Nate Robinson Close To Re-signing
Aaron Goodwin, the agent for Nate Robinson, said yesterday the two sides could reach a deal by the end of the week.
"Things are going well," Goodwin said. "We're just trying to get something worked out. But both parties are talking."
Unlike they had with Allen, the C's don't hold the so-called "Larry Bird rights" to Robinson, and as a result, can't go over the salary cap to give their backup point guard more money.
Something about that sounds odd. I thought that we could offer him his salary or a percentage increase on his salary even if we don't own his Bird rights. Someone smarter than me will have to figure this out.
Other bits of news:
Portland guard Rudy Fernandez was thought to be another target, though talks between the Blazers and C's appear to have fallen apart.
"I don't think it's going to happen," a league official said. "That deal came and went."
For now, the Celtics will wait to see what free agents fall into minimum salary range. And with the mid-level exception spent last week on center Jermaine O'Neal, that process could take some time.
"There's nothing imminent - just a lot of investigation (for them)," the league official said. "That's what happens when you're in minimum contract mode."
Makes sense. Too bad about Rudy, I liked the idea of bringing him in.
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yaaaaaaaaaaaaaaayyyto brignin back nate
but NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO to not getting rudy he’s so good for his price its nuts how DA can just let him go
wonder what we can get for sheed’s contract now
sounds good
would love to have him back…..check out this back flip he did a few weeks back at charity event. :) Shek needs his donkey
He can help
… but he can be erratic at time too. He caught DA in the mood of reloading our offense this offseason instead of the D. If DA’s’ focus is on D, TA may have stayed.
So now our starting five are: Rondo, Allen, JO, PP and KG. Not bad, not bad at all. But we only have BBD, Nate, Bradly, Harangody on the bench — kinda thin.
Since when has DA's focus NOT been defense?
Celtics didn’t offer the third year (or only offered it has a team option or something), and that third year would’ve extended TA past KG’s contract.
Clearly DA wants to truly rebuild in 2012, and have all the cap space in the world to do it.
Grab Raymar Morgan
Better D than anyone else in our Summer League
“Defensively, Morgan is capable of guarding either forward position, something that makes him attractive in today’s NBA. He competes on every possession and has good physical tools, standing 6-8 with a 6-10 wingspan, and is also a terrific rebounder on both ends of the floor. He’s a pretty versatile guy all in all, picking up a good number of blocks and steals to go along with his nice assist numbers.”
I don't understand the love for Rudy on here
He seems one dimensional, whiny, and streaky. I have many friends who are Portland fans who cannot wait to get rid of him.
I've been saying this to anyone who would listen.
But nobody will listen! lol
I'd be surprised if Ainge isn't outbid for Nate.
But I’d be happy to have him back.
Perhaps this is one of those of situations where an agent works to get a player’s current team to an extend an offer… and then having established an opening bid, the agent then uses it to solicit higher bids from other teams.
Once every blue moon
you get a player who sincerely wants to remain with a team, and will do so at any fair price. Pierce this offseason, Mark Recchi just did it for the Bruins, Bruschi, and Troy Brown did it a couple times for the Pats and if I’m not mistaken Varitek did it in the 2004 (and 2008) offseasons by instructing Boras not to negotiate with anyone except the Red Sox.
Since he’s gotten here, Nate has always sounded like a guy who has wanted to stay here forever. If they can offer a percentage of what hes worth, I’d be floored if he didn’t take it.
by PeaceSignMoose on Jul 13, 2010 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions
We heard the same story about TA but then he quickly signed with Memphis. I like Nate backing up Rondo and he will have a full season to play with these guys. If Harangody can develop quickly, then our focus will be on a replacement for TA and a second center. We should be able to get both with Sheed’s contract. We see more of the rooks this season given the cap issues. If Kwame is not interested, who do we get?? Gulp….Mikki Moore??? (Sorry, sick joke).
he won't be
nate is NOT a hot commodity.
by lakersbluedevil on Jul 13, 2010 10:35 AM EDT up reply actions
Pretty sure you're right Jeff
Murphy doesn’t really make his statement particularly clear. “The C’s can’t give Robinson more money.” More money than what? The vet minimum, his previous salary? I’m not sure what he is trying to imply.
What I do know is that according to the CBA, non-Bird rights free agents can be resigned for up to a 20% raise over their previous contract. This is an indisputable fact that can be found at the NBPA web page.
Wow
I’m not a fan of Nate’s. He simply underperformed during most of his stay here.
Oh well. Hopefully he’ll pan out.
I Hope You're Right
Realistically, I know Bradley isn’t going to show much this year, even if Doc plays him. So Danny has to bring in some body. With so few players on the team right now, I guess I was hoping for more. I never thought Tony would be gone, and I thought a deal for Fernandez would be done. And with Perk sidelined for as long as he’s going to be, I cannot imagine him doing much of anything late next season.
It’s giving me a headache thinking about it. Guess I’ll do some work.
Don't really get the Nate love either
I get the sense he is not exactly a mature locker room prescence, but I have no way of knowing that.
I also think he underperformed…..it’s not my money….so spend it any way you want.
I just don’t see him as much more than an occassional bit of spark…but mostly just a cheap imiitation of Mugsey Bouges in a slightly taller pair of high heels.
Speaking of Mugsey – here is a great picture…..RIP Manute

Is it Soup Yet?
I always thought the C's should have...
…drafted Manute instead of Sam Vincent.
I don't think he underperformed more than Doc just didn't use him a lot.
He needed time to get familiar with the offense/defense and didn’t seem like he had much of a chance to get it.
Agreed.
Nate really didn’t earn Doc’s trust until the Magic series.
Now that Doc knows he can depend on Nate, things will hopefully be different (assuming he comes back).
I specializes in grammar fail.
by a tommy point on Jul 13, 2010 6:55 PM EDT up reply actions
The thing about Nate is ..
Once he hits a few shoots, he tends to become a shoot-happy, run-n-gun type — something not a PG (even as a backup) should do. If he plays under control, he can be quite good.
Frankly, I think Nate has to be Nate
If we want Nate back, then he is only going to be useful if he is himself. He isn’t a true PG so forcing him into that role will limit his game. For me, you throw him in the game and if he is on, you keep him in. If not, you sit him down.
If this is rumor is along the same lines as the Tony being close to re-signing I’m going to be PTFO. I can’t stand to lose them both.
by Ohio Celtics Fan on Jul 13, 2010 8:56 AM EDT reply actions
good value
I think Nate would be a very good value if Ainge can resign him. He is what he is but what he is is one of the things this team desperately needs. This team needs another explosive scorer with young legs. Nate has shown he can be that at the NBA level if given consistent minutes.
His defense isn’t really a liability against opposing reserves if he play as an on the ball pest much like he did when we actually got to see him in the post season.
It might be optimistic of me to believe this but I really believe(or want to anyway) playing in a winning atmosphere with proven veteran leadership had a great effect on Nate last season. The Celtics should be the team that benefits from that growth since they are the team that motivated it.
Also I believe he would go into this season knowing his roll with a full training camp with this team under his belt which should lead to a much more consistent Nate Robinson.
curious to see what Nate's money will eventually be
also curious why other teams with more cap space didn’t go after the guy but hey, if the contract works out, it’s Shrek and Donkey the sequel.
Hey ! We need him!
Suppose RR doesn’t get up from one of his being drilled by a big on his way to the rim? We have all seen him get him MANY times very hard. …….and one of these times we may HAVE to have Nate to have a starting point guard. Think of Perkins knee, no dirty play, just IT HAPPENED. Think of Garnet’s knee, no dirty play, it just happened.
without Nate, the only guy backing up Rondo is the rookie Bradley
that’s a tall order for any rookie to lead a championship contender, Ainge know he’s got to secure the backup point spot.
Bradley is not going to play
Doc doesn’t like to play rookies. Most likely Bradley will not play until March the earliest. Thus, as much as I’m not crazy about the Nate signing, he might be an okay signing. What surprised me about Nate in the playoffs was his defense. At times he looks better defensively than offensively. Especially when he just keeps shooting after repeated misses.
by Alleyoopster on Jul 13, 2010 9:04 PM EDT up reply actions
Nate isn't going to be consistent.....
And that is fine. Maybe Bradley will develop into that guy. What Nate can do though, is give us a bona-fide STAR at certain times. He has it in him to carry a team, offensively, for halves or quarters at a time. Remember him doing that a few times this year? I like the move b/c it’s got a high upside at times.
Nate's comfort level
When the Celtics first acquired Nate he looked reticent to shoot at times. This lead to him losing time at the end of the season and the start of the playoffs. Once we got to the Orlando series he got his chance and put up every open shot he saw.
If he plays with the confidence he showed late in the playoffs last year, he will be one of the top reserves in the game.
Nate has talent.
Talent can always be used as a trading chip in the future. The celtics need Nate to mature, become more professional and develop his character in order to get equal value for his god given abilities. Not an easy job.
I actually think Murphy's wrong.... we should have Nate's Bird Rights
Per Larry Coon <http://members.cox.net/lmcoon/salarycap.htm#Q26>:
26. How long must a player be with one team before the Larry Bird exception can be used?
The basic idea is that a player must play for the same team for three seasons for his team to gain Bird rights (two seasons for Early Bird rights). It can be a single three-year contract, a series of three one-year contracts, or any combination that adds up to three seasons (two for Early Bird). However there are a number of complications:
* When a player is traded, his new team inherits his Bird rights. For example, if a player signs a three-year contract, plays two and a half seasons with that team, and is traded at the trade deadline in the third season, then his new team owns full Bird rights following the third season.
Nate never changed teams as a FA, which is what restarts a players “bird-rights clock”….
by Gainesville Celtic on Jul 13, 2010 9:42 AM EDT reply actions
It's a special case
From the same document, according to question #88, teams cannot trade players:
Without the player’s consent when the player is playing under a one-year contract (excluding any option year) and will have Larry Bird or Early Bird rights at the end of the season. This includes first round draft picks following their fourth (option) season, who accept their team’s qualifying offer for their fifth season. When the player consents to such a trade, the team loses its Larry Bird/Early Bird rights, and the player is considered a Non-Bird free agent. Note: when there is an option year involved, they can get around this regulation by invoking the option prior to the trade.
When he signed the 1 year contract in ’09 for more than the QO, perhaps that made it the equivalent of a free agent signing. That could reset his Bird rights, I guess.
If the Knicks were under the sal-cap at the time, perhaps they could get around the QO in that fashion and pay him more than a cap-strapped team could.
The Knicks didn’t want him to be a BYC player this summer because that may get in the way of using assets (dumping salary) to get even lower in total team salary. That could be part of it.
Very confusing, to say the least.
by GetYourSoxOn on Jul 13, 2010 11:37 AM EDT up reply actions
I don't get it
how does bringing back nate help this team next year? Won’t avery bradley play nate’s minutes? i think it is a mistake. nate was a happy camper for a few months backing up rondo. but he also showed he probably deserves a bigger role, just somewhere else.
also, who is coming in to the game to replace paul pierce, or is pierce just going to play 48 minutes a night? celtics have to have the heat in mind – who helps ray and paul guard lebron and wade? right now they have no one. maybe bradley can help at the shooting guard spot, but who helps paul? paul has worn down the last two post-seasons – getting him some help is key to any chance of competing for a title next year.
You're right, they need a wing, they also need another center and point guard...
…that’s what this article is about, filling the point guard position.
The wing is coming… Good things happen to those who wait, I hope…
Rookies don’t play here. That’s just how it goes.
Nate proved in the playoffs that he can take a good deal of the burden off of Rondo’s shoulders. He has established chemistry with the second unit, too.
I specializes in grammar fail.
by a tommy point on Jul 13, 2010 6:56 PM EDT up reply actions
Take the reins off!
Hey Doc, how about letting this guy go off? Let him chuck and duck! He can fill it up when he’s allowed to…he’s a gunner but guess what this team needs offense
by Celtico on Jul 13, 2010 10:31 AM EDT via mobile reply actions
I think you guys would have been better off with Rudy
Although it will nice to see Shrek and the Donkey year 2, I’m worried for you guys that he will see more time than he should with Allen probably getting more rest this year. As everyone could see from his time with the Knicks, the guy is good but in small doses (and he was properly used during the playoffs). Hopefully the contract is not atrocious. What do you guys seem him signing?
"4 inches, baby!" --ripped off from Kush
That's a low bar
there are many players that have done nothing in this league that are thought of in high regard around here.
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
Any signing to placate the masses.
Really they could have signed a new ball boy and some would be happy just to say they are signing someone.
In regards to Nate he’s an adequate 1/2 off the bench.
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
No in fact I thought I saw 85% like for the signing on the poll on the front page.
I don’t think you have a very good read on O’Neal signing. Just because some persistent posters and some idiOtic sports talk radio guys don’t like it doesn’t mean a lot of people don’t like it. And FYI those that don’t like it will end up being wrong so you should probably get on board with it.
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
Could I borrow your crystal ball please?
I’d love to know the winning lotto #’s for this week.
I don’t like the J.O. signing, and while I hope am going to be wrong, just don’t see it working out as well as others.
J.O. has always been a shrinking violet. He does not do well in pressure situations. Sure, he won’t be depended on to score, we are getting him for his supposed “D” and rebounding. Problem is, his rebounding is just “OK”, and his “D” is a myth at this point.
What do mean not working out?
The dude has been pretty consitent throughout his career. We have Kendrick Perkins a nice on the ball defender who’s a tad limited in length and has no offensive game what-so-ever and you you are concerned about O’neal. Sorry I have much bigger concerns KGs knee being the most important. The only way this doesn’t work out is a major injury.
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
What I mean is
J.O. could very easily end up giving Sheed-esque (reg. season) performance. I don’t think O’Neal has any heart. His recent stats to me aren’t very impressive, although I have never cared one bit about stats anyways (more of an eye ball test type). He averaged what, 14pt./7reb. as the 2nd best player on his team? Worse players have put up better numbers on equally bad teams.
Again, I hope I’m wrong.
Fair enough but,
when you inject him into a very good passing team that isn’t led by 1 guy running around and either shooting or passing as the 24 second clock expires his numbers might even go up. And like you I’m not that concerned about stats. I hope he rebounds and defends.
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
wrong stats to look at
While JO is not a bad offensive center, more relevant to the Celtics would be his defensive numbers. Specifically his defensive rebounding efficiency, his block percentage and his defensive effiency rating.
Career-wise, JO has excelled in those three categories and last year was still very, very good.
Scoring for a Center depends heavily on the offensive philosophy for your team. Don’t be surprised if he has very low scoring numbers on the Celtics, as he will likely be no higher than the #5 scoring option. That doesn’t mean he isn’t being productive.
Where's the lockdown defender?
DA better get working on finding someone to guard Kobe & LBJ or all the good of getting everyone back and JO on-board will not mean squat. Go Cs….
I can agree with that although I would like
defender who can not TO the ball over 3/4 of the time they actually handle it.
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
Players that are adept at ball-handling and scoring usually don't become lock-down defenders.
Players generally become lock-down defenders because they’re compensating for the fact that they’re not highly skilled with the ball in their hands. They’re just trying to make a place in the league. With guys like Tony Allen, turnovers come with the territory.
Most of the players that are highly skilled offensively with reputations as lock-down defenders (guys like Kobe or LeBron, or in the old days, Jordan and Pippen) have the advantage of getting “superstar” non-calls from the refs when they hack at opponents.
True I wasn't the most ardent anti Tony
guy he knew his role somewhat. But, you will agree that periodically his offense overshadowed his defense. I would have liked to have kept him. Danny doesn’t appear to agree with you and me.
"Do you know that nonbelievers create the most positive energy?" Davis said
“Most of the players that are highly skilled offensively with reputations as lock-down defenders (guys like Kobe or LeBron, or in the old days, Jordan and Pippen) have the advantage of getting "superstar" non-calls from the refs when they hack at opponents.”
Outside of POSSIBLY Lebron (and only because the stats support it), copout to the x100000. Not really a fan of this mentality, either.
If you don’t think the refs give preferential treatment to the stars, that’s fine, more power to you.
But I’ve been paying attention to quotes made by refs since the ’60’s, and in light of that, I hold to a different view. I seldom resort to it to explain the outcome of games, but I do see it as an NBA fact of life: what’s permitted to Pierce and Kobe, is not permitted to rookie second round draft picks.
Just to add a thought
To not think that stars get preferential treatment is ridiculous; IMHO of course.
Byron Scott will have to develop someone by the trade deadline before Dan Gilbert trades him to us
…to help beat LeBron in the playoffs. It’s part of Gilbert’s personal guarantee.
by post-it note on Jul 13, 2010 11:06 AM EDT up reply actions
Let's keep this in perspective
Nate will play 12-15 minutes/game, TOPS. He doesn’t need to be the second coming of Isiah Thomas. He showed that he can perform on the biggest stage in brief stretches. He’s a great sparkplug when the team is stagnating in the second half of a close game and the opponent stretches a lead to 8-10 pts. He adds much needed quickness and athleticism.
I’m looking at the building of this team, and thinking about average minutes:
ONeal 30
KG 30
Pierce 32
Allen 30
Rondo 36
Baby 24
Nate 12
total: 194. leaves us about 46 minutes a game to fill. Need a wing and another big. Nate is a very good fit to back up Rondo and fill the “instant offense” role also, when needed.
danny needs to do something
i dont like the way this free agency has gone for the c’s i dont want nate back we need some hieught in the back court…..nate 5’9……bradley 6’2 …rondo 6’1 we need wings that can run for rondo…rudy is 6’6…….i think the celtics might be lying about sheed retring….i would trade that contract in a heart beat but nothing is happening
Bring Lil. Nate Back.....his energy is invaluable....
Celtics have more to offer Nate than any other team with more money….
Yes on Rudy
we’ve watched Rudy since he came to Portland. if there is anyone in the league who is a model of what Hondo used to bring in B-town, it’s Rudy. he is constantly in motion, moving to the open spots, ready to shoot from the rim to out past 3 pt range, quick feet and active hands on defense. he did slow down a little this past year after undergoing back surgery for a clothes line that Trevor Arriza gave him last year. but this guy would be a good fit with the C’s and could fill the lanes on fast breaks.
Raymar Morgan or Giddens back?
Maybe he will bring Giddens back
Second Bonus Non- D-League Monstar: J.R. Giddens, SF, Dallas Mavericks – Giddens was all over the place in a good way in this game, hitting outside shots (2-3) and using his athleticism to get steals and easy dunks. Giddens looked pretty comfortable throughout the game, which he should as a relative veteran, but given that he’s playing for a contract at this point it was nice to see him put everything together. He had a pretty amazing fall-away tip-in with 0.3 seconds left in the fourth quarter to force overtime.
And Raymar Morgan off the Wiz
http://www.freep.com/article/20100712/SPORTS07/7120347/1322/Ager-Morgan-Davis-play-Summer-League
Thought this guy had a good season for the Iowa Energy
http://www.nba.com/dleague/playerfile/index.jsp?player=pat_carroll
Giddens not used to his potential
I was a huge fan of Giddens when he first came out, yet can understand why Doc soured on him. My problems is how Doc used him. First, he never had him in with the first team…ever. So often the first team lacked energy to get the action going. He may have helped here. The second issue is why Giddens didn’t cut to the middle more often. I saw him do it on a couple occasions and he was incredibly successful. He has such a fast first step that he could easily enter the key with a defender trailing him. Then, pop a 8-10 footer or pass off if he chose. Even Pierce, who made a living driving to the lane isn’t nearly as quick and often settles for 15 footers or more. I know he looked out of control much of the time, yada, yada.
I think what the Celtics need is a video-coach. Someone whose only job is to watch video and report to both Doc and Danny trends or opportunities the assistant coaches may miss. For instance, it’s obvious Doc and the team were oblivious on how useless Gasol played Garnett on defense. Every time he went to the hoop in the final game he scored on a layup. ON one play (maybe game 6) he caught Wallace cutting to the basket when a double team came. Instead,we settled on Ray Allen and Pierce going solo. Someone whose only job was to look for these trends may have picked up on that. Then again, everyone in the house knows what Pierce is going to do after a time out when he gets the ball with 10 seconds left on the clock. I am sure Doc has told him to think about passing 10,000 times and he refuses to listen.
by Alleyoopster on Jul 13, 2010 2:09 PM EDT up reply actions
He was TA'ish
Giddens has the tools, but maybe now he is putting things together. I would give him a second shot.
Yeah, using a players strengths would help
Giddens should be brought back
Giddens should be given a REAL chance of sucess as a Celtic.
I like this
now go sign Eddie House
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by bestbostonsports on Jul 13, 2010 1:21 PM EDT reply actions
this is called NON-BIRD EXCEPTION
we could pay up to 120% of nate’s salary of last year, which was pretty high. He was a BYC player last year, and here we count his actual salary which is around 5mil iirc.
by friedgreentomatoes on Jul 13, 2010 1:43 PM EDT reply actions
Eddie > Nate
I don’t mind Nate Robinson, but I like having Eddie much better. I feel like he is a better presence on the team and also a better role player. Maybe it’s just because Nate hasn’t got significant playing time yet besides the playoffs, but I just feel Eddie is a better fit for our team.
by Grand Theft Rondo on Jul 13, 2010 1:59 PM EDT reply actions
and Eddie can hit the trey like nobody's business.
"I’d probably get arrested because football’s my only time I get to go out there and hit people as hard as I can, and it’s legal," Follett said. "I need that once a year."
He can hit the trey like .... Only in Boston?
Yeah, only at the Garden. Seems his shooting percentage in away games is pretty low. Are his away game stats listed anywhere? Or, are they only pooled with the homegames?
by Alleyoopster on Jul 13, 2010 3:31 PM EDT up reply actions
Here ya go:
http://www.basketball-reference.com/players/h/houseed01/splits/
And you are correct, in his career, Eddie’s 3PT% is
Home: 40.9%
Road: 37.2%
Not that that latter number is bad, though. It is still very good.
Last 3 seasons
2007-2008
Home 56/143 = 39.2%
Away 61/155 = 39.4%
2008-2009 Season
Home 84/167 50.3%
Away 67/173 = 38.7%
2009-2010
Home 38/101 = 37.6%
Away 41/126 = 32.5%
by Alleyoopster on Jul 13, 2010 4:03 PM EDT up reply actions
What about Marc Gasol
He seems to be a productive center and loves contact, may be some S+T…
by ArgentinaBleedsGreen on Jul 13, 2010 3:12 PM EDT reply actions
To me, Nate is a must re-sign
We desperately need scoring off the bench, and he can run the point if we really try to play Bradley at the two. He may be inconsistent, but Nate has a world of ability and we can’t afford to let go of anybody that can go for 20+ off the bench any given night.
Nate Archibald would be huge!
I know he is older, but Tiny can probably still pass and knock down a jumper or two. Maybe the Chief can back up O’Neal until Perk is ready.
Thank god Ainge got Jermaine O right away
and we’re not sitting around twiddling our thumbs until all the chair are gone and the music has stopped.
on the right track.
love little nate plays defense and can pop the 3 jermaine o,neil till perk comes back sucks that tony allen left but the rumor is josh howard is brewing to be a celtic danny is making some good moves to get banner 318. the road to the finals still goes thru beantown you hear that lebron and the 2 stooges .
lohaus #54
Happy to see Nate resign...
He gives the C’s a spark off the bench, reliable offense and alot of energy and tenacious defense.
He also has young legs that this club truly needs.
Though I would like to see the C’s obtain a low cost legit point guard to the roster I also like the fact Nate can fill in for spot duty and play the position rather well.
I hope Doc can really give him more floor time next year as compared to last year…hopefully with a 1/2 year under his belt he will have more confidence to play him.
Little Nate is GREAT!
I love his energy. He is crazy like BBD. I luv it!
by Rebound Machine on Jul 13, 2010 10:57 PM EDT reply actions
I agree,Losing TA Suuuucks!
This might be one of Danny’s biggest mistakes this year. I hope something good comes out of this.
by Rebound Machine on Jul 13, 2010 11:42 PM EDT reply actions
































