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Off-Season Game Plan: Celtics
Even though the Boston Celtics endured a 33-49 season, there is some reason for optimism. For one thing, they have a premier go-to-guy in Paul Pierce who is playing at the absolute peak of his abilities.
Secondly, the Celtics have stockpiled some promising young talent on the roster. Kendrick Perkins, Al Jefferson, Gerald Green and Delonte West -- all 23 or under -- could be considered the future core of the Celtics.
The trick for the Celtics will be to find the right balance between veterans and youth as they try to get back into the playoffs while Pierce is still a game-altering force. For his part, Pierce knows what he'd like to see, telling the Boston Herald, "I think we've pretty much got our young core together. It'd be good maybe to bring in another veteran to go with what we've got.
"I think we've got a lot of valuable things we can use this summer to help the team. If we keep getting younger, I don't think we’re going to get better."
At the same time, GM Danny Ainge is reluctant to deal any of his young players unless he lands a proven performer that still has some tread left on the tires, so to speak.
If the Celtics are interested in landing a big ticket veteran, they might be able to package one of their youngsters, their first round draft pick and Raef LaFrentz to get discussions started. Nuggets outcast Kenyon Martin, for example, could be worth a look.
A more likely scenario, however, would have the Celtics bringing in a veteran point guard to back up the improving West. Via free agency, Darrell Armstrong or Jacque Vaughn might fit the bill, though a trade for someone the calibre of Charlotte's Brevin Knight (maybe for the 7th pick?) would make even more sense if the Celtics are actually shooting to be a competitive team in 2006-2007.
GM/COACH
Danny Ainge/Doc Rivers
CENTERS
Returning: Kendrick Perkins, Raef LaFrentz, Dwayne Jones
Free Agents: Michael Olowokandi (UFA)
FORWARDS
Returning: Al Jefferson, Wally Szczerbiak, Ryan Gomes, Gerald Green, Brian Scalabrine
Free Agents: None
GUARDS
Returning: Delonte West, Paul Pierce, Orien Greene, Tony Allen, Dan Dickau
Free Agents: None
DRAFT
7th - Randy Foye, Brandon Roy, Marcus Williams, Shelden Williams
FREE AGENCY
Payroll: $56M
TRADE MARKET
LaFrentz (3 years, $35M remaining)
Celtics Will Likely Pick Seventh
The Celtics lost a tiebreaker yesterday with the Minnesota Timberwolves, which means Boston will likely get the seventh overall pick in the June 28 draft.
Both teams finished with 33-49 records, sixth worst in the league.
A random drawing conducted by the NBA to break ties has Minnesota picking sixth, behind Portland, Chicago (from New York), Charlotte, Atlanta, and Toronto. However, those positions could be changed by the outcome of the May 23 lottery, in which the top three positions will be set.
So the Celtics could finish anywhere from first to 10th.
Celtics' Win Keeps Playoff Hopes Alive
One of the NBA's oldest rivalries is not much of a competition anymore. Paul Pierce and Wally Szczerbiak each scored 22 points, Delonte West added 21, and the Boston Celtics beat the New York Knicks 123-98 on Wednesday night.
The Celtics snapped a two-game losing streak and handed the Knicks their sixth straight loss. Boston has won 15 of the last 19 meetings, including all three this season. "We're playing against a struggling team. They have a lack of confidence," Pierce said. "I'm not going to take anything away from our team, but I felt like this is a game we're supposed to win." The Celtics, who shot 57 percent from the field, now own a 256-166 advantage in a series that dates back to the NBA's first season in 1946-47. It was also the largest margin of victory for the Celtics this season and their second-highest point total. They lost 125-124 in triple-overtime to Philadelphia on Jan. 13. "I think we came and just handled our business," Pierce said. "They're a poor defensive team. The better teams are not going to allow you to do this." The Celtics led 40-28 after the first quarter and never relinquished their double-digit lead. Boston pulled within three games of Philadelphia for the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference. "It's the same old same old. We can't guard anyone," Knicks coach Larry Brown said. "They got 33 points on the break. It looked like that could have had 100." Ryan Gomes added 15 points and 13 rebounds for the Celtics, who led by as many as 38 points in the fourth quarter. Raef LaFrentz and Tony Allen each had 14 points. Ahead 62-51, the Celtics scored the last nine points of the first half and extended their lead to 78-55 on LaFrentz' 3-pointer with 9:42 left in the third quarter. When the Knicks managed to cut their deficit to 16 points with 6:44 left, Celtics coach Doc Rivers called a timeout. "Play the same way you played when you got the lead," he told his players in the huddle. "No turnovers. Take care of the ball." Szczerbiak immediately followed with a 3-pointer, Pierce made a foul shot, and West hit a jumper. The Celtics never led by fewer than 20 again. "We haven't had many road wins like this this season. We'll take it," Szczerbiak said. "It's a big win for us. Keeps us in the playoff hunt." The rout continued in the fourth quarter, even though West was the only Boston starter to play in the last 12 minutes. Qyntel Woods and Eddy Curry each scored 20 points for the Knicks, who led only once, on Steve Francis' game-opening jumper. Stephon Marbury added 19. "I don't see how you give up 123 points, 33 on the break and feel like you're satisfied," Brown said. "Maybe we're just not good enough. After 70 games, it's mind boggling."
Celtics one of Three Teams to Celebrate St. Patrick's Day by Wearing Special Uniforms
The Boston Celtics have officially unveiled a special St. Patrick's Day uniform that the team will don for a week-long NBA celebration. The Celtics will join the New York Knicks and Chicago Bulls in wearing special uniforms and apparel beginning on March 12th when the Denver Nuggets visit the TD Banknorth Garden.
"In the spirit of St. Patrick's Day, we will be celebrating the unique heritage of the Celtics in a way that is fun for both our fans and players". said Executive Vice President Rich Gotham. "We look forward to wearing these special edition uniforms each year as a new franchise tradition."
The Celtics St. Patrick's Day uniforms will consist of their signature road green uniforms with gold and white striped trim and the wordmark "BOSTON" across the front of the jersey in gold letters with white trim. The NBA will unveil other special St. Patrick's Day apparel, including green socks, wristbands and headbands, as well as neck ties and team-specific hats. The accessories will feature one of the two new NBA/Shamrock logos.
"It seemed natural for the Celtics to be a part of the league's celebration of St. Patrick's Day," said Christopher Arena, Vice President, NBA Apparel, Sporting Goods & Basketball Partnerships. "The essence of the Celtics brand - their name, logo, colors and even their city - is at the very core of all things Irish. Celtics fans will enjoy seeing the team's regular road uniforms spiced up with a touch o' gold and the word BOSTON proudly positioned front and center on the jersey."
Fans will also be able to see the Celtics wear their special St. Patrick's Day uniforms when the team travels to Memphis to play the Grizzlies on March 14th, when the play the Miami Heat, nationally televised on TNT, on March 16th; the Orlando Magic on March 17th and the Indiana Pacers on March 19th. The new uniforms will be available beginning March 12th at the TD Banknorth Garden Pro Shop and on Celtics.com.
Brown, Silas, fans weigh in on Bryant's 81-point performance
Kobe Bryant's 81-point performance was still the talk around the NBA three days later. And some fans were less than impressed.
"One of the first thoughts that ran through my mind was like, `I guess Shaq was right.' Meaning, he takes more shots than he should,'' said Michael Bruno, a New York Knicks fan from the Bronx. "You know, 30 points should be enough for him. What'd he have, like three assists or something like that?''
Bryant actually had two assists, along with three steals, six rebounds and a blocked shot in his big game Sunday night for the Los Angeles Lakers. It was the second-most points scored in a single game in NBA history, with only Wilt Chamberlain's 100-point effort in 1962 better.
"It was amazing,'' said former NBA coach Hubie Brown, who along with Paul Silas taped an NBA Legends show Wednesday at the NBA Store in Manhattan.
"It's a testament to not only his athletic ability, but his incredible stamina,'' Brown said. "He is one of the premier streak shooters that we have in the history of the game.''
Bryant's history-making game, a 122-104 victory over the Toronto Raptors, has drawn equal parts praise and criticism in the days since. Both Brown and Silas were impressed, particularly by the fact Bryant got better as the game went on. He scored 28 of the Lakers' 31 points in the fourth quarter - in large part because his teammates kept passing him the ball.
"He made some of the greatest circus shots in that fourth quarter that maybe he could never duplicate again,'' Brown said.
Bryant finished 28-for-46 from the field, taking shots from all over the court.
"You look at Wilt and how dominant he was inside, this guy did it from the perimeter,'' Silas said. "So it puts an added significance on it. So it has to be, in my mind, the greatest feat that has ever occurred in the NBA.''
Mal Fleischer of Livingston, N.J., considers Bryant the Michael Jordan of this generation of ballplayers. But he thinks the performance also said something about the way the Raptors played.
"I imagine he could score 100 points if he so desired,'' Fleischer said. "I don't think it's great. It says the other team probably had no defense. Every once in a while, I guess it's OK.''
The league is trying to capitalize on Bryant's huge night, selling a customized "Kobe 81'' jersey for $160 at the NBA Store and online for $60. A special-edition gold T-shirt with '81' on the back will also be available Friday.
Bryant, who had the top-selling jersey in 2003, is fifth in sales so far this year. Miami's Dwyane Wade has the most popular-selling jersey through December.
Whether Bryant's latest feat restores his image and popularity remains to be seen. Bruno said he lost respect for Bryant after a woman accused him of rape in 2003. The charge was dismissed after the woman refused to go ahead with the case.
"The classiness, he lost it right there,'' Bruno said.
David Spaisman of Fairlawn, N.J., thinks Bryant needs to be more of a team player to fully earn the respect of the fans.
"He's a great perimeter player, but are they going to win a title?'' he asked of Bryant and the Lakers. "Did the Celtics win it (only) with (Bill) Russell? No. Did the Pistons win it on, pick any guy there? No. It's a team.''
Brown said skeptics should judge Bryant's performance on the court only.
"The people who do not like him for whatever reasons will always make statements trying to cut down what he is performing and doing,'' Brown said. "If you step back and just grade him on what he's doing in a 94-by-50 rectangle, then you have to stand back.''
Next Chapter Begins Here
You had to feel for Jeff Twiss last night. He's the Celtics' venerable public relations chief and, until about 6:30 p.m., figured tomorrow night's game would be a fairly uneventful one.
Then came the dreaded news -- Ron Artest was not only a Sacramento King, but also more than likely would be in uniform tomorrow night against the Celtics.
Wouldn't you love to see Twiss's call-back list for credentials? Aside from the usual suspects -- ESPN, Sports Illustrated, the national papers -- there are probably going to be some unfamiliar phone numbers, like those from ''Inside Edition," ''Access Hollywood," MSNBC, Fox, MTV, ''The Best Damn Sports Show," and God knows what else.
It will indeed be news when Artest sets foot on the Garden parquet, playing for the first time since early December. The Indiana Pacers promptly deactivated him (he did have a sore wrist at the time) after his trade demand and then spent six-plus weeks trying to accommodate him.
They finally did yesterday when the Kings agreed to take Artest, or vice versa, and sent Peja Stojakovic to Indiana.
It was sort of an anticlimax after what had transpired over the previous 24 hours. First, the Pacers and Kings had a deal. Then the deal fell apart when Sacramento understandably got cold feet about Artest's willingness to live and play in what Phil Jackson once called a ''semicivilized" environment.
But after meeting yesterday morning with Indiana executives Donnie Walsh and Larry Bird, Artest decided that if Arnold Schwarzenegger could live in Sacramento, then so could he. And the deal finally went down.
''There's no doubt in our mind," Walsh said in a statement, ''that he [Artest] will have an immediate impact on their team."
Read that any way you like.
''He's one of the more unpredictable guys in the league," Paul Pierce said of Artest. ''You just hope he shows up, puts his uniform on, and [he is] in the starting lineup. [If] they do that, you know he's on."
Celtics coach Doc Rivers said he fully expects to see Artest in uniform tomorrow night. ''I'm sure he'll play," Rivers said. ''I'd be surprised if he didn't. I'm assuming it'll be a zoo here." And he wasn't referring to the All-American Rejects, who are scheduled to perform after the game.
What about it, Paul? How will it feel being guarded by one of the league's best defenders?
''That'd be great. I'm just happy to see him put on an NBA uniform again," Pierce said. ''We've had a lot of good battles over the years. I miss playing against him. He's a competitor. I'd like to see him, especially while he's out of shape."
Artest played 16 games this season for the Pacers before he went public with his trade demand and was summarily banished. But while he stayed away from the team, he still collected his paycheck. Said Rivers, ''I think that's an amazing thing that Indiana did. Six weeks with pay? If you can get that job, I think everyone should apply for that."
The Kings will be Artest's third NBA stop (following Chicago and Indiana). It was with the Pacers that he developed into an All-Star-caliber player; Indiana uberscout Kevin Mackey called Artest the best two-way player at his position in the world. He's probably right.
It was also with Indiana that Artest's quick-trigger temper manifested itself on numerous occasions, the most infamous being the Nov. 19, 2004, decision to enter the stands at the Palace of Auburn Hills, a decision that cost him the rest of the 2004-05 season and basically ended what the Pacers felt was a legitimate chance at an NBA championship.
The Pacers stood by their man through it all and so did their fans. If there were one place that Artest could survive and thrive, it was thought to be in Indiana.
But after returning from his 73-game suspension, he made it through one month -- and then everything unraveled. Teammates turned on him. Bird said he felt ''betrayed." Walsh sifted through offers, determined not to give away Artest. A deal for Corey Maggette of the Clippers fell through and then the Stojakovic deal, which has been on and off, rekindled.
It's a bit of risk for both teams; the Kings have to deal with Artest, and Stojakovic is in the last year of his contract. But it's done.
''I'm glad it's over. I'm glad for the league that it's over," Rivers said.
''I think our league has made some pretty good strides and when we have that kind of stuff, I don't think that's good for our league. It's more 'spoiled athlete' stuff and that we have to get rid of. I'm just glad the league can move on. Let's talk about Kobe's 81. Let's talk about Chris Paul. Let's talk about Shaq. Those are good things."
Hawks, Celtics meet at Philips Arena
The Atlanta Hawks attempt to extend their winning streak to a season-high three games when they welcome the Boston Celtics to Philips Arena.
This is the third and final meeting of the season between the clubs. Atlanta won the two previous contests, as it picked up a win at home and on the road.
The Hawks have won three of the last five meetings in this series. Boston has lost four of five and five of its last eight at Atlanta.
Al Harrington finished with 24 points and Joe Johnson netted 20 in Atlanta's 101-93 victory over the New Orleans/Oklahoma City Hornets on Saturday at Philips Arena.
Tyronn Lue contributed 15 points, Josh Smith scored 12 and Marvin Williams netted 11 in the win over the Hornets for the Hawks, who have won back-to-back contests after losing four straight.
Atlanta is 6-8 at home this season. The Hawks have won five of their last seven games overall.
The Celtics will try and put the brakes on a three-game losing streak as they begin a three-game road trip. On Monday, Jerry Stackhouse drained a baseline jumper with one-tenth of a second remaining, as the Dallas Mavericks defeated Boston, 104-102, at TD Banknorth Garden.
Paul Pierce led all scorers with 32 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Ricky Davis added 17 points and eight assists in the loss to the Mavericks for Boston, which has lost seven of its last nine games overall. Mark Blount and Tony Allen each netted 12 off the bench in defeat.
Boston is 3-13 on the road this season. The Celtics have dropped two straight and eight of their last nine as the visitor.
The Fayetteville Patriots are finally getting some help from the National Basketball Association.
The NBA’s Boston Celtics have assigned 6-foot-8 guard-forward Gerald Green to the NBA Development League franchise. Green is the first NBA player to be reassigned to the Patriots under the minor league’s new affiliation arrangement.
Boston’s actual D-League affiliate is the Florida Flame, but the Flame already has several players at Green’s position, so the league exercised a rule allowing him to be sent to another team.
Green was the 18th overall pick in the 2005 NBA Draft by the Celtics out of Gulf Shores Academy in Houston.
He hasn’t appeared in a game with Boston this season, but averaged 33 points as a prep senior.
NBA Game Summary - Dallas at Boston
Stackhouse scored 20 points off the bench and Jason Terry paced the Mavericks with 30 points, while Dirk Nowitzki scored 26 and grabbed seven rebounds.
Keith Van Horn scored 12 points off the bench, as Dallas won its third straight game and its fifth in a row over Boston.
Paul Pierce led all scorers with 32 points and grabbed eight rebounds, while Ricky Davis added 17 points and eight assists for Boston, which lost its third straight contest.
Mark Blount and Tony Allen each scored 12 points off the bench in the loss.
"You just got to feel at some point, it's going to turn our way. I felt horrible for them," Boston head coach Doc Rivers said. "They fought their butts off. I thought other than the middle of the third quarter, when we stopped playing for one stretch, I thought we played just great basketball."
Dallas led 79-74 after three stanzas, but Boston got within 82-80 on two Marcus Banks free throws. From there, the Mavericks seemingly took control of the contest with a 16-7 scoring run.
Nowitzki keyed the streak with three field goals in just over a two-minute span, with his foul line jumper over a smaller Delonte West giving the Mavs a 98-87 advantage with 5:19 on the clock.
Boston countered with a 12-2 run, in which Allen tallied four points. The Mavericks turned it over after two Pierce free throws trimmed the deficit to 100-97 and Pierce caught the ball on the left block, spun baseline, and converted a slam to make the score 100-99 with 1:35 remaining.
The Celtics clamped down on defense on the ensuing Mavs' trip, as Adrian Griffin's contested half hook never drew iron in the waning seconds of the shot clock. Blount got an open look on the other end as Pierce drew two defenders, but his 15- foot jumper that would have given Boston the lead rimmed out.
Dallas then went to Nowitzki, who calmly drained a jumper to extend the lead to 102-99 with 16.1 seconds to play.
Pierce used a head fake to get a wide-open look at a three-pointer from the right wing and he buried it to tie the game with 6.5 ticks on the clock.
Stackhouse then received the ball in the right corner and drained a jumper over a lunging Davis with one-tenth of a second remaining to give Dallas the dramatic victory.
"I was able to get him (Davis) off balance. I think he might of thought I was going to raise up and I was able to get a good pull-up," Stackhouse said. "I knew I didn't have enough time probably to get all the way to the basket because I kind of squared him up but it came right in the nick of time."
Boston took a 53-51 lead into the half. Terry and Pierce each tallied 13 points to lead their respective squads.
