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FLCeltsFan
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News 1/27 Jan 27, 2009 7:37:46 GMT -5

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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 27, 2009 7:37:46 GMT -5

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1148052&format=text
No Stephon Marbury yet for Celts

By Steve Bulpett | Tuesday, January 27, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by Matt Stone
Stephon Marbury told the New York Post that the Celtics [team stats] have made a commitment to him should he be able to break free from the Knicks. Reggie Miller told the Dan Patrick Show that the Celts want to know if he’s interested in coming out of retirement to play.

“We love it all,” said Doc Rivers after yesterday’s brief practice. “I mean, we’re going to call Magic (Johnson), Larry (Bird) and Michael (Jordan) next - Cooz (Bobby Cousy), (Bill) Russell.”

Addressing the willingness of others to think Green, Rivers said, “I think that’s the most flattering part about it. We’ve gotten our team to a point where they do like us and they are considering coming. That’s flattering for a franchise. Two years ago they didn’t even return our call.”

According to sources, the Celtics have had talks with Marbury (the Knicks gave him permission to speak with other teams in hope that it would hasten his desire for a buyout), but one source close to the situation said yesterday the club has made no firm commitment to him on a deal.

Celtic director of basketball operations Danny Ainge had no comment on the Marbury situation yesterday, but it is known and has been reported that the team believes he can still play and that he would fit what the C’s are trying to do. One catch could be the fact the club is not prepared to give Marbury major playing time. He would be Rajon Rondo [stats]’s backup.

Also, were he to come here, it would have to be for the pro-rated portion of the $1.2 million NBA veteran minimum. The Celtics do have some $2.3 million of their mid-level exception available, but Ainge has said the club is only willing to use the veteran minimum because of the tax ramifications. The Celts are over the luxury tax threshold and must pay the league an equal amount to each dollar beyond the line.

Marbury told The Post he could choose from two NBA teams if the Knicks buy him out, but he would name only the Celts.

“The question to be asked to the Knicks is: Are they fearful for me playing for another Eastern Conference team? My thing is, they shouldn’t be fearful,” Marbury was quoted as saying. “They’re trying to get under the cap for 2010. They shouldn’t be worried about me. You had guys saying I was a distraction, I’m a cancer. If I’m all those things, wouldn’t you want me to go to another team?

“It shouldn’t matter that I go to Boston if you’re the eighth seed and Boston is in the front. It can’t be about money. The Knicks got plenty of it. It’s got to be personal. If it’s personal, then how is business being done there?”

While the Marbury situation has been ongoing, Miller’s comments came as a bit of a surprise.

“No, we contacted Cheryl,” Rivers said of Reggie’s sister. “I wanted Cheryl to come back, not Reggie.

“Listen,” the coach added, “whenever I see him, I always tell him, ‘Reggie, any time you want to come (back)...’ I say that, but as far as what him and Danny have said, I have no idea. I don’t get involved in that.”

Ainge has left the door open on Miller (and others). The Celts tried to get him to come back prior to last season, and they have checked in with him this year.

“I would consider it if he were in great shape and had a great desire to come back and play,” Ainge said yesterday. “I don’t think that he has a desire to play though. I haven’t gotten any indication that he wants to play since we talked to him last summer and he decided to retire for good. I’ve gotten no hint that him coming back is even a possibility.”

But, again, the Celtics are open to suggestion. And Ainge isn’t necessarily giving up on P.J. Brown or Alonzo Mourning, though both have announced their retirements.

“Until I move in another direction, I have still got their names on my board,” Ainge said. “I think they have retired. I believe they’re not ever going to play again. But it wouldn’t be the first time a player has changed his mind. Remember, P.J. didn’t show any interest in coming back last year until the All-Star break.”

FLCeltsFan
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News 1/27 Jan 27, 2009 7:38:59 GMT -5

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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 27, 2009 7:38:59 GMT -5

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1148054&format=text
Doc Rivers is charting the stars

By Steve Bulpett / Celtics Notebook | Tuesday, January 27, 2009 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by Matt Stone
Doc Rivers will be on the campaign trail as coaches finish voting for the All-Star reserves, but the Celtics [team stats] getting four players named to the Eastern Conference squad would have to be considered a longshot.

Kevin Garnett was voted in as a starter by the fans, and Paul Pierce [stats] is a fair lock to continue his string of appearances. That leaves Ray Allen, who was added to the game last year, and Rajon Rondo [stats].

“I’m going to call coaches and text coaches, and hopefully they’ll vote for all of our guys,” said Rivers. “But that’s up to everybody else. It’s not up to me.”

Asked if it was realistic the Celts could get four named, Pierce said, “I don’t know. It’s in the hands of the coaches. There are a lot of great players in this league, and it’s rare when you can get four people in the All-Star Game.”

Regardin Rondo, Pierce said, “There’s a lot of great point guards. I’m biased because he’s my teammate. I think he deserves it. I think he’s done a great job. He’s shooting just about as good as any point guard, and he’s passing about as good as any point guard. And he’s rebounding better than any point guard. If you throw that combination in, then I think he deserves to be in.”

Tony Allen (strained right ankle) went through yesterday’s workout, but he’s still uncertain for tomorrow night’s visit by Sacramento.

“He practiced, but we didn’t do anything enough that he could really test it,” Rivers said. “We’re going to go hard (today), so if he can make it through (today) he may be ready for the game on Wednesday. That doesn’t mean he’s going to play, but he’ll be ready.”

Brian Scalabrine sat out the practice after taking a hit from Dirk Nowitzki Sunday.

“When Dirk pump-faked and I got that foul, he elbowed me on the chin,” said Scalabrine, who stayed in the game after the hit. “I’ve had some tightness in my neck and a headache. They just held me out today, and I’ll practice tomorrow. No big deal.”

Pierce was giddy after stats were produced and he won a bet with Ray Allen.

“The bet was on who averaged more points against each other when I played in Milwaukee,” Allen said. “He got me, 22.6 to my 21.5. But his field goal percentage was 37 (actually 38.7) and mine was (47.6).

“But look at this number right there,” Allen added, pointing to the Celts’ record in those games. “Four and 12 against us.”

There were just bragging rights at stake, but that can still be a hefty price in these matters.

“Yeah,” said Allen, “because now he’s got me by 1.1 on points? I’m going to hear that.” . . .

Rico Petrocelli was at yesterday’s practice with a corporate group. That meant Ainge was just the second-best major league third baseman in the gym.

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News 1/27 Jan 27, 2009 7:44:35 GMT -5

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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 27, 2009 7:44:35 GMT -5

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2009/01/27/marbury_talks_up_future?mode=PF
Marbury talks up future
Knick says Boston gave a verbal commitment
By Frank Dell'Apa, Globe Staff | January 27, 2009

WALTHAM - Earlier this month, Stephon Marbury expressed interest in joining the Celtics. Now, Marbury is saying the Celtics have made a verbal commitment to him.

Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge declined comment on Marbury specifically yesterday, but had said that because of luxury tax concerns, any free agent interested in coming to the team would receive the veteran's minimum. The Globe reported in December that the team would have interest in the point guard's services if he were available on the open market.

But Marbury's availability depends on him settling his contract situation with the Knicks, and a league source close to the situation said it would be surprising if the Knicks bought him out. And if Marbury does reach a settlement, he still could receive a better financial offer and a starting role elsewhere, instead of backing up Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo.

Marbury told the New York Post he received the commitment from the Celtics two weeks ago - which would have been just after Boston absorbed a 100-88 loss to the Knicks in a visit to New York Jan. 4 - then reiterated an offer to give back $1 million of his remaining salary. Marbury also said he would withdraw his appeal of a $400,000 fine imposed by the Knicks for refusing to play at Detroit in November.

"I know I'll be able to sign with two teams," Marbury told the Post. Miami also has expressed interest in Marbury, who reportedly has been paid about half of his $21 million annual salary.

The final regular-season meeting between the Celtics and Knicks is Feb. 6 in New York. The trade deadline is Feb. 19. The final day for signing players who will be eligible for the playoffs is March 2.

Ainge did respond to Reggie Miller's contention that the Celtics, Cleveland, and Los Angeles Lakers were recruiting him to return. Miller was approached by the Celtics last season.

"Reggie thought I was talking to him when I was really talking about Cheryl [Miller's sister]," Ainge joked.

Miller made the statement on a talk show in Los Angeles, and yesterday would not expand on it, replying to an inquiry with the following text message: "No comment. They have enough on their plate with Marbury. That's the story."

Last year, both P.J. Brown and Sam Cassell joined the Celtics for their playoff run.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers, who directed any Marbury inquiries to Ainge, said, "The flattering part about it is we got it to a point where [players] do like us and they are considering coming. That is flattering for a franchise. Two years ago they didn't return our calls."

The Celtic most likely to be affected by the addition of another veteran guard would be Eddie House, who was 7 for 11 on 3-pointers for the second time in three games during a 124-100 win over Dallas Sunday.

"I don't focus on the things I have no control over," House said. "When you are winning, everybody does want to come here. I don't think anybody wanted to come here when they had an 18-game losing streak two or three years ago. It's a compliment to our team and what we've accomplished as a team, and that's a good thing."

House joined the Celtics as a free agent before last season.

"We knew what we were going to do, so it was an easy decision to make," House said of the Celtics' championship run. "We believed it - when nobody else has belief in you you have to believe in yourself."

Recovery mode
Captain Paul Pierce said the team is recovering from a difficult front-loaded schedule. The Celtics (37-9) have matched their record of last season, but did not play their 46th game until Feb. 6, 2008.

"The schedule is catching up with us," Pierce said. "The second half of the year when we're not playing as many games as we did in the first half, we have more time to come out here and practice."

The Celtics won only twice in nine games from Dec. 25-Jan. 9.

"Maybe it was because of injuries," Pierce said of the slump. "Whatever it was, we're out of the funk and, hopefully, we won't have anything like it the rest of the year. During that time when we weren't playing well, we didn't have a chance to practice, but what we had a chance to do was watch more film. The guys had a chance to see what we were doing on film and started to realize we needed to get back to doing what's right. Watching film, and add that to practice time, and that helped us a lot."

The Celtics are on an eight-game winning streak that started Jan. 11. Four wins on the current streak have been by 17 or more points.

Allen practices
Guard Tony Allen, who has missed 11 games with a right ankle sprain, returned to practice and plans to go full speed today in preparation for tomorrow's game against Sacramento at the Garden. "I'll see how it feels [today]," Allen said. "It felt good to be back with the team." . . . Brian Scalabrine sat out the 45-minute session but plans to be available tomorrow. Scalabrine was hit in the face while defending Dirk Nowitzki early in the second half Sunday. "Elbow hits chin - two shots," Scalabrine said of Nowitzki drawing a shooting foul on the play.

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News 1/27 Jan 27, 2009 7:49:17 GMT -5

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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 27, 2009 7:49:17 GMT -5

KG's All-Star uniform
Email|Link|Comments (5) Posted by Gary Dzen, Boston.com Staff January 26, 2009 05:27 PM

(NBA Courtesy Photo)
Kevin Garnett's All-Star uniform for the 2009 game has been unveiled. Garnett was voted a starting forward for the Eastern Conference alongside Cleveland's LeBron James. The uniform is already available on NBA.com.

Celtics Paul Pierce, Ray Allen, Rajon Rondo, and Kendrick Perkins are potential reserves for the East. Reserves are announced on Thursday

Kevin Garnett's All-Star uniform for the 2009 game has been unveiled.

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News 1/27 Jan 27, 2009 7:50:53 GMT -5

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Post by FLCeltsFan on Jan 27, 2009 7:50:53 GMT -5

www.metrowestdailynews.com/sports/x1475238463/House-right-on-target-for-Celtics
House right on target for Celtics
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By Jim Fenton/Gatehouse News service
GHS
Posted Jan 27, 2009 @ 12:07 AM

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BOSTON — Nine years ago this month, Eddie House put himself in the Pac-10 Conference record book, right next to a legendary figure.

Playing for Arizona State University, House scored 61 points in a 111-108 double-overtime win over California, tying a 33-year-old conference record.

That offensive outburst equaled the number of points scored by Lew Alcindor, who had 61 for UCLA against Washington State in 1967, before he changed his name to Kareem Abdul-Jabbar.

House, now in his second season as a reserve guard for the Boston Celtics, has always been able to score in bunches and finished his college career with 2,044 points.

Since entering the NBA in 2000 with the Miami Heat, House has been a role player, starting only 30 of 557 regular-season games, who can get on a roll from 3-point range.

He has bounced around with eight teams, never staying in one place longer than three seasons.

House has found a niche with the Celtics, though, helping them win the NBA championship last season and playing a role in their 37-9 start this season.

Though listed as a backup to point guard Rajon Rondo, House is more of a shooting guard, and that has been evident in recent games when he has been on target from long range.

In the span of five days, House had a pair of games in which he made 7 of 11 shots from 3-point range, scoring 25 points against the Miami Heat on Wednesday and 23 points against the Dallas Mavericks on Sunday.

House has made 21 of his last 40 shots from 3-point land over the last seven games, raising his percentage to .392 after opening the season going 17-for-66.

The Celtics are lobbying for House to be part of the 3-point shooting contest that takes place on Feb. 14, the night before the All-Star Game in Phoenix.

"He's got one of the quickest triggers in the league and is one of the most accurate shooters over his career," said Paul Pierce. "It'd be nice to have a representative in the 3-point contest if Ray (Allen) doesn't do it."

Allen, who leads the Celtics in 3-pointers (112) and 3-point shooting percentage (.416), would rather House get the opportunity to compete in the contest.

"We need to get Eddie House in the 3-point contest, that's what we need to do," Allen said after Sunday's easy win over the Mavericks. "That's something that needs to happen. He's never been in it, and I think he's been one of the best shooters in the league over the last couple of years.

"It's important the league, somebody, puts Eddie House in the 3-point contest because I think he can win it. He's fun to watch shoot. I think the people in Boston appreciate it because he's quick and he's unpredictable and he makes a lot of tough shots."

House, who tied Dee Brown's team record by hitting six 3-pointers in the second quarter against the Heat, has benefited by a change in the Celtics' rotation of late.

With Tony Allen sidelined due to an ankle strain, point guard Gabe Pruitt has been getting more minutes, moving House over to shooting guard. That has allowed House, who has also been paired with Rondo, more freedom on offense.

"I think it's helped him a lot," said Rondo. "He doesn't have to bring the ball up the court and run the team. He can have a scorer's mentality and play defense."

House is in a groove and is taking advantage of open shots that have been plentiful due to the Celtics' unselfishness on offense.

"I'm just getting open looks, not trying to force anything, and I'm just getting the ball right in rhythm," said House, who is second on the team with 76 3-pointers. "If you ask any shooter, that's when they want to get the ball - in rhythm and open. It's 50-50 when you shoot it. It's been going down, and it feels good.

"We are getting out in transition and making them turn over the ball and then just sharing the ball, making the extra pass and getting easy looks. We have been moving the basketball extremely well the past few games."

House will be in Arizona during next month's All-Star break with his family at his home, and he would welcome the chance to compete in the 3-point contest if the invitation is extended next week.

"If I get invited, I'll go. If not, I'll be at home anyway in Phoenix," he said. "It'd be nice to be a part of that. I'd be going in trying to win it, of course. If I didn't get invited, I'll be home relaxing and spending time with my family."

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News 1/27 Jan 27, 2009 10:10:03 GMT -5

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