Herald  Celtics make offer to Wallace
Ron Artest says he’s going to LA
C’s press for Rasheed WallaceC’s press for Rasheed Wallace
Globe    Artest to join Lakers
Marbury believes Celtics days are over
Celtics offer Wallace a contract

Continue reading this post »

More photos » by Elise Amendola - AP

We hardly knew ya.

Browse more photos »

The Globe Reports:

Celtics free agent guard Stephon Marbury said to The Globe early Friday morning that he doesn't expect to be returning to Boston after receiving a disappointing one-year contract paying $1.3 million using the veteran's minimum.

The 32-year-old said three other teams, which he would not disclose, are currently interested.

Despite the disappointment for Marbury, he was thankful the Celtics gave him a chance after his Knicks situation ended.

"Thank you Boston for allowing the world to see me play again after all that went on in N.Y.," said Marbury, via e-mail to The Globe. "The fans treated me with open arms and that's all anyone can ask for."

Boston has three other point guards on the roster in Rajon Rondo, Eddie House and Gabe Pruitt, who has a team option for next season that must be decided upon by Aug. 1. The Celtics have also inquired about Orlando free agent point guard Tyronn Lue.

Get to know Sheed.

View full size photo uploaded July 2, 2009

I was pointed to this article in ESPN the Mag by wahz.  It is a very good read and I think portrays Rasheed Wallace in a fair light.  I recommend reading the whole thing but here are some highlights:

"He has all the makings of a great coach. He sees things before they happen." Bill Guthridge, who was an assistant at North Carolina when Wallace came through, sees it too. "He absorbed everything. He'd be listening even if what was said wasn't directed at him. He had great savvy—almost a point guard savvy." Even an opposing coach, Stan Van Gundy, agrees. "He's extremely smart, ahead of every play. He doesn't miss helps or rotations. He knows when it's time to shoot and time to pass. I've never understood why he isn't a perennial All-Star."

Here are some more quotes from the story:

• Chauncey Billups once told Jim Rome that Wallace "is so good he gets bored playing against some guys who aren't up to his level."
• Ellerbee says he once warned him never to leave the post. "If I was his coach, I'd demand more. More rebounds, more blocked shots. We need a center, not the other crap." Sheed himself admits, "I wish I would have listened to him."
• But while he doesn't pamper or pimp himself, he is obsessed with children and charity.
• If only that Sheed—happy, almost blissful, the way he is during his traditional pregame dance in the huddle—were the only Sheed. Instead, that guy is often wrestled into submission by another who looks hard for conspiracy.
• Most athletes seek praise and recognition; Wallace loathes both.
• Fact is, Wallace should be a Hall of Famer, but it's not in him to dominate—to be the once-in-a-generation star his talent supports.
  

Also, in looking for pictures to go with this post, I stumbled upon this article from 2008 comparing KG and Sheed.  Some interesting comments from a scout:

Continue reading this post »

Via Ball Don't Lie

Odds to win 2010 NBA Championship:

Cleveland Cavaliers (9/4)
Los Angeles Lakers (9/4)
Boston Celtics (5/1)
Orlando Magic (6/1)
San Antonio Spurs (11/1)

Boston dipped slightly from 9/2 to 5/1

Herald    Thunder’s B.J. Mullens overcomes tough times
Glen Davis monitors offers
Pistons take fast action
Sweetney joins Celts for summer league
Leon Powe, Celtics say goodbyes
Celtics to court Rasheed Wallace
Globe    Globe 10.0 - Sports video with Bob Ryan
Ainge on NBA offseason
Powe headed to open market
Celtics have target
Hudson on upcoming Celtics season

Continue reading this post »

More photos » by Eric J. Shelton - AP

Danny has been busy.

Browse more photos »

Here's how Ainge described his early free agency moves and his opinion on the market.

"I made some calls,’’ said Ainge, the Celtics’ president of basketball operations. "Rasheed is a guy we have interest in. We made calls with quite a few free agents’ representatives late last night from my office to let them know we have interest. We contacted 10 free agents and tried to get some feedback in what they are looking for and their interest long term. But that’s about it. Mostly for something down the road.’’

Ainge said he did not contact any players directly, nor has he made contract offers. Ainge said he has been on the receiving end of many more inquiries from agents in recent days than he has proferred.

"We’ll just continue to stay in contact with free agents to see if there is something we can do,’’ Ainge said. "That could take some time. Free agents are talking to several teams. I don’t anticipate anything dramatic happening any time soon. We have plenty of time left.

Continue reading this post »

More photos » by Elsa - Getty Images

Say it ain't so Powe.

Browse more photos »

He seems to think so.  Via the Herald

Powe walked away from his conversation believing that his time as a Celtic was finished.

"I wasn’t feeling a vibe like that," he said of whether he got the sense the Celtics might be interested in re-signing him later in the summer. "I knew they wouldn’t (offer a qualifying offer), so I just have to move on.

"That’s what they told me," Powe said of whether his connection with the Celtics was finished. They told me, ‘Good luck with another team.’ Doc (Rivers) told me that he wanted me there, and he would do whatever he could to make sure I came back, but Danny came to me yesterday saying that they only have a two-year window, and I would be taking up a roster spot for someone else."

Reached today, Ainge said he would still be interested in signing Powe, though only after he recovers from knee surgery.

That's really too bad.  We'll miss you Leon.  Thanks for helping us win #17.

Update: Jessica Camerato is reporting that this whole free agency thing isn't slowing down Powe's tireless community work in Oakland.  The Leon Powe Basketball Camp is still on and Fresh Start For Oakland is as well.

They tell me I can’t save everybody but I say, ‘I will try. I will try to save everybody.’”

Wow.  What else can you say about this man?

More photos »

Welcome Robert Swift

Browse more photos »

...well, at least for the summer league team.  via the Herald

The Celtics also added free agent center Robert Swift to the roster. The former Oklahoma City/Seattle seven-footer, who joined the league straight out of high school, has always intrigued Ainge.

Ainge was famously enamored with Swift back when he was drafted.  (See this mock draft by Chad Ford)  Thankfully we got Al Jefferson instead and eventually turned him into KG and a banner.

I wonder if he's still doing MMA to train in the offseason.

As noted before, the other names include:

"guard Chris Lofton (University of Tennesee, Turkish league), Coby Karl (son of Nuggets coach George Karl, Boise State, Spain), Darius Washington (University of Memphis, Spurs, Czech Republic league), Bryce Taylor (Oregon, Italy), Kevin Rogers (undrafted out of Baylor) and Bryan Mullins (undrafted out of Southern Illinois)."