Invitees to Minicamp

by Roy_Hobbs on Jun 29, 2008 7:54 AM EDT in News/Links Comment 13 comments

As you may have heard, the Celtics won't be fielding a summer league team this year, and instead will be holding its own minicamp. Marc Spears has details on some of the invitees :

The Celtics will hold a minicamp for 16-20 players at their Waltham training facility from Wednesday through Saturday. Celtics forward Glen Davis, guard Gabe Pruitt, and first-round draft pick J.R. Giddens are expected to participate, as are ex-NBA players center Jackie Butler, forward Lawrence Roberts, and guards David Noel, Omar Cook, and Mustapha Shakur. Forward Bill Walker, a second-round selection by Washington who was traded to Boston, will not participate. Ainge said Walker will likely undergo minor knee surgery this week.

Undrafted free agent Brian Butch, a center from Wisconsin, will also be attending .

There aren't a lot of big names there, but keep in mind that this is basically the equivalent of our summer league team. The Celtics are in all likelihood just using this camp as a means of finding a guy who could be the 15th man on the roster, with the potential to do more if everything goes perfectly.

Also, I'd expect the quality of that list to increase a bit after July 1, the first date the Celtics can officially talk with free agents. I'm sure extending an offer to camp prior to that deadline could be considered tampering, which is why the only names you're seeing reported are guys who are currently out of the league.

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I wonder why not the guy from UMass. He got some early good press in the try out camps.
This is the real fan’s fun. Watching to see if a diamond in the rough emerges. Whatever happened to the long kid, Brandon Wallace, from 1-2 years ago? Did he do well anywhere?

by Wildblu1 on Jun 29, 2008 8:59 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I’m glad Jackie Butler’s there- a guy with some size.

by tb727 on Jun 29, 2008 9:14 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Butler tore up summer league last year, IIRC. Seems like he could be a viable 15th man, although it seems he pretty much ate his way out of the league.

by the_Bird on Jun 29, 2008 10:28 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Mustapha Shakur… YES

by teaguelife on Jun 29, 2008 10:29 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I also would like to see a return of Brandon Wallace. Somehow I see that guy showing up somewhere in the NBA. He played center in college, and was shifting to small forward in the NBA. That’s an awfully big transition to make in one year of professional ball. But I think he’ll make it to the big league.

by no kidding on Jun 29, 2008 12:24 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

I guess the C’s only think that there are at most 2 spots, but i too am a bit surprised that neither Gary Forbes (the Umass kid) nor Brandon Wallace (or Jackie Manuel for that matter) are part of the group. I’ll look around, it could be that any one of the 3 have a “better” offer from another team - either partial guarantees or a team with the potential for more playing time.

I loved David Noel - tough, rugged defender from UNC - for MIL over the last 2 seasons; He avg. 21 ppg, 7 reb in the DLeague last year. I would not be shocked to see him make the team over Tony Allen and/or if we’re able to move Scal.

I also like taking a look at Jackie Butler. He looked decent for NYK a few years back and is still only 23. Let him work a year with Clifford Ray and we could have a nice backup for Perkins in a year.

Lawrence Roberts is another interesting name — he’s got a little NBA experiece and a few inches on Big Baby. Any way he beats Davis out?

It’s clear too with PG prospects that Ainge is looking to push Davis and Pruitt with some compettition.

by Gainesville Celtic on Jun 29, 2008 2:27 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yeah I don’t see anyone there making the Celtics roster or even getting a training camp invite.

I like Mustapha Shakur but this team is too good for him. He does have a place in the league as a third string point in the league but for a poor team.

Jackie Butler is the only possibility I see. He might be able to make the roster. Doesn’t play much defense but has good offense. Wouldn’t sign him myself but at least there’s something close to NBA talent there.

David Noel has no chance of making the squad. The Bucks were irritated at him over the last two years and eventually gave up on him. He’s unwilling to become a role player and believes he can be a star, that’s the main problem. He won’t work on the skills he needs to sort out and spends too much time working on skills he’ll need to be a star like beating his man one-on-one instead working on his defense. He doesn’t deserve to be in the league.

Lawrence Roberts isn’t horrible but he isn’t good either. The Celtics have BBD and Powe already who are both better than Roberts.

Omar Cook is still a very interesting name. He had a good season in Europe right? Maybe he can spring a surprise. I’ve always been disappointed in him not making the most of talents because he has NBA talent.

by Who on Jun 29, 2008 4:15 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

whatever happened to baby jane and brandon wallace?

by nazzbo on Jun 29, 2008 5:54 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

The real fun starts on Tuesday.

by DJ to Bird on Jun 29, 2008 5:55 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Bill Walker doesn’t need this camp…trust me.

by Mon on Jun 29, 2008 5:57 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

People seem pretty bullish about Walker. I hope they are right, and I also hope that his surgery is in fact “minor.”

by murphman on Jun 29, 2008 9:39 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Every rookie needs training camp, trust me.

by Jaycelt on Jun 29, 2008 10:35 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

“Omar Cook is still a very interesting name. He had a good season in Europe right? Maybe he can spring a surprise. I’ve always been disappointed in him not making the most of talents because he has NBA talent.”

Yeah, good season, but not awesome. He has signed with Unicaja yesterday, so I don’t think he’ll be in the camp. I can’t see him becoming a NBA player; Unicaja signed him to be a backup, not a starter. A great passer who shots too much.

by cordobes on Jun 29, 2008 11:51 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs