Boston Celtics

Dear Kevin Garnett, First and foremost, happy birthday, and thank you for teaching a new generation of fans what Boston Celtics basketball was about. Regardless of whether you return for the upcoming season, your legacy has forever been cemented in Celtics lore. You were the backbone for that 2008 title team, and have kept us competitive since your arrival. I still remember that euphoric moment when your trade from the Timberwolves to the Celtics was finalized. It finally gave us true hope. Not blind hope that we might be able to compete, but that we now could compete. This commercial sums it up much better than I ever could. Most of us know what has happened since that time. There have been many more joyful memories than sad, but all good things must eventually come to an end. With the report surfacing that you will not be having surgery on your ankles, it leaves your future as a Boston Celtic in as much doubt as ever. It’s possible that maybe you really do not need surgery, but at points this year you claimed it was painful to even push the gas pedal while driving because of your ankles. Is this your way of hinting to Celtics’ fans that it is over? If so, then I understand. It will be hard to move past it, but you’ve given so much to this franchise and the game of basketball. The 15 All-Star game appearances, 25,274 points, and 2004 NBA MVP award says it all. You are a first ballot Hall-of-Famer, and Celtic nation has been lucky to have you. I understand the mental grind you go through daily to prepare for games, and that doesn’t take into account the physical toll the game has taken on your body. If you want to retire, you deserve to do so, and we all look forward to the day your jersey number is raised to the rafters. BUT, if you do want to return for one more run, then I must ask of you one favor. Please force Danny Ainge to find you a competent center to play alongside with. It’s not fair to ask you to carry the burden in the paint on a nightly basis. You still have a lot of gas left in the tank, evidenced by your 12.7 points per game and 13.7 rebounds per game in the postseason. Yet, the regular season is a long journey, and with all due respect, you need help. Give Ainge an ultimatum, either find a center capable of providing starters minutes, or retire. I realize this is easier said than done considering the Celtics salary cap limitations, but it’s a necessity. Adding a viable center doesn’t guarantee a championship in any form, but without one, this team stands no shot at raising banner 18. You will likely play the deciding factor on whether this team rebuilds, or re-tools. So what will your choice be? Celtic nation is waiting.

I don't need to tell you Greg Oden's background story. I don't need to tell you that he's recovering from multiple knee surgeries that have limited him to all but a handful of games throughout his career. I don't have to remind you that he hasn't played a game since the 2009-10 season. You know because whenever you hear the name Oden you simultaneously think "man, we dodged a bullet there (in '07)" and "hey, I wonder if he might be a guy we could pick up on a vet minimum deal as a low-risk, high-reward deal." So with that unnecessary lead in, here's the latest on him. Shabazz Muhammad among Trail Blazers' interviewees at NBA draft combine | OregonLive.com Former Ohio State forward DeShaun Thomas said part of his predraft workouts have included sessions with former Trail Blazers center Greg Oden at the St. Vincents Performance Center in Indianapolis. Oden, who played in 82 games in four seasons after being the No. 1 overall pick with the Blazers in 2007, hasn't played since December of 2009 because of knee problems, but is working toward a comeback. "Man, he looks unbelievable," Thomas said. "He's running, he's lifting weights. You might be seeing a comeback. He looks like he is ready to go. He's running, getting in shape. I'll tell you one thing: For a big 7-footer, that's all he does -- running and getting in shape. He's looking right." That's wonderful news for him and it certainly sounds like things might maybe sorta kinda perhaps be turning in the right direction for the young man that looks like an old man and has had more life lessons than most young men his age. But, I think it is fair to consider the source before we get too carried away. Greg Oden making progress in comeback effort, according to Deshaun Thomas - SBNation.com There are more than a few qualifiers to this report, however. Thomas is not an NBA scout or talent evaluator, "running and getting in shape" is not playing in a full-contact game against NBA top competition and both players belong to an Ohio State basketball family that probably wants to help each member in any way possible. Thomas tossed out a lot of superlatives in his sound bite on Oden, and perhaps that's the best thing he can do for a fellow Buckeye. All of that said, he's still a huge, talented, high upside kind of talent that could be a very useful NBA center even at 80% of what his original upside was. At the very least, we know that Ainge (and many other GMs) have been interested. Back in February, Oden was in Waltham meeting with the Celtics brass. He's also got a few other options according to reports. Greg Oden reportedly ‘looks unbelievable’ as he continues to attempt NBA comeback | The Point Forward - SI.com Oden has drawn interest this season from a number of teams, including the Spurs, Hornets, Bobcats, Pacers and Mavericks, according to ESPN.com. The Heat have been linked to interest in Oden for years and Oden’s agent, Mike Conley Sr., told Fox Sports Florida this season that there is mutual interest. The Associated Press reported recently that Oden said that his goal is to be ready for the start of the 2013-14 season. So it sounds like he might be finding his way back onto an NBA court next year. Which team's colors will he be wearing? Stay tuned.

I know everyone wants to trade Rondo. He has been in the league seven years and this point guard still shoots free throw like a drunk Wilt Chamberlain, he has a temper like Pekovic going through roid rage, and has the consitency of well, something inconsistent (I ran out of something witty to say). Despite all of this, Celticsblog readers still consider him the best trade asset we have next to Paul Pierce's expiring contract. They are willing to trade him even with the next closest thing to a point guard that we have is a 22 year old shooting dribble who can't dribble, can't pass and can't shoot. Why?, because he plays all-world defense. I like Avery Bradley as much as the next guy but he is a 6'2" shooting guard who also happens to be a streaky shooter at best. The lack of shooting was the major difference in this year's team. Without Ray Allen, the defense never shifted and the team could never get into their motion sets. When we lost Ray Allen and Paul Pierce's and Brandon Bass's shooting dropped off, the most consistent shooter became Garnett. Defenses packed in and we were toast without any consistent inside game. I am yammering on too much. So, this is what I propose. We should trade Paul Pierce for picks and a decent young player like Alonzo Gee. we would need to add Sideshow Bob to make the money work and we would still get a trade exception. Cleveland has four picks in this year's draft. Would you really want to add another rookie to that roster. Paul Pierce can fit in to that unit and excel but my bet is that he would just get waived and he would be free to join a contender. Now, what do we do with Avery. I say, trade him to Minnesota as we sign the big and burly pekovic. this gives them incentive to take in the contract of Bass or Courtney lee which is a just a redundancy with Sully. Of course this leaves a gaping hole at the two spot. This is where the Cleveland picks come in. I think the celtics should pick Sergei Karasev. Projected as a small forward, he has all the tools to become a decent shooting guard. has decent range. Can create off the dribble if the defence closes up on him. Excellent length at a height of 6'7" and wingspand of 6'10" he has the potential to be a very good defensive player. He is an excellent scorer despite his lack of athleticism( which is why he has fallen in the draft). He would be eaten up by Athletic 3s in the NBA but should be able to use his length and size to do well against NBA SGs not named Kobe or Dwyane Wade. He has also led the top league in Russia in scoring at JUST 19 years of age. Check out the video from DraftExpress, he hardly missed. Imagine, he has been doing this against grown men in the top russian league. Scary! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1wX8pNcC1eU . ISo you have a lineup of: Rondo/Terry/Twill/veteran pointguard(shaun livingston perhaps?) Karasev/Lee/Terry/Twill Green/Gee/Karasev/Lee Garnett/Sully/Green/Randolph Pekovic/Dieng/Randolph/Melo This is a pretty long post but thanks from reading. I dont go a day without reading celticsblog. Tell me guys what you think. I maybe crazy but this just might work in keeping us in title contention ala 2004 Pistons. What do you guys think? I know everyone wants to trade Rondo. He has been in the league seven years and this point guard still shoots free throw like a drunk Wilt Chamberlain, he has a temper like Pekovic going through roid rage, and has the consitency of well, something inconsistent (I ran out of something witty to say). Despite all of this, Celticsblog readers still consider him the best trade asset we have next to Paul Pierce's expiring contract. They are willing to trade him even with the next closest thing to a point guard that we have is a 22 year old shooting dribble who can't dribble, can't pass and can't shoot. Why?, because he plays all-world defense. I like Avery Bradley as much as the next guy but he is a 6'2" shooting guard who also happens to be a streaky shooter at best. The l

The Heart and Soul of the Celtics has turned 1 year older today, but that I'm sure that passion and fire hasn't dimmed changed since the day he was drafted (maybe it has something to do with him being a Taurus). Not many players have managed to play until 36, and even fewer players have been as affective as KG has been at age 36. The Celtics are truly lucky to have a player like KG. If KG were to retire, his hall of fame status would be set in stone, and this is what will get him there: 15x NBA Allstar (02-03 All Star MVP) 1x 03-04 NBA League MVP 1x NBA Champion 12x All NBA Defensive Team Selection (07-08 Defensive Player of the Year) 9x All NBA Selection 12th All Time in Games Played 7th All Time in Minutes Played 15th All Time in Field Goals Made 11th All Time in Total Rebounds 3rd All Time in Defensive Rebounds 18th All Time in Steals 20th All Time in Blocks 19th All Time in Points *** There are much more accolades for Garnett, but these are just some of the ones that will solidify his legacy as one of the greatest players to ever hold a basketball. Whether Garnett decides to end his career when his contract is over, or long before that, he will forever be considered basketball royalty for his undying and contagious passion, heart, and hustle for the game. The Heart and Soul of the Celtics has turned 1 year older today, but that I'm sure that passion and fire hasn't dimmed changed since the day he was drafted (maybe it has something to do with him being a Taurus). Not many players have managed to play until 36, and even fewer players have been as affective as KG has been at age 36. The Celtics are truly lucky to have a player like KG. If KG were to retire, his hall of fame status would be set in stone, and this is what will get him there: 15x NBA Allstar (02-03 All Star MVP) 1x 03-04 NBA League MVP 1x NBA Champion 12x All NBA Defensive Team Selection (07-08 Defensive Player of the Year) 9x All NBA Selection 12th All Time in Games Played 7th All Time in Minutes Played 15th All Time in Field Goals Made 11th All Time in Total Rebounds 3rd All Time in Defensive Rebounds 18th All Time in Steals 20th All Time in Blocks 19th All Time in Points *** There are much more accolades for Garnett, but these are just some of the ones that will solidify his legacy as one of the greatest players to ever hold a basketball. Whether Garnett decides to end his career when his contract is over, or long before that, he will forever be considered basketball royalty for his undying and contagious passion, heart, and hustle for the game.

Herald Ainge says Doc staying; Zarren turns down 76ersGreg Cote: Knicks would have been spicier matchup for Miami Heat Pacers knock out Knicks with 106-99 win in Game 6 He’s still on guardMcDonough: Fun in SunsESPN Report Card: The IncompletesCeltics Green When It Comes to the Draft, No One Has a ClueHappy Birthday to Kevin Garnett and a Few Thoughts Celtics Blog Should Chris Wilcox Get Another Stint With The Celtics? Hypothetical trade idea (conversation between Danny Ainge and Kevin Garnett) Celtics Life The Forgotten Man: Chris Wilcox Lex Nihil Novi Pistol Pete and Truck Robinson Lead Jazz over CeltsCLNS Radio Memories of the Boston Celtics Big Three EraRed's Army Your Morning Dump… Where there is ‘major speculation’ that the Celtics will trade up or down in the draft CSNNE Sullinger approaching recovery with patience Slam Online Sam Presti: Thunder Won’t Amnesty Kendrick PerkinsPro Basketball Talk Nate Robinson unlikely to return to Bulls next season Celtics Fan Chat Should the Celtics Keep ‘em or Sweep ‘em: Jordan Crawford Cleveland.com Should the Cleveland Cavaliers acquire Paul Pierce?Wicked Local Celtics offer summer camp in Waltham Bleacher Report Boston Celtics: Paul Pierce's Potential Departure Means Jeff Green Is 'The Guy'

Herald Ainge says Doc staying; Zarren turns down 76ersGreg Cote: Knicks would have been spicier matchup for Miami Heat Pacers knock out Knicks with 106-99 win in Game 6 He’s still on guardMcDonough: Fun in SunsESPN Report Card: The IncompletesCeltics Green When It Comes to the Draft, No One Has a ClueHappy Birthday to Kevin Garnett and a Few Thoughts Celtics Blog Should Chris Wilcox Get Another Stint With The Celtics? Hypothetical trade idea (conversation between Danny Ainge and Kevin Garnett) Celtics Life The Forgotten Man: Chris Wilcox Lex Nihil Novi Pistol Pete and Truck Robinson Lead Jazz over CeltsCLNS Radio Memories of the Boston Celtics Big Three EraRed's Army Your Morning Dump… Where there is ‘major speculation’ that the Celtics will trade up or down in the draft CSNNE Sullinger approaching recovery with patience Slam Online Sam Presti: Thunder Won’t Amnesty Kendrick PerkinsPro Basketball Talk Nate Robinson unlikely to return to Bulls next season Celtics Fan Chat Should the Celtics Keep ‘em or Sweep ‘em: Jordan Crawford Cleveland.com Should the Cleveland Cavaliers acquire Paul Pierce?Wicked Local Celtics offer summer camp in Waltham Bleacher Report Boston Celtics: Paul Pierce's Potential Departure Means Jeff Green Is 'The Guy' [Discuss on CG Forums!]

Today, Kevin Garnett turns 37 years old. Every Celtics fan today is wishing him a happy birthday. And, every Celtics fan is also wondering what KG is planning to do this season. A few days ago, we got the good news that he wouldn't be needing surgery and that the problems he had with his feet at the end of the season should heal with rest. Not having to face a grueling rehab from surgery on both feet is definitely good news. We learned that Danny hasn't contacted Garnett as yet because he doesn't have the answers to the questions that KG is sure to ask. I'm thinking that the first question is going to be whether Paul Pierce will be returning for another year. We all know that Danny has a tough choice to make. He has to decide before June 30 whether to exercise the option to buy The Captain's contract out for the $5 million buyout option or whether to try trading Pierce to get something of value for him. All of that will have to be decided before KG makes his decision on whether to return. As I stated in the post on the mock drafts, the majority of drafts see the Celtics going with another big man. We already have Fab Melo who still needs more time to develop his game. And, we have Sully, who will be returning from back surgery, and who showed tremendous potential before the surgery put an and to his rookie season. Here is a little tidbit from CSNNE on the bond that KG has forged with Sullinger. The rookie continued his mentorship with Kevin Garnett, who quickly took him under his wing as a student of the game during training camp. "He still helps me out," said Sullinger. "We're constantly talking. Defensively, offensively, he keeps me in tune what the team has, what we need to do, what we don't need to do." KG's value to the team goes way beyond his contributions on the court. His very presence gives the team a swagger. His advice and mentoring is priceless for the young bigs who will be counted on to lead the team in the next generation. Even if Danny needs to bring Paul Pierce back for one more go round to keep KG, I'm leaning in that direction. But KG must have help in manning the middle so that he can go back to his preferred power forward position. Let's face it, at 37, as much as he'd like to, he can't do it all any more. So, today, I say Happy Birthday Kevin Garnett! And, I will blow out the candles on the cake and wish for another year with KG on the Celtics. I'm not ready for the Kevin Garnett era to be over in Boston. Hopefully, he isn't either. [Discuss on CG Forums!]

Boston | Celtics | NBA | Pierce | Garnett

Every morning, we compile the links of the day and dump them here… highlighting the big storyline. Because there’s nothing quite as satisfying as a good morning dump. The Celtics have the 16th pick in the June draft, their highest since they banked on getting a top-two pick in 2007 but settled for fifth and then dealt the pick for Ray Allen. There is major speculation that the club will trade up or down unless a prospect they desire lands in their laps. ESPN draft gurus Chad Ford and Fran Fraschilla chimed in on the Celtics’ possibilities in this bizarre draft, which could be a gem or a dud. “Their scouting staff has traditionally done a very good job in this range,” said Fraschilla, the former coach at New Mexico, St. John’s, and Manhattan. “I think they could go either way — they could go development or a European kid, a big kid that’s hanging around and they could stash overseas. Or I think there’s enough of those guys that we talked about, the senior or the guy that can be a rotation player, that are going to be staring at them at 16, that I tend to think they are going to do what they’ve always done and find the best fit for them. “They draft basketball players, guys you can stick in Doc Rivers’s system, and they pick things up relatively quickly.” Ford pointed out a couple of prospects who may fall to Boston, including Georgia sophomore Kentavious Caldwell-Pope, the SEC player of the year, who averaged 18 points and seven rebounds last season. Ford also noted San Diego State swingman Jamaal Franklin, who averaged 17 points and 9.5 rebounds as a junior. Franklin improved throughout his college career, a trait Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge likes. “I know Danny Ainge’s spiel and he takes players based on how he projects their potential in the future, not necessarily what they’ve just done in college,” Ford said. “Rajon Rondo and Avery Bradley are just great examples of that. Ainge loved them in high school, saw them in college, and felt like in both players’ cases, the systems that they were in did not accentuate the strengths that he saw in them as players. And in both cases, he got a player that was much better than where they drafted them because Ainge has a great ability to see what a player can and can’t do and be able to divorce that from what they did do in college.” Asked about the potential of the 16th pick, Ainge said, “I don’t think this draft is particularly strong and I think there are some players with potential who are projects and there’s some players who have a chance to blossom into players down the road. There’s not very many that are going to come in and help a team right out of the gate.” The Celtics are open to moving the pick, something they have done several times in the Ainge era. “We could trade up, trade down, there are a lot of different scenarios that haven’t even been discussed yet,” he said. “Right now we’re just preparing and evaluating all the players in the draft. Boston Globe – Draft prospect Shabazz Muhammed out to prove he carries no baggage into the NBA We should all be a bit careful with our own speculation when it comes to supposed ‘major speculation’ when it comes to discussing possible trade scenarios.  Ainge has does have a history of trading picks and players all over the place during the draft so this shouldn’t come as a major surprise.  In 2006 he traded Randy Foye to Portland with Raef LaFrentz and Dan Dickau to get Sebastian Telfair and the immortal expiring contract of Theo Ratliff.  In the same draft, he worked a deal with Phoenix for them to draft Rajon Rondo and trade him to them for a first round pick in 2007 that they acquired earlier from a trade that sent Jiri Welsch to the Cavs.  Later in that draft, he also swung a deal in the second round with Denver to acquire Leon Powe. In 2007 we all know what happened after losing one of the top two picks in the lottery.  Ainge drafted Jeff Green with the 5th pick and used

I spent much of the day watching the draft combine. The Celtics have just one pick in this draft, barring Danny making a trade or buying another pick, as he did when the Celtics nabbed Rondo. That 16th pick is the Celtics highest since KG joined the team. Danny's draft history in those 5 years has been mixed. Last year, he got a player who showed a great deal of promise in Jared Sullinger and who should be much better this season with the back issues behind him. The jury is still out on Fab Melo, who showed some flashes but who also is still very raw. In 2011, Danny chose MarShon Brooks who was immediately traded for JaJuan Johnson, who spent most of last season in the D-League after being included in the trade for Courtney Lee. In taking Johnson, Danny passed on Norris Cole, Jimmy Butler, and Chandler Parsons, all of whom have been contributing to playoff teams this season. In 2010, Danny got another good player who has been a solid contributor in Avery Bradley with the 19th pick. In 2009, the Celtics had no first round picks. In 2008, the Celtics chose JR Giddens with the 30th pick. Danny passed over Nikola Pekovic, Mario Chalmers, DeAndre Jordan, Omer Asik, and Goran Dragic to take Giddens, who has been playing overseas. As we can see, Danny's draft picks have been hit or miss. For every good pick like Sully or Avery there is a Johnson or a Giddens, who failed to pan out. Hopefully with the 16th pick, he can get someone who can help the team right away. After all, it's not all that far outside of the lottery. According to SI's Chris Mannix, Danny may be looking to move up in the draft. Each team gets 18 interviews at the Draft Combine and many of the players that the Celtics have met with are considered to be lottery picks and are expected to be gone before the Celtics make their pick at 16. Of course, he could be hoping that one of them will make a Sully-like fall, or he could be looking to move up as being rumored. The Herald reported Danny's thoughts on the subject: “We’re always having discussions about moving up and moving down and moving out,” said Ainge. “That’s just like every other year. But I don’t know what the chances are of that happening.” He feels confident the Celts will have choices to make regarding deals involving picks. “Sure, I think I will have chances,” Ainge said. “It’s always about what price you’ve got to pay to do that — and what are you going to get for that, of course. But there will probably be a lot of discussion, because this draft isn’t as star-studded as some other drafts. “I think there are good players. There’s just not franchise changers. I’m just hoping we can find a good player.” As for the draft itself, I checked out 38 different mock drafts. It seems as though everyone is making a mock draft these days. There are the more credible ones like Chad Ford's mock on ESPN Insider and Draft.net and Draft Xpress and then there are a couple that you wonder what planet they are living on when they have the Celtics picking Nerlens Noel or Trey Burke at 16. Somehow, I don't see those guys dropping that far in any scenario. Of the 38 mocks, there were 17 different players mentioned as possible picks for the Celtics at #16. Most of the mocks have the Celtics going big, with a few suggesting point guards and a few others going with shooting guards or small forwards. Here is the list of players and the number of mocks that listed them as the Celtics possible pick. Kelly Olynyk 7'0" Center, Gonzaga (6) Rudy Gobert 7'1" Center, France (6) Mason Plumlee 6'10" PF/C, Duke (4) Dario Saric, 6'10" Forward, Croatia (3) Tony Mitchell 6'8" PF, North Texas (3) Dennis Schroeder 6'1" PG, Braunschweig (3) Steven Adams 7'0" Center, Pitt (2) Archie Goodwin 6'5" SG, Kentucky (2) Mike Muscala 6'11" Center, Bucknell (1) Jamaal Franklin 6'5" SG, San Diego St (1) Lorenzo Brown 6'5" PG/SG, NC State (1) Kentavious Caldwell 6'