caron Butler_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3608) said he does not expect Arenas to return this season, interim coach Ed Tapscott did not rule it out. "I leave that question to the medical people and the team GM," Tapscott said. "I coach the guys I have in practice. For me to speculate on that doesn't really help the situation. I've been told he is making progress. With a very talented and very gifted player, you want to make sure you get it right. That's their focus." Silas seeks another coaching opportunity Paul Silas wants to coach in the NBA again. "I'd definitely be interested in getting back in," said Silas, who hasn't coached since being fired by Cleveland in March 2005. "I'm certainly looking for an opportunity where I could be successful, but I look at any coaching job as a challenge." Since leaving Cleveland, Silas has been heavily involved with Adidas Nations, a grassroots basketball program that works with the world's top 18-and-under players. "We work with kids on pro sets and pro defenses," Silas said. "We're trying to bridge the gap for when they get into the league." While many experienced NBA coaches have been recycled and unproven ones hired and fired, the 65-year-old Silas has been inexplicably ignored. His only official interview for a head-coaching position in the last four years came with the Bobcats in 2007. "I'm not really surprised I haven't had many interviews," said Silas. "[Coaching] goes in cycles. In the last few years, teams have been looking at assistant coaches or new guys. Now, it looks like they might be looking for experience." Silas has that in spades. A 16-year NBA veteran, Silas won two championships with Boston and a third with Seattle. He reached the playoffs four times in nine full seasons as a coach. Silas said he would be interested in the Washington job if the Wizards don't bring back Tapscott. Silas and Wizards president Ernie Grunfeld were both Knicks assistants under Stu Jackson in the 1980s. Nets' Lopez a quick study Nets rookie center _Brook Lopez_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/4472) has been opening eyes with his recent play, including a 31-point, 13-rebound effort Monday against Oklahoma City. The 7-foot, 260-pound Lopez has seven double-doubles this season and is averaging 10.8 points, 8.2 rebounds and 2.1 blocks. "He has a great willingness to learn," Nets coach Lawrence Frank said. "He has worked a lot with [assistant coaches] Brian Hill and Roy Rogers, watching film and working on his game. He has huge potential for growth." Said an Eastern Conference assistant coach: "I like his frame and how he uses it, especially offensively. I think he knows his game, his limits and his role -- it's uncanny how some people 10 years into the league still don't know their role. He doesn't seem to make any rookie mistakes. He seems to be very under control. I love how defensively he's always in the right position. ... He may not be a star, but he's a guy you can build around, a solid center for the next 10 years." Three for the show The recent success of relatively unknown NFL coaches got me thinking: What if the NBA went a similar route? If the Baltimore Ravens' John Harbaugh, the Miami Dolphins' Tony Sparano and the Atlanta Falcons' _Mike Smith_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3434) can lead teams to the playoffs, why can't an NBA team take a chance on a hardworking assistant coach who lacks the pedigree of a recycled veteran, the hype of a top lieutenant or the cachet of a big-name college coach? Along those lines, here are three coaches who seem to fit that description. ? John Kuester, Cleveland: The Cavs' top assistant and de facto offensive coordinator has a significant voice in team huddles and a wealth of experience. In 1983, Kuester became the youngest coach in Division I history when he succeeded Rick Pitino at Boston University. Kuester, 53, also had a less than stellar stint as coach at George Washington (five losing seasons) before moving to the NBA, where has has been an assistant since 1990, working under Larry Brown, Brian Hill and Mike Brown, among others. ? Lester Conner, Indiana: Conner has been linked to college jobs in the past, but after 11 seasons as an assistant coach with Boston, Philadelphia, Milwaukee and Indiana, he deserves to be mentioned as a potential NBA head-coaching candidate. Jim O'Brien's right-hand man in three of those stops, Conner's strength has been his work with young players. ? Tim Grgurich, Denver: OK, Grgurich is well-respected in NBA circles. Every summer young players flock to his camp in Las Vegas, and he is regarded as a superior individual-workout coach. But Grgurich, who was a head coach at Pittsburgh and UNLV, is rarely mentioned as an NBA coaching candidate. Maybe it has something to do with the fact that he rarely speaks to the media and prefers to keep a low profile -- Nuggets coach George Karl practically had to order him to sit on the bench this season, as Grgurich prefers a seat behind it -- but someone with Grgurich's obvious skills should be brought in for an interview. If he passes, fine. But a guy that good deserves to be wooed as much as a glitzy college boss. **************Inauguration '09: Get complete coverage from the nation's capital.(http://www.aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000027) From kmalo17 at verizon.net Fri Jan 16 17:09:01 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 12:09:01 -0500 Subject: Reasons why Bill Walker will make it in this league Message-ID: <0KDK005B3QAZP8K5@vms044.mailsrvcs.net> Yeah, there were those two wish I was on the bench watching to listen to his elders' comments dunks, yes there was the Powe and Perk-like take no prisoners attitude he showed in the preseason (I'd pay to watch Powe and Walker play each other in practice), but then there's maybe the biggest reason given how many other players have talent and attitude, which was this quote in the Globe today, especially the last sentence "It was fun," Walker said. "This is where I want to be. I want to be out there helping this team in any way possible. Coach [Doc Rivers] just gave me a chance to go out there and play. Hopefully, I did most of everything he asked me to do." Good lord, a rookie who actually gets it. That wasn't the meaningless cliche I'm just trying to contribute, got a lot to learn, etc, this was someone who understands the idea of a role and what he's really supposed to be doing on the court, who's not intimidated by it all but doesn't think he's perfect just because it was an easy and showy several minutes either. Kim From pdelevett at yahoo.com Fri Jan 16 22:50:08 2009 From: pdelevett at yahoo.com (Peter Delevett) Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 14:50:08 -0800 (PST) Subject: In the news ... Message-ID: <81678.17273.qm@web110106.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Just noticing that: a) Darius Miles, cut by the Celtics in training camp so they presumably could keep Sam Cassell on the roster, scored 13 points in 14 minutes the other night against Cleveland, which you may know as a pretty good basketball team: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/jan/16/miles-showing-off-versatility-for-griz/ b) The aforementioned Cassell has yet to play a minute for a team that many have described as hard-up for help at the point: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/2009_01_15_Sam_Cassell_sits_and_waits/ c) Celtics GM Danny Ainge says things are hunky dory with his roster and he's not feeling any urgency to make any changes. "Two weeks ago, this team was 27-2," he says. Of course, five years ago, I still had a full head of hair. http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1144559 From douglas342 at aol.com Fri Jan 16 23:11:03 2009 From: douglas342 at aol.com (douglas342 at aol.com) Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 18:11:03 -0500 Subject: In the news ... In-Reply-To: <81678.17273.qm@web110106.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> References: <81678.17273.qm@web110106.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <8CB4646D69213DA-38C-360@webmail-dd19.sysops.aol.com> Peter, you're going Ray on us! -----Original Message----- From: Peter Delevett To: celtics at igtc.com Sent: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 2:50 pm Subject: In the news ... Just noticing that: a) Darius Miles, cut by the Celtics in training camp so they presumably could keep Sam Cassell on the roster, scored 13 points in 14 minutes the other night against Cleveland, which you may know as a pretty good basketball team: http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/jan/16/miles-showing-off-versatility-for-griz/ b) The aforementioned Cassell has yet to play a minute for a team that many have described as hard-up for help at the point: http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/2009_01_15_Sam_Cassell_sits_and_waits/ c) Celtics GM Danny Ainge says things are hunky dory with his roster and he's not feeling any urgency to make any changes. "Two weeks ago, this team was 27-2," he says. Of course, five years ago, I still had a full head of hair. http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1144559 _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From pdelevett at yahoo.com Fri Jan 16 23:26:08 2009 From: pdelevett at yahoo.com (Peter Delevett) Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 15:26:08 -0800 (PST) Subject: In the news ... In-Reply-To: <8CB4646D69213DA-38C-360@webmail-dd19.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: <593099.57208.qm@web110105.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Well, Ray has been uncustomarily quiet, so I'm just doing my part. ;) --- On Fri, 1/16/09, douglas342 at aol.com wrote: > From: douglas342 at aol.com > Subject: Re: In the news ... > To: pdelevett at yahoo.com, celtics at igtc.com > Date: Friday, January 16, 2009, 3:11 PM > Peter, you're going Ray on us! > > > -----Original Message----- > From: Peter Delevett > To: celtics at igtc.com > Sent: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 2:50 pm > Subject: In the news ... > > > > Just noticing that: > > a) Darius Miles, cut by the Celtics in training camp so > they presumably could > keep Sam Cassell on the roster, scored 13 points in 14 > minutes the other night > against Cleveland, which you may know as a pretty good > basketball team: > > http://www.commercialappeal.com/news/2009/jan/16/miles-showing-off-versatility-for-griz/ > > > b) The aforementioned Cassell has yet to play a minute for > a team that many have > described as hard-up for help at the point: > > http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/2009_01_15_Sam_Cassell_sits_and_waits/ > > > c) Celtics GM Danny Ainge says things are hunky dory with > his roster and he's > not feeling any urgency to make any changes. "Two > weeks ago, this team was > 27-2," he says. Of course, five years ago, I still had > a full head of hair. > > http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1144559 > > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From snoopy at celticsbeagle.net Sat Jan 17 02:20:46 2009 From: snoopy at celticsbeagle.net (Snoopy the Celtics Beagle) Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 21:20:46 -0500 Subject: In the news ... In-Reply-To: <81678.17273.qm@web110106.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> References: <81678.17273.qm@web110106.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20090117022058.21FF9E18098@ignite.igtc.com> And as Johnny Most used to say, "Justice prevails", as Darius got into the Grizzlies game tonight to play his $18 million dollar minute to start the 2nd quarter, scoring the first points of said quarter against the Utah Jazz. Personally, I was tempted to hope they kept him out of the game until about 2 minutes left in the 4th quarter, just to see how high Larry Miller's blood pressure spiked, but this was more sportsmanlike, playing him as the medically able NBA level contributor he is. Still... I hope the NBA asks for the money in "ones" just to reinforce the "fiduciary responsibility" the Blazers tried to dodge. At 05:50 PM 1/16/2009, Peter Delevett wrote: >Just noticing that: > >a) Darius Miles, cut by the Celtics in training camp so they >presumably could keep Sam Cassell on the roster, scored 13 points in >14 minutes the other night against Cleveland, which you may know as >a pretty good basketball team: Snoopy the Celtics Beagle Please visit the Celtics Beagle Website From kmalo17 at verizon.net Sat Jan 17 03:43:28 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Fri, 16 Jan 2009 22:43:28 -0500 Subject: In the news ... In-Reply-To: <20090117022058.21FF9E18098@ignite.igtc.com> References: <81678.17273.qm@web110106.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> <20090117022058.21FF9E18098@ignite.igtc.com> Message-ID: <0KDL0075VJOIIVA6@vms173001.mailsrvcs.net> At 09:20 PM 1/16/2009, Snoopy the Celtics Beagle wrote: >And as Johnny Most used to say, "Justice prevails", as Darius got >into the Grizzlies game tonight to play his $18 million dollar >minute to start the 2nd quarter, scoring the first points of said >quarter against the Utah Jazz. Personally, I was tempted to hope >they kept him out of the game until about 2 minutes left in the 4th >quarter, just to see how high Larry Miller's blood pressure spiked, >but this was more sportsmanlike, playing him as the medically able >NBA level contributor he is. > >Still... > >I hope the NBA asks for the money in "ones" just to reinforce the >"fiduciary responsibility" the Blazers tried to dodge. They won't and that's actually a part of this that really bothers me. From what I heard on the news, the league already announced it wasn't going to do anything about it. I think there should be at least a fine, especially considering some of the lesser things they lay down fines for. This was just completely despicable and unethical. Kim From snoopy at celticsbeagle.net Sat Jan 17 05:09:54 2009 From: snoopy at celticsbeagle.net (Snoopy the Celtics Beagle) Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2009 00:09:54 -0500 Subject: In the news ... In-Reply-To: <0KDL0075VJOIIVA6@vms173001.mailsrvcs.net> References: <81678.17273.qm@web110106.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> <20090117022058.21FF9E18098@ignite.igtc.com> <0KDL0075VJOIIVA6@vms173001.mailsrvcs.net> Message-ID: <20090117051005.0DC92E18098@ignite.igtc.com> At 10:43 PM 1/16/2009, Kim Malo wrote: >At 09:20 PM 1/16/2009, Snoopy the Celtics Beagle wrote: >>And as Johnny Most used to say, "Justice prevails", as Darius got >>into the Grizzlies game tonight to play his $18 million dollar >>minute to start the 2nd quarter, scoring the first points of said >>quarter against the Utah Jazz. Personally, I was tempted to hope >>they kept him out of the game until about 2 minutes left in the 4th >>quarter, just to see how high Larry Miller's blood pressure spiked, >>but this was more sportsmanlike, playing him as the medically able >>NBA level contributor he is. >> >>Still... >> >>I hope the NBA asks for the money in "ones" just to reinforce the >>"fiduciary responsibility" the Blazers tried to dodge. > >They won't and that's actually a part of this that really bothers >me. From what I heard on the news, the league already announced it >wasn't going to do anything about it. I think there should be at >least a fine, especially considering some of the lesser things they >lay down fines for. This was just completely despicable and unethical. >Kim I agree, after they jacked up Mark Cuban for $25k the least they could do is tear miller a new one for threatening 29 other owners after trying to dump Miles on their own inactive list. And no, I do NOT think having the $18 million back on the books is "punishment enough". That's what they owe, now they should pay for trying to avoid what they owe. >_______________________________________________ >The Boston Celtics Mailing List >celtics at igtc.com >http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From gk_tyler at yahoo.com Sun Jan 18 01:39:59 2009 From: gk_tyler at yahoo.com (gene kirkpatrick) Date: Sat, 17 Jan 2009 17:39:59 -0800 (PST) Subject: bench Message-ID: <511125.75382.qm@web39606.mail.mud.yahoo.com> This is the bench group that I've wanted to see.? I thought Allen v. House would be better, but when House is on target like today, it's a versatile group.? With both Pruitt and House to hit threes, Powe and Baby to hit the boards and Walker to slash, I think they will hold their own much better.? Well, it's a limited sample.? Cheers, Gene From noah.evans at gmail.com Tue Jan 20 05:38:41 2009 From: noah.evans at gmail.com (Noah Evans) Date: Mon, 19 Jan 2009 23:38:41 -0600 Subject: That's more like it. Message-ID: <56a297000901192138g6277e2e0qf0033c0c254ff972@mail.gmail.com> I really enjoyed our dismantling of the suns. Going small seems to be our strongest lineup. I also loved the way that big baby and Garnett defended Shaq. From gk_tyler at yahoo.com Tue Jan 20 12:29:52 2009 From: gk_tyler at yahoo.com (gene kirkpatrick) Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 04:29:52 -0800 (PST) Subject: hope Message-ID: <543032.29597.qm@web39608.mail.mud.yahoo.com> What a day!? I particularly enjoyed the energy of Bill Walker.? We've got something there. I'm really moved by the zeal of Ray Allen to go to Washington today.? What a class act that man is.? What a day!? Cheers, Gene From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Tue Jan 20 14:01:50 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 06:01:50 -0800 (PST) Subject: Random Thoughts Message-ID: <671031.54185.qm@web63804.mail.re1.yahoo.com> We absolutely destroyed the Suns last night. Just before half-time when the Celtics lead was rapidly growing to 30 points, the Suns had an urgency about them that could only be described as fear. They seemed scared that they were going to be blown away completely a la Game 6 of the NBA Finals last year. (Shaq, however, seemed unfazed and scored a couple of points before half-time to stem the tide) This was the first game that truly felt like Game 6 vs the Lakers. 3 point shooting aside, the great defense and fastbreak scoring was a joy to watch. Even Scal scored 2 baskets (including another dunk!) in transition to make us proud. I honestly think that the team has now turned the corner and hopefully we will see more games like last night. They were confident, aggressive and tough. Great stuff! Player of the game outside of the Big 3 and Rondo: Big Baby. Great D, good mid-range shooting and proved he can step up when we need him. Also, just thinking of the slump by the Celts- there wasn't anything strategy-wise that we gave up during that stretch. There was the Jared Jeffries experiment guarding Rondo which worked but I'm sure Rajon will overcome that with better shooting. He scored on at least 2 mid-range jumpshots last night which was great. The slump seemed to be a product of below-Celtic-standard defense and a lack of scoring in the 4th quarter (as well as other teams playing well above their usual standards). Seeing how the team played last night, I have little worry that that will happen again, at least not for a 9 game stretch. As mentioned recently on this list, the losing streak will only make us stronger. As for the Cleveland - L.A. game, it was frustrating to see Kobe outplay LeBron. Considering how dominant LeBron was only 10 days ago vs the Celts, why didn't he turn it on vs the Lakers?!? Our defense in the Cleveland game was well below Celtics standard, but LeBron and the Cavs were hungry for that game; it was a different story in L.A. last night. Anyway, the Lakers win actually helps us in the Eastern Conference standings so it was a win-win situation either way. Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From bgoudreau at verizon.net Tue Jan 20 19:52:42 2009 From: bgoudreau at verizon.net (Robert Goudreau) Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 14:52:42 -0500 Subject: Random Thoughts Message-ID: <5A0AF78AE7A24864904B5362BE7688A3@gail8c0dd2bec0> Ther was another statement at last nights lLaker game that really woke me up. The Fakers have played forty games and twenty five of them have been at home. That only leaves about frourteen on the road. I said holy smokes that means they have 25 games sto play on the road during the rest of the season. Lets see what that does to their won lost record. Goody From kmalo17 at verizon.net Tue Jan 20 21:17:33 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Tue, 20 Jan 2009 16:17:33 -0500 Subject: Random Thoughts In-Reply-To: <671031.54185.qm@web63804.mail.re1.yahoo.com> References: <671031.54185.qm@web63804.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <0KDS006CVGHBVMB1@vms173001.mailsrvcs.net> At 09:01 AM 1/20/2009, Adam Patterson wrote: >The slump seemed to be a product of below-Celtic-standard defense >and a lack of scoring in the 4th quarter (as well as other teams >playing well above their usual standards). Seeing how the team >played last night, I have little worry that that will happen again, >at least not for a 9 game stretch. As mentioned recently on this >list, the losing streak will only make us stronger. Well it could happen again, especially if we pull the play down to out competition tricks we did earlier in the season when we were winning but... leading to too many necessary comebacks that a) gave us the mistaken impression we could always turn it on and offf / come back and win no matter what and b) helped wear out the older legs helping to contribute to those subsequent nothing left 4th quarters because of what those comebacks took. But yes, that is what the slump was about, which is part of why the inevitable shoe shopping approach to solving it offered everywhere was so annoying (on top of my well known opinion of that approach in general). And yes, I suspect they've largely learned their lesson. With some credit to Doc for making it clear the issues were mental and about approach to things by setting things up for them as if it was the playoffs. SEE what a difference a little more focus can make. Kim From pdelevett at yahoo.com Thu Jan 22 02:29:30 2009 From: pdelevett at yahoo.com (Peter Delevett) Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 18:29:30 -0800 (PST) Subject: Marbury may not be walking through that door Message-ID: <187817.18291.qm@web110104.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> I noticed yesterday a sportswriter for one of the NYC tabloids saying it's "increasingly obvious" Dolan would rather let Steph twist in the wind than watch him win a championship in Boston. Now comes word the Greek team that stole Josh Childress from the Hawks is talking to the Knicks about buying out Starbury's contract: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3850368 From jbrainin at verizon.net Thu Jan 22 02:36:45 2009 From: jbrainin at verizon.net (Jonathan Brainin) Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 21:36:45 -0500 Subject: Marbury may not be walking through that door In-Reply-To: <187817.18291.qm@web110104.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> References: <187817.18291.qm@web110104.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <003E7534-D2CF-4E0B-B660-C29070FABB5F@verizon.net> Please let this happen. Stephon and Greece: perfect together. On Jan 21, 2009, at 9:29 PM, Peter Delevett wrote: > I noticed yesterday a sportswriter for one of the NYC tabloids > saying it's "increasingly obvious" Dolan would rather let Steph > twist in the wind than watch him win a championship in Boston. > > Now comes word the Greek team that stole Josh Childress from the > Hawks is talking to the Knicks about buying out Starbury's contract: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3850368 From kmalo17 at verizon.net Thu Jan 22 03:15:24 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 22:15:24 -0500 Subject: Marbury may not be walking through that door In-Reply-To: <003E7534-D2CF-4E0B-B660-C29070FABB5F@verizon.net> References: <187817.18291.qm@web110104.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> <003E7534-D2CF-4E0B-B660-C29070FABB5F@verizon.net> Message-ID: <0KDU0051ZRN54DX1@vms173007.mailsrvcs.net> At 09:36 PM 1/21/2009, Jonathan Brainin wrote: >Please let this happen. Stephon and Greece: perfect together. > >On Jan 21, 2009, at 9:29 PM, Peter Delevett wrote: > >>I noticed yesterday a sportswriter for one of the NYC tabloids >>saying it's "increasingly obvious" Dolan would rather let Steph >>twist in the wind than watch him win a championship in Boston. >> >>Now comes word the Greek team that stole Josh Childress from the >>Hawks is talking to the Knicks about buying out Starbury's >>contract: http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3850368 Dammit no they aren't. I LIKE Greece, one of my favorite places to visit. Nice place to live and they actually know something about basketball (first visit back in the 80s, first thing they said when they heard I was from Boston was "Larry Bird"). Send him someplace where he can really be miserable. As to what the tabloid guy says, who knows. That sort of thing is just his interpretation or he would have given a source. I never get too impressed by anyone who insists something "must be" or "it is obvious" when there are viable alternatives. Grande and Max may have the answer when they suggest that if he is coming here, maybe NY just isn't going to let it happen until after the last time we play them, which is in NY in Feb. Kim From jbrainin at verizon.net Thu Jan 22 04:03:20 2009 From: jbrainin at verizon.net (Jonathan Brainin) Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:03:20 -0500 Subject: Marbury may not be walking through that door In-Reply-To: <0KDU0051ZRN54DX1@vms173007.mailsrvcs.net> References: <187817.18291.qm@web110104.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> <003E7534-D2CF-4E0B-B660-C29070FABB5F@verizon.net> <0KDU0051ZRN54DX1@vms173007.mailsrvcs.net> Message-ID: <1D0AD7E0-28BD-4C5B-B42F-4C58111C01B2@verizon.net> On Jan 21, 2009, at 10:15 PM, Kim Malo wrote: > > Dammit no they aren't. I LIKE Greece, one of my favorite places to > visit. Nice place to live and they actually know something about > basketball (first visit back in the 80s, first thing they said when > they heard I was from Boston was "Larry Bird"). Send him someplace > where he can really be miserable. Steph would just LOVE Moscow Dynamo! From kmalo17 at verizon.net Thu Jan 22 04:31:33 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Wed, 21 Jan 2009 23:31:33 -0500 Subject: Marbury may not be walking through that door In-Reply-To: <1D0AD7E0-28BD-4C5B-B42F-4C58111C01B2@verizon.net> References: <187817.18291.qm@web110104.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> <003E7534-D2CF-4E0B-B660-C29070FABB5F@verizon.net> <0KDU0051ZRN54DX1@vms173007.mailsrvcs.net> <1D0AD7E0-28BD-4C5B-B42F-4C58111C01B2@verizon.net> Message-ID: <0KDU005XPV614E42@vms173007.mailsrvcs.net> At 11:03 PM 1/21/2009, Jonathan Brainin wrote: >On Jan 21, 2009, at 10:15 PM, Kim Malo wrote: >> >>Dammit no they aren't. I LIKE Greece, one of my favorite places to >>visit. Nice place to live and they actually know something about >>basketball (first visit back in the 80s, first thing they said when >>they heard I was from Boston was "Larry Bird"). Send him someplace >>where he can really be miserable. > >Steph would just LOVE Moscow Dynamo! NOW you're talking Kim From Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil Thu Jan 22 12:57:51 2009 From: Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil (Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil) Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2009 07:57:51 -0500 Subject: Marbury may not be walking through that door In-Reply-To: <0KDU005XPV614E42@vms173007.mailsrvcs.net> References: <187817.18291.qm@web110104.mail.gq1.yahoo.com><003E7534-D2CF-4E0B-B660-C29070FABB5F@verizon.net><0KDU0051ZRN54DX1@vms173007.mailsrvcs.net><1D0AD7E0-28BD-4C5B-B42F-4C58111C01B2@verizon.net> <0KDU005XPV614E42@vms173007.mailsrvcs.net> Message-ID: <200901221258.n0MCvv2n020962@poseidon.afrc.af.mil> There's a couple teams at a little place called Balad that I just came back from. Sure, they're not NBA caliber, but then is Marbury anymore? Camel spiders, 120 degree temps, and the occasional rocket or mortar - it's like a vacation. Maybe I should give "Jimmy" Dolan a call. PSR -----Original Message----- From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of Kim Malo Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 11:32 PM To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List; The Boston Celtics Mailing List Subject: Re: Marbury may not be walking through that door At 11:03 PM 1/21/2009, Jonathan Brainin wrote: >On Jan 21, 2009, at 10:15 PM, Kim Malo wrote: >> >>Dammit no they aren't. I LIKE Greece, one of my favorite places to >>visit. Nice place to live and they actually know something about >>basketball (first visit back in the 80s, first thing they said when >>they heard I was from Boston was "Larry Bird"). Send him someplace >>where he can really be miserable. > >Steph would just LOVE Moscow Dynamo! NOW you're talking Kim _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From snoopy at celticsbeagle.net Thu Jan 22 14:45:18 2009 From: snoopy at celticsbeagle.net (Snoopy the Celtics Beagle) Date: Thu, 22 Jan 2009 09:45:18 -0500 Subject: Marbury may not be walking through that door In-Reply-To: <200901221258.n0MCvv2n020962@poseidon.afrc.af.mil> References: <187817.18291.qm@web110104.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> <003E7534-D2CF-4E0B-B660-C29070FABB5F@verizon.net> <0KDU0051ZRN54DX1@vms173007.mailsrvcs.net> <1D0AD7E0-28BD-4C5B-B42F-4C58111C01B2@verizon.net> <0KDU005XPV614E42@vms173007.mailsrvcs.net> <200901221258.n0MCvv2n020962@poseidon.afrc.af.mil> Message-ID: <20090122144538.C8BFAE18097@ignite.igtc.com> Forget Marbury--any chance we can send the *^*#*#*#^ Lakers there? At 07:57 AM 1/22/2009, Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil wrote: >There's a couple teams at a little place called Balad that I just came >back from. Sure, they're not NBA caliber, but then is Marbury anymore? >Camel spiders, 120 degree temps, and the occasional rocket or mortar - >it's like a vacation. > >Maybe I should give "Jimmy" Dolan a call. > >PSR > > >-----Original Message----- >From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On >Behalf Of Kim Malo >Sent: Wednesday, January 21, 2009 11:32 PM >To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List; The Boston Celtics Mailing List >Subject: Re: Marbury may not be walking through that door > >At 11:03 PM 1/21/2009, Jonathan Brainin wrote: > >On Jan 21, 2009, at 10:15 PM, Kim Malo wrote: > >> > >>Dammit no they aren't. I LIKE Greece, one of my favorite places to > >>visit. Nice place to live and they actually know something about > >>basketball (first visit back in the 80s, first thing they said when > >>they heard I was from Boston was "Larry Bird"). Send him someplace > >>where he can really be miserable. > > > >Steph would just LOVE Moscow Dynamo! > > >NOW you're talking >Kim Snoopy the Celtics Beagle Please visit the Celtics Beagle Website From douglas342 at aol.com Fri Jan 23 15:50:16 2009 From: douglas342 at aol.com (douglas342 at aol.com) Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:50:16 -0500 Subject: Orlando Message-ID: <8CB4B896B97A153-14C0-8DE@WEBMAIL-DZ05.sysops.aol.com> I didn't see the game, but note that Rondo outrebounds Perk, Pierce has more assists than Rondo, and BB outscores Ray. Pretty normal game, huh? From Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil Fri Jan 23 15:58:04 2009 From: Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil (Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil) Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:58:04 -0500 Subject: Orlando In-Reply-To: <8CB4B896B97A153-14C0-8DE@WEBMAIL-DZ05.sysops.aol.com> References: <8CB4B896B97A153-14C0-8DE@WEBMAIL-DZ05.sysops.aol.com> Message-ID: <200901231558.n0NFw512020499@artemis.afrc.af.mil> It was "U-G-L-Y" you ain't got no alibi...I'll take the win, don't get me wrong, but it was a herky-jerky, no flow, terrible refs (both ways - they'd call NOTHING for three minutes then call everything for three minutes) type game. Pretty dumb by Van Gundy to keep Hedo in there after his injury as he's a terrible defender anyway, but then he couldn't turn his head anymore, and he was utterly useless on the defensive end. Anyone else hear Kenny Smith give Perk some All-star love????? I know a lot of people hate Perk, and no, he's not an all-star, but I will contend he's one of the only true classic centers in the East (it may be down to him and Howard actually..). Z is a good player, but eurocenters don't count as much in the "classic" argument. He definitely the only one who can stand toe to toe with the Shaq/Howard mega-centers defensively (although by the end of the night Howard was so out of his game that even Baby pushed him around). Good win against a quality opponent, but as far as entertainment value - TNT was not your destination last night. From BDodgers at aol.com Fri Jan 23 16:16:59 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 11:16:59 EST Subject: Celtics' Defense Stymies Cold-Shooting Magic Message-ID: Celtics' Defense Stymies Cold-Shooting Magic By Dr. Jack Ramsay ESPN.com ORLANDO -- Obviously the Magic are a very good shooting team, but sometimes you can love the 3-point shot too much. Even when you have great shooters like _J.J. Redick_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3024) , _Jameer Nelson_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2439) , _Hedo Turkoglu_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=862) and _Rashard Lewis_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=469) , if you build your offense around the 3-point shot, you're not going to win the big games. The Celtics proved that in tonight's 90-80 win. Their defense was tremendous. They had a game plan of challenging the 3-point shot and keeping Nelson out of the paint and they did a good job in both of those areas. _Dwight Howard_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2384) was in foul trouble and wasn't much of a factor. Howard had one putback and only one strong power play. _Kendrick Perkins_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2018) is the main interior defender for Boston and _Kevin Garnett_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=261) is always lurking. Garnett is the designated double teamer and they did a good job of neutralizing Howard. In order for the Magic to win the big games as the season goes on, they are going to need Howard to get to the basket more. He really needs to work on taking the ball to the rim. He should have been able to take Perkins to school. He's much quicker and can jump higher than Perkins, but never took advantage of that. Also, although Orlando shoots the three well, they need to get their 3-point shots from penetration and kick or by throwing the ball inside to Howard and letting him find the 3-point shooters. They need to go inside more, make the defense collapse and then they will get even more open looks. The Magic are the best 3-point shooting team in the league, but Turkoglu was the only one who shot well (4-for-7 on 3s) tonight. The rest of the 3-point shooters struggled and they finished 7-for-22 as a team. Boston went on that West Coast trip a few weeks ago and lost those games and people started questioning if they could defend their title. I don't think anyone is questioning that now. I like Boston the best in the East, followed by Cleveland and I have Orlando third. The Lakers are the best in the West and San Antonio is second right now. Boston was playing a back-to-back. They went down to Miami on Wednesday and shut them right down. Then they turned around and did the same to Orlando. One of the keys to the game was _Rajon Rondo_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=3026) winning his matchup with Nelson. Even though Nelson came on at the end of the game, I think Rondo accomplished his objective of keeping him out of the paint. He picked him up endline to endline. By the time Nelson got the ball over halfcourt, significant time was off the shot clock. This helped Boston keep Orlando from doing what they wanted to do. Offensively, _Paul Pierce_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=662) (27 points, 10 rebounds and 4 assists) did a little bit of everything for the Celtics. He has played well these last two seasons epitomized by the playoffs last year, especially Game 7 against Cleveland. He has expanded his game. He can shoot the three, go to the basket, shoot runners and post up. He also defends and finds open teammates. It seems like someone always steps up off the bench for the Celtics. Tonight was Glen Davis' turn. He scored 16 points on 6-for-8 shooting and did most of his damage on jump shots. The Celtics share the ball, always get good shots and never seem to be in a hurry. Meanwhile, as Orlando showed, when you come back from a road trip, the first game at home is usually a bummer. Legendary coach and Basketball Hall of Famer Dr. Jack Ramsay serves as lead game analyst for the NBA on ESPN Radio. **************From Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between, stay up-to-date with the latest news. (http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000023) From BDodgers at aol.com Fri Jan 23 18:13:42 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:13:42 EST Subject: Marbury off Greek team's radar? Message-ID: Marbury off Greek team's radar? By Chris Sheridan ESPN.com NEW YORK -- The flirtation between _Stephon Marbury_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=509) and the Greek club Olympiacos appeared to end Friday, with a new twist to the story blowing in from Moscow. Olympiacos is pursuing former NBA guard _Jannero Pargo_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1821) , who was expected to secure his release from Dynamo Moscow before the end of the weekend, sources told ESPN.com. At least three NBA teams and two Euroleague teams were in the bidding for Pargo, whose value in Europe is actually higher than Marbury's because teams have already seen him play this season -- and because he can be signed to a contract before Euroleague final 16 rosters are due Monday and Tuesday. The was no contact Thursday between Olympiacos and Marbury, a day after Olympiacos contacted the _New York Knicks_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=nyk) as part of its efforts to find a replacement for American _Josh Childress_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2373) . The club's pursuit of Pargo was an indication that it had cooled to the idea of pursuing Marbury, at least until Pargo's new employer is determined. Pargo signed a one-year, $3.5 million contract with Dynamo last summer, but the club has struggled to make payroll and recently learned that it would not receive the subsidy it was expecting from the Russian military (Dynamo is also known as the Red Army team). Dynamo's financing problems also could impact the future of another of its big offseason signings, ex-Nets forward _Bostjan Nachbar_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=1723) , who wants to return to the NBA. Marbury had said he is open to the idea of joining the Greek League powerhouse, but if Olympiacos had gone after the exiled Knicks point guard, the next step would have been for the three sides to come to a financial agreement that would settle several issues: ? the terms of Marbury's buyout; ? the terms of Marbury's Olympiacos contract; ? the terms of any compensation the Knicks might seek in order to release Marbury from his contract. Also, it would take two business days for Marbury to clear NBA waivers, and he could not sign with any European team before then -- effectively rendering him ineligible for Euroleague Final 16 play. A source close to Olympiacos told ESPN.com that club officials met late into Thursday night in Athens to discuss the possible pursuit of Marbury, with questions being raised in that meeting regarding Marbury's character and whether he would be a poor locker room influence for a team currently sitting atop the Greek League standings at 14-1, one game ahead of 13-2 archrival Panathinaikos. Olympiacos is looking for a player who can play both guard positions after recently losing Childress to a sports hernia injury (Childress told Slam Magazine that he will be out only 3-4 weeks, not the 6-8 weeks previously reported). With Olympiacos eager to fill its roster spot quickly, it made it all the more curious that the club did not reach out to Marbury's representative Thursday after the Knicks provided the club with his contact information. One Knicks insider speculated that the Greek club was already testing Marbury, seeing whether he would be proactive and reach out to the team. "I will listen to what they have to say," Marbury told the New York Post in an e-mail. Marbury did not return a message left on his cell phone by ESPN.com. "I will never close the door that has not been opened." Knicks president Donnie Walsh is holding out hope that Marbury's expiring contract can be turned into an asset through a trade prior to the NBA's Feb. 19 deadline, but Olympiacos is not willing to wait another four or five weeks. Olympiacos plays an important Greek Cup semifinal -- a separate competition from the Greek League -- on Sunday and begins Euroleague Final 16 play on Thursday against AJ Milano. The Greek Cup final, in which the Olympiacos-Panionios winner plays the Panathinaikos-Maroussi winner, is Feb. 21. As many as six foreigners can be on Olympiacos' Euroleague roster, but the team can use only two Americans during the 26-game Greek League regular season, which runs through April 29, and Olympiacos already has former _Milwaukee Bucks_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=mil) guard _Lynn Greer_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2215) on its roster in addition to Childress. The report in Thursday's New York Post, in which Marbury was quoted, cited anonymous Greek media reports saying Olympiacos was willing to spend as much as $15 million toward a Marbury acquisition. But a source told ESPN.com the actual amount Olympiacos owner Panagiotis Angelopolous was willing to spend was a fraction of that amount. The team's payroll is already above $40 million -- a sign of how badly the Angelopolous brothers want to end Olympiacos' decade-long slump in which they've been second-class citizens behind Panathinaikos in the Greek basketball pecking order. An NBA spokesman said the league would not permit any language in a buyout agreement with the Knicks that would preclude Marbury from returning to the NBA if, for instance, he were to spend just 2-3 weeks with Olympiacos while Childress recovers and then get released from his contract. Marbury has already offered to give back $1 million, and New York radio personality Mike Francesa of WFAN said Knicks owner James Dolan indicated in a conversation that he'd let Marbury go if the offer rose to $2 million. Marbury has indicated that no matter who he plays for, he wants to make back in a new deal whatever he gives back in a buyout in order to "remain whole" and collect all of the $20.8 million he is under contract to receive from New York. But Marbury also wants to resurrect his career, and the Knicks hold leverage over him in that regard because they can stand in his way -- especially if the buyout stalemate persists and the Olympiacos option does not come to fruition -- by refusing to release him in time to clear waivers by March 1 -- the deadline for him to be eligible for the playoffs with another team. Chris Sheridan covers the NBA for ESPN Insider **************From Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between, stay up-to-date with the latest news. (http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000023) From pdelevett at yahoo.com Fri Jan 23 18:59:22 2009 From: pdelevett at yahoo.com (Peter Delevett) Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 10:59:22 -0800 (PST) Subject: And we're back Message-ID: <409020.43381.qm@web110102.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Pretty it may not have been, but that was a statement win, folks. Second night of a back to back, on the road, against a top conference rival that was tearing it up (9-1 over their previous 10 games). I still think Orlando is a rung below Boston's weight class, but it's entirely possible the road back to the Finals could go through them. Nice to feel like we've put the losing streak behind us once and for all. From noah.evans at gmail.com Fri Jan 23 19:49:01 2009 From: noah.evans at gmail.com (Noah Evans) Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 13:49:01 -0600 Subject: And we're back In-Reply-To: <409020.43381.qm@web110102.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> References: <409020.43381.qm@web110102.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <56a297000901231149g20d344r8a89b34bc73d604f@mail.gmail.com> We have trouble with teams that have perimeter superstars, like Cleveland and LA. Teams like Orlando and Phoenix that rely on their cast playing together and well get frazzled by our defense and make lots of mistakes. Our post defense is especially good. This is where we really miss Posey, but not having a physical, lockdown defender on the perimeter to get in the heads of the other team's superstar we are vulnerable to one man shows. On Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 12:59 PM, Peter Delevett wrote: > Pretty it may not have been, but that was a statement win, folks. Second night of a back to back, on the road, against a top conference rival that was tearing it up (9-1 over their previous 10 games). > > I still think Orlando is a rung below Boston's weight class, but it's entirely possible the road back to the Finals could go through them. Nice to feel like we've put the losing streak behind us once and for all. > > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > From kmalo17 at verizon.net Fri Jan 23 20:34:23 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 15:34:23 -0500 Subject: Orlando In-Reply-To: <200901231558.n0NFw512020499@artemis.afrc.af.mil> References: <8CB4B896B97A153-14C0-8DE@WEBMAIL-DZ05.sysops.aol.com> <200901231558.n0NFw512020499@artemis.afrc.af.mil> Message-ID: <0KDX00I20YHCBSQ8@vms044.mailsrvcs.net> At 10:58 AM 1/23/2009, Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil wrote: >It was "U-G-L-Y" you ain't got no alibi...I'll take the win, don't get >me wrong, but it was a herky-jerky, no flow, terrible refs (both ways - >they'd call NOTHING for three minutes then call everything for three >minutes) type game. Pretty dumb by Van Gundy to keep Hedo in there after >his injury as he's a terrible defender anyway, but then he couldn't turn >his head anymore, and he was utterly useless on the defensive end. Interesting. Maybe we look for entirely different things in a game and maybe that's because defensive was my forte in any sport I played, from field hockey to basketball (shot put and discus don't count since I wasn't on the target end ). My favorite play on offense after a clockwork passing fast break is the backdoor pass to an open layup, not the dunk. Guile and synchronized teamwork allied to skill over mere athleticism every time. Scoring is fun, but it's at bottom all about just doing what you want. I think actively stopping someone, especially someone really good, from doing what they want is a lot more satisfying and makes a bigger statement. At its best when you not only know you're going to stop them / get the ball away from them, but see it in their eyes and suddenly less flowing motions that they know it too and also know that there's probably not enough they can do about it. I probably actively salivated at times like that. THAT's enforcing your will in a way that offense doesn't require because you inherently start with the control on offense. I find it very entertaining to watch and analyze, especially when my team's on the right end. And even more especially after the not so long ago losing streak when our will resembled a wet noodle at times. I've always found it frustrating that almost everyone mainly just points to offense and offensive stats when judging a player or a game. Don't get me wrong - sometimes that is indeed what it's all about. After all J J Reddick was a lottery pick. But not always. And this is a game where it wasn't. This was a game all about enforcing our will on them (except on the offensive boards - props to Lewis) on defense first, then using that and the physical and mental effect of that on both sides to do it on offense too. Which to me can be beautiful and very entertaining. As I keep noting, for all the gaudy offensive talent in our Big 3, we won the championship last year because of defense, just as the losing streak this year came from losing some of that defensive intensity and stopped when we got it back. Power and control, man, power and control. >Anyone else hear Kenny Smith give Perk some All-star love????? I know a >lot of people hate Perk, Where does that come from? They used to, but one of the more amusing things since his performance in the finals, after years of seeming to be his only supporter (albeit a realistic one), is that I'm now having to tone down a surprising number of people's expectations of him by reminding them that he gets just about every bit he can from it and has improved noticeably each year, but that there is a definite ceiling on his talent level. Even national pundits give him props. Not the sort of gushing they give say Bynum, but they'd like to have him on their team and they certainly don't hate him. >and no, he's not an all-star, but I will >contend he's one of the only true classic centers in the East (it may be >down to him and Howard actually..). Z is a good player, but eurocenters >don't count as much in the "classic" argument. He definitely the only >one who can stand toe to toe with the Shaq/Howard mega-centers >defensively (although by the end of the night Howard was so out of his >game that even Baby pushed him around). OK, just curious: if you say he's one of the only true centers then why is he not an allstar? Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly not saying he's a star per se or should be starting rather than Howard, but if he's one of the best at his position at the time, especially on the defensive end (maybe that's the issue? that offense / defense thing again), seems to me that makes allstar not so out of the question. Superstar? no. HOF? no. Back-up all star? Not so sure. Kim From ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com Fri Jan 23 22:50:11 2009 From: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com (Ryan W) Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:50:11 -0800 (PST) Subject: Orlando In-Reply-To: <0KDX00I20YHCBSQ8@vms044.mailsrvcs.net> Message-ID: <579350.50977.qm@web65613.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Good points, Kim. Perk will be an All-Star in the next couple seasons, based on both his ability to improve a little bit each year, and the inevitable decline of a Big 3. In a couple years, we're going to need another 7 points a game from Perk and luckily for us he'll have improved to just that level by then. Also, it's interesting to note that Perk got the 2nd most All-Star votes in the Eastern Conference, which only serves to dismiss the notion that Perk is somewhat underappreciated. For sure, in the past, there were those who got down on him, but they've been quiet for at least 3 years. Ryan --- On Fri, 1/23/09, Kim Malo wrote: > > > Anyone else hear Kenny Smith give Perk some All-star > love????? I know a > > lot of people hate Perk, > > Where does that come from? They used to, but one of the > more amusing things since his performance in the finals, > after years of seeming to be his only supporter (albeit a > realistic one), is that I'm now having to tone down a > surprising number of people's expectations of him by > reminding them that he gets just about every bit he can from > it and has improved noticeably each year, but that there is > a definite ceiling on his talent level. Even national > pundits give him props. Not the sort of gushing they give > say Bynum, but they'd like to have him on their team and > they certainly don't hate him. > > > and no, he's not an all-star, but I will > > contend he's one of the only true classic centers > in the East (it may be > > down to him and Howard actually..). Z is a good > player, but eurocenters > > don't count as much in the "classic" > argument. He definitely the only > > one who can stand toe to toe with the Shaq/Howard > mega-centers > > defensively (although by the end of the night Howard > was so out of his > > game that even Baby pushed him around). > > OK, just curious: if you say he's one of the only true > centers then why is he not an allstar? Don't get me > wrong, I'm certainly not saying he's a star per se > or should be starting rather than Howard, but if he's > one of the best at his position at the time, especially on > the defensive end (maybe that's the issue? that offense > / defense thing again), seems to me that makes allstar not > so out of the question. Superstar? no. HOF? no. Back-up all > star? Not so sure. > Kim From ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com Fri Jan 23 22:56:43 2009 From: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com (Ryan W) Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:56:43 -0800 (PST) Subject: And we're back In-Reply-To: <56a297000901231149g20d344r8a89b34bc73d604f@mail.gmail.com> Message-ID: <535451.18124.qm@web65608.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Meh, Posey was never that lockdown defender. He was a great TEAM defender, but his individual defense was behind TA's, Paul's, and even Pruitt's of this season, and probably Rondo too (when he puts his mind to it, like last night). I also tend to chalk up the LA and Cleveland losses to a lack of mental and physical freshness. We didn't play our brand of defense during those 3 weeks (the 7 losses in 9 games). THAT'S what's back. We can play defense now, even the 2nd team, which even with it's offensive problems is playing consistent defense, with Scal and Baby making very important contributions. Scal has already fallen back to earth (it doesn't matter how great his defense might be--he takes good defensive angles, but otherwise is below average on defense--if he can't hit his shots consistently, he will slowly lose his minutes to Powe/Baby), but I think Baby may have made a mini-leap. And while I had pretty much made up my mind that Powe was superior to Baby, I'd have to say I'm rethinking that lately. IF Baby can hit his jumper consistently, he becomes a very valuable bench player. Ryan --- On Fri, 1/23/09, Noah Evans wrote: > From: Noah Evans > Subject: Re: And we're back > To: pdelevett at yahoo.com, "The Boston Celtics Mailing List" > Date: Friday, January 23, 2009, 1:49 PM > We have trouble with teams that have perimeter superstars, > like > Cleveland and LA. Teams like Orlando and Phoenix that rely > on their > cast playing together and well get frazzled by our defense > and make > lots of mistakes. Our post defense is especially good. > > This is where we really miss Posey, but not having a > physical, > lockdown defender on the perimeter to get in the heads of > the other > team's superstar we are vulnerable to one man shows. > > On Fri, Jan 23, 2009 at 12:59 PM, Peter Delevett > wrote: > > Pretty it may not have been, but that was a statement > win, folks. Second night of a back to back, on the road, > against a top conference rival that was tearing it up (9-1 > over their previous 10 games). > > > > I still think Orlando is a rung below Boston's > weight class, but it's entirely possible the road back > to the Finals could go through them. Nice to feel like > we've put the losing streak behind us once and for all. > > > > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > > celtics at igtc.com > > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com Fri Jan 23 22:59:54 2009 From: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com (Ryan W) Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:59:54 -0800 (PST) Subject: And we're back In-Reply-To: <409020.43381.qm@web110102.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <297972.87308.qm@web65615.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> You know what? Hopefully, we finish with the #1 seed, with Cleveland #2 and Orlando #3. That way, one of them is finished off by the other before the Conference finals. Last season, we kinda got screwed when Cleveland fell to #4, which made them our round 2 opponent and made us have to go through both them and Detroit on our way to the Finals. IF we're lucky, we'll only have to face one of the really tough teams in the postseason. Ryan --- On Fri, 1/23/09, Peter Delevett wrote: > > I still think Orlando is a rung below Boston's weight > class, but it's entirely possible the road back to the > Finals could go through them. Nice to feel like we've > put the losing streak behind us once and for all. From renrile at qualcomm.com Sat Jan 24 00:42:45 2009 From: renrile at qualcomm.com (Enrile, Roy) Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:42:45 -0800 Subject: Orlando In-Reply-To: <579350.50977.qm@web65613.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> References: <0KDX00I20YHCBSQ8@vms044.mailsrvcs.net> <579350.50977.qm@web65613.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <0938E4C6C3C7CF48BB2F343EC9CF161814D9445816@NASANEXMB02.na.qualcomm.com> Although Kendrick to me is THE irreplaceable Celt(not Rajon) for more championship runs, and even though he's the best low-post defender center in the game (along w/ Tim), here's why I think he'll have trouble getting the coaches allstar-reserve votes this season or the next couple seasons. 1. It'll take more than a couple years for KG/Paul to decline. They're still quick like they're in their prime, and are no longer taking the pounding/twisting (in Docs ballmovement-open-J offense), like early in their career. So coaches might shy away from voting Perk as an allstar, since flashier Celts KG/Paul/Rajon will possibly already be on the team for some years. 2. I think a bunch of us are bias & overlook the suprising number of centers who'll always be fairly far ahead of KP on offense, even when he gets more shot attempts & points in few years. I'm proud of Kendrick for working his tail off w/ repetitions, to be an efficient finisher around the basket, but he isn't naturally gifted with the offensive talent of the following guys who play the true-center spot (not PF) for their team : Duncan BigAl( 22ppg, 10.6boards :) ) Shaq Yao Horford Okur Ilgauskas Biendrins Bynum Jermaine Brook Lopez Bogut That's 5 guys from the eastern conf. And I haven't even mentioned the centers who I feel are Perks peers, in terms of all-around talent: Okafor Chandler Oden -----Original Message----- From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of Ryan W Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 2:50 PM To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List Subject: RE: Orlando Good points, Kim. Perk will be an All-Star in the next couple seasons, based on both his ability to improve a little bit each year, and the inevitable decline of a Big 3. In a couple years, we're going to need another 7 points a game from Perk and luckily for us he'll have improved to just that level by then. Ryan --- On Fri, 1/23/09, Kim Malo wrote: > > He definitely the only > > one who can stand toe to toe with the Shaq/Howard > mega-centers > > defensively > > OK, just curious: if you say he's one of the only true > centers then why is he not an allstar? From pdelevett at yahoo.com Sat Jan 24 04:03:38 2009 From: pdelevett at yahoo.com (Peter Delevett) Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 20:03:38 -0800 (PST) Subject: catching up with old friend Al Jefferson Message-ID: <738027.62149.qm@web110113.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> http://www.twincities.com/ci_11533097 From stevebknight at yahoo.com Sat Jan 24 07:11:32 2009 From: stevebknight at yahoo.com (steve knight) Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 23:11:32 -0800 (PST) Subject: perk References: Message-ID: <359512.58141.qm@web37406.mail.mud.yahoo.com> look, i'm as big a perk fan as the next, but talk of him being an all-star is pretty premature, given that he has 4 teammates to get past first. for now, i'm content to celebrate him for who he is, a tough defensive presence on a great defensive team. if he had a pair of hands and a little more athleticism, he'd be dangerous. i love his work ethic, his team-first attitude and his mean streak, but honestly, i think it's obvious he's the most replaceable of our starting 5. if big baby can keep knocking down that jumper, i think we've got something there that teams will have to respect. i hope leon is working on a slightly shorter version of that shot. i love leon, but he needs to have a 12-15-foot shot badly. rondo is back on track. when he's on, other pgs looked spooked by him. nelson was not the least bit aggressive against him until late in the game. go celts. Message: 11 Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:50:11 -0800 (PST) From: Ryan W Subject: RE: Orlando To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List Message-ID: <579350.50977.qm at web65613.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii Good points, Kim. Perk will be an All-Star in the next couple seasons, based on both his ability to improve a little bit each year, and the inevitable decline of a Big 3. In a couple years, we're going to need another 7 points a game from Perk and luckily for us he'll have improved to just that level by then. Also, it's interesting to note that Perk got the 2nd most All-Star votes in the Eastern Conference, which only serves to dismiss the notion that Perk is somewhat underappreciated. For sure, in the past, there were those who got down on him, but they've been quiet for at least 3 years. Ryan From BDodgers at aol.com Sat Jan 24 14:31:11 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 09:31:11 EST Subject: Lakers have enjoyed a home advantage Message-ID: Lakers have enjoyed a home advantage By Mike Bresnahan January 24, 2009 The Lakers reclaimed the league's top record after blowing past the Washington Wizards, but how much of it is talent and how much of it is a friendly schedule? The answer is a lot of the former and a little of the latter. The Lakers (34-8) have the league's highest-scoring offense, an All-Star starter, possibly an All-Star reserve, and one of the NBA's deepest benches. But they've also played 25 home games and only 17 on the road -- with two at Staples Center against the Clippers. Cleveland (33-8), on the other hand, has played 20 home games and 21 on the road. Boston (36-9) has played 23 at home, 22 on the road. Orlando (33-9) has played 20 at home, 22 on the road. And, by the way, the Lakers' next two games are at home. So this was why Coach Phil Jackson reacted cautiously when asked his thoughts on having the NBA's top record. "We've probably played five more home games than a lot of those teams, so it's all relative to what the schedule is," he said. "The schedule will catch up eventually to us." It actually starts catching up later next week. And next month. And the month after that. In fact, after Sunday's home game against San Antonio and Tuesday's here against Charlotte, say bon voyage to the Lakers, who will have 22 of their next 31 games away from Staples Center. The good news for them is their 12-5 road record, the second-best winning percentage in the league. (Orlando is 17-5.) The bad news for them is that being at home is, well, kind of pleasant. In fact, they wouldn't mind being at Staples Center quite a bit in, say, June. "Our goal is to make it back to the championship round," forward Lamar Odom said. "So the best record would mean to have home-court advantage in that round." Assist king? Maybe Andrew Bynum was on to something when he referred to Kobe Bryant as "Kobe Nash," a passing reference to Phoenix guard Steve Nash. Bryant is averaging 10 assists over the last five games, a marked increase for a player who was averaging 4.6 assists a game before the surge. "We're going through a stretch right now where teams are trying new things defensively against us to see what works," Bryant said. "We're making them pay." Primarily, the Lakers have made undersized teams pay by feeding Bynum or Pau Gasol down low. Washington Coach Ed Tapscott noticed Bryant's play in the Lakers' 117-97 victory Thursday over the Wizards. Bryant had five assists in only 28 minutes. "You know what's the most impressive thing about the Lakers?" Tapscott said. "I watch Kobe Bryant, who is clearly one of the dominant scorers in basketball today, and maybe of all time, and I watched the way he made sure that every guy on the floor got shots. He shared the ball, he made sure Gasol got the ball in his spots. When [Sasha] Vujacic came in, he made sure he got corner jump shots. He made sure [Derek] Fisher curled [off screens] and got his shots. "I watched him when he could've taken shots at any time [but] made sure his teammates got quality shots so that they were into the game, and that makes your big [players] run harder, rebound more, defend better. That makes everybody on the team participate with greater zeal when you have that type of unselfishness. . . . That is a very impressive team spirit." Times staff writer Broderick Turner contributed to this report. _mike.bresnahan at latimes.com_ (mailto:mike.bresnahan at latimes.com) **************From Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between, stay up-to-date with the latest news. (http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000023) From BDodgers at aol.com Sat Jan 24 15:47:49 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 10:47:49 EST Subject: Steve Aschburner > INSIDE THE NBA Message-ID: Steve Aschburner > INSIDE THE NBA (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/writers/steve_aschburner/archive/) Second-half storylines to watch Story Highlights The trading deadline could have a big impact in shaping the NBA title chase The East race for No. 1 seed and nine-team West playoff race will be intriguing Dwyane Wade, LeBron James and Kobe Bryant are battling for the scoring title As entertaining as the first half of the 2008-09 season was for those of us who work in and watch the NBA, the second half is going to be better. It always is. That's when playoff berths get clinched, annual awards get won and lottery positions get determined. The trading deadline looms in the second half, sparking so many of the league's biggest deals. When do the game's most exciting scoring titles get won? That's right, in the second half: Denver's David Thompson (27.15 ppg) scored 73 points on April 9, 1978, only to have San Antonio's George Gervin (27.22) get 63 that night in his team's finale. Sixteen years later, on April 24, _David Robinson_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/288) got 71 to edge out Shaquille O'Neal. Had those all been December games? Meh. Surveys show that, without the second half of the NBA season, people would lose interest waiting three months for the playoffs to begin. Look, 10 years ago, the NBA basically canceled the first half of its season but roared back with a slightly extended second half, leading not only to an intense, tightly packed, 50-game, post-lockout schedule but also to Phil Jackson's snarky comment about the Spurs' 1999 championship needing an "asterisk.'' Where would this league be without such rich, colorful, second-half-inspired traditions? Here are some storylines to watch the rest of the way, if April 15 means more to you as an NBA fan than an IRS devotee: ? The trade market. Count on this to be more entertaining than the stock market through Feb. 19. Already, several big names are said to be in play: _Shawn Marion_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3332) , Jermaine O'Neal, _Gerald Wallace_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3533) , _Larry Hughes_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3251) , _Brad Miller_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3305) . Some of the very best teams don't feel they're quite good enough yet, fueling what could be a frenetic arms race -- and fruitful half-season moves for some underachieving franchises -- as the deadline approaches. Boston needs more size. In _Wally Szczerbiak_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3329) 's perfect world, the Cavaliers would use his expiring contract to get more Finals-focused help, then re-sign him in an _Antonio McDyess_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3004) switcheroo. Lots of critics think San Antonio needs to add a little something-something to its bench. A crowded backcourt suggests a Chicago maneuver, a crowded roster could enable a Portland move. ? Playoff positioning. So what if only nine teams have a shot in the West? Think of it as musical chairs: As long as there always is one more contestant than places to park, there's drama. While someone out West with a winning record will go home after 82, two sub-.500 teams in the East might be able to puff up their chests as playoff qualifiers. Maybe that's reverse-drama. But the East does have a great race developing among Boston, Cleveland and Orlando for the No. 1 seed. ? The MVP chase. _LeBron James_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3704) was the consensus choice for the first 41 games, but the Maurice Podoloff Trophy requires a second half, thank you. Now is the time for Orlando's _Dwight Howard_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3818) to catch and pass the Cavs' star, or for _Kobe Bryant_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3118) to defend his title and become only the 10th player in NBA history to repeat as MVP. Long shot? _Dwyane Wade_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3708) might be having the best season of all of them, but his team's results haven't thrust the Miami guard into serious contention. ? The Rookie of the Year race. After the MVP, this is the second-sexiest annual award, triggering the most scrutiny and debate. (Sorry, but Most Improved Player always has felt like a Mr. Congeniality category.) Chicago's _Derrick Rose_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/4387) is the leader at the turn, in my view, and the runaway winner, according to Bulls coach _Vinny Del Negro_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/626) . But Memphis' O.J. Mayo has scored the most, _Kevin Love_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/4391) , under the radar in Minnesota, is the best rebounder and New Jersey's _Brook Lopez_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/4472) has impressed in both of those categories. Oklahoma City's _Russell Westbrook_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/4390) is improving by the day. _Michael Beasley_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/4388) , the No. 2 pick, was a lot of people's pick and, in theory, still has a shot. So, too, for that matter does _Greg Oden_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/4243) . Come on, if Oden were to start putting up consistent 18-and-12 numbers after the All-Star break, his spotty first-half showing would be forgotten. That's part of the beauty of second halves: reinvention. ? The scoring race. If Wade, James and Bryant stay bunched this tightly (separated by 2.4 points), what might otherwise be postseason tune-up games in April for their teams could pack some individual intrigue. Bryant leads in the scoring-title competition with two, James won last season and Wade is chasing his first. ? Speaking of individual intrigue, we will get a resolution in the season's second half, one way or the other, to the _Stephon Marbury_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3099) soap opera. Buyout? Trade? Greece? Rotting on the Knicks' inactive list? It probably doesn't matter much, as long as we get to this series' finale. ? The Pistons' churning. Fretting over _Richard Hamilton_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3330) 's "demotion'' to Detroit's bench -- never mind that his salary won't change and his minutes probably won't dip much, either -- doesn't rank high on my hobby list. But it does speak to some classic NBA team dynamics, and the careerlong coddling of _Allen Iverson_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3094) . The Answer is the perfect guy to be a sixth-man scorer but fear for how he might react keeps him in the starting five. ? Houston's encore. The Rockets, we should remember, had the best second-half record in the NBA last season, their 33-8 edging out the Celtics' 32-9. That sort of finish would be nice in '09 as well, suggesting that they'd found a way to get and stay healthy and finally had earned the lofty talk about their championship caliber. ? The Suns' rise. Or not. Phoenix has played this season like it's a triathlon. They're running, then they're biking, then they're swimming. The Suns have been shifting gears for almost a full year now, but it is time to lock in and come with their A game for however long they're involved. ? _Jose Calderon_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3989) 's free-throw streak. The Toronto guard had made 79-consecutive free throws heading into his team's game at Chicago on Friday, and it will be interesting to see if his aching hamstring is healed enough for him not so much to play but to successfully make shots from the line. He needs to go 19-of-19 to catch and pass Micheal Williams' all-time record, set in 1993 with Minnesota. Static as free throws are, it would be nice for Calderon, too, to be remembered for something this season other than _Kevin Garnett_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3007) 's mock-clapping in his face. ? Coaching carousel, Part I. Only two more coaches to be fired for NBA general managers to match the league's single-season record of nine (2004-05). As it is, with Memphis' dropping the hammer on Marc Iavaroni on Thursday, half of the league's 30 teams have either changed coaches last summer or since this season began. Jerry Sloan's longevity mark in Utah gets more impressive by the day. Oops, in this league, we'd better make that by the hour. ? Coaching carousel, Part II. Sometime late in, or soon after, the season's second half, we can expect to hear a bunch of familiar names back in the rotation. Jeff Van Gundy, _Avery Johnson_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/168) , Flip Saunders, Eddie Jordan, _Sam Mitchell_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/233) . The absence of a real market for their services during the season and the lack of appeal in taking over someone else's spot in mid-mess soon won't be factors. And in this economy, a multiyear deal even in the middle of the NBA's head-coaching wage scale looks awfully good. ? Farewells. _Alonzo Mourning_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/845) 's retirement announcement Thursday was a reminder that, by the time we realize most of our favorite athletes are done, it's already too late. Rare are the guys like Julius Erving or Kareem Abdul-Jabbar who give us notice when they're done. So over what's left of this season, X number of NBA players will make their final appearances on courts throughout the league and we might not even know it. Savoring them now, while we can, might be the best reason of all to pay attention, hard, over this season's second half. Steve Aschburner covered the Minnesota Timberwolves and the NBA for 13 seasons for the Minneapolis Star Tribune. He has served as president or vice president of the Professional Basketball Writers Association since 2005. **************From Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between, stay up-to-date with the latest news. (http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000023) From kmalo17 at verizon.net Sat Jan 24 19:46:07 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 14:46:07 -0500 Subject: perk In-Reply-To: <359512.58141.qm@web37406.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <359512.58141.qm@web37406.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <0KDZ002RCQWVBXM0@vms046.mailsrvcs.net> At 02:11 AM 1/24/2009, steve knight wrote: >look, i'm as big a perk fan as the next, but talk of him being an >all-star is pretty premature, given that he has 4 teammates to get past first. Well if we've got 4 more all star calibre centers who are they and why don't we play them? It goes by position, not by team across positions, and this isn't baseball with an every team must be represented rule.. Look, I've no illusions about what Kendrick is and isn't. I specifically said he wasn't a star. But for all your claims of being a Perk fan while pooh poohing the very idea of him as an all star, he was 2nd in the voting at his position (no Roy, it's not all about bias on our part here), and it wasn't for his looks and charm or the blind nationalistic support of millions of Chinese. He is arguably currently one of the best defensive players at his position, certainly in his division and some case can be made for leaguewide, has become a serviceably option on offense, and is a major contributor to a recent championship and a winning team's winning record. He may not start with as much talent as a lot of other players, and a lot of what he does doesn't generate stats, but isn't it supposed to be about the actual results? Not that Perk is in any way comparable to Russ as a player, but Wilt compiled gaudy stats, Russ just did what it took to win. Who would YOU call the better player? >for now, i'm content to celebrate him for who he is, a tough >defensive presence on a great defensive team. if he had a pair of >hands and a little more athleticism, he'd be dangerous. i love his >work ethic, his team-first attitude and his mean streak, but >honestly, i think it's obvious he's the most replaceable of our starting 5. You sound as if you're on the side of some of what I talked about before with people judging players and games pretty much by offense and stats, especially offensive stats. Those will never be gaudy, but Perk is now a serviceable if not sparkling option in the paint, and more than serviceable outside it as most of our offensive sets run through his hands at the top of the key or the high post because he's a better than expected passer with good court vision and the size to play keep away while others get things set up / seek out the holes in the defense. He's also a major anchor of the defense that's a primary reason we just hung a banner and as a key element on this specific team, helps let Garnett be Garnett by taking on a lot of the pounding for him. While he actually does have a pair of hands, just not Ricky Davis's. At the same time, neither are they Tony Battie's, whose hands are so notoriously bad that Max still makes jokes about not giving him your baby to hold. I think this is like Rondo's being known as a hideous shooter where the reputation is established and never to be changed, so people focus on every negative play that supports the idea and ignore any evidence that it's not wholly accurate or that he might have changed. Rondo's now shooting the 2nd highest % amongst PG in the league (and no, it's not all inside layups) and slightly above Ray Allen on the league wide rankings. While Perk averages fewer TO per game than either Pierce or Rondo, and fewer than our occasional PG TA when run out to 48 min since Tony has 10 less min per game. They're also fewer per game than Dwight Howard and Amare Stoudamire to name two of the more talented centers with whom the words bad hands don't get mentioned. Perk's bad reputation is based on a mixture of a) reality - there unquestionably *were* too many missed passes, dropped balls, and other TO that were his fault - b) the result of a lot of bad passes that were not always his fault but that he's also not nifty enough to always rescue (see comment about not having Ricky Davis's hands) while all people saw was that he didn't catch them, and c) bad habits about exposing the ball and bringing it to the floor in traffic. Some of that has changed, with the muffs the exception rather than the rule, but the reputation of course never does. Just like people still only notice every shot Rondo misses. Kim From kmalo17 at verizon.net Sat Jan 24 20:01:44 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 15:01:44 -0500 Subject: catching up with old friend Al Jefferson In-Reply-To: <738027.62149.qm@web110113.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> References: <738027.62149.qm@web110113.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <0KDZ003C5RMXLQA1@vms042.mailsrvcs.net> At 11:03 PM 1/23/2009, Peter Delevett wrote: >http://www.twincities.com/ci_11533097 Not getting a lot of love up there by the couple of comments on it, is he. Kim From ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com Sat Jan 24 20:32:14 2009 From: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com (Ryan W) Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 12:32:14 -0800 (PST) Subject: perk In-Reply-To: <359512.58141.qm@web37406.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <452323.29973.qm@web65602.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Three words: the Davis brothers. Perk's career trajectory matches up quite well with Antonio and Dale Davis' careers, especially when you compare their numbers at similar ages. Antonio Davis, age 25 (not in the NBA at age 24): 8.4 points, 6.6 rebs Dale Davis, age 24: 8.9 points, 8.8 rebounds Kendrick Perkins, age 24: 8.6 points, 8.1 rebounds Both Davis brothers made their one and only All-Star trips in about their 8th year in the league, averaging something like 13 points and 10 rebounds in those All-Star seasons. Both made it by having good years on great teams and because of the absolute dirth of great centers in their conferences. The same thing is going to happen with Perk, only I think he'll have more than one AS appearance because he's had much more NBA experience comparatively, and because his team is going to better than any of the ones the Davis bros played on. Other than Howard, there are no guarantees at the center position in the East. And the Cs should be near the top of the conference for at least another two seasons, especially if Rondo continues his assent into superstardom and if we can avoid catastrophic injuries. So, assuming Perk can get his numbers up to double double land (and he will in the next 2 years), there's really no reason not to believe he can't get into the All-Star game, even if all the things you think he can't do are true. Ryan --- On Sat, 1/24/09, steve knight wrote: > From: steve knight > Subject: Re: perk > To: celtics at igtc.com > Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009, 1:11 AM > look, i'm as big a perk fan as the next, but talk of him > being an all-star is pretty premature, given that he has 4 > teammates to get past first. for now, i'm content to > celebrate him for who he is, a tough defensive presence on a > great defensive team. if he had a pair of hands and a little > more athleticism, he'd be dangerous. i love his work > ethic, his team-first attitude and his mean streak, but > honestly, i think it's obvious he's the most > replaceable of our starting 5. > From noah.evans at gmail.com Sat Jan 24 20:38:47 2009 From: noah.evans at gmail.com (Noah Evans) Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 14:38:47 -0600 Subject: perk In-Reply-To: <359512.58141.qm@web37406.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <359512.58141.qm@web37406.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <56a297000901241238n540f6f4ftc861fa7eb498baf5@mail.gmail.com> Good big men are the hardest thing to get. Especially good defensive ones who play within a system. You can replace the *stats* of players like Dale Davis, PJ Brown, Horace Grant and Kendrick. Replacing their contributions to the team is another matter. On Sat, Jan 24, 2009 at 1:11 AM, steve knight wrote: > look, i'm as big a perk fan as the next, but talk of him being an all-star is pretty premature, given that he has 4 teammates to get past first. for now, i'm content to celebrate him for who he is, a tough defensive presence on a great defensive team. if he had a pair of hands and a little more athleticism, he'd be dangerous. i love his work ethic, his team-first attitude and his mean streak, but honestly, i think it's obvious he's the most replaceable of our starting 5. > > if big baby can keep knocking down that jumper, i think we've got something there that teams will have to respect. i hope leon is working on a slightly shorter version of that shot. i love leon, but he needs to have a 12-15-foot shot badly. > > rondo is back on track. when he's on, other pgs looked spooked by him. nelson was not the least bit aggressive against him until late in the game. > > go celts. > > Message: 11 > Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 14:50:11 -0800 (PST) > From: Ryan W > Subject: RE: Orlando > To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List > Message-ID: <579350.50977.qm at web65613.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> > Content-Type: text/plain; charset=us-ascii > > Good points, Kim. Perk will be an All-Star in the next couple seasons, based on both his ability to improve a little bit each year, and the inevitable decline of a Big 3. In a couple years, we're going to need another 7 points a game from Perk and luckily for us he'll have improved to just that level by then. > > Also, it's interesting to note that Perk got the 2nd most All-Star votes in the Eastern Conference, which only serves to dismiss the notion that Perk is somewhat underappreciated. For sure, in the past, there were those who got down on him, but they've been quiet for at least 3 years. > > Ryan > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Sat Jan 24 21:19:26 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 13:19:26 -0800 (PST) Subject: Orlando References: Message-ID: <192996.57971.qm@web63801.mail.re1.yahoo.com> I think the list on Roy's email below is pretty hard to argue with, stats-wise but also talent-wise. Emeka Okafor and Andrew Bogut are the 2 names (from the Eastern Conference) that jump out, with Brook Lopez and Al Horford to come to the forefront in the next few years. Now, in terms of defense as Kim was talking about, Perk would definitely be the frontrunner among this group. But the other guys are no slackers either. Fellow-Aussie Bogut is showing his worth by being injured and having Dan Gadzuric as his fill in. The Bucks have plenty of scorers but they have no-one to defend the opposing team's center effectively and thus have had a mini losing streak recently. Horford and Okafor are also solid defenders, it is only Lopez that is known more for his scoring and rebounding... for now. But the other thing that Perk is also leading the group in is the number of wins the Celtics will have over the next few years, with only Horford as a possible contender in the near future. Count me as a believer that Perk, along with Rondo, will be an All-Star very soon. I would also take Perk as our starting center for now over most of the guys in the below list because of his great defense and toughness. Adam ________________________________ Message: 2 Date: Fri, 23 Jan 2009 16:42:45 -0800 From: "Enrile, Roy" Subject: RE: Orlando To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List Message-ID: <0938E4C6C3C7CF48BB2F343EC9CF161814D9445816 at NASANEXMB02.na.qualcomm.com> Content-Type: text/plain; charset="us-ascii" Although Kendrick to me is THE irreplaceable Celt(not Rajon) for more championship runs, and even though he's the best low-post defender center in the game (along w/ Tim), here's why I think he'll have trouble getting the coaches allstar-reserve votes this season or the next couple seasons. 1. It'll take more than a couple years for KG/Paul to decline. They're still quick like they're in their prime, and are no longer taking the pounding/twisting (in Docs ballmovement-open-J offense), like early in their career. So coaches might shy away from voting Perk as an allstar, since flashier Celts KG/Paul/Rajon will possibly already be on the team for some years. 2. I think a bunch of us are bias & overlook the suprising number of centers who'll always be fairly far ahead of KP on offense, even when he gets more shot attempts & points in few years. I'm proud of Kendrick for working his tail off w/ repetitions, to be an efficient finisher around the basket, but he isn't naturally gifted with the offensive talent of the following guys who play the true-center spot (not PF) for their team : Duncan BigAl( 22ppg, 10.6boards :) ) Shaq Yao Horford Okur Ilgauskas Biendrins Bynum Jermaine Brook Lopez Bogut That's 5 guys from the eastern conf. And I haven't even mentioned the centers who I feel are Perks peers, in terms of all-around talent: Okafor Chandler Oden -----Original Message----- From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of Ryan W Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 2:50 PM To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List Subject: RE: Orlando Good points, Kim. Perk will be an All-Star in the next couple seasons, based on both his ability to improve a little bit each year, and the inevitable decline of a Big 3. In a couple years, we're going to need another 7 points a game from Perk and luckily for us he'll have improved to just that level by then. Ryan --- On Fri, 1/23/09, Kim Malo wrote: > > He definitely the only > > one who can stand toe to toe with the Shaq/Howard > mega-centers > > defensively > > OK, just curious: if you say he's one of the only true > centers then why is he not an allstar? ------------------------------ _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics End of celtics Digest, Vol 17, Issue 14 *************************************** Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From regmanw6 at yahoo.com Sat Jan 24 22:17:05 2009 From: regmanw6 at yahoo.com (R Howe) Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 14:17:05 -0800 (PST) Subject: perk In-Reply-To: <0KDZ002RCQWVBXM0@vms046.mailsrvcs.net> Message-ID: <235139.99125.qm@web56701.mail.re3.yahoo.com> I would like to amplify some of the very good points about Perkins ? He is a great position and hustling?rebounder on a team that has good rebounding starters and one of the best centers in the league in starting a fast break with a quick outlet passes after a defensive rebound. He is also a great offensive rebounder. ? He takes up space in the middle, is almost a zone defense by himself when parked down lo, plus as ungraceful as it may look can go out and rush defend a quicker player to the foul line disrupting a half court offensive sets and then get back to the post and defend without the other team making the C's pay for it. Do we ever fret a true, bruising and good offensive opposing center to beat us when Perk is in the game? I know I dont. Only centers the C's have problems against are?3 point gunners from that position, not Perk's strength to cover. ? His play makes life easier for Garnett and Pierce?to do all the little things in the front court besides scoring that elevates thier games and the C's to a dominant team. When he is not in the lineup the captains have to carry a bigger burden on defense and the boards, witness last years playoffs when he was hurt or not playing (same for Rhondo?more so this year and forward, another thread). ? His offense, court awarness and passing are all above average and getting better. Remember he is out there with the big three and an emerging all-star caliber PG so his touches are and will be limited on this team and always will be unless both Pierce and Garnett go down, of which I have candles lit always for that to never happen. On a lesser team I think your looking at a high percentage, automatic lower double digit scorer to go along with the above attributes.? ? In short, he may not be pretty, but?Perk is an upgrade to all except about 5 teams at the center position and 3 of them he would start and the current center would slide to the PF position. My only caution to Perk is his bruising style play and injuries that could be his limiting factor. ? Go C's ? ? --- On Sat, 1/24/09, Kim Malo wrote: From: Kim Malo Subject: Re: perk To: "The Boston Celtics Mailing List" , celtics at igtc.com Date: Saturday, January 24, 2009, 2:46 PM At 02:11 AM 1/24/2009, steve knight wrote: > look, i'm as big a perk fan as the next, but talk of him being an all-star is pretty premature, given that he has 4 teammates to get past first. Well if we've got 4 more all star calibre centers who are they and why don't we play them? It goes by position, not by team across positions, and this isn't baseball with an every team must be represented rule.. Look, I've no illusions about what Kendrick is and isn't. I specifically said he wasn't a star. But for all your claims of being a Perk fan while pooh poohing the very idea of him as an all star, he was 2nd in the voting at his position (no Roy, it's not all about bias on our part here), and it wasn't for his looks and charm or the blind nationalistic support of millions of Chinese. He is arguably currently one of the best defensive players at his position, certainly in his division and some case can be made for leaguewide, has become a serviceably option on offense, and is a major contributor to a recent championship and a winning team's winning record. He may not start with as much talent as a lot of other players, and a lot of what he does doesn't generate stats, but isn't it supposed to be about the actual results? Not that Perk is in any way comparable to Russ as a player, but Wilt compiled gaudy stats, Russ just did what it took to win. Who would YOU call the better player? > for now, i'm content to celebrate him for who he is, a tough defensive presence on a great defensive team. if he had a pair of hands and a little more athleticism, he'd be dangerous. i love his work ethic, his team-first attitude and his mean streak, but honestly, i think it's obvious he's the most replaceable of our starting 5. You sound as if you're on the side of some of what I talked about before with people judging players and games pretty much by offense and stats, especially offensive stats. Those will never be gaudy, but Perk is now a serviceable if not sparkling option in the paint, and more than serviceable outside it as most of our offensive sets run through his hands at the top of the key or the high post because he's a better than expected passer with good court vision and the size to play keep away while others get things set up / seek out the holes in the defense. He's also a major anchor of the defense that's a primary reason we just hung a banner and as a key element on this specific team, helps let Garnett be Garnett by taking on a lot of the pounding for him. While he actually does have a pair of hands, just not Ricky Davis's. At the same time, neither are they Tony Battie's, whose hands are so notoriously bad that Max still makes jokes about not giving him your baby to hold. I think this is like Rondo's being known as a hideous shooter where the reputation is established and never to be changed, so people focus on every negative play that supports the idea and ignore any evidence that it's not wholly accurate or that he might have changed. Rondo's now shooting the 2nd highest % amongst PG in the league (and no, it's not all inside layups) and slightly above Ray Allen on the league wide rankings. While Perk averages fewer TO per game than either Pierce or Rondo, and fewer than our occasional PG TA when run out to 48 min since Tony has 10 less min per game. They're also fewer per game than Dwight Howard and Amare Stoudamire to name two of the more talented centers with whom the words bad hands don't get mentioned. Perk's bad reputation is based on a mixture of a) reality - there unquestionably *were* too many missed passes, dropped balls, and other TO that were his fault - b) the result of a lot of bad passes that were not always his fault but that he's also not nifty enough to always rescue (see comment about not having Ricky Davis's hands) while all people saw was that he didn't catch them, and c) bad habits about exposing the ball and bringing it to the floor in traffic. Some of that has changed, with the muffs the exception rather than the rule, but the reputation of course never does. Just like people still only notice every shot Rondo misses. Kim _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From kmalo17 at verizon.net Sat Jan 24 22:49:17 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Sat, 24 Jan 2009 17:49:17 -0500 Subject: perk In-Reply-To: <235139.99125.qm@web56701.mail.re3.yahoo.com> References: <0KDZ002RCQWVBXM0@vms046.mailsrvcs.net> <235139.99125.qm@web56701.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <0KDZ00EV7ZE6ZSG2@vms173005.mailsrvcs.net> Oh good, someone who raises some of the things I didn't, for fear of really seeming overboard about him... At 05:17 PM 1/24/2009, R Howe wrote: >I would like to amplify some of the very good points about Perkins > >He is a great position and hustling rebounder on a team that has >good rebounding starters and one of the best centers in the league >in starting a fast break with a quick outlet passes after a defensive rebound. Yup, the outlet passes were one of the first really good things to show, a couple years back when Raef was still here with the best outlets on the team, but Perk a miles ahead of the competition second. In part because he immediately looks for them. That was a novelty act back then, albeit less so now. >He is also a great offensive rebounder. Meh. He boxes out well and goes after them, not so sure I'd say great vs solid. >...is almost a zone defense by himself when parked down lo, I like that line and may have to borrow it : ) >...ungraceful as it may look can go out and rush defend a quicker >player to the foul line disrupting a half court offensive sets and >then get back to the post and defend without the other team making >the C's pay for it. Which is a very good point to make because it also brings in another factor. He's *tried* to do this since he got here and ued to leave me screaming for him to stay home because I was tired of the holes he was creating in the defense and wasted fouls he was getting while trying to compensate for being out of place. The difference is that now he can do it, through a combination of quicker reactions and smarter play. He'll never be quick and graceful and fluid, or even actively nimble on his feet like Big Baby, but he actually is a lot quicker and less lumbering in everything from getting up and down the court (they taught him how to run differently, hence that high, knees up to keep it lightfooted gait) to switching on rotations than he used to be. >His offense, court awarness and passing are all above average and >getting better. Remember he is out there with the big three and an >emerging all-star caliber PG so his touches are and will be limited >on this team and always will be unless both Pierce and Garnett go >down, of which I have candles lit always for that to never happen. >On a lesser team I think your looking at a high percentage, >automatic lower double digit scorer to go along with the above attributes. Just maybe, because the reality is that on a different team, without Clifford Ray and Garnett to help him develop, he quite probably would not have developed the offensive skills on the shooting end he now has to make him an effective scorer. He will never be known as an offensive player but his offensive skills are in a different universe from where they were just a couple of years ago. The reality is that a couple of years ago when he got touches, even simple putbacks, it seemed like maybe a 30% chance he'd put them home vs clanging them so hard the entire Garden would shake. I'm not sure that would have changed as much elsewhere. Much as Garnett loves having Perk around, Perk in turn is one of the biggest beneficiaries of having Garnett here in terms of his own development. He's even picked up a lot of his mannerisms. >In short, he may not be pretty, but Perk is an upgrade to all except >about 5 teams at the center position and 3 of them he would start >and the current center would slide to the PF position. My only >caution to Perk is his bruising style play and injuries that could >be his limiting factor. Yeah, that shoulder is clearly going to be an ongoing risk. Here's hoping they can find ongoing ways to make it more stable or at least to minimize how much damage will be done when it does go out. Kim From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Sun Jan 25 20:26:32 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2009 12:26:32 -0800 (PST) Subject: Another day at the Garden... Message-ID: <306675.34607.qm@web63805.mail.re1.yahoo.com> ...another Game 6 type of win, great stuff! Now if the Spurs can win another over those damn Lakers :) Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From jlyell at verizon.net Mon Jan 26 03:43:39 2009 From: jlyell at verizon.net (John Lyell) Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2009 19:43:39 -0800 (PST) Subject: PG Help Message-ID: <553007.16433.qm@web84005.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Since marbury likely won't happen what does everyone thing of trying to get Jerryd Bayless or Sergio Rodriquez from Portland, both sitting behind Steve Blake? Bayless could be a sleeper.\ ? Ray Felton is?also supposedly on the blocks ? ? From regmanw6 at yahoo.com Mon Jan 26 07:20:11 2009 From: regmanw6 at yahoo.com (R Howe) Date: Sun, 25 Jan 2009 23:20:11 -0800 (PST) Subject: PG Help In-Reply-To: <553007.16433.qm@web84005.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <737200.78182.qm@web56703.mail.re3.yahoo.com> I am OK with what we got at the backup PG in Pruitt, with Cassell as player coach/insurance. The bench even minus Tony A. is really doing well of late with Pruitt at PG paired with House as designated gunner, who is really starting to stroke it. I think it is due in part in being paired with Pruitt and not having to be prime guard defender and ball handler seeing that Pruitt is taking care of those duties. Is his (Pruitt's) stats that good, no but he is doing a passable job at PG, is a decent defender, he is getting valuable meaningful minutes and his confidense and play should only get better. To me a taller, athletic wing defender that can spread the floor and or vet, true pf/center that can hit a three would be nice. Go C's --- On Sun, 1/25/09, John Lyell wrote: > From: John Lyell > Subject: PG Help > To: celtics at igtc.com > Date: Sunday, January 25, 2009, 10:43 PM > Since marbury likely won't happen what does everyone > thing of trying to get Jerryd Bayless or Sergio Rodriquez > from Portland, both sitting behind Steve Blake? Bayless > could be a sleeper.\ > ? > Ray Felton is?also supposedly on the blocks > ? > ? > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil Mon Jan 26 11:55:35 2009 From: Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil (Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil) Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 06:55:35 -0500 Subject: Orlando In-Reply-To: <0KDX00I20YHCBSQ8@vms044.mailsrvcs.net> References: <8CB4B896B97A153-14C0-8DE@WEBMAIL-DZ05.sysops.aol.com><200901231558.n0NFw512020499@artemis.afrc.af.mil> <0KDX00I20YHCBSQ8@vms044.mailsrvcs.net> Message-ID: <200901261155.n0QBtbqh012706@artemis.afrc.af.mil> I don't disagree with any of the below, I think I perhaps didn't explain my distaste however. I surely appreciate a defensive game. I fully realize that defense does indeed "win the big one" to paraphrase; however the Orlando game - while taking on the appearance of a purely defensive struggle, wasn't all that watchable to me not because it wasn't a ballet of offensive execution, but because the disruption in flow was caused not by the imposition of the Celtics' defensive will on Orlando as much as poor referees and equally poor offensive execution by the Celtics. (Sorry that was a horrid run on sentence there) As I mentioned, either team would just begin to understand the allowed "how" of the game (each ref crew has "what they will and won't allow") when the rules would change. It's why so many players either did or almost fouled out (IMHO). One minute a hand check wouldn't be a foul, then two minutes later it would. In the first quarter there was a "let em play" philosophy - not so much in the second. That's why I didn't enjoy it so much - I'd start getting into the game a little bit and they'd change the rules and I myself would have to readjust (ohh, so that's a foul now..okay). Perhaps I wasn't in the mood to do that and it was just me - I dunno. -----Original Message----- From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of Kim Malo Sent: Friday, January 23, 2009 3:34 PM To: The Boston Celtics Mailing List; celtics at igtc.com Subject: RE: Orlando At 10:58 AM 1/23/2009, Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil wrote: >It was "U-G-L-Y" you ain't got no alibi...I'll take the win, don't get >me wrong, but it was a herky-jerky, no flow, terrible refs (both ways - >they'd call NOTHING for three minutes then call everything for three >minutes) type game. Pretty dumb by Van Gundy to keep Hedo in there after >his injury as he's a terrible defender anyway, but then he couldn't turn >his head anymore, and he was utterly useless on the defensive end. Interesting. Maybe we look for entirely different things in a game and maybe that's because defensive was my forte in any sport I played, from field hockey to basketball (shot put and discus don't count since I wasn't on the target end ). My favorite play on offense after a clockwork passing fast break is the backdoor pass to an open layup, not the dunk. Guile and synchronized teamwork allied to skill over mere athleticism every time. Scoring is fun, but it's at bottom all about just doing what you want. I think actively stopping someone, especially someone really good, from doing what they want is a lot more satisfying and makes a bigger statement. At its best when you not only know you're going to stop them / get the ball away from them, but see it in their eyes and suddenly less flowing motions that they know it too and also know that there's probably not enough they can do about it. I probably actively salivated at times like that. THAT's enforcing your will in a way that offense doesn't require because you inherently start with the control on offense. I find it very entertaining to watch and analyze, especially when my team's on the right end. And even more especially after the not so long ago losing streak when our will resembled a wet noodle at times. I've always found it frustrating that almost everyone mainly just points to offense and offensive stats when judging a player or a game. Don't get me wrong - sometimes that is indeed what it's all about. After all J J Reddick was a lottery pick. But not always. And this is a game where it wasn't. This was a game all about enforcing our will on them (except on the offensive boards - props to Lewis) on defense first, then using that and the physical and mental effect of that on both sides to do it on offense too. Which to me can be beautiful and very entertaining. As I keep noting, for all the gaudy offensive talent in our Big 3, we won the championship last year because of defense, just as the losing streak this year came from losing some of that defensive intensity and stopped when we got it back. Power and control, man, power and control. >Anyone else hear Kenny Smith give Perk some All-star love????? I know a >lot of people hate Perk, Where does that come from? They used to, but one of the more amusing things since his performance in the finals, after years of seeming to be his only supporter (albeit a realistic one), is that I'm now having to tone down a surprising number of people's expectations of him by reminding them that he gets just about every bit he can from it and has improved noticeably each year, but that there is a definite ceiling on his talent level. Even national pundits give him props. Not the sort of gushing they give say Bynum, but they'd like to have him on their team and they certainly don't hate him. >and no, he's not an all-star, but I will >contend he's one of the only true classic centers in the East (it may be >down to him and Howard actually..). Z is a good player, but eurocenters >don't count as much in the "classic" argument. He definitely the only >one who can stand toe to toe with the Shaq/Howard mega-centers >defensively (although by the end of the night Howard was so out of his >game that even Baby pushed him around). OK, just curious: if you say he's one of the only true centers then why is he not an allstar? Don't get me wrong, I'm certainly not saying he's a star per se or should be starting rather than Howard, but if he's one of the best at his position at the time, especially on the defensive end (maybe that's the issue? that offense / defense thing again), seems to me that makes allstar not so out of the question. Superstar? no. HOF? no. Back-up all star? Not so sure. Kim _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From mark at 10thumbs.org Mon Jan 26 14:48:03 2009 From: mark at 10thumbs.org (Mark Piotrowski) Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 09:48:03 -0500 Subject: PG Help Message-ID: Sorry to have been so M.I.A. 'round here. good to see things are still chuggin' along! I agree that our 3-man PG rotation of Rondo/Pruitt/House (as SG primarily but a little PG when needed) with Cassell as a break-glass-in-case-of-emergency guy is fine with me. Put me in the (small?) group of folks who would be fine with adding Marbury for a song. But i'm thinking with Boston as the expressed destination, the Knicks might just not even buy him out. Also agree that the 2 positions I still think we need help with on the bench are still backup big man and wing defender (whether they can shoot is moot to me since we have enough offense elsewhere from the bench (House, Powe, Scal). It was frustrating to hear all the talk during the 7 of 9 losing streak that Ainge was looking for help, when I think it's been clear what the weaknesses of this team are. I've been encouraged by BBD's increased consistency, but we still need a true backup Center, esp. if Doc won't/can't play O'bryant. I had suggested Ray Allen's old UConn teammate Jake Voskuhl among others this summer, but alas he's with the Raptors. I guess it's possible that there will be more players bought out this year after the trade deadline (given the general economic trouble across the league; buyouts can save $1M here or there) but planning for that seems risky. Overall, i think we're fine. I'm still scared of the same team I was heading into the season (Cavs) and not scared of the other (Fakers). Orlando worries me b/c we don't have an answer for DHo if he's "on" and their role players always seem to get up to play us (like CHA does). (the other) mark >I am OK with what we got at the backup PG in Pruitt, with Cassell as >player coach/insurance. The bench even minus Tony A. is really doing >well of late with Pruitt at PG paired with House as designated >gunner, who is really starting to stroke it. I think it is due in >part in being paired with Pruitt and not having to be prime guard >defender and ball handler seeing that Pruitt is taking care of those >duties. Is his (Pruitt's) stats that good, no but he is doing a >passable job at PG, is a decent defender, he is getting valuable >meaningful minutes and his confidense and play should only get >better. To me a taller, athletic wing defender that can spread the >floor and or vet, true pf/center that can hit a three would be nice. > >Go C's > > >--- On Sun, 1/25/09, John Lyell wrote: > > > From: John Lyell > > Subject: PG Help > > To: celtics at igtc.com > > Date: Sunday, January 25, 2009, 10:43 PM > > Since marbury likely won't happen what does everyone > > thing of trying to get Jerryd Bayless or Sergio Rodriquez > > from Portland, both sitting behind Steve Blake? Bayless > > could be a sleeper.\ > > > > Ray Felton is also supposedly on the blocks > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > > celtics at igtc.com > > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From mark at 10thumbs.org Mon Jan 26 15:03:39 2009 From: mark at 10thumbs.org (Mark Piotrowski) Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:03:39 -0500 Subject: Looking for a Fantasy GM for the IGTC Keeper League Message-ID: The IGTC Fantasy Basketball Keeper League is now in it's 2nd year & Cecil Wright's Halifax Panthers are looking to defend their title, but currently in 2nd place. However, it's looking like one of our GM's has fallen off (though I'm still trying to get in touch with him). Interested in joining us? Keep reading, then email me off-list! The other 11 GM's are members of the IGTC list. Some of them post more than others -- Adam Patterson, Noah Evens, Cecil Wright, Ryan Nelson and even Egg -- but all are Celts fans; You can tell by the teams: Boston Szabos, Darren Daye, Minniefield, Rondo's Rowdies, Russell's Muscles, The Power of Powe. This is a daily league. You can change your roster as much/little as you want, but we're looking for a GM who will log in at least every few days to read messages and respond to trades in a timely fashion (even if just to say thanks but no thanks). Finally, since this is a keeper league, we're looking for a GM who will stick with the league for several years. There are 12 teams, 9 categories (FG%, FT% 3PM, pts, reb, ast, stl, blk, to), 10-man starting lineup (PG, SG, G, G, SF, PF, F, C, UTL, UTL) and 5-man bench, 82 game limit per position. Each year GM's can protect 4 keepers going into the live draft. The team that you would be taking over is currently in 7th place (but has played the fewest games so there's room for a comeback) and has some talent: Nash Mayo Ben Gordon Alston Jamison Big Al Jefferson Gay Rasheed Kenyon Martin Prince Finley Azubuike Warrick Dunleavy Milsap Thanks & Ubuntu! (the other) Mark From BDodgers at aol.com Mon Jan 26 15:42:51 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:42:51 EST Subject: Marbury: Celtics would sign guard Message-ID: Marbury: Celtics would sign guard ESPN.com news services _Stephon Marbury_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=509) said the _Boston Celtics_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos) have expressed a commitment to sign the exiled _New York Knicks_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=nyk) point guard who hasn't played since last April, the New York Post has reported. According to the newspaper, Marbury complained the Knicks have not agreed to buy out his contract because they don't want him contributing to a championship run with the Celtics. Marbury told the Post the Knicks were playing "kids games," and "It's got to be personal." "The question to be asked to the Knicks is: Are they fearful for me playing for another Eastern Conference team?" Marbury said, according to the paper. "My thing is, they shouldn't be fearful. They're trying to get under the cap for 2010. They shouldn't be worried about me." The Knicks play the Celtics for the fourth and last time this season in New York on Feb. 6. "You had guys saying I was a distraction, I'm a cancer," Marbury said. "If I'm all those things, wouldn't you want me to go to another team?" ESPN.com's Marc Stein first reported earlier this month that Celtics management was hopeful of signing Marbury if he reached a buyout agreement with the Knicks. Marbury, in his last year of a contract that pays him $21 million this season, told the Post another NBA team has also expressed interest in signing him upon release. According to the paper, the _Miami Heat_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=mia) have Marbury in their sights. "I know I'll be able to sign with two teams," Marbury told the Post. A brief flirtation between Marbury and the Greek team Olympiacos appeared to end Friday, a day after the team contacted the Knicks as part of its efforts to find a replacement for the injured American _Josh Childress_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2373) , sources told ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan. "It shouldn't matter that I go to Boston if you're the eighth seed and Boston is in the front," Marbury told the Post. "It can't be about money. The Knicks got plenty of it. It's got to be personal. If it's personal, then how is business being done there?" **************From Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between, stay up-to-date with the latest news. (http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000023) From Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil Mon Jan 26 15:51:18 2009 From: Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil (Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil) Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 10:51:18 -0500 Subject: Marbury: Celtics would sign guard In-Reply-To: References: Message-ID: <200901261551.n0QFpL2P023010@artemis.afrc.af.mil> I might be in the minority (I haven't caught up reading historical posts here to know), but I'm not in the camp seeing this as a need. Given the insurance policy of Cassel (another shooting, non defender PG) he'd duplicate a skill we're already not using. Add in what I've seen as steady development by Pruitt as the emergency backup come playoff time who actually can defend a bit (I really see Rondo playing HEAVY minutes this spring) and more pressing needs (BIG MAN! Ainge you hear me? BIIIIIIG MAAAAAAN!) and I'm a little confused as to why the Cs are hot and heavy for him? -----Original Message----- From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of BDodgers at aol.com Sent: Monday, January 26, 2009 10:43 AM To: celtics at igtc.com; Celticsstuffgroup at yahoogroups.com Subject: Marbury: Celtics would sign guard Marbury: Celtics would sign guard ESPN.com news services _Stephon Marbury_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=509) said the _Boston Celtics_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos) have expressed a commitment to sign the exiled _New York Knicks_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=nyk) point guard who hasn't played since last April, the New York Post has reported. According to the newspaper, Marbury complained the Knicks have not agreed to buy out his contract because they don't want him contributing to a championship run with the Celtics. Marbury told the Post the Knicks were playing "kids games," and "It's got to be personal." "The question to be asked to the Knicks is: Are they fearful for me playing for another Eastern Conference team?" Marbury said, according to the paper. "My thing is, they shouldn't be fearful. They're trying to get under the cap for 2010. They shouldn't be worried about me." The Knicks play the Celtics for the fourth and last time this season in New York on Feb. 6. "You had guys saying I was a distraction, I'm a cancer," Marbury said. "If I'm all those things, wouldn't you want me to go to another team?" ESPN.com's Marc Stein first reported earlier this month that Celtics management was hopeful of signing Marbury if he reached a buyout agreement with the Knicks. Marbury, in his last year of a contract that pays him $21 million this season, told the Post another NBA team has also expressed interest in signing him upon release. According to the paper, the _Miami Heat_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=mia) have Marbury in their sights. "I know I'll be able to sign with two teams," Marbury told the Post. A brief flirtation between Marbury and the Greek team Olympiacos appeared to end Friday, a day after the team contacted the Knicks as part of its efforts to find a replacement for the injured American _Josh Childress_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2373) , sources told ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan. "It shouldn't matter that I go to Boston if you're the eighth seed and Boston is in the front," Marbury told the Post. "It can't be about money. The Knicks got plenty of it. It's got to be personal. If it's personal, then how is business being done there?" **************From Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between, stay up-to-date with the latest news. (http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000023) _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From stevebknight at yahoo.com Mon Jan 26 16:17:10 2009 From: stevebknight at yahoo.com (steve knight) Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 08:17:10 -0800 (PST) Subject: big man References: Message-ID: <302830.2443.qm@web37406.mail.mud.yahoo.com> i want another big man just like everyone else for depth, but if big baby can consistently slow down the likes of howard and shaq, like he's done recently, i worry less about that and more about someone who can spell pierce on lebron in a 7-game series. not sure tony has the size. lebron is in a different category than howard, becoming what shaq was for years--someone you had to gameplan for and have bodies to throw at. at this point, i'm not convinced we have enough--one more solid wing defender would put me at ease. as for the backup pg, i think we're ok with some combo of house and pruitt and tony. i'd like to see pruitt and tony together at some point. pruitt still has a long way to go. steady minutes over the rest of the season can't do anything but help his confidence, and doc's in him. From douglas342 at aol.com Mon Jan 26 18:18:54 2009 From: douglas342 at aol.com (douglas342 at aol.com) Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:18:54 -0500 Subject: big man In-Reply-To: <302830.2443.qm@web37406.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <302830.2443.qm@web37406.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <8CB4DF9AEBD18E2-96C-90@WEBMAIL-MB09.sysops.aol.com> Y'know, I KNOW they are great players, but out here in LA, the NBA seems to be made up a a bunch of teams plus a team called Kobe and a team called Lebron. I get so (*&^) tired of Kobe and Lebron 24/7 that I want to scream out., "Hey, m-----ers, who's the champs????" -----Original Message----- From: steve knight To: celtics at igtc.com Sent: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 8:17 am Subject: Re: big man i want another big man just like everyone else for depth, but if big baby can consistently slow down the likes of howard and shaq, like he's done recently, i worry less about that and more about someone who can spell pierce on lebron in a 7-game series. not sure tony has the size. lebron is in a different category than howard, becoming what shaq was for years--someone you had to gameplan for and have bodies to throw at. at this point, i'm not convinced we have enough--one more solid wing defender would put me at ease. as for the backup pg, i think we're ok with some combo of house and pruitt and tony. i'd like to see pruitt and tony together at some point. pruitt still has a long way to go. steady minutes over the rest of the season can't do anything but help his confidence, and doc's in him. _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From pdelevett at yahoo.com Mon Jan 26 21:01:28 2009 From: pdelevett at yahoo.com (Peter Delevett) Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 13:01:28 -0800 (PST) Subject: Marbury comments Message-ID: <471549.73887.qm@web110102.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Does anybody wonder if Steph's comments about "the Celtics have committed to signing me" might open the door for the Knicks to press a tampering charge against Boston? (And on an unrelated note, I wonder what Michael Redd's injury means for Cleveland. Scuttlebutt had been that the Cavs wanted him badly and would try to pry him away using Wally's contract as bait. Where will the Cavs look now?) From kmalo17 at verizon.net Mon Jan 26 21:15:10 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 16:15:10 -0500 Subject: Marbury comments In-Reply-To: <471549.73887.qm@web110102.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> References: <471549.73887.qm@web110102.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <0KE300AMPK59Z9K4@vms173009.mailsrvcs.net> At 04:01 PM 1/26/2009, Peter Delevett wrote: >Does anybody wonder if Steph's comments about "the Celtics have >committed to signing me" might open the door for the Knicks to press >a tampering charge against Boston? Nope because I'm not sure they're true, or if they are, well verbal agreement can mean a lot of things. I think it's Starbury trying to pressure the situation. It's also not necessarily coincidence that they hit the news the day he relaunched his clothing line and is looking for some positive publicity. Danny has many faults, but he's not stupid. If there was anything open to that I expect the Knicks were approached first, as in with a since you've already offered him a buyout, can we talk to him. This isn't a case of secretly trying to grab a player they want to keep. Kim From kmalo17 at verizon.net Mon Jan 26 22:09:45 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 17:09:45 -0500 Subject: Marbury comments In-Reply-To: <0KE300AMPK59Z9K4@vms173009.mailsrvcs.net> References: <471549.73887.qm@web110102.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> <0KE300AMPK59Z9K4@vms173009.mailsrvcs.net> Message-ID: <0KE3005Q7MWAD8M1@vms046.mailsrvcs.net> At 04:15 PM 1/26/2009, Kim Malo wrote: >At 04:01 PM 1/26/2009, Peter Delevett wrote: >>Does anybody wonder if Steph's comments about "the Celtics have >>committed to signing me" might open the door for the Knicks to >>press a tampering charge against Boston? > >Nope because I'm not sure they're true, or if they are, well verbal >agreement can mean a lot of things. I think it's Starbury trying to >pressure the situation. It's also not necessarily coincidence that >they hit the news the day he relaunched his clothing line and is >looking for some positive publicity. > >Danny has many faults, but he's not stupid. If there was anything >open to that I expect the Knicks were approached first, as in with a >since you've already offered him a buyout, can we talk to him. This >isn't a case of secretly trying to grab a player they want to keep. Meant to say part of why I didn't believe it was the difference in what happened when Sam said there was a verbal agreement over the summer and the Cs concurred. See Bulpett's article about it in the Herald http://news.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/2009_01_26_Celtics:_No_%E2%80%98commitment%E2%80%99_with_Stephon_Marbury/srvc=home&position=also where he also specifies that Marbury had been given permission to speak with other teams, so no tampering issues. Kim From regmanw6 at yahoo.com Mon Jan 26 22:16:32 2009 From: regmanw6 at yahoo.com (R Howe) Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 14:16:32 -0800 (PST) Subject: Marbury comments In-Reply-To: <0KE300AMPK59Z9K4@vms173009.mailsrvcs.net> Message-ID: <145102.27326.qm@web56708.mail.re3.yahoo.com> I also believe that Marbury or his rep have permission see what the market is for his services. Of course trying to decipher truth in anything that is related to the recent/current Knicks regime and also Marbury himself can lead to headaches. All that said I wouldnt mind taking a flyer on Marbury filling the role that Cassel filled last year. He would be an upgrade talent wise and we seem to have a team where he couldnt just walk in and disrupt it because there is no way he could delusionally demand to be the star of this team. Still think a taller, powerful, athletic wing defender off the bench to be a larger priority for title push. Any suggestions of possibilities? Go C's ? --- On Mon, 1/26/09, Kim Malo wrote: From: Kim Malo Subject: Re: Marbury comments To: pdelevett at yahoo.com, "The Boston Celtics Mailing List" , celtics at igtc.com Date: Monday, January 26, 2009, 4:15 PM At 04:01 PM 1/26/2009, Peter Delevett wrote: > Does anybody wonder if Steph's comments about "the Celtics have committed to signing me" might open the door for the Knicks to press a tampering charge against Boston? Nope because I'm not sure they're true, or if they are, well verbal agreement can mean a lot of things. I think it's Starbury trying to pressure the situation. It's also not necessarily coincidence that they hit the news the day he relaunched his clothing line and is looking for some positive publicity. Danny has many faults, but he's not stupid. If there was anything open to that I expect the Knicks were approached first, as in with a since you've already offered him a buyout, can we talk to him. This isn't a case of secretly trying to grab a player they want to keep. Kim _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From BDodgers at aol.com Tue Jan 27 00:21:04 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 19:21:04 EST Subject: Report: Celts made no vow to Marbury Message-ID: Report: Celts made no vow to Marbury ESPN.com news services _Stephon Marbury_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=509) has said the _Boston Celtics_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=bos) expressed a firm commitment to sign the exiled _New York Knicks_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=nyk) point guard, according to Monday's editions of the New York Post. But a source for the Boston Herald claimed otherwise. Marbury's comments confirmed an ESPN.com report on Jan. 1 that Celtics management is intent on signing him if he can reach a buyout agreement with the Knicks. But according to a story posted on the Boston newspaper's Web site Monday afternoon, citing a source close to the situation, the Celtics have "absolutely no verbal commitment" with Marbury -- despite the two sides having talked, and in spite of Boston's interest in adding him given ideal conditions. Marbury wouldn't record significant playing time in any circumstance, the source told the Herald. According to the Post, Marbury complained the Knicks have not agreed to buy out his contract because they don't want him contributing to a championship run with the Celtics. Marbury told the Post the Knicks were playing "kids games," and "It's got to be personal." "The question to be asked to the Knicks is: Are they fearful for me playing for another Eastern Conference team?" Marbury said, according to the paper. "My thing is, they shouldn't be fearful. They're trying to get under the cap for 2010. They shouldn't be worried about me." The Knicks play the Celtics for the fourth and last time this season in New York on Feb. 6. "You had guys saying I was a distraction, I'm a cancer," Marbury said. "If I'm all those things, wouldn't you want me to go to another team?" Marbury, in his last year of a contract that pays him $21 million this season, told the Post another NBA team has also expressed interest in signing him upon release. According to the paper, the _Miami Heat_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/clubhouse?team=mia) have Marbury in their sights. "I know I'll be able to sign with two teams," Marbury told the Post. A brief flirtation between Marbury and the Greek team Olympiacos appeared to end Friday, a day after the team contacted the Knicks as part of its efforts to find a replacement for the injured American _Josh Childress_ (http://sports.espn.go.com/nba/players/profile?playerId=2373) , sources told ESPN.com's Chris Sheridan. "It shouldn't matter that I go to Boston if you're the eighth seed and Boston is in the front," Marbury told the Post. "It can't be about money. The Knicks got plenty of it. It's got to be personal. If it's personal, then how is business being done there?" **************From Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between, stay up-to-date with the latest news. (http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000023) From BDodgers at aol.com Tue Jan 27 05:16:43 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 00:16:43 EST Subject: Report: Marbury says Celtics made him an offer Message-ID: Report: Marbury says Celtics made him an offer by Marc Berman, New York Post The banished Stephon Marbury acknowledged for the first time yesterday he has a verbal commitment from the Celtics ? and accused the Knicks of not accepting his latest buyout offer because they don't want him winning a championship in Boston. A frustrated Marbury said the Knicks were playing "kids games," adding "It's got to be personal." In an hourlong interview with The Post, Marbury also said another NBA team has made an overture toward him. Miami is known to have expressed interest. "I know I'll be able to sign with two teams," Marbury told The Post. "The question to be asked to the Knicks is: Are they fearful for me playing for another Eastern Conference team? My thing is, they shouldn't be fearful. They're trying to get under the cap for 2010. They shouldn't be worried about me. You had guys saying I was a distraction, I'm a cancer. If I'm all those things, wouldn't you want me to go to another team?" President Donnie Walsh may wait until after their final meeting with Boston, Feb. 6 at the Garden, though the teams could meet in the first round. Marbury, who returned from training in Los Angeles last week, said he also wonders if Walsh will not act until March 2, when Marbury would be ineligible for a playoff roster. The chances of trading Marbury at the Feb. 19 deadline are beyond slim. "It shouldn't matter that I go to Boston if you're the eighth seed and Boston is in the front," Marbury said. "It can't be about money. The Knicks got plenty of it. It's got to be personal. If it's personal, then how is business being done there?" Marbury's basketball career is still dormant. Two weeks ago, after getting a commitment from the Celtics, he put his $1 million giveback onto the table again, saying he would make up the money with his next team. (http://msn.foxsports.com/pgStory?workingCategoryId=0) The Knicks already have paid half of the $21 million he's owed this season. Marbury said he also would be willing to drop his appeal on the $400,000 fine he incurred for allegedly refusing to play Thanksgiving Eve in Detroit. Marbury said an arbitration hearing is to be held in February. "It's none of their business what I do when I get out of my deal," Marbury said. "They say they don't want to pay me all my money, but they'll be paying me all my money anyway." Marbury said last weekend Players Association attorney Hal Biagas was told by Walsh the matter was in James Dolan's hands. WFAN's Mike Francesa has said on the air Dolan told him he would accept a $2 million savings on the rest of Marbury's contract. The Knicks say Dolan doesn't recall saying that. "Mr. Dolan says it's up to Donnie Walsh," Marbury said. "Walsh told us he's got to run it through Mr. Dolan. It's kids games. Like Barack Obama said, let's put away those childish acts." Walsh told The Post emphatically last night that the Marbury decision is his and his only. Walsh also said he isn't going to negotiate any deal through the newspapers. Marbury said he feels Walsh wants him to play overseas because they seemed eager to learn Olympiacos of Greece had interest in Marbury last week. Marbury says Knicks senior vice president Glen Grunwald called Biagas to tell him the Greek team wanted to sign him. Olympiacos' owners, however, didn't feel Marbury could help right away because he hasn't played all season. Olympiacos never called Biagas, Marbury said. "I'm not closing any doors," he said. "The game is going global." **************A Good Credit Score is 700 or Above. See yours in just 2 easy steps! (http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100000075x1215855013x1201028747/aol?redir=http://www.freecreditreport.com/pm/default.aspx?sc=668072%26hmpgID=62%26bcd=De cemailfooterNO62) From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Tue Jan 27 10:15:11 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 02:15:11 -0800 (PST) Subject: McHale's Wolves Impressing Message-ID: <908869.20310.qm@web63808.mail.re1.yahoo.com> I have to admit I was wrong about these Timberwolves, as they have quickly turned their season around after a dreadful start. One of the things I noticed last month was that Al Jefferson was their only legitimate big man, in contributions and overall height. But with strong showings from Kevin Love (career high 15 rebounds Sunday night) they are making do with what they have. By doing a great job as coach, McHale is making his GM moves look pretty darn good, including the draft day trade of O.J. Mayo for Kevin Love (and Mike Miller). With the win over Milwaukee last night, they are 10-2 in January which makes them the hottest team in 2009 for now. Good on em! (Note: it will be interesting to see if McHale is coaching the Timberwolves next season. Considering their recent form one would have to say- yes!) ? From: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11343 Wolves on Tear:It's easy to understand if this little item has been missed, but did anyone notice the Minnesota Timberwolves are legitimately hot? The Wolves are 8-2 in their last 10 games and are 11-12 overall since they fired coach Randy Wittman and replaced him with Kevin McHale. Considering the Wolves were 4-15 at the time, that's quite the accomplishment. Considering the fact the Wolves lost their first eight games under McHale ? meaning they are 11-4 since ? it's all the more impressive. The stretch admittedly didn't have much bite to it, but the Wolves did win on the road in Phoenix and at home against the New Orleans Hornets. The rest of the wins consisted of teams under .500, but considering that even after the streak the Wolves are at .357 it's an impressive accomplishment. How are the Wolves doing it? For the season they are outrebounding opponents by 1.6 a game ? including a +2.5 on the offensive glass ? and previous research has shown a direct correlation between rebounding and winning. Center Al Jefferson, rookie forward Kevin Love, and guards Randy Foye and Sebastian Telfair have been playing excellent ball recently as well. Jefferson has posted 14 double-doubles since the coaching change and has scored 20 or more points 19 times; four times going for 30-plus. Love has posted five double-doubles, but hit double digits in rebounds 11 times over the same stretch. Before the coaching change he had done it just three times with three double-doubles. Telfair is averaging 10.8 points, 6.4 assists and 1.1 steals in January, by far his best stretch of the season. He is only shooting 38% overall from the field, but a very respectable 40% from three-point range. Foye has gone for 20 or more points eight times since the coaching change and is averaging 19.7 points and 4.5 assists while shooting 46% from the field and beyond the arc in January. Much has been made about how coaching isn't something McHale really wants to do, and about the fact this situation seemed a lot like Glen Taylor saying you built this team, you coach it, but the recent play of this young team seems to indicate there is a decent amount of talent on the roster. On top of that, it also shows whatever McHale is doing it's starting to work, although apparently at the expense of shooting star Mike Miller. The system would indicate a perfect fit for Miller's talents ? outside shooting, running the floor ? but it hasn't yet clicked for him. Can the Wolves keep it up? After a road game tonight in Milwaukee (sans Michael Redd), the Wolves have home games with the L.A. Lakers and Detroit Pistons to close out January before road games in Indiana and Boston. February will not be kind to the Wolves ? eight games are against teams .500 or better, plus two games each with Indy and Toronto. Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From regmanw6 at yahoo.com Tue Jan 27 19:52:39 2009 From: regmanw6 at yahoo.com (R Howe) Date: Tue, 27 Jan 2009 11:52:39 -0800 (PST) Subject: McHale's Wolves Impressing In-Reply-To: <908869.20310.qm@web63808.mail.re1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <310080.79498.qm@web56704.mail.re3.yahoo.com> I have noticed and wanted to post this as passing interest. Mchale has taken a lot of abuse about his trades and draft but we all knew we gave up pretty good present and future talent for Garnett. Love in particular is a rebounding machine and doesnt need a lot of touches to be productive, Love is not Mayo or Rose in that they get the press plus are guards with the ball in their hands but he is a legit productive big man while not being showcased like Mayo and Rose. The Wolves actually have been winning most of their games since Telfair has been inserted into the starting lineup so at least he is showing he is not a net negative when given the reigns and of course ol' favorite big Al is not wilting under the pressure to consistently do what he does best in being the man for the Wolves. The article points out that they will have a harder stretch in the next few weeks but for now there is hope in the Wolves den. Go C's --- On Tue, 1/27/09, Adam Patterson wrote: > From: Adam Patterson > Subject: McHale's Wolves Impressing > To: "Celtics Mailing List" > Date: Tuesday, January 27, 2009, 5:15 AM > I have to admit I was wrong about these Timberwolves, as > they have quickly turned their season around after a > dreadful start. > One of the things I noticed last month was that Al > Jefferson was their only legitimate big man, in > contributions and overall height. But with strong showings > from Kevin Love (career high 15 rebounds Sunday night) they > are making do with what they have. > By doing a great job as coach, McHale is making his GM > moves look pretty darn good, including the draft day trade > of O.J. Mayo for Kevin Love (and Mike Miller). > With the win over Milwaukee last night, they are 10-2 in > January which makes them the hottest team in 2009 for now. > Good on em! > (Note: it will be interesting to see if McHale is coaching > the Timberwolves next season. Considering their recent form > one would have to say- yes!) > ? > From: http://www.hoopsworld.com/Story.asp?story_id=11343 > Wolves on Tear:It's easy to understand if this little > item has been missed, but did anyone notice the Minnesota > Timberwolves are legitimately hot? The Wolves are 8-2 in > their last 10 games and are 11-12 overall since they fired > coach Randy Wittman and replaced him with Kevin McHale. > Considering the Wolves were 4-15 at the time, that's > quite the accomplishment. > Considering the fact the Wolves lost their first eight > games under McHale ? meaning they are 11-4 since ? > it's all the more impressive. The stretch admittedly > didn't have much bite to it, but the Wolves did win on > the road in Phoenix and at home against the New Orleans > Hornets. The rest of the wins consisted of teams under .500, > but considering that even after the streak the Wolves are at > .357 it's an impressive accomplishment. > How are the Wolves doing it? For the season they are > outrebounding opponents by 1.6 a game ? including a +2.5 > on the offensive glass ? and previous research has shown a > direct correlation between rebounding and winning. > Center Al Jefferson, rookie forward Kevin Love, and guards > Randy Foye and Sebastian Telfair have been playing excellent > ball recently as well. Jefferson has posted 14 > double-doubles since the coaching change and has scored 20 > or more points 19 times; four times going for 30-plus. > Love has posted five double-doubles, but hit double digits > in rebounds 11 times over the same stretch. Before the > coaching change he had done it just three times with three > double-doubles. > Telfair is averaging 10.8 points, 6.4 assists and 1.1 > steals in January, by far his best stretch of the season. He > is only shooting 38% overall from the field, but a very > respectable 40% from three-point range. > Foye has gone for 20 or more points eight times since the > coaching change and is averaging 19.7 points and 4.5 assists > while shooting 46% from the field and beyond the arc in > January. > Much has been made about how coaching isn't something > McHale really wants to do, and about the fact this situation > seemed a lot like Glen Taylor saying you built this team, > you coach it, but the recent play of this young team seems > to indicate there is a decent amount of talent on the > roster. On top of that, it also shows whatever McHale is > doing it's starting to work, although apparently at the > expense of shooting star Mike Miller. The system would > indicate a perfect fit for Miller's talents ? outside > shooting, running the floor ? but it hasn't yet > clicked for him. > Can the Wolves keep it up? After a road game tonight in > Milwaukee (sans Michael Redd), the Wolves have home games > with the L.A. Lakers and Detroit Pistons to close out > January before road games in Indiana and Boston. February > will not be kind to the Wolves ? eight games are against > teams .500 or better, plus two games each with Indy and > Toronto. > > > Stay connected to the people that matter most with a > smarter inbox. Take a look > http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From bos3332 at woh.rr.com Wed Jan 28 19:37:19 2009 From: bos3332 at woh.rr.com (Tony) Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 14:37:19 -0500 Subject: Steve Francis Waived Message-ID: <015001c9817f$d5b6da90$658c4347@TPinto> I saw that Steve Francis was waived by the Grizzlies, would he be a better option the Marbury? Regards, Tony Pinto Sales & Leasing The Beerman Realty Co. -Commercial Real Estate & Development 11 W. Monument Building, Suite 800 Dayton, OH 45402 937-222-1285 ext. 111 From BDodgers at aol.com Wed Jan 28 21:15:52 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 16:15:52 EST Subject: Ian Thomsen > INSIDE THE NBA Message-ID: Ian Thomsen > INSIDE THE NBA (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/writers/ian_thomsen/archive/) While the Marbury rumors swirl, Celtics rediscover their groove Story Highlights As the schedule has eased up a bit, the Celtics have taken off on a dominant run The hot streak comes amid rumors that Stephon Marbury could join Boston It wouldn't make sense for the Knicks to release the exiled point guard now BOSTON -- Before we touch on the Celtics' rejuvenation, let's start by agreeing that _Stephon Marbury_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3099) isn't going to come walking through their door. Of course, Marbury could decide to slice millions of dollars off his proposed contract buyout, which may (or may not) compel the Knicks to release him. But that probably isn't going to happen, based on Marbury's stance dating back to last summer. Amid the clamor of Marbury-to-Boston rumors, no one has been able to explain this one: Why would the Knicks cooperate by waiving Marbury? They're going to pay him $18 million or more -- and then set him free to watch him make shots on behalf of an enemy team on New York's dime? Between his salary and the luxury tax, Marbury is going to cost the Knicks close to $40 million this season in return for zero production. On top of that, we're supposed to believe that New York will release him so he can help the Celtics win another championship in June, or, worse yet, help another Eastern rival beat out the Knicks for the No. 8 playoff spot? Over the next three weeks, Knicks president Donnie Walsh will continue trying to trade Marbury's expiring $21 million contract to a team seeking cap relief. But there is likely to be no such deal, because Marbury's name is poison, because New York needs two-year contracts that won't hurt its 2010 free-agent budget, and because the rest of the league is disposed to hurt -- rather than help -- the rich Knicks. Let's assume the Feb. 19 trading deadline has passed and Marbury remains lodged within the Knicks' payroll like a kidney stone. Marbury must secure his release and sign with another franchise by March 1 to be eligible for the playoffs with his new team. The Knicks aren't going to enable Marbury to play elsewhere unless he first helps them by saving them millions on his salary (and the residual millions in luxury tax). At that point, it wouldn't be surprising if Knicks owner James Dolan decided to not release Marbury under any circumstances. The Knicks have already endured the worst period of their divorce from Marbury, and it's not like they owe him anything: In return for almost $100 million in salary, he has provided them with no playoff success while doing far more harm than good to the franchise in recent years. Even if Marbury offers to leave money on the table, Dolan may nonetheless decide to hold him accountable to his contract while setting a new precedent that he won't be pushed around by players like Marbury. Any way I look at it, Marbury-to-Boston is a long shot at best. For their part, the Celtics look like they have no need for Marbury at the moment. Following their 2-7 slide over the holidays, the Celtics have won eight consecutive games. That streak includes a run of extraordinary victories against winning teams in which Boston has amassed leads totaling 109 points over the last four games. The Suns, Magic and Mavericks, in particular, have hopes of making deep playoff runs, but all three contenders were exposed in the last week by the turbine rotations of the Celtics' defense. There were times last Sunday when the Mavs appeared to be playing against six or seven Celtics, so often were two defenders pressuring the ball. "We haven't come across a team that plays this effective defensively,'' Dallas coach Rick Carlisle said. No team endured a more congested first-half schedule than the Celtics, who played their 41st game midway through Week 12 of the season (Jan. 14). Their final 41 games are being played over 13 weeks, which is a more helpful breadth than it would appear. "Think about it: We have six back-to-backs the rest of the season,'' Boston coach Doc Rivers said. "We had [six] in the month of November.'' The Celtics say they've reverted to last year's championship form because they've recently had enough practice time to reform their defensive rotations and work on ball movement offensively. "Throughout the whole month of December, I don't remember us having a practice because we had so many games crammed in,'' captain _Paul Pierce_ (http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/basketball/nba/players/3253) said. "We were going into hotels and putting the tape down [on ballroom floors] and trying to mimic what teams were doing, but it's not the same thing as having practice. We believe in what we do, and the reason we play well is because we practice it.'' The Celtics rank No. 1 in field-goal defense (42.2 percent) and No. 2 in offense (shooting 48.2 percent from the floor). Though they've separated themselves from the tier of playoff teams that rely on perimeter shooting, this recent stretch doesn't change the fact that the Celtics' bench could use another big man defensively as well as a guard capable of handling the ball and shooting three-pointers. In the case of the latter need, they shouldn't count on trying to fill it with Marbury. **************From Wall Street to Main Street and everywhere in between, stay up-to-date with the latest news. (http://aol.com?ncid=emlcntaolcom00000023) From jlyell at verizon.net Wed Jan 28 21:57:40 2009 From: jlyell at verizon.net (John Lyell) Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 13:57:40 -0800 Subject: Steve Francis Waived In-Reply-To: <015001c9817f$d5b6da90$658c4347@TPinto> References: <015001c9817f$d5b6da90$658c4347@TPinto> Message-ID: <19BE0CBA-E1BD-4E4D-8199-610337C9C420@verizon.net> Does he have anything left in the tank? Ssme baggage as marbury On Jan 28, 2009, at 11:37 AM, "Tony" wrote: > I saw that Steve Francis was waived by the Grizzlies, would he be a > better option the Marbury? > > Regards, > > > Tony Pinto > Sales & Leasing > The Beerman Realty Co. -Commercial Real Estate & Development > 11 W. Monument Building, Suite 800 > Dayton, OH 45402 > 937-222-1285 ext. 111 > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From regmanw6 at yahoo.com Thu Jan 29 04:56:49 2009 From: regmanw6 at yahoo.com (R Howe) Date: Wed, 28 Jan 2009 20:56:49 -0800 (PST) Subject: EDDIE!!! Message-ID: <953898.94680.qm@web56702.mail.re3.yahoo.com> EDD-IE HOUSE!!! WOW! jaw dropping WOW! Any bad thoughts about you and the bench from me I Apologize. When you get the play of not only, scorched-earth Eddie House, but also Davis and a great return to "good old stat stuffing" TA, the bench becomes a major weapon. Ray Allen with the bench looked like they could have destroyed the Kings all on their own. Also noted, Scott Pollard was sitting court side. Is he being targeted as a mid season Big Man signing? From martind42 at cox.net Thu Jan 29 18:01:37 2009 From: martind42 at cox.net (martind42 at cox.net) Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:01:37 -0500 Subject: EDDIE!!! In-Reply-To: <953898.94680.qm@web56702.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20090129130137.O8LL8.95649.imail@eastrmwml33> If the Celtics can't lure PJ Brown out of retirement just one more time, Pollard would be a perfect fit. He still has plenty of playoff experience on his resume, and would only be used for several minutes per game. He knew the sytstem, and was a very good passing big man. He probably has enough fumes in the tank to get us to the finals, so that might be possible. ---- R Howe wrote: > EDD-IE HOUSE!!! WOW! jaw dropping WOW! > Any bad thoughts about you and the bench from me I Apologize. > > When you get the play of not only, scorched-earth Eddie House, but also Davis and a great return to "good old stat stuffing" TA, the bench becomes a major weapon. Ray Allen with the bench looked like they could have destroyed the Kings all on their own. > > Also noted, Scott Pollard was sitting court side. Is he being targeted as a mid season Big Man signing? > > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil Thu Jan 29 18:09:31 2009 From: Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil (Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil) Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 13:09:31 -0500 Subject: EDDIE!!! In-Reply-To: <20090129130137.O8LL8.95649.imail@eastrmwml33> References: <953898.94680.qm@web56702.mail.re3.yahoo.com> <20090129130137.O8LL8.95649.imail@eastrmwml33> Message-ID: <200901291809.n0TI9Zu8015254@ares.afrc.af.mil> I disagree in one key area - Pollard doesn't have the reliable 10-15 ft jumper PJ has (had), nor is he a real good "post threat" - his role is to come in, bang, defend, get a board or two (offense and defense) then sit back down. Perhaps his passing prowess makes up for that and he does "know the system" for what that is worth. Yet, since I'm also not one to trade a pick right now given we'll need our picks very soon with our aging stars I'm not really able to throw out many alternatives for getting either the big or the wing defender. The other aspect is, don't we have to make a roster move to gain another body - and by that I mean a 'cut' roster move vice a just having someone put on street clothes roster move? Ugh - lots of "if/then" statements to muddle through here - where's our resident Javascript writer when we need them? -----Original Message----- From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of martind42 at cox.net Sent: Thursday, January 29, 2009 1:02 PM To: regmanw6 at yahoo.com; The Boston Celtics Mailing List Subject: Re: EDDIE!!! If the Celtics can't lure PJ Brown out of retirement just one more time, Pollard would be a perfect fit. He still has plenty of playoff experience on his resume, and would only be used for several minutes per game. He knew the sytstem, and was a very good passing big man. He probably has enough fumes in the tank to get us to the finals, so that might be possible. ---- R Howe wrote: > EDD-IE HOUSE!!! WOW! jaw dropping WOW! > Any bad thoughts about you and the bench from me I Apologize. > > When you get the play of not only, scorched-earth Eddie House, but also Davis and a great return to "good old stat stuffing" TA, the bench becomes a major weapon. Ray Allen with the bench looked like they could have destroyed the Kings all on their own. > > Also noted, Scott Pollard was sitting court side. Is he being targeted as a mid season Big Man signing? > > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From jlyell at verizon.net Thu Jan 29 18:22:53 2009 From: jlyell at verizon.net (John Lyell) Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 10:22:53 -0800 Subject: EDDIE!!! In-Reply-To: <953898.94680.qm@web56702.mail.re3.yahoo.com> References: <953898.94680.qm@web56702.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <7B4A24A5-869B-45A5-AAA9-99EA8C67336D@verizon.net> Same here! Tony , eddie, and even baby looked real good, but we have to consider the competion level Sent from my iPhone On Jan 28, 2009, at 8:56 PM, R Howe wrote: > EDD-IE HOUSE!!! WOW! jaw dropping WOW! > Any bad thoughts about you and the bench from me I Apologize. > > When you get the play of not only, scorched-earth Eddie House, but > also Davis and a great return to "good old stat stuffing" TA, the > bench becomes a major weapon. Ray Allen with the bench looked like > they could have destroyed the Kings all on their own. > > Also noted, Scott Pollard was sitting court side. Is he being > targeted as a mid season Big Man signing? > > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From jlyell at verizon.net Fri Jan 30 02:17:18 2009 From: jlyell at verizon.net (John Lyell) Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 18:17:18 -0800 (PST) Subject: Jameer Nelson & Devin Harris All star reserves Message-ID: <373748.60394.qm@web84008.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Rondo bypassed for Devin Harris & Jameer Nelson. Didn't he school them both? From martind42 at cox.net Fri Jan 30 03:32:02 2009 From: martind42 at cox.net (martind42 at cox.net) Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 22:32:02 -0500 Subject: Jameer Nelson & Devin Harris All star reserves In-Reply-To: <373748.60394.qm@web84008.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20090129223202.X3C30.104823.imail@eastrmwml33> And Ray Allen got beat out by Rashard Lewis. We'll just use this as fuel to the fire. ---- John Lyell wrote: > Rondo bypassed for Devin Harris & Jameer Nelson. Didn't he school them both? > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From regmanw6 at yahoo.com Fri Jan 30 03:58:40 2009 From: regmanw6 at yahoo.com (R Howe) Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:58:40 -0800 (PST) Subject: Jameer Nelson & Devin Harris All star reserves In-Reply-To: <20090129223202.X3C30.104823.imail@eastrmwml33> Message-ID: <850208.2631.qm@web56708.mail.re3.yahoo.com> My thoughts exactly, fuel for the fire plus benefit of extended rest. I can see Rhondo as I thought his chances were slim going into the voting, but Ray Allen now that has me thinking that the coaches are being paid off or on drugs..jeesh. I think Ray Allen is the most consistent of the big three this year thus far and even has expanded his game on D and passing. In reality I hope both players sit the whole game except to come in the last minute to get the game changing block, rebound and then winning shot. Go C's --- On Thu, 1/29/09, martind42 at cox.net wrote: From: martind42 at cox.net Subject: Re: Jameer Nelson & Devin Harris All star reserves To: "The Boston Celtics Mailing List" , jlyell at verizon.net Date: Thursday, January 29, 2009, 10:32 PM And Ray Allen got beat out by Rashard Lewis. We'll just use this as fuel to the fire. ---- John Lyell wrote: > Rondo bypassed for Devin Harris & Jameer Nelson. Didn't he school them both? > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From martind42 at cox.net Fri Jan 30 04:33:29 2009 From: martind42 at cox.net (martind42 at cox.net) Date: Thu, 29 Jan 2009 23:33:29 -0500 Subject: Jameer Nelson & Devin Harris All star reserves In-Reply-To: <850208.2631.qm@web56708.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20090129233329.ENJK8.105514.imail@eastrmwml33> Personally, I doubt Allen minds the snub. You're right- rest is probably best for them. At least it helps the team. ---- R Howe wrote: > My thoughts exactly, fuel for the fire plus benefit of extended rest. I can see Rhondo as I thought his chances were slim going into the voting, but Ray Allen now that has me thinking that the coaches are being paid off or on drugs..jeesh. I think Ray Allen is the most consistent of the big three this year thus far and even has expanded his game on D and passing. > > In reality I hope both players sit the whole game except to come in the last minute to get the game changing block, rebound and then winning shot. > > Go C's > > --- On Thu, 1/29/09, martind42 at cox.net wrote: > From: martind42 at cox.net > Subject: Re: Jameer Nelson & Devin Harris All star reserves > To: "The Boston Celtics Mailing List" , jlyell at verizon.net > Date: Thursday, January 29, 2009, 10:32 PM > > And Ray Allen got beat out by Rashard Lewis. We'll just use this as fuel to > the fire. > ---- John Lyell wrote: > > Rondo bypassed for Devin Harris & Jameer Nelson. Didn't he school > them both? > > _______________________________________________ > > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > > celtics at igtc.com > > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From gk_tyler at yahoo.com Fri Jan 30 11:59:10 2009 From: gk_tyler at yahoo.com (gene kirkpatrick) Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 03:59:10 -0800 (PST) Subject: Al snubbed in favor of Shaq Message-ID: <583876.375.qm@web39601.mail.mud.yahoo.com> I haven't looked at the numbers for Shaq, but it's strange that Al Jefferson would be left off the All-Star roster in favor of home-town Shaq.? The home town angle may be the reason, or fear of Shaq, or stupidity, but I think the coaches voted strangely on several fronts.? Other than that, I'd vote for freezing Eddie House, literally, and thawing him out for the playoffs.? It's hard to stay in such a zone, but this should do great things for his confidence and, if he can pass well out of double teams, for our bench offense.? Cheers, Gene From kmalo17 at verizon.net Fri Jan 30 18:36:35 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:36:35 -0500 Subject: Al snubbed in favor of Shaq In-Reply-To: <583876.375.qm@web39601.mail.mud.yahoo.com> References: <583876.375.qm@web39601.mail.mud.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <0KEA0029IROY9IF4@vms173019.mailsrvcs.net> At 06:59 AM 1/30/2009, gene kirkpatrick wrote: >I haven't looked at the numbers for Shaq, but it's strange that Al >Jefferson would be left off the All-Star roster in favor of >home-town Shaq. The home town angle may be the reason, or fear of >Shaq, or stupidity, but I think the coaches voted strangely on >several fronts. Not so strange in this case. The stats aren't as far apart as you think I bet - 10.5 vs 9 RPG and 18.1 vs 22.7 PPG, with blocks about even. But you left off a major factor that was probably the decider - team records. Phoenix once again is competing for a playoff berth, with Shaq a contributor to that, while until a recent string of wins by Minny, they appeared to be competing for nothing but worst record, with Al, no matter how gaudy his individual stats, a contributor to that. Al's been having a fine individual year, but he's never been a make those around him better player (no, not saying he's selfish per se) and there's the good old we lost with you, we can lose without you perception adding to that, especially because they've been so very bad. Not just mediocre. BAD. I voted for Al on some of my ballots and think he should have gone as a reward for his stats and relatively classy handling of his career path from bad team to worse, but it's not wholly an injustice. Much less all about fear or stupidity. Some knee jerk, perhaps, but that's nothing strange and new either. Kim From pdelevett at yahoo.com Fri Jan 30 19:45:25 2009 From: pdelevett at yahoo.com (Peter Delevett) Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 11:45:25 -0800 (PST) Subject: Lucky Message-ID: <590575.15032.qm@web110113.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> A sign that there is still goodness and light in the universe: the Celtics are canning their leprechaun mascot. Now if they?d just get rid of the dancers: http://news.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view/2009_01_30_Lucky_to_charm_Celtics_fans_no_more/ (Most eye-popping line in this story: this guy was apparently paid more than $100K a year! Where are my green tights?) From Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil Fri Jan 30 19:47:32 2009 From: Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil (Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil) Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:47:32 -0500 Subject: Lucky In-Reply-To: <590575.15032.qm@web110113.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> References: <590575.15032.qm@web110113.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <200901301947.n0UJlYJt007839@apollo.afrc.af.mil> Two words: Economic Decision -----Original Message----- From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com [mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of Peter Delevett Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 2:45 PM To: celtics at igtc.com Subject: Lucky A sign that there is still goodness and light in the universe: the Celtics are canning their leprechaun mascot. Now if they?d just get rid of the dancers: http://news.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view/2009_01_30_Lucky_to_charm_Celtics_fans_no_more/ (Most eye-popping line in this story: this guy was apparently paid more than $100K a year! Where are my green tights?) _______________________________________________ The Boston Celtics Mailing List celtics at igtc.com http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From wayoftheray at yahoo.com Fri Jan 30 20:25:04 2009 From: wayoftheray at yahoo.com (Way Of The Ray) Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:25:04 -0800 (PST) Subject: Free Lucky, Fight The Bad Celtics Karma Message-ID: <680266.29234.qm@web110111.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Lucky's done more for the Celtics this season than Danny Ainge. Make Lucky, Director of Basketball Operations. Well, it's Bad Karma for the Celtics not to have opposed the Cousy dismissal, and now add insult to injury, with the expulsion of Lucky, who gave his heart and soul to the fans, when times were tough. Lucky may have been taking the whole mascot role a bit too seriously and turned in to a crazed egomaniac, but he was the Celtics very own crazed egomaniac. What will happen next with this flawed Celtics organization? Will they dump the much beloved Celtics Bimbettes dance team? Ray From kmalo17 at verizon.net Fri Jan 30 20:27:26 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:27:26 -0500 Subject: Lucky In-Reply-To: <200901301947.n0UJlYJt007839@apollo.afrc.af.mil> References: <590575.15032.qm@web110113.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> <200901301947.n0UJlYJt007839@apollo.afrc.af.mil> Message-ID: <0KEA008M5WTK3D85@vms173017.mailsrvcs.net> Nope, decision made before this year. If reports are accurate, and some of the quotes from him indicate a possibility that they are, it's more one word - ego. Including that he was supposedly unreliable about community service etc appearances outside the games. Kim. At 02:47 PM 1/30/2009, Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil wrote: >Two words: > >Economic Decision > >-----Original Message----- >From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com >[mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of Peter Delevett >Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 2:45 PM >To: celtics at igtc.com >Subject: Lucky > >A sign that there is still goodness and light in >the universe: the Celtics are canning their >leprechaun mascot. Now if they???d just get rid of the dancers: > >http://news.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view/2009_01_30_Lucky_to_charm_Celtics_fans_no_more/ > >(Most eye-popping line in this story: this guy >was apparently paid more than $100K a year! Where are my green tights?) From wayoftheray at yahoo.com Fri Jan 30 20:35:22 2009 From: wayoftheray at yahoo.com (Way Of The Ray) Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:35:22 -0800 (PST) Subject: Let's Give It Up For Brian Scalabrine Message-ID: <454751.93303.qm@web110109.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> After years of ineptitude, he finally found his niche. Shocking. Now, if he could just score in the NBA, like he did with the Coeds of USC. The sight of those manboobs was apparently a great aphrodisiac. Ray From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Fri Jan 30 20:55:43 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 12:55:43 -0800 (PST) Subject: Lucky Message-ID: <766236.6763.qm@web63805.mail.re1.yahoo.com> A couple of team huddles and shouts of "Ubuntu!" would fix that right up :) --- Kim Malo wrote: Nope, decision made before this year. If reports are accurate, and some of the quotes from him indicate a possibility that they are, it's more one word - ego. Including that he was supposedly unreliable about community service etc appearances outside the games. Kim. At 02:47 PM 1/30/2009, Patrick.Ryan at dobbins.af.mil wrote: >Two words: > >Economic Decision > >-----Original Message----- >From: celtics-bounces at igtc.com >[mailto:celtics-bounces at igtc.com] On Behalf Of Peter Delevett >Sent: Friday, January 30, 2009 2:45 PM >To: celtics at igtc.com >Subject: Lucky > >A sign that there is still goodness and light in >the universe: the Celtics are canning their >leprechaun mascot. Now if they???d just get rid of the dancers: > >http://news.bostonherald.com/track/inside_track/view/2009_01_30_Lucky_to_charm_Celtics_fans_no_more/ > >(Most eye-popping line in this story: this guy >was apparently paid more than $100K a year! Where are my green tights?) Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From callmebogie at yahoo.com Fri Jan 30 21:20:07 2009 From: callmebogie at yahoo.com (Michael Gooen) Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 13:20:07 -0800 (PST) Subject: Free Lucky, Fight The Bad Celtics Karma In-Reply-To: Message-ID: <321224.83719.qm@web56808.mail.re3.yahoo.com> Ray wrote: > Lucky's done more for the Celtics this season than > Danny Ainge. > Make Lucky, Director of Basketball Operations. > > Well, it's Bad Karma for the Celtics not to have > opposed the Cousy > dismissal, and now add insult to injury, with the expulsion > of Lucky, > who gave his heart and soul to the fans, when times were > tough. > > Lucky may have been taking the whole mascot role a bit too > seriously and > turned in to a crazed egomaniac, but he was the Celtics > very own crazed > egomaniac. > > What will happen next with this flawed Celtics > organization? Will they dump the much beloved Celtics > Bimbettes dance team?>> Ray, I'm surprised you're not advocating trading Big Baby to the Clippers for their mascot - which I assume is a guy in an Elgin Baylor mask holding a "Secaucus" sign in one hand and his other hand's thumb extended. From ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com Fri Jan 30 22:15:23 2009 From: ubiquitous_am_i at yahoo.com (Ryan W) Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 14:15:23 -0800 (PST) Subject: Al snubbed in favor of Shaq In-Reply-To: <0KEA0029IROY9IF4@vms173019.mailsrvcs.net> Message-ID: <74056.78054.qm@web65602.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> That's a good argument, but unfortunately it didn't hold across the board or Ray and Rajon would be All-Stars too. In the east, Granger had a great first half, but his team is going nowhere (18 out in the central). Same with Devin Harris, who has scored well (except when Rondo was guarding him) on a crap team (17 1/2 out in the Atlantic). Yet, they make it and Big Al doesn't. Not fair. If you're going to reward big stats on bad teams (and therefore reinforce me-first players over team players), then Big Al has to make it, since his stats are the best of any of the good players on bad teams. Btw, Minnesota is *only* 13 games out in their division....so it's not like their any more of a bad team than NJ or Indiana. To me, Devin Harris has fooled the whole league into thinking he's an All-Star point guard. The ENTIRE offense was built around him by Frank Lawrence, he's given full reign to do WHATEVER he wants with the ball, and he plays no defense. To top it off, he's supposedly the point guard, but he does none of the typical point guard things, like running the offense, making others better, etc... Rondo is the best point guard in the East because he actually plays and defends the position. The guys who made the All-Star team as point guards (Iverson, Harris, and Nelson) are short shooting guards who don't make their teammates better and can't play defense. If the All-Star spot was actually based on whomever best played their *position*, Rondo makes the team easily. But it's all about who scores the most points, which while being a decent argument for positions 2-5, it's a terrible argument for point guard. Ryan --- On Fri, 1/30/09, Kim Malo wrote: > From: Kim Malo > Subject: Re: Al snubbed in favor of Shaq > To: "celtics" > Date: Friday, January 30, 2009, 12:36 PM > At 06:59 AM 1/30/2009, gene kirkpatrick wrote: > > I haven't looked at the numbers for Shaq, but > it's strange that Al Jefferson would be left off the > All-Star roster in favor of home-town Shaq. The home town > angle may be the reason, or fear of Shaq, or stupidity, but > I think the coaches voted strangely on several fronts. > > Not so strange in this case. > > The stats aren't as far apart as you think I bet - 10.5 > vs 9 RPG and 18.1 vs 22.7 PPG, with blocks about even. But > you left off a major factor that was probably the decider - > team records. Phoenix once again is competing for a playoff > berth, with Shaq a contributor to that, while until a recent > string of wins by Minny, they appeared to be competing for > nothing but worst record, with Al, no matter how gaudy his > individual stats, a contributor to that. Al's been > having a fine individual year, but he's never been a > make those around him better player (no, not saying he's > selfish per se) and there's the good old we lost with > you, we can lose without you perception adding to that, > especially because they've been so very bad. Not just > mediocre. BAD. > > I voted for Al on some of my ballots and think he should > have gone as a reward for his stats and relatively classy > handling of his career path from bad team to worse, but > it's not wholly an injustice. Much less all about fear > or stupidity. Some knee jerk, perhaps, but that's > nothing strange and new either. > > Kim > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au Fri Jan 30 23:03:54 2009 From: patterson.adam at yahoo.com.au (Adam Patterson) Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 15:03:54 -0800 (PST) Subject: Al snubbed in favor of Shaq Message-ID: <739162.69952.qm@web63807.mail.re1.yahoo.com> True that. Shaq did earn his spot, especially as a true Center. But a lot of people are questioning why David West made the team and Al didn't, including some Hornets fans. West is averaging 20ppg, but most of his stats are down from last year and he's on a team that has been disappointing (they are 3rd in the West, but definitely not in the same echelon as Orlando, Cleveland et al). It is also surprising that Danny Granger made the Eastern All Star team, along with 3 other newbies, when Indiana had virtually the same record as Minnesota (18 wins and 16 wins respectively). Furthermore, the Western All Star team has no newbies; all 12 players have been in an All Star game before. I think Al will almost definitely be an All Star next year, as will Rondo. Perk has quite a few years to go to be honest. It was Ben Wallace who actually summed it up the best (although Mo Williams's snub was justified I think): "You always make it the next year, after the year you were supposed to make it. It's a travesty and a sham and a mockery. It's a shamockery." The problem is that Al deserved to make the team last year, but he now has to wait another 12 months to be given what he has earned. If that happens to Rondo next year I'm sure all of us will be breathing fire. Kim Malo wrote: At 06:59 AM 1/30/2009, gene kirkpatrick wrote: >I haven't looked at the numbers for Shaq, but it's strange that Al >Jefferson would be left off the All-Star roster in favor of >home-town Shaq. The home town angle may be the reason, or fear of >Shaq, or stupidity, but I think the coaches voted strangely on >several fronts. Not so strange in this case. The stats aren't as far apart as you think I bet - 10.5 vs 9 RPG and 18.1 vs 22.7 PPG, with blocks about even. But you left off a major factor that was probably the decider - team records. Phoenix once again is competing for a playoff berth, with Shaq a contributor to that, while until a recent string of wins by Minny, they appeared to be competing for nothing but worst record, with Al, no matter how gaudy his individual stats, a contributor to that. Al's been having a fine individual year, but he's never been a make those around him better player (no, not saying he's selfish per se) and there's the good old we lost with you, we can lose without you perception adding to that, especially because they've been so very bad. Not just mediocre. BAD. I voted for Al on some of my ballots and think he should have gone as a reward for his stats and relatively classy handling of his career path from bad team to worse, but it's not wholly an injustice. Much less all about fear or stupidity. Some knee jerk, perhaps, but that's nothing strange and new either. Kim Stay connected to the people that matter most with a smarter inbox. Take a look http://au.docs.yahoo.com/mail/smarterinbox From kmalo17 at verizon.net Fri Jan 30 23:55:46 2009 From: kmalo17 at verizon.net (Kim Malo) Date: Fri, 30 Jan 2009 18:55:46 -0500 Subject: Al snubbed in favor of Shaq In-Reply-To: <74056.78054.qm@web65602.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> References: <0KEA0029IROY9IF4@vms173019.mailsrvcs.net> <74056.78054.qm@web65602.mail.ac4.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <0KEB002LH6ED8B41@vms173007.mailsrvcs.net> At 05:15 PM 1/30/2009, Ryan W wrote: >That's a good argument, but unfortunately it didn't hold across the >board or Ray and Rajon would be All-Stars too. Different cases, I certainly didn't say it was the only factor in all people making the allstar game, merely a big part of why I think Shaq got it over Al. Ray ironically is having a better year than last year when he made it and should have been game MVP, but clearly suffers from (mis)perceptions around his role on a team with multiple all star options. He should have made it, but he also plays a position where there are always issues around who gets left off. I don't think Rondo is as much of a dis. He's been highly inconsistent and while you can certainly praise his roles in the wins, he had a big role in the losing streak too. He'll get there. >In the east, Granger had a great first half, but his team is going >nowhere (18 out in the central). Different situation than the Twolves tho - they've lost a ton of close games they were in with Granger a big, big part of why they were in those games. Until the recent wins, the Twlves with Al still getting the same stats were utter doormats. >Same with Devin Harris, who has scored well (except when Rondo was >guarding him) on a crap team (17 1/2 out in the Atlantic). Yet, >they make it and Big Al doesn't. *shrug* different positions . Mind you I agree he shouldn't have made it, but it's nothing to do with Al's not making it. > Not fair. If you're going to reward big stats on bad teams (and > therefore reinforce me-first players over team players), then Big > Al has to make it, since his stats are the best of any of the good > players on bad teams. Btw, Minnesota is *only* 13 games out in > their division....so it's not like their any more of a bad team > than NJ or Indiana. Yes they are, or at least definitely were. You can't judge everything just on numbers in a vacuum, especially when their record is highly skewed by a few recent wins. >Rondo is the best point guard in the East because he actually plays >and defends the position. The guys who made the All-Star team as >point guards (Iverson, Harris, and Nelson) are short shooting guards >who don't make their teammates better and can't play defense. Sorry but no, not completely. You can make that case with Harris, and Iverson certainly shouldn't be starting but you can't say he can't play defense although he doesn't play it like he once did. >If the All-Star spot was actually based on whomever best played >their *position*, Rondo makes the team easily. But it's all about >who scores the most points, which while being a decent argument for >positions 2-5, it's a terrible argument for point guard. Turnabout's fair play. If it was all about who scores the most points, then Al would be there over Shaq, so that argument doesn't work. Kim >Ryan > >--- On Fri, 1/30/09, Kim Malo wrote: > > > From: Kim Malo > > Subject: Re: Al snubbed in favor of Shaq > > To: "celtics" > > Date: Friday, January 30, 2009, 12:36 PM > > At 06:59 AM 1/30/2009, gene kirkpatrick wrote: > > > I haven't looked at the numbers for Shaq, but > > it's strange that Al Jefferson would be left off the > > All-Star roster in favor of home-town Shaq. The home town > > angle may be the reason, or fear of Shaq, or stupidity, but > > I think the coaches voted strangely on several fronts. > > > > Not so strange in this case. > > > > The stats aren't as far apart as you think I bet - 10.5 > > vs 9 RPG and 18.1 vs 22.7 PPG, with blocks about even. But > > you left off a major factor that was probably the decider - > > team records. Phoenix once again is competing for a playoff > > berth, with Shaq a contributor to that, while until a recent > > string of wins by Minny, they appeared to be competing for > > nothing but worst record, with Al, no matter how gaudy his > > individual stats, a contributor to that. Al's been > > having a fine individual year, but he's never been a > > make those around him better player (no, not saying he's > > selfish per se) and there's the good old we lost with > > you, we can lose without you perception adding to that, > > especially because they've been so very bad. Not just > > mediocre. BAD. > > > > I voted for Al on some of my ballots and think he should > > have gone as a reward for his stats and relatively classy > > handling of his career path from bad team to worse, but > > it's not wholly an injustice. Much less all about fear > > or stupidity. Some knee jerk, perhaps, but that's > > nothing strange and new either. > > > > Kim > > _______________________________________________ > > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > > celtics at igtc.com > > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > > > > >_______________________________________________ >The Boston Celtics Mailing List >celtics at igtc.com >http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From martind42 at cox.net Sat Jan 31 16:14:59 2009 From: martind42 at cox.net (martind42 at cox.net) Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:14:59 -0500 Subject: Free Lucky, Fight The Bad Celtics Karma In-Reply-To: <680266.29234.qm@web110111.mail.gq1.yahoo.com> Message-ID: <20090131111459.YPP5D.124061.imail@eastrmwml45> Do you mean the first place/tied for best record/ flawed Boston Celtics? ---- Way Of The Ray wrote: > Lucky's done more for the Celtics this season than Danny Ainge. > Make Lucky, Director of Basketball Operations. > > Well, it's Bad Karma for the Celtics not to have opposed the Cousy > dismissal, and now add insult to injury, with the expulsion of Lucky, > who gave his heart and soul to the fans, when times were tough. > > Lucky may have been taking the whole mascot role a bit too seriously and > turned in to a crazed egomaniac, but he was the Celtics very own crazed > egomaniac. > > What will happen next with this flawed Celtics organization? Will they dump the much beloved Celtics Bimbettes dance team? > > Ray > > > > > > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From jbrainin at verizon.net Sat Jan 31 16:52:44 2009 From: jbrainin at verizon.net (Jonathan Brainin) Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2009 11:52:44 -0500 Subject: Free Lucky, Fight The Bad Celtics Karma In-Reply-To: <20090131111459.YPP5D.124061.imail@eastrmwml45> References: <20090131111459.YPP5D.124061.imail@eastrmwml45> Message-ID: <2E4DE9A8-570E-4BA5-9358-6600A6EFCCE8@verizon.net> That should be the first place/ BEST RECORD (by 1.5 games and .10 winning %)/ flawed Boston Celtics! (sorry for picking this nit) On Jan 31, 2009, at 11:14 AM, wrote: > Do you mean the first place/tied for best record/ flawed Boston > Celtics? > ---- Way Of The Ray wrote: >> Lucky's done more for the Celtics this season than Danny Ainge. >> Make Lucky, Director of Basketball Operations. >> >> Well, it's Bad Karma for the Celtics not to have opposed the Cousy >> dismissal, and now add insult to injury, with the expulsion of Lucky, >> who gave his heart and soul to the fans, when times were tough. >> >> Lucky may have been taking the whole mascot role a bit too >> seriously and >> turned in to a crazed egomaniac, but he was the Celtics very own >> crazed >> egomaniac. >> >> What will happen next with this flawed Celtics organization? Will >> they dump the much beloved Celtics Bimbettes dance team? >> >> Ray >> >> >> >> >> >> >> _______________________________________________ >> The Boston Celtics Mailing List >> celtics at igtc.com >> http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From martind42 at cox.net Sat Jan 31 19:19:09 2009 From: martind42 at cox.net (martind42 at cox.net) Date: Sat, 31 Jan 2009 14:19:09 -0500 Subject: Free Lucky, Fight The Bad Celtics Karma In-Reply-To: <2E4DE9A8-570E-4BA5-9358-6600A6EFCCE8@verizon.net> Message-ID: <20090131141909.EWSRF.124498.imail@eastrmwml43> I was giving Ray the benefit of the doubt. I have to admit, for a flawed team, we are the best in the league at this point. Just imagine if we were better! :-) ---- Jonathan Brainin wrote: > That should be the first place/ BEST RECORD (by 1.5 games and .10 > winning %)/ flawed Boston Celtics! > > (sorry for picking this nit) > > On Jan 31, 2009, at 11:14 AM, > wrote: > > > Do you mean the first place/tied for best record/ flawed Boston > > Celtics? > > ---- Way Of The Ray wrote: > >> Lucky's done more for the Celtics this season than Danny Ainge. > >> Make Lucky, Director of Basketball Operations. > >> > >> Well, it's Bad Karma for the Celtics not to have opposed the Cousy > >> dismissal, and now add insult to injury, with the expulsion of Lucky, > >> who gave his heart and soul to the fans, when times were tough. > >> > >> Lucky may have been taking the whole mascot role a bit too > >> seriously and > >> turned in to a crazed egomaniac, but he was the Celtics very own > >> crazed > >> egomaniac. > >> > >> What will happen next with this flawed Celtics organization? Will > >> they dump the much beloved Celtics Bimbettes dance team? > >> > >> Ray > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> > >> _______________________________________________ > >> The Boston Celtics Mailing List > >> celtics at igtc.com > >> http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > > > > _______________________________________________ > > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > > celtics at igtc.com > > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics > > _______________________________________________ > The Boston Celtics Mailing List > celtics at igtc.com > http://www.igtc.com/mailman/listinfo/celtics From BDodgers at aol.com Mon Jan 5 17:28:15 2009 From: BDodgers at aol.com (BDodgers at aol.com) Date: Mon, 05 Jan 2009 17:28:15 -0000 Subject: Ben Maller's NBA rumors Message-ID: Ben Maller's NBA rumors by FOXSports.com _KG clears way for Marbury in Boston_ (http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/01/05/kg_clears_way_for_marbury/) Kevin Garnett gave his blessing to the team bringing on former teammate Stephon Marbury. Marbury is in a contract dispute with the Knicks and has indicated he would be amenable to joining the Celtics. "Anything that is going to help us get better, anybody comes in here who understands what we're doing, and that's getting better," said Garnett, who had been in the league for a year when Marbury joined Minnesota. Marbury was drafted out of Georgia Tech by Milwaukee fourth overall and then traded to Minnesota for No. 5 selection Ray Allen. Marbury and Garnett played together for 2 1/2 years before Marbury was traded to New Jersey. Marbury left the Timberwolves on bad note and reportedly in a dispute with Garnett. "I think it's about making the team better," said Garnett. "I'm not opposed to Steph, I feel like he's got a lot of basketball left in him. I know his IQ is very, very high. He is one of the best point guards out there. I wouldn't be opposed to it. -- Boston Globe _Knicks consider trade to bring back Marcus Camby_ (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2009/01/04/2009-01-04_knicks_consider_trade_to_bring _back_marc.html) The Portland Trail Blazers' dogged pursuit of David Lee could result in Marcus Camby returning to New York. Knicks president Donnie Walsh denied that he is working on a three-way deal with the Blazers and Clippers, but several team sources confirmed that Walsh and the Knicks' coaching staff have discussed the possibility of adding Camby, who was traded from Denver to the Clippers last July. Portland has been trying for months to acquire Lee, who will become a restricted free agent this summer. Mike D'Antoni would prefer to have the athletic 7-foot Camby as his center as opposed to the 6-9 Lee, who has improved offensively but has struggled on the defensive end. There was a report of the Knicks being involved in a deal that would send Quentin Richardson to the Clippers and Lee to Portland, with the Knicks getting back Camby and former Knicks first-round pick Channing Frye. Walsh, however, denied having discussed that trade with the Clippers and Blazers. -- NY Daily News _Raps Bargnani to Oklahoma State?_ (http://newsok.com/trading-season-about-to-begin/article/3335369?custom_click=lead_story_title) Toronto: Anthony Parker and former Oklahoma State standout Joey Graham were reportedly included in a package that would have sent Earl Watson to the Raptors, and now former No. 1 pick Andrea Bargnani is reportedly on the trading block as well. The Thunder could use Parker and Bargnani's perimeter shooting and Graham's defense and toughness. -- Oklahoman _Toronto looking to trade Jermaine O'Neal?_ (http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2009/01/04/sports/nh304836.txt) Raptors general manager Bryan Colangelo is ready to shake things up in Toronto. He's tried to move forward/center Jermaine O'Neal to at least half a dozen teams. Scouts say O'Neal doesn't have any lift in his legs. That could be one reason the Cavs turned down a possible deal with Indiana. O'Neal can still defend and score. Forward Andrea Bargnani could also be had. -- Cleveland News-Herald _Warriors Maggette might return as 6th man to limit minutes_ (http://www.sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?f=/c/a/2009/01/05/SPGG153IA5.DTL) Corey Maggette's return from a hamstring injury likely will come with a new role. Warriors coach Don Nelson acknowledged Sunday that he is considering using his injury-prone forward off the bench, partly as a way of keeping him on the floor. "His days of playing 40 minutes a game are over," Nelson said after Maggette practiced again with the second team. "For his body, his hamstring, less minutes are important for him. We've got to get him consistently playing, so if he feels good tomorrow, we'll see how that goes." -- SF Chronicle _Clippers coach thinks injured players are bring advised by agents to take time returning from injuries_ (http://www.latimes.com/sports/printedition/la-sp-clipperfyi5-2009jan05,0,484271.story) With the rash of injuries the Clippers have, Coach Mike Dunleavy wondered what role, if any, the agents for the team's injured players have had in the players returning later rather than sooner. "When guys get injured, typically you have agents that are going to tell them, 'There's no reason to hurry back. Make sure you're 110% healthy before you come back,' " said Dunleavy, also the team's general manager. "I think that's one of the things you have to try and guard against. We don't ever want anybody coming back that has a chance of injuring themselves." Baron Davis (bruised tailbone), Zach Randolph (sore left knee), Jason Hart (right elbow tendinitis), Chris Kaman (strained left arch), Mike Taylor (fractured right thumb) and Ricky Davis (sore left knee) all have timetables that may not be met because of the reason Dunleavy outlined. -- LA Times _Jazz want to re-sign Millsap?_ (http://www.sltrib.com/jazz/ci_11370619) The Jazz do have future payroll considerations with Deron Williams' contract extension kicking in for next season. They would like to re-sign Paul Millsap this summer and have an exclusive window to negotiate an extension with Ronnie Brewer as well. -- Salt Lake Tribune _Lakers Andrew Bynum admits to poor play_ (http://www.dailynews.com/sports/ci_11369641) Andrew Bynum thought something was wrong with his game. He believed he wasn't playing with the same gusto as he was at this time last season, when he was running and jumping and dunking and rebounding with remarkable success. So, he watched a stack of videos, which confirmed his suspicions. Something was wrong. He discovered he wasn't playing with the same gusto as he was at this time last season, when he made a major career breakthrough. "I don't think I'm taking advantage of the opportunities I'm getting," Bynum said before the Lakers played against the Portland Trail Blazers on Sunday night at Staples Center. "I just need to go out there and put more energy to it. "When I watched last year's tapes and this year's tapes, there's a difference you can see pretty clearly." Bynum refused to play the blame game. He said his left kneecap was not the reason for a decline in production. He was averaging 12.2 points and 8.2 rebounds before Sunday's game, down from his 2007-08 averages of 13.1 points and 10.2 rebounds. "I'm not taking easy or not trusting the leg," the 7-foot Bynum said. "It feels fine. It feels like it's good." -- LA Daily News _Knicks looking to deal David Lee?_ (http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/basketball/knicks/2009/01/04/2009-01-04_knicks_consider_trade_to_bring_back_marc.html ) David Lee's future with the Knicks is uncertain due to his pending free agency. Although the Knicks have the right to match any offer Lee receives, the club would be reluctant to sign Lee to a long-term extension if that deal jeopardizes the Knicks' ability to get under the salary cap by the summer of 2010 when LeBron James, Dwyane Wade and Chris Bosh are eligible for free agency. -- NY Daily News _Kings Brad Miller to Heat?_ (http://www.miamiherald.com/sports/columnists/barry-jackson/v-fullstory/story/836820.html) We hear the Heat and the Kings had conversations this season about Sacramento center Brad Miller, who is being paid $11.3 million this season and $12.2 million next season. The Kings like Shawn Marion but would need to give the Heat another player for salary-cap reasons in such a scenario. But Miami prefers to wait closer to the Feb. 19 trade deadline before deciding what to do with Marion. -- Miami Herald _Celts haven't given up hope for P.J. Brown?_ (http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/01/05/kg_clears_way_for_marbury/) Celtics coach Doc Rivers said the team has not relinquished hope in the return of P.J. Brown, who said last week he has retired. "He hasn't forgotten how to play, [but] we don't know if he can still play," Rivers said. But the Celtics' chances of adding players are affected by salary-cap limitations and a roster composed of few trade-bait players. -- Boston Globe _Raps Kapono to Nuggets?_ (http://www.news-herald.com/articles/2009/01/04/sports/nh304836.txt) The Raptors offered guard/forward Jason Kapono to the Nuggets for guard/forward J.R. Smith, but were turned down. -- Cleveland News-Herald _Rockets say they need more from T-Mac_ (http://www.chron.com/disp/story.mpl/sports/6194130.html) Tracy McGrady has struggled while dealing with soreness in his left knee. Teammates say they need more from him, though they always add that they need it when he is healthy enough to bring it. "It's going to come down to Mac getting healthy, and then Mac's got to kind of be more of a dog," Artest said. "Yao is definitely doing his part. -- Houston Chronicle _Pacers to bring along Dunleavy slowly_ (http://www.indystar.com/article/20090105/SPORTS04/901050337/1004/SPORTS) Pacers forward Mike Dunleavy is also expected to make his season debut, barring any setbacks with his right knee. Tom O'Brien said he plans to bring along Dunleavy slowly. "Hopefully we use the trip to bond and create more chemistry than we already have," Ford said. "We have to show our toughness. We just have to play well and understand we're trying to get to the level of the teams we're playing, and by getting there we have to beat them." -- Indy Star _Knicks let Marbury talk to other teams_ (http://bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1143152&format=text) The Knicks will have more discussions with Stephon Marbury's people this week regarding a buyout of his contract, but until then he still is on the New York roster and unavailable to teams like the Celtics. Knicks president Donnie Walsh said yesterday he has given Marbury permission to talk to other teams in hopes of finding a situation he likes, making him more amenable to getting a severance deal done. -- Boston Herald _Thunder dealing Watson and Collison?_ (http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/01/04/help_wanted_but_theres_no_big_hurry/) Don't be surprised if teams make a run at the likes of Oklahoma City players such as Smith, guard Earl Watson, forward Damien Wilkins, and big men Nick Collison and Chris Wilcox via trade. -- Boston Globe _McHale happy with Wolves Love_ (http://www.twincities.com/sports/ci_11369125) Wolves rookie Kevin Love has made similar improvement lately, averaging 18 points and 8.7 rebounds in Minnesota's past three wins. "Kevin was tremendous," Kevin McHale said. "He's such a phenomenal rebounder." -- Pi