News 2/8

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1072135&format=text


McHale has no regrets
Doesn’t second-guess KG trade

By Steve Bulpett | Friday, February 8, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by AP (File)
MINNEAPOLIS - Did you hear the one about how Kevin McHale traded Kevin Garnett to the Celtics [team stats] just because he liked Danny Ainge?

McHale did - and he’s still laughing.

Put aside for the moment that no one could possibly like the Celtics director of basketball operations enough to just give him a future Hall of Famer, there are some logistical issues that would preclude such a covert operation.

“First of all, I have an owner,” McHale said yesterday. “Then on my staff I have like seven guys. So for that whole thing to happen, it would have had to be, ‘OK, this is what we’re doing because we like Danny, but you can’t tell the owner that.’

“Yeah, like that could ever happen. Are you kidding me? We sat down and put every offer on the board, then hashed them and rehashed them. We went over it 5,000 times, and the one constant that kept coming up was that at 22, Al (Jefferson) was the best anchor piece that we could get. That’s what it came down to.”

The criticism and the cracks?

“I just laughed at all that stuff,” said McHale, sitting beside the Timberwolves practice floor in a team sweatshirt and khaki shorts.

“I actually found it hilarious. It’s funny to think there are people who think the business is run like you’re running a good-old-boy network at a country club. Right.”

There is, however, one part of the deal’s aftermath that removed the smile from McHale’s face.

“And I’ll put this on the record,” Minnesota’s vice president said. “I’ve never seen teams lie more after a big deal to try to pacify their fans and say, ‘Well, we offered all this.’ I can tell you that I read three or four things that said a source high up in Organization X said they offered this, this and this. I wish they had. Then we might have had more competition in the deal. But it just wasn’t true. People came out after the trade and said Boston didn’t give up anything.

“For me, I can either call those organizations out on the carpet and say they’re all lying. Or you can just shake your head like I normally do and just go, ‘Wow, people are really insecure.’ ”

At this stage of his life, security - financial or otherwise - is not an issue for McHale.

“I’m not worried about looking good (from the trade) so I can get another job,” he said. “My next job is hunting and fishing.”

And he doesn’t go hunting with !!!GREENIAC!!! Cheney, so the shots he took were easy to survive.

“A long time ago I came to the conclusion that I wasn’t nearly as good as people said I was or nearly as bad as people said I was,” McHale said. “I’m just who I am.”

Odd as it may have seemed to some, the decision to move Garnett was born of financial logic. The Wolves weren’t winning with their high-priced star, and Garnett’s contract was making it hard to build a quality team around him. Something had to give - and owner Glen Taylor had tired of giving for such modest return.

As McHale recalls, “The owner one day said, ‘This is the direction I’m going to go in,’ and I said, ‘Yeah.’ Hey, it’s his money. You work for him. But I looked at Glen and said, ‘Yeah, I think it is time for us to move in a new direction.’ So it wasn’t like I was completely against it.

“Actually it was pretty easy once we made the decision. It was more difficult being a 51-, 52-, 53-win team and not being able to get over the hump. We were a good team, but it was hard for us to get better with the financial situation that we were in. With Kevin signing prior to the new agreement, it was tough.”

Things haven’t been as tough around the Wolves’ offices lately, as wins have started to trickle in - evidence that McHale may not have been completely out of his mind last July.

“Look, I took over a team that won 21 games and it didn’t have nearly the character or the quality of kids that we have right now,” said McHale, whose 10-37 club entertains the Celtics tonight. “So I don’t think there’s any doubt that this building process is a lot further along. We went from 21 to 58 in that stretch and then we just got to the point with a lot of other issues that we decided we were probably going to have to go make a change.”

Sound thinking, perhaps, but not nearly as funny as the Ainge joke.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1072136&format=text

Allen getting legs back under him

By Mark Murphy | Friday, February 8, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | Boston Celtics

Photo by Matthew Healey
In a young career that has had more undulations than the Rocky Mountains, Tony Allen was able to celebrate his latest rise with rare style Wednesday night.

After exploding off the baseline with one of his most emphatic dunks of the season, the 26-year-old swingman picked up the ball and handed it to Celtics [team stats] co-owner Wyc Grousbeck - as always seated in his baseline chair next to the basket support.

The scene was a far cry from just over a year ago, when during an early January game Allen crumbled to the ground following a gratuitous dunk attempt.

The injury, which sent Allen to his second major knee surgery in as many years, occurred at the same spot on the floor.

For those unfamiliar with how many false stops and starts Allen has had this season - especially where confidence in his knee is concerned - Wednesday night’s handoff to Grousbeck might have represented progress.

But as Allen himself has admitted many times, consistency counts for at least as much as the occasional monster dunk.

“I’d say he’s around 85 percent right now,” Kendrick Perkins [stats], one of Allen’s oldest friends on the team, said of the man who dresses at the next locker.

According to Perkins, all sorts of issues have been dogging Allen, from his knee to the fact that he’ll be a restricted free agent next summer.

He has a lot to play for.

“He just has to stop worrying about his contract and his knee,” said Perkins. “But he’s human. He just has to stay positive.”

And then there’s the matter of focus.

Celtics coach Doc Rivers, after investing significant time and direction in Allen’s development and recovery from various issues, finally wants to see consistent results.

Though Allen has put up some impressive scoring numbers this season - performances that are reminiscent of last January’s preinjury Allen - those moments have been followed by predictable lulls.

Even after he came off the bench with 17 points Wednesday, Rivers was only mildly impressed.

“He was good,” Rivers said. “When he attacks the basket instead of settling for jumpers, that’s what we want to see.

“I don’t want him shooting jumpers,” said Rivers. “Someone with his ability should keep attacking the basket. I also don’t like when he dances with the ball, and he did some of that (Wednesday).”

But as evidenced by the way he guarded LeBron James in Tuesday’s loss in Cleveland, Allen has made serious strides.

“I think he’s growing as the year goes along,” said Paul Pierce [stats]. “Getting the confidence in his leg is more important than anything for him, still. He has to have the mobility that comes with being a defensive stopper, and being the guy who can guard anyone from the 1 to the 3.”

Celtics notes

Kevin Garnett accompanied the team to Minnesota for tonight’s game. The Timberwolves have not planned anything formal for their former star.

Considering all of the we’ll-see-them-again comments expressed by the Timberwolves following a Jan. 25 loss to the Celts at the Garden, a spirited night is expected.

“With all of the trades between the teams, it’s been that way for the last four years,” said Pierce.

Said Rivers: “They’ll be up for the game. They feel they should have won here, and they’re playing terrific right now. But I know one guy who would get us fired up for this will be in street clothes.”

[FLCeltsFan]

www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/other_nba/view.bg?articleid=1072140&format=text

Cassell rips Globe story
Rockets soar away from Cavs; Sixers cool heat

By Herald staff and wire services | Friday, February 8, 2008 | www.bostonherald.com | NBA Coverage

Photo by AP (file)
While Sam Cassell acknowledges he’s unhappy the Los Angeles Clippers are losing, the veteran point guard made it clear yesterday he’s not lobbying to play elsewhere.

The Boston Globe reported Cassell was trying to buy out his contract so he could play for the Eastern Conference-leading Celtics [team stats]. Cassell, averaging 13.1 points and a team-leading 4.5 assists in 34 games, is earning $6.1 million this season - the final year of his contract.

“There’s no truth to it,” Cassell said by telephone from Toronto, where the Clippers play tonight. “I never said I wanted to buy out my contract. There have been no negotiations, the team hasn’t come to me about that, I have not gone to them about that.”

The 38-year-old Cassell had 10 points and three assists in a loss to the Celtics Wednesday night.

‘They misquoted me drastically,” Cassell said of the report. “It’s just not right for my teammates to hear I’d be a perfect fit in Boston.”

Cassell referred to television coverage of the published report.

“That’s not what I said,” Cassell said. “The reporter said I’d be a perfect fit in Boston. I’m still a member of the Los Angeles Clippers and I want to win as many games as possible with the Clippers. I’m not happy that we’re losing, but I have a lot of good teammates on this ballclub that I really enjoy being around.”

The Globe said it stands by the story.

Rockets 92, Cavaliers 77 - Yao Ming had 22 points and 12 rebounds as host Houston overcame a poor night from ailing All-Star Tracy McGrady to beat Cleveland.

LeBron James had 32 points and seven rebounds for the Cavaliers, who sorely missed Drew Gooden (groin), their second-leading rebounder.

McGrady was hospitalized earlier in the day with an upper respiratory infection and strep throat. He arrived at the arena less than an hour before tipoff and scored eight points on 3-for-11 shooting.

Rockets guard Steve Francis will have season-ending surgery Feb. 25 to repair a torn quadriceps tendon in his left knee.

76ers 101, Heat 84 - Andre Iguodala scored 25 and Andre Miller added 21, leading host Philadelphia to a victory over shorthanded Miami.

Willie Green finished with 14 points and Thaddeus Young 11 as the Sixers won for the fourth time in six games.

Bulls 114, Warriors 108 - Chris Duhon scored 34 points and Joe Smith added 27 to lead Chicago over Golden State in Oakland.

Elsewhere in the NBA - The refurbishment and dedication of a basketball court at the Mahalia Jackson School in New Orleans was among the plans the NBA announced for its “All-Star Day of Service” next Friday, two days before the All-Star Game.

Players, including Celtics star Kevin Garnett, will take part in 10 projects throughout the city, ranging from the rebuilding of homes to the construction of playgrounds.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/02/08/maximum_love_in_minny?mode=PF

Maximum love in Minny
Garnett still means a lot to fans of Timberwolves
By Peter May, Globe Staff | February 8, 2008

Kevin Garnett's abdominal strain and unavailability for tonight's game at the Target Center in Minneapolis has clarified one very important part of Bill Beise's life: The longtime Timberwolves season ticket-holder can resort to his usual day-of-game routine, arriving at his courtside seat, across from the visitors' bench, about five minutes before tipoff.

"Frankly, for the last two months or so, I was feeling like I didn't even want to go to the game," said Beise, a familiar figure to everyone in the Target Center for the way he crouches in front of his seat and holds the game program, looking like a head coach. "It wasn't the happiest day for me when he was traded, although it made it a little bit easier in that he was in favor of it. But to see him live and in person again, right in front of me, with all that energy and passion, I think it would have been just too hard.

"I miss Kevin, that's all I can say. He's not there and it's a big void for me."

Garnett's first return to the city he called home for 12 years comes tonight and, had he been healthy, he likely would have received what former teammate Mark Madsen called "an outpouring of affection unlike has ever been seen in the Target Center for a basketball game. There's a lot of love in Minnesota for Kevin Garnett." Garnett won't play, but there are plans to recognize him before the starting lineups are announced.

One thing we won't see - Garnett watching the game on the bench in street clothes. As he put it Wednesday, "Because I don't wear a sports jacket [and] sitting on the bench and knowing that there are probably 10 steps to the scorer's table to check in, wouldn't probably be the best thing for the NBA, especially with me."

Agreed Beise, "He'd be in Doc [Rivers's] ear in no time to get into the game."

Even though he won't play, it stands to be an emotional time for Garnett, who, until getting traded to the Celtics, had never played for any other NBA team. He arrived in Minnesota as a callow teenager in 1995 and left, a dozen years later, as the unquestioned face of the Timberwolves.

"He gave everything he had to that organization," said Garnett's primary coach in Minnesota, Flip Saunders. "It was nothing before he came. When people think of the Minnesota Timberwolves, they think of Kevin Garnett."


Star in the community
Beise would be only one of many familiar faces Garnett would see at the Target Center. For starters, there probably will be the two men who decided not to re-sign him and then to trade him, owner Glen Taylor and basketball operations chief Kevin McHale. There are the ushers, the clubhouse kids, and the other season ticket-holders. (The Wolves expect a rare sellout.)

But one longtime Timberwolves regular who won't be there is Garnett's brother-in-law, music producer-songwriter James Harris, who goes by the name Jimmy Jam. He has given up his season tickets and will be in Los Angeles presiding over a recording industry awards ceremony for Aretha Franklin.

"This has been a hard year for me in one way," said Jimmy Jam, who used to accompany the Wolves on trips, even flying on the team charter. "I have become a diehard Celtics fan. And that is making me do something I never thought I could do because growing up in Minnesota, the team I followed and always rooted for was the Lakers. After Kevin was traded, I thought to myself, 'Can I be a Celtic fan?' The next day, I went out and got all my Celtic green stuff. I guess that answers the question."

It was Jimmy Jam who befriended then-rookie Garnett a month into the 1995-96 season, when the two started engaging in conversation while parked in a lot by Lunds and Byerly's, a 24-hour grocery store in the Twin Cities. But, Jimmy Jam remembered, the topic was hardly the stuff one might expect from a 19-year-old.

"I told him how much I appreciated watching him play and all he talked about was the community," Jimmy Jam said. "He asked me what the people wanted. What did they expect? He wanted to know about the local charities. All that intrigued me because you don't usually see young people value the advice of elders. He was the exact opposite of that.

"I told him all the people wanted was a good effort, but he was more interested about things off the court. He said, 'I want to touch people.' I told him about Kirby Puckett and everything he meant to the community. He said, 'I want to be like that.' That's pretty impressive stuff coming from a rookie."

Garnett supported a number of Minneapolis-area charities and received a community assist award from the NBA in 2005 for donating $1.2 million to assist the victims of Hurricane Katrina. He also donated $100,000 in 2005 for relief efforts after the devastating Indian Ocean tsunami.

"Here was a guy, who was at the top of the basketball world, doing more stuff in the community than a lot of guys, combined," Madsen said.

On the court, Garnett showed just as much, if not more, passion, the type that parents like Beise could appreciate, as long as he could shield the ears of his kids when he brought them to Timberwolves games. Garnett is well known for having a rather salty and graphic vocabulary during games.

"Kevin loved the fans and he loved the kids," Beise said. "I always told my kids, it's great to emulate Kevin and his passion for the game and his desire for the game. But do not ever speak like he does when he's on the floor."


Spirited revival
Minnesota had one great season with Garnett, the 2003-04 campaign in which he was named the league's Most Valuable Player. One of the celestial performances in Garnett's storied career came in Game 7 of the Wolves' second-round series against the Kings, when he had 32 points, 21 rebounds, and 5 blocks in an 83-80 victory. (You may recall that Garnett was disciplined by the NBA when, before that game, he said he was "sitting in the house, I'm loadin' up the pump. I'm loadin' up the Uzi. I got a couple M-16s, a couple 9s. I got a couple joints with some silencers on them. I'm just loading clips, a couple grenades. I got a missile launcher with a couple of missiles. I'm ready for war." He agreed the language was inappropriate.)

The Wolves made it to the Western Conference finals, losing to the Lakers in six games. One of the great unknowns from that series: What would have happened had Sam Cassell not been hurt? But the loss in Los Angeles in Game 6 represents the last playoff game Garnett has appeared in. The Wolves won 44 games the next season and didn't make the playoffs. Then, they couldn't re-sign Latrell Sprewell and eventually traded Cassell to the Clippers. The next two years resulted in 33 and 32 wins, and the eventual trade last July.

"I don't know why we never got better players around him," Beise said.

"Although the team got worse, it never changed how he played," said Saunders, who was dismissed midway through the 2004-05 season and is now coach of the Pistons. "But I could see it in his face. I'd had him since he was 19, kind of a father figure, and I could see it in his eyes, his expressions. His head would be down a little. When it's not there, you can see it."

But the spirit is back again now that Garnett has been reborn in Boston. Jimmy Jam, who spends a lot of his time in Los Angeles, caught the Celtics-Lakers game there Dec. 30 and plans to be with Garnett over All-Star Weekend. Saunders said he had planned to watch tonight's game (the Pistons are off) because he knew Garnett "would embrace the fans, the people that he knew, and then try to go out and kick [the Timberwolves'] butts."

As for Beise, his dilemma was solved. He had briefly thought about going into the building around 5:30 p.m. and coming out for warm-ups, possibly to link up with Garnett at that point. The two are friends and Beise often text-messages Garnett after a game or leaves a voice mail. Beise had thought about perhaps watching the game from the entrance tunnel so he wouldn't have to witness Garnett up close and personal.

And when Garnett is given a brief introduction before the game?

"I can't imagine why there won't be 19,000 people standing and cheering," Beise said. "And if it's anything other than that, well, then shame on them."

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/02/08/comcast_takes_it_to_a_higher_level?mode=PF


Comcast takes it to a higher level
By Nancy Marrapese-Burrell, Globe Staff | February 8, 2008

For those waiting for Celtics games to be broadcast in high definition, the wait is over. And Comcast has gone one better. Not only will all the games be in HD on Comcast SportsNet's new full-time channel - with the first road game tonight against the Timberwolves - Comcast has launched Celtics On Demand, which will allow viewers to watch games and features during specific windows after they originally air.

For example, you can tune into game replays within four hours of its conclusion, and games will be available On Demand for 24 hours. The HD channel is 852 in classic Comcast communities and Channel 779 in cities and towns formerly served by Adelphia.

"This is exciting," said Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck. "People have been asking us all year about more Celtics content and particularly more HD. Both of those are sort of wrapped up in this announcement. It goes to show what Comcast SportsNet has done since taking control of the channel last year. There has been a real energy and focus and commitment, and it has resulted in this. It's terrific for us and terrific for our fans."

The features will allow fans to learn about the players on and off the court.

"We've seen really amazing ratings growth and amazing interest," said Grousbeck. "Any time I walk down the street, someone will say either, 'I was at the game,' or 'I saw it last night.' Everybody seems to be watching the games. [Comcast SportsNet] has invested in new feature programs so people get to know our players behind the scenes. When they get to know our players, they get to really like [them], and that's huge for us. We have a bunch of great guys on this team and we did that by design."

Comcast NorthCenter Division president Kevin Casey said it was a mammoth undertaking to get everything up and running, but it was worth it. "I think it's pretty groundbreaking and the beginning of a lot of innovative things to come," he said.

Although the Celtics front office expected the team to perform well, Grousbeck said even he is surprised at how well it's going.

"We really thought we had a chance to be pretty darn good this year," he said. "We really thought we'd be contenders, but I'm a little surprised at starting 29-3."

Grousbeck said Kevin Garnett's contribution is practically immeasurable. He learned a lot about Garnett as a person watching him stare at each championship banner at the Garden and discovering how much respect he had for history.

"He's really committed to this franchise emotionally," said Grousbeck.

The Red Sox' championship run and the Patriots' quest for a perfect season commanded the spotlight in recent months, but Grousbeck said there's no jealousy - quite the opposite. "There is more than enough Boston fan excitement to go around," he said. "We've always said if we win our games, we will sell out our building, and it is coming true. Boston fans don't just root for one team, they root for every Boston team."


'Inside' out
Wednesday night marked the end of an era. HBO aired its final "Inside the NFL" program, a staple for 31 years. HBO Sports president Ross Greenburg, who joined the network's sports division one year after the beginning of the show's run, said it was a decision that needed to be made. " 'Inside the NFL' has been a hallmark program for three decades on HBO," he said. "It has been a terrific franchise. But the television landscape has changed quite a bit over the last 30 years, and we have to recognize the realities of the business. I'm not sure we had more than one competitor when the show launched in 1977." . . . NESN will broadcast the Beanpot final between Boston College and Harvard Monday night. The game will be preceded by a half-hour special, "Prelude to a Championship," at 7:30 . . . For baseball fans, NESN will begin its coverage from Fort Myers, Fla., Wednesday with "Red Sox Spring Break Live" at 6:30 p.m. The 30-minute program features Tom Caron and Don Orsillo as well as guests. On Feb. 16, NESN will cover the first scheduled workout for pitchers and catchers with a two-hour program at 10 a.m. . . . Here are a couple of interesting viewership facts from Super Bowl XLII. The record 97.5 million average viewers exceeded the combined total of last year's Academy Awards (40.1 million viewers), the "American Idol" finale (30.8 million), and the "Dancing with the Stars" finale (24.9 million). The Super Bowl averaged 102.6 million viewers in the second half, and an average of 111 million were tuned in when Giants wide receiver Plaxico Burress caught the winning touchdown pass.

[FLCeltsFan]

www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/02/08/cassell_denies_wanting_to_be_bought_out_of_deal?mode=PF

Cassell denies wanting to be bought out of deal
By Associated Press | February 8, 2008

LOS ANGELES - Although Sam Cassell acknowledges he's unhappy the Los Angeles Clippers are losing, the veteran point guard made it clear yesterday he's not lobbying to play elsewhere.

The Boston Globe reported Wednesday that Cassell was trying to buy out his contract so he could play for the Celtics. Cassell, averaging 13.1 points and a team-leading 4.5 assists in 34 games, is earning $6.1 million this season - the final year of his contract.

"There's no truth to it," Cassell said by telephone from Toronto, where the Clippers play tonight. "I never said I wanted to buy out my contract. There have been no negotiations, the team hasn't come to me about that, I have not gone to them about that."

The 38-year-old Cassell had 10 points and three assists in the Clippers' 111-100 loss to the Celtics in Boston Wednesday night.

"It's just not right for my teammates to hear I'd be a perfect fit in Boston," Cassell said. "That's not what I said."

Said Globe reporter Marc J. Spears, who wrote the story, "I've really enjoyed covering Sam Cassell since I began as a beat reporter in the NBA in 1999, and I've always considered him fun and entertaining. But with all due respect to Sam, I stand by my story. I have the entire interview on tape and after talking to me on Wednesday morning, he was quoted saying similar things to other Boston media outlets prior to the game against the Celtics."

[FLCeltsFan]

www.metrobostonnews.com/us/article/2008/02/07/04/3245-72/index.xml

Clark: David Stern’s dream may come trueThe Celtics and Lakers developed a rivalry in the 1980s that, for all intents and purposes, saved the NBA from falling off the sports map. But since 1987, the Celtics have failed to make the NBA Finals, and the rivalry has become more nostalgia than antagonism.


All that may be changing this year. The Celtics traded for Ray Allen and Kevin Garnett, and possess the league’s best record. Paul Pierce finally has the co-stars he was hoping for, and the rest of the support players (Rajon Rondo, James Posey, etc.) have stepped up as well. After years and years of rebuilding, retooling and rebuilding again, the Celtics are finally contenders with a legitimate shot at the NBA Finals once again.


In the preseason, it seemed that the Lakers would be the ones to take a long, hard journey on the road to rebuilding, as Kobe Bryant was issuing (then retracting) demands for a trade out of town. He was unhappy with the way the management was attempting to put players around him. Cooler heads prevailed, and Kobe and the Lakers got off to a better start than most thought they were capable of. Then, last week, the Lakers management pulled off a blockbuster deal that should quiet Kobe’s concerns for quite some time.

By acquiring Pau Gasol from Memphis for essentially a couple draft picks and salary cap fodder, the Lakers vaulted themselves into contender status. The road may be tougher in the West, where teams like Dallas, Phoenix and the defending champs from San Antonio roam. But now, it seems the Lakers have a legitimate shot at returning to the Finals as well.


Gasol has a reputation for being soft and has faltered when he has not had much, if any, help while playing for the Grizzlies. Neither issue should be much of a problem in Los Angeles. Andrew Bynum is a young, physical force on the blocks that should be able to absorb much of the pounding that Gasol prefers to avoid. And, with Bryant on the team, there will never be a complaint about lack of talent around Gasol. This deal even makes life a lot easier for Lamar Odom, who might be best suited as a third or fourth option.

Both the Lakers and Celtics have the pieces in place to at least compete deep into the playoffs for the next three or four years. It’s quite possible that the two teams could meet once again in the NBA Finals and restore the rivalry to its former glory. Somewhere, David Stern is smiling.

[FLCeltsFan]

mvn.com/nba-celtics/2008/02/07/rondo-moving-up-ladder/

Rondo Moving Up Ladder
By 32Fan | February 7th, 2008
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Before the season started we found these positional rankings done by Ira Winderman of the Sun-Sentinel down in south Florida. Mr. Winderman claimed the Celtics had not only the worst center in the Eastern Conference but also the worst point guard. We didn’t get too upset with it at the time because Rondo hadn’t done enough to be respected by the likes of Miami Heat beat writers. But what about now? Objectively, where does Rajon rank?

First lets revisit the preseason rankings done by Winderman:

Wizards: Gilbert Arenas.
Nets: Jason Kidd.
Pistons: Chauncey Billups.
Bucks: Mo Williams.
Bobcats: Raymond Felton.
Bulls: Kirk Hinrich.
76ers: Andre Miller.
Knicks: Stephon Marbury.
Heat: Jason Williams.
Pacers: Jamaal Tinsley.
Raptors: T.J. Ford.
Magic: Jameer Nelson.
Cavaliers: Daniel Gibson.
Hawks: Tyron Lue.
Celtics: Rajon Rondo

OK, the first three I think we can give him, without arguing too much about what order they go in. Personally I have a hard time comparing Arenas to Rondo because Arenas is not a PG (even though he plays one on TV) and would be a horrible fit playing in a situation like the one Rondo is leading. But lets forget about Arenas. After the first three I think a case can be made for Rondo being next in line. Or at least close. Casual fans might scream that Mo Williams is putting up better numbers but Williams takes six more shots per game and doesn’t have near the weapons that Rondo has to compete with for the ball. I am not a fan of Mo Williams. His team is 17 games out of first place.

The one guy I might put up there with Rondo is Andre Miller. But that is debatable. The problem with any of the other candidates is that their teams stink. And ask yourself, would you trade Rondo for any of them? I wouldn’t. In fact I wouldn’t trade Rondo for any point guard in the Eastern Conference. Mainly because I don’t want to trade any more players who might be great for the next ten years for someone who will be great for two. I’ll take my chances with what we have and enjoy Rondo for the next 10+ years. That doesn’t mean I think Rondo is on par with Chauncey Billups. The potential is there however.

I was going to give my own rankings of the point guards but you know what, why bother? It is obvious enough that Rondo is much better than the worst, over guys like Marbury, Jason Williams, Daniel Gibson, Tyron Lue (who doesn’t even start) and Kirk Hinrich.

As I mentioned, I think Rondo being ranked at the bottom was warranted before the season. I just hope Mr. Winderman is smart enough to realize his rankings need some mid-season adjusting.

[FLCeltsFan]

sports.espn.go.com/nba/news/story?id=3235948

Although unlikely, Garnett wants to play Friday in Minnesota
Associated Press

Updated: February 7, 2008, 7:51 PM ET
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Garnett

MINNEAPOLIS -- The Celtics' Kevin Garnett has not taken the court in two weeks because of a strained abdominal muscle, and it will be a surprise if the 11-time All-Star forward suits up on Friday night for his first game in Minnesota since the seven-for-one trade that sent him to Boston in July.

He said he would like to play.

"But this picture's just bigger than one or two days or what's around the corner," he said.

Boston is an NBA-best 37-9, obviously more concerned about Garnett's condition in April, May and June than his availability before the All-Star break. Even the Timberwolves recognized that, though they wished he would play, too.

"The playoffs and championship are more important than coming here and playing us," said Al Jefferson, who came to Minnesota as the centerpiece of the deal. "If he's not healthy, that's a smart decision that he's making."

The Wolves don't plan an elaborate ceremony. They're focusing on winning the game and getting people interested again in their fledgling team, which recently moved ahead of the Miami Heat and no longer has the league's worst record.

"I'd be the first to say that whenever Kevin Garnett retires, or announces he's going to retire, we will be first in line to hold a ceremony to celebrate all of his accomplishments as a Timberwolves player," chief marketing officer Ted Johnson said.

The Wolves have, however, asked the NBA for extra time during player introductions before the nationally televised game to announce Garnett to the crowd even if he's on the inactive list.

When he's hurt, Garnett is too competitive to sit still and prefers to spend the time during games in the trainer's room. Rivers said he would ask Garnett to be present before the game.

"Sitting on the bench and knowing there are probably 10 steps to the scorer's table to check in wouldn't probably be the best thing for the NBA. Especially with me," Garnett said. He also joked that he doesn't "wear a sports jacket."

This will be the third sellout of the season for the Timberwolves, who required customers to buy a ticket to another game for the right to a seat for K.G.'s return.

Anticipating the buzz kill of a game without Garnett, the Wolves announced late Thursday afternoon that fans in attendance Friday will be given a voucher for a free ticket to one of three other games this month.

Small consolation. Kerry Rauschendorfer, of Minneapolis, is one fan who bought a 10-game ticket package so he could be at Target Center to see Garnett again.

"He gave a lot to Minnesota both on and off the court, and I believe that part of his heart is here," Rauschendorfer said.

Even owner Glen Taylor acknowledged the letdown.

"I was looking forward to it also," Taylor said.

So the show must go on, and the Wolves are eager to avenge their 87-86 loss at Boston on Jan. 25, when Garnett got hurt. They blew a five-point lead with 1:51 left.

"It took me like five or six days to get over that game," said Jefferson, who is averaging 28.8 points and 15.6 rebounds over the past five games. "Most definitely we proved something. They know they weren't supposed to win that game. That's why they were celebrating and showing off. They thought they was going to blow us out."

Garnett and Jefferson got technical fouls for their trash talk, an amusing exchange that included Garnett shouting "11 years! 11 years!" in reference to his All-Star streak and Jefferson countering with this: "I told him we both have one thing in common -- no championships. He didn't like that too much."

It's not just Jefferson who's eager to impress his former Celtics teammates and coaches, of course.

"You want to go out there and beat them. That's the natural instinct you have as a competitor," said point guard Sebastian Telfair, another one of the players who came in the trade.

Timberwolves vice president Kevin McHale tried to shrug off the significance of Garnett's return.

"It's a transient business by nature," McHale said. "You get kind of used to it, I guess."

After a bit of prodding, however, McHale said he'd be happy to see Garnett again.

"I'm not going to go down there and invade their locker room," he said. "I'd imagine if I run into him, I'd like to see him. I love Kevin."

Copyright 2008 by The Associated Press

[FLCeltsFan]

ledger.southofboston.com/articles/2008/02/07/sports/sports04.txt

Cassell rumors spice night



By MIKE FINE
The Patriot Ledger

BOSTON - When Doc Rivers coached in Orlando he made a comment about how he loved Grant Hill as a player. Hill had just torched his team for 52 points and was thinking about testing the free-agent waters, and the NBA wasn’t happy.

It seemed like an innocuous remark, but Rivers received a call from the league’s front office, accusing him of tampering. ‘‘I also said that it was 80 degrees down there, and there were no state taxes. That might have been part of the call,’’ said the Celtics coach.

So when Rivers was asked about Clippers point guard Sam Cassell Wednesday night, he simply said, ‘‘Very nice, guy ... a competitor, too.’’

With their lack of depth at point guard, the Celtics have been thought to be interested in the veteran, who some think is expendable to the flailing Clippers, who dropped a 111-100 decision to the Celtics. Cassell is well aware of the rumors and would relish a new assignment, especially because he’d be reunited with former Timberwolves teammate Kevin Garnett, with whom he played from 2003-05.

‘‘I heard like you guys,’’ the 15-year veteran said before a brief appearance - more on that later. ‘‘Time will play it out. It would be nice ... It would be cool to get back with Kevin Garnett. As of today I’m a Clipper.

‘‘If I came here I’d have to take less money. Winning is the ultimate goal of this game. I still have a lot left in my tank. Right now I’m a member of the Clippers and I’m trying to beat the Celtics tonight.’’

Cassell, 38, says he’s talked often to Garnett. ‘‘We talk a little bit about everything. Kevin’s a dear friend of mine. I heard some teams are interested in me, but it seems to me that Boston’s the team that wants to come to me. It’s gotta be agreed upon by both parties. I enjoy these guys in this (Clippers) locker room. What more can I say?‘‘

If nothing else, the Celtics would be getting a tough player. With 2:54 left in the first half, Cassell slammed Rajon Rondo to the floor under the Boston basket, resulting in a flagrant 2 foul - and his ejection from the game.

Bench steps up

Paul Pierce said he felt a lot better after playing with the flu in Cleveland Tuesday. ‘‘I was a little weak yesterday. I don’t know if I should have played.’’

Pierce, who scored 15 points, got a nice break along with the rest of the starters, none of who played more than 31 minutes, when the bench played all but the final 49 seconds of the fourth quarter. ‘‘I enjoy it anytime I get that kind of rest, especially on a back=to-back night,’’ he said. ‘‘The guys really stepped up.’’

Tony Allen scored 17 points as the bench scored 44 points, Leon Powe contributing 13 points and 10 rebounds.

Pierce scored the first nine points of the game, his first jumper a 3-pointer.

KG speaks up

Garnett on the reason he hasn’t sat on the bench while missing five games with an ab strain: ‘‘One, because I don’t wear a sports jacket. Second, sitting on the bench and knowing that there are probably 10 steps to the scorer’s table to check in wouldn’t probably be the best thing for the NBA, especially with me. But I’m trying to have a positive outlook on this and be positive and share good energy to the guys that are out there. Hopefully they’re working hard and continue to root for them and at the same time trying to keep a good mindset in all this.’’

Garnett was planning to accompany the team to Minnesota, and Rivers said that if the Wolves have any presentation to make, Garnett would come out of the locker room to accept it.

Around the rim

Comcast SportsNet joins the rest of the civilized TV world by going all HD when it broadcasts the Celts-Timberwolves game at Minnesota Friday. The replay of Tuesday’s loss at Cleveland was shown in HD Wednesday afternoon on the newly dedicated HD channel, 852, which is available throughout the South Shore. Towns previously served by Adelphia can catch broadcasts on channel 779 ... Celts center Scot Pollard will be out at least until the All-Star break thanks to his ailing left ankle. Pollard still isn’t running, although he has been riding a bike, doing pool work, elliptical work, etc. ‘‘I hope within a week or two,’’ he said.’’ ... James Posey was hit with a technical foul in the second quarter ... The Celtics turned the ball over 20 times - nine in the third quarter ... The teams shot 64 free throws - 39 by the Clippers.

[FLCeltsFan]

ledger.southofboston.com/articles/2008/02/07/sports/sports02.txt

PRO BASKETBALL: Rondo making all the right moves



By MIKE FINE
The Patriot Ledger

Doc Rivers once read a Harvard study - that’s no lie - that claimed if a student listens to a teacher at least 75 percent of the time, he’ll be a darned good student, which is why he’s so pleased with point guard Rajon Rondo.

‘‘Rajon is right at that limit,’’ the Celtics coach said.

Rondo proved so bright Wednesday night that he managed to listen 75 percent of the time while playing only about 50 percent of the time. It all added up to a new career high of 24 points with eight assists as the Celtics knocked off the LA Clippers, 111-100, at the Garden.

‘‘He’s maturing. He’s growing up in front of us,’’ Rivers said. ‘‘This is only his second year and I’m proud of him.’’

Rondo was a horse in this one, played once again without Kevin Garnett, playing after hitting the deck hard after taking a Sam Cassell flagrant foul that resulted in the Clippers’ point guard’s ejection late in the second quarter and playing only 29 minutes thanks to a great effort by the bench in the fourth quarter.

That’s the funny thing about this one; he was on the floor so little, but did so much early, riddling the Clippers with foray after foray into the paint, almost as if he could do it any way, any time.

‘‘Rondo stepped up,’’ said Clipper Corey Maggette, who scored 33 points. ‘‘Rondo did well attacking the basket. We expected him to be aggressive.’’

Which is exactly what Rondo is expecting of himself these days. ‘‘I just want to be aggressive,’’ said the soft-spoken kid. ‘‘Shots went in tonight.’’

Rondo actually talks a lot about being aggressive, but mostly on the defensive end. One might say he got the job done simply by getting Cassell tossed, although the foul, said Rivers, was nothing that would have gotten a player tossed 20 years ago. Times have changed. In one year, they’ve also changed for the University of Kentucky product, who has become as quick as any guard in the league, and at times nearly as lethal.

‘‘The kid is growing before our eyes,’’ said Paul Pierce, who managed 15 points in only 25 minutes. ‘‘You wouldn’t believe he’s a second-year player. He’s taking full control. We just want him to be aggressive.’’

The Celtics were forced to play without Ray Allen last week in Miami, and then Pierce was struck with the same flu in Cleveland Tuesday, so the youngster was bereft of people to work with. Worse, he’s been deprived of Garnett, who has now missed five straight games and counting. ‘‘It doesn’t really matter,’’ Rondo said, ‘‘but I’ve been more aggressive, I believe, getting to the paint. I wanted to be the guy who gets into the paint establishing for other guys.’’

‘‘I think he’s actually better with KG, and will be when KG gets back,’’ Rivers said.

Garnett’s teammates are now 3-2 without him, and this game was a special case, when the Celtics starters sat out all of the fourth quarter save for the final 49 seconds as Glen Davis, Tony Allen, Eddie House, James Posey and Leon Powe held the fort, increasing the lead to as many as 12 points. It won’t be like that every night, of course, and Garnett’s services will be requested before long.

The forward spoke to the media for the first time since going down with a strained ab prior to the game and said that he’s feeling much better.

‘‘I talk with Doc every day along with the medical staff about my condition and we just label it day-to-day,’’ he said. ‘‘From the day I injured myself up until this day I’ve gotten better each and every day so that’s a big plus. The first three days were probably the most difficult. You don’t know how many movements are affected throughout your core in your abdomen area, everything from coughing to sneezing to laughing and moving around to tossing and turning in the bed at night so it’s been difficult but I am getting better.

‘‘They want to make sure that I’m healthy. We have another half (a season) of basketball to play and that’s the priority here. So I’m trying to be honest and push myself like I always do but at the same time be truthful and up front to how I’m really felling.’’