Celtics Blog & CSL

Dallas has become the 5th team interested in Glen "Big Baby" Davis

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 10:50 GMT

Dallas has become the 5th team interested in Glen "Big Baby" Davis

Daily Links 7/4

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 08:14 GMT

Herald Hedo Turkoglu to Blazers a no-go
Rasheed Wallace mulls Celtics’ offer
Globe Wallace weighing offer
Sites help sports figures keep us posted
Jackson returns to coach Lakers
Marbury believes Celtics days are over

MetroWest Daily    Megliola: Rasheed may fill a need for C's
CelticsBlog An open letter to Danny: why you messed up.
More Reasons Why Boston May Be Right Fit
Celtics 17    No Laker Fans, You're Not Champs Yet: 2009-10 Will Be Memorable
Red's Army     Detroit pursuing Thibodeau
Celtics Circuit    Sudden Improvement is the New NBA Trend
Celtics Hub   A Less Depressing Departure, Plus a Round-Up
Celtics Town    Danny Ainge Sees Boston Celtics' Window Of Opportunity Closing
NBA Tipoff   Talking Off-Season With Nick of Boston Celtics News Station
Shamsports    Summer league round-up: Boston Celtics
CSMB    Does the Ron Artest Deal help the Celtics?
Chronicle    Cavaliers targeting guard Anthony Parker
LA Times   Signing Ron Artest is a smart move by Lakers
The Chez   Artest and Kobe together?
Yahoo    Sources: Assistants in the hunt for Pistons position
Don't question Paul Pierce while he's playing craps
Source: Turkoglu changes mind on Blazers - NBA - Yahoo! Sports
Why did I go to Law School     Do the Celtics Need 'Sheed Now that Robert Swift is Here?
CSNE    Wallace Agent Tells Tanguay, Rasheed would be a Great fir with Big 3
NY Times   Off the Dribble - Many N.B.A. Free Agents, but Few Big Paydays
Connecticut News    Recruiting Wallace - Celtics or Spurs?
Mass Live    Report: Rasheed Wallace agent Bill Strickland thinks Boston Celtics would be a good fit
Pounding the Rock   The Bar Has Been Raised
Waiting for Next Year    The Truth About The Cavs and Free Agency
Lakers Nation   Plaschke: Lakers make the wrong move going with Ron Artest
Bleacher Report    The NBA Economic Crunch In The Summer Of 2009
'Sheed and the Spurs: Why It Works
NESN    Big Four? Celtics looking to match moves from competitors
ESPN   Sources: Detroit Pistons' Joe Dumars to meet with Avery Johnson
CBS Sports    'Sheed receptive to Celts, but will shop
Our Sports Central    Fans Invited to Pick-A-Seat Day for Fun, Games and a Sneak Preview
Howard the Dunk    Dwight on Shaq & Turk; Sheed to Vist Orlando, Millsap Has No Offers
Projo     Celts are looking to make moves
Dime   Raptors get their #1 target; Rasheed waiting to make a call
Orlando Sentinel Magic contact Rasheed Wallace's agent; likely won't re-sign Gortat

More Reasons Why Boston May Be Right Fit

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:37 GMT

The more I read about this, the more it seems like Sheed will ultimately decide between Boston and San Antonio. And I wouldn't rule out Boston anytime soon. Via the Herald: (emphasis mine)

The Celtics hit the 35-year-old free agent with a Big Three press on Thursday, showering him with everything from the camaraderie of Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen to the usual pitch about Celtics history.

"Oh yes, we heard about that," said Wallace’s agent, Bill Strickland. "He’s well-aware of that. He (played at) North Carolina, so that kind of thing matters to him."

Something else in the Celts’ pitch, however, caught Wallace’s ear.

"One thing I liked that Danny (Ainge, executive director of basketball operations) said (Thursday) is that if they sign Rasheed, that won’t stop him from adding further to the team, because they are committed to winning," Strickland said.

That’s important, because nothing truly matters to Wallace beyond the best chance to win one, and maybe two, more rings. That’s the reason he decided against retirement last month.

All are expected to offer that same $5.8 million slot to Wallace - the Celtics did Thursday - so money is unlikely to be the issue.

Neither will contract length. Wallace doesn’t plan to play much longer.

"He could retire right now and be happy," Strickland said. "But that’s something we’ve already dealt with. He said, ‘I want to play more and go for another ring.’ "

Johnson, the ex-Dallas Mavericks coach, is still in consideration, but Kuester and Boston Celtics...

Sat, 04 Jul 2009 06:01 GMT

Johnson, the ex-Dallas Mavericks coach, is still in consideration, but Kuester and Boston Celtics assistant Tom Thibodeau have graded out favorably in GM Joe Dumars’ research, sources say.

Yahoo

Hedo Throws a Curveball

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 20:09 GMT

More photos » by John Raoux - AP

Hedo Throws a Curveball

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It was originally reported that Hedo would sign with the Portland Trailblazers. It was also reported that Marion was close to a deal with the Raptors. All that changed just now.

Source: Turkoglu changes mind on Blazers - NBA - Yahoo! Sports

Free agent Hedo Turkoglu(notes) has backed out of his commitment to the Portland Trail Blazers and could be signing with the Toronto Raptors, a source close to the talks told Yahoo! Sports on Friday night. Turkoglu had agreed on a five-year, $50 million deal with the Blazers, but changed his mind and could be headed for a five-year, $56 million deal with the Raptors. Toronto would have to renounce three free agents – Shawn Marion, Carlos Delfino and Anthony Parker – to create the cap space for Turkoglu. Apparently, the Blazers are already busy exploring other free-agent options for the $9 million in salary-cap space. Five years ago, Turkoglu was close to signing with the Phoenix Suns that now-Toronto GM Bryan Colangelo was running, but changed his mind and went to the Orlando Magic.

So now I believe that means Marion, Delfino, and Parker are all unrestricted free agents.

Latest Sheed Updates

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 19:46 GMT

Not sure if this is really new news, but it gives us a timetable to work with.

Wallace weighing offer - Boston.com

Rasheed Wallace is not expected to make a decision on the Celtics' offer of a mid-level exception contract for at least a week.

Update: Interesting to learn of the Cavs lack of interest. Also, it seems like the Celtics might be willing to go to 3 years (not confirmed):

'Sheed receptive to Celts, but will shop - CBSSports.com

Contract parameters were discussed -- it is believed Wallace would get the mid-level for 2-3 years -- but Wallace wants to hear other offers. According to the Cleveland Plain Dealer, the Cavaliers have yet to contact Wallace, indicating their lack of interest. San Antonio has expressed interest, and the Orlando Sentinel reported Friday that the Magic have contacted Wallace's agent, Bill Strickland.

Wallace Agent Tells Tanguay, Rasheed Would Be Great Fit with Big 3

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 12:04 GMT

Wallace Agent Tells Tanguay, Rasheed Would Be Great Fit with Big 3

Seems like Doc's reputation as a good players coach helps the situation. As does Ray Allen's charity work.

Daily Links 7/3

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 09:00 GMT

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

CelticsBlog   Dominos Falling And Other Thoughts
Getting To Know Sheed
LOY's Place     Things are Heating Up
Red's Army    What the C's really have to offer free agents
Shocker: Marbury Wants More Money
Celtics Circuit   Marbury Done as a Celtic?
Celtics Hub    C’s make Rasheed an offer
Loscy     An open letter to Danny Ainge: why you messed up.
Celtics Town   2009 Boston Celtics Summer Leage Roster: Breaking Down The Players
News Herald     Commentary: Shaq can entertain, but can he bring a ring?
Cavalier Attitude    Artest, Ariza Signings Should Not Have Cavs Fans on Suicide Watch
Detroit Free Press   'Sheed meets with Celtics brass and all-stars, receives offer
Connecticut News    Detroit’s UConn Signings Start Revolving Doors
Sports of Boston   Save Leon Powe Petition is a Little Ridiculous
Tony Allen: 2008-2009 Celtics Review
Dimemag    Rockets, Lakers (kinda) pull off a trade; Rubio not going to Wolves
Celtics 17    Yup, Danny Ainge is a Genius
Yahoo.   Suicide lines: Celtics offer 'Sheed deal; Iverson to the Heat?
Journal Constitution    Josh Childress is back on the free agent market, sort of!
Ken Berger   Gordon revisited: Sign-and-trade for Iverson?-
FanHouse     Artest in L.A. Could Most Hurt Gasol
Patriot Ledger     Celtics travel to Michigan to make a sales pitch for Wallace
SI.com     Rasheed Wallace receptive to Celtics' pitch
NECN    Ainge: Hudson must prove himself to Rivers
Bleacher Report    Why Lester Hudson Is the Steal of the Draft for the Boston Celtics
Powe Must Go, Says Celtics' Front Office
My Southend     East could flip itself upside down after next summer
ProJo     Celtics get serious in courtship of Rasheed Wallace
SouthCoast Today    Celtics blog: The Need for 'Sheed
Phoenix Fanster    An open letter to Cavalier fans
Hoopsworld     Biggest Suprises in the Offseason (So Far)
In the Game      First NBA Summer League 2009 rosters revealed
CSNE   Top 20 Under 25 Fan Voting
Gettys Angle    Rasheed is a Tool
WEEI     The Case For Rasheed Wallace
Contra Costa Times    Celtics don't make Powe contract offer
MLive    So Charlie Villanueva and Ben Gordon are the newest Pistons, but where do they go from here?
Sactown Royalty    Leon Powe vs. Ike Diogu
ESPN    The TrueHoop Network Shootaround

Dominos Falling And Other Thoughts

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 08:03 GMT

More photos » by Brian Babineau - NBAE/Getty Images

GM KG will see you now.

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I know there is a lot of hand wringing going on right now because so many contending teams have made moves to improve themselves and the Celtics have not. To be honest, I'm a little nervous myself. Still, I'm not going to worry too much here on the 3rd day of free agency. A lot can happen this summer and it isn't really fair to judge the offseason till the dust has settled a bit.

With that said, I'm not above a few knee jerk reactions, so here's some quick thoughts on the events thus far.

The Celtics have established a plan A and they still have a very good chance at getting that done. I'm not crazy about Sheed but I admit he's potentially a good fit. At this point I want things to work out if only because the team has put all their eggs in this basket. Losing him now would be embarrassing to say the least.
Plan B appears to be to split the MLE between a few players like Grant Hill and McDyess. But the longer we wait on Sheed, the less likely we are to get the players we'd value the highest. That's troubling.
Meanwhile, even though the Cavs have added Shaq to the mix, so far they've struck out in free agency. They wanted Artest, no dice. They wanted Ariza, nope. That kind of makes me feel better, but it also makes me wonder if they'll make a late push for Sheed now.
I won't shed a tear for Steph. What exactly was he expecting from us? A long term contract?
I may just shed a tear for Powe though. Sounds like he was willing to come back for a 1 year deal. I'm not happy about this at all.
When did Kevin Garnett become assistant GM? First his pal Cassell showed up. Then he gave his OK to proceed with Marbury. Now he's recruiting buddy Sheed and the C's are said to be interested in his best pal Ty Lue. Too bad he doesn't have any ties to Shawn Marion. Are there any other members of his posse that we should invite to the summer league?
Frankly I don't buy the fact that a lot of teams want Baby. I'm sure his agent fed that info to Tanguay and I'm sure a lot of teams have "interest" in Baby, but I don't think any of them will break the bank for him. Two of the most talked about teams are the Pistons and Griz and both already spent the large part of their money.
We still have a great starting five, provided they are healthy. We still need to seriously upgrade the bench. So far, not much has changed.

Poll

What are your feelings on the offseason thus far?

"Solid, thorough, cogent and very impressive," Wallace's agent, Bill Strickland, told SI.com about...

Fri, 03 Jul 2009 07:33 GMT

"Solid, thorough, cogent and very impressive," Wallace's agent, Bill Strickland, told SI.com about Boston's recruiting trip. "[They] definitely gave Rasheed and his wife something to think about."

SI.com