Sports News and Trade Rumors: Pro Sports Daily

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July 3

Boston Globe

"The Celtics are putting a full-court press on Rasheed Wallace. Ray Allen, Kevin Garnett, and Paul Pierce joined president of basketball operations Danny Ainge and managing partner Wyc Grousbeck for a three-hour meeting with Wallace in Detroit yesterday, the Celtics offering a contract using their midlevel exception. But Wallace is apparently in no hurry to respond, preferring to weigh approaches from Charlotte, Cleveland, Orlando, and San Antonio, according to an NBA source. Bill Strickland, Wallace's agent, said in a text message that it was a "very good meeting; some contractual terms discussed, nothing agreed to.'' Strickland added Wallace will be "meeting with a few more teams next ..."

C's press for Rasheed Wallace

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July 3

Boston Herald

"The Celtics' hopes are now obvious. Rasheed Wallace is Plan A. The other free agents on their list are strictly Plan B. With the Big Three lending their considerable clout to the recruitment process, a large Celtics delegation visited the 7-foot free agent in Detroit yesterday afternoon and wasted no time in offering him a contract, according to two well-placed league sources close to the negotiations. According to both sources, the C's have offered Wallace a two-year contract for the $5.8 million mid-level exception. Danny Ainge, the team's executive director of basketball operations, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce, coach Doc Rivers and co-owner Wyc Grousbeck were all on hand for ..."

Celtics make offer to Wallace

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July 3

Boston Herald

"A Celtics [team stats] delegation, spearheaded by the Big Three, met with Rasheed Wallace this afternoon in Detroit, according to two well-placed league sources close to the negotiations, and offered the free agent center a contract. According to both sources, the C's have offered Wallace a two-year contract for the $5.8 million mid-level exception. Danny Ainge, the team's executive director of basketball operations, Kevin Garnett, Ray Allen, Paul Pierce [stats], coach Doc Rivers and co-owner Wyc Grousbeck were all on hand for the Celtics. Garnett, long a Wallace admirer, has reportedly jumped into the process as a passionate recruiter - clearly stirred by what the 7-footer can contribute ..."

Celtics have target

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July 2

Boston Globe

"Danny Ainge was on the telephone at his HealthPoint office when the NBA free agent market opened at midnight yesterday. Among Ainge's first calls was to Bill Strickland, agent for center-forward Rasheed Wallace. "I made some calls,'' said Ainge, the Celtics' president of basketball operations. "Rasheed is a guy we have interest in. We made calls with quite a few free agents' representatives late last night from my office to let them know we have interest. We contacted 10 free agents and tried to get some feedback in what they are looking for and their interest long term. But that's about it. Mostly for something down the road.'' The Celtics' interest in Wallace is not for the long term, ..."

Celtics to court Rasheed Wallace

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July 2

Boston Herald

"Danny Ainge kicked off free agency yesterday by targeting a player who reportedly is going to be very receptive to Celtics overtures - former Pistons center Rasheed Wallace. "We hope to meet with him soon," Ainge, the Celtics general manager, said last night, debunking an Internet report that team management already had met with Wallace on Tuesday night. Wallace, who also is expected to receive pitches from San Antonio and Cleveland, can expect a heavy recruiting effort from several members of the C's organization."

Leon Powe, Celtics say goodbyes

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July 2

Boston Herald

"Based on what he has already overcome - homelessness and life in California's foster system as an adolescent, then two knee major surgeries before he ever reached the NBA - anyone with a heart naturally pulls for Leon Powe. Doc Rivers was so shaken in April by news that Powe would need a third knee surgery, the Celtics coach said that, if it was up to him, the relentless power forward would get another contract once the summer began. But the decision obviously wasn't Rivers' to make. The Celtics, strapped for roster space as they delve into the free agent market, have decided to part ways with Powe. That, at least, was the impression given the Celtics forward following a conversation with ..."

Glen Davis monitors offers

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July 2

Boston Herald

"Glen Davis' first free agent experience appears to be off to an expedient start. The Celtics forward's agent, John Hamilton, received what he termed "a couple" of calls from potential suitors after midnight Tuesday. "Things are generally slow for restricted free agents, but I was pleased to have a couple of them call," said Hamilton, who declined to name the teams. "I guess some teams have identified him." Now that the Celtics have made their qualifying offer to Davis, all general manager Danny Ainge can do is sit back and watch the market develop. With matching rights on the young forward, Ainge now gets to see what the market will bear. It could be a lot. "Right now, Glen will be out ..."

Not just Wallace

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July 2

San Antonio Express-News

"It is widely believed Rasheed Wallace is at the top of the Spurs free-agent target list. Yet they are hardly putting all their eggs in the Wallace basket. In addition to Wallace, the Spurs have contacted at least two other big men during the early throes of free agency. According to an NBA source, the Spurs have also been in touch with Antonio McDyess, Wallace's soon-to-be-former Detroit teammate, and Dallas forward Brandon Bass. McDyess would be an intriguing fallback option should the Wallace plan not work out. The Pistons are interested in re-signing McDyess, who returned to Detroit after being included in the Chauncey Billups-Allen Iverson deal last fall, but it is believed he could be ..."

As free agency beckons, Stephon Marbury could use an assist

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July 1

New York Daily News

columnist Mitch Lawrence

"In what's mainly a warm-up act around here for next summer, free agency in the NBA opened at 12:01 a.m. today, with Rasheed Wallace, Allen Iverson, Ron Artest, Jason Kidd and Ben Gordon topping the list of 150 free agents. Next summer, the Knicks will try to sign LeBron James, with Dwyane Wade, Chris Bosh and Amare Stoudemire also potential free agents. As for this summer's market, verbal agreements can be reached today, but players can't sign until the salary cap is set on July 8. A look at the top players, by position: POINT GUARDS 1. Andre Miller - Probably off to Portland in sign-and-trade with Philly, with Steve Blake heading to the Sixers. 2. Jason Kidd - The Mavs plan to offer ..."

Celtics tender offer to Glen Davis

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July 1

Boston Herald

"The Celtics took the first step in their attempt to retain the services of Glen Davis by tendering the forward a qualifying offer last night. But the chase is far from over. Based on his playoff performance - beyond Kendrick Perkins he was arguably the Celtics' best player during the conference semifinals against Orlando - Big Baby is anticipating a big paycheck. According to a league source, Davis, as a restricted free agent, will carry a mid-level exception (approximately $5.8 million) price tag into the marketplace. He also qualifies as a so-called "Early Bird" exception free agent (two years with the same team), meaning the Celtics can sign him for up to 175 percent of last season's ..."

Eddie House stays at home

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July 1

Boston Herald

"The Celtics first move of the 2009 free agent season couldn't have been more effortless. Eddie House, by electing yesterday to exercise the $2.9 million option for the final season of his contract, helped the C's on two fronts. House's decision - a difficult one that was influenced by an economically strapped league which is expected to cut the salary cap by approximately $3 million - may also give the Celtics extra cash to spend elsewhere, though they had other candidates in mind if the guard priced himself out of their range. For House, the choice was hard but realistic. "Eddie and I talked at length about it," said his agent, Mark Bartelstein. "He had two great years for the Celtics and ..."

Davis will receive a qualifying offer

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June 30

Boston Globe

"Celtics president of basketball operations Danny Ainge confirmed yesterday the team will make a qualifying offer to forward Glen Davis. By virtue of that, if another NBA team were to sign Davis, a restricted free agent, to an offer sheet, Boston would have seven days to match it. Davis, whose annual salary is $711,517, increased his value with strong performances late in the regular season and playoffs, replacing the injured Kevin Garnett in the starting lineup. Davis averaged 15.8 points and 5.6 rebounds in the postseason, and hit a game-winning jumper at the buzzer in Game 4 of the second-round series against Orlando. Also, guard Eddie House will decide today on whether to accept his ..."

Danny Ainge must deal with changing landscape

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June 30

Boston Herald

columnist Gerry Callahan

"The Cleveland Cavaliers, who finished four games better than the Celtics last season, traded for a former MVP and one of the top five big men of all time. All the Orlando Magic did after bouncing the Celts from the playoffs was acquire an eight-time NBA All-Star and guy who has never averaged fewer than 20 points per game in a full season. And your Boston Celtics? They drafted a kid out of Tennessee-Martin who is older than LeBron James and Kendrick Perkins, two grizzled veterans who are heading into their seventh year in the NBA. Many people would like to see players stay in school, but Lester Hudson, who will turn 25 in August, has taken it to a new extreme. The Celts' second-round draft ..."

Eddie House may test market

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June 30

Boston Herald

"Eddie House has until today to pick up the option on his contract, which would pay the Celtics guard approximately $2.9 million next season, but last night he still hadn't reached a decision. "We're prepared for whatever he decides," Celts general manager Danny Ainge said. House's agent, Mark Bartelstein, said: "We're kicking some things back and forth. We just haven't made a decision on it yet." Bartelstein recently told the Herald that House wants to remain in Green, but the guard has "outperformed his contract." Though it is purely a formality, Ainge said the Celtics also will make a qualifying offer to forward Glen Davis, giving the team matching rights for the impending restricted ..."

Celts clamp on Claws

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June 30

Boston Herald

"It's a far cry from when Danny Ainge was a young third baseman in the Toronto Blue Jays farm system, but the Celtics announced a partnership yesterday that brought them several steps closer to the way Major League Baseball teams develop talent. As expected, the Celtics joined forces with one of the newest members of the National Basketball Development League - the Maine Red Claws. Red Claws president Jon Jennings, the former Celtics assistant coach, also has formed a partnership with the Charlotte Bobcats, but there's no doubt about the benefit to the Celtics of having a minor league affiliate two hours away in Portland. Like the new NBA D-League franchise in Springfield - an affiliate of ..."

What is next Baby step?

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June 28

Boston Globe

"Glen Davis is still renting a home in Waltham and hopes to return to the team that he began his NBA career with two years ago. The Celtics also hope that the fan favorite who helped keep them afloat without an injured Kevin Garnett is back, and they have a trump card to ensure that it happens, too. But even with all the good tidings, Big Baby and the Celtics know that anything can happen once free agency begins Wednesday. "I'm eager and kind of curious,'' said Davis. "I don't know where I'm going to be. I like security. Not knowing where I'm going to be is scary. But at the end of the day, I'm in a good position where I'm going to make more money. "I'll be very excited to come back to the ..."

Eager to test himself

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June 27

Boston Globe

"Before the Celtics selected Lester Hudson just after midnight yesterday morning, no player from the University of Tennessee at Martin had been chosen in the NBA draft. But that did not prevent Hudson from thinking positive as he sat through the proceedings with family and friends in Memphis. "I thought I was going to go higher,'' Hudson, a 6-foot-3-inch guard, said in a telephone interview. "It was a long draft and I was getting a little upset, but my agent [Lance Young] called me and started telling me the Celtics would be best for me - and that was two picks before their turn. He told me my style of play would fit in with them and the Celtics had only one pick, so I'm going to stay with ..."

Lester Hudson thrilled for opportunity with C's

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June 27

Boston Herald

"ESPN analyst Jay Bilas' best player available chart can be useful, but for Lester Hudson it was an instrument of torture. There were three picks left in Thursday night's NBA draft, "and he had me as the third-best player available," the 6-foot-1 guard said yesterday, traces of panic still present in his voice 12 hours later. "Yeah, I was worried. I thought it was going to run out." But then Hudson's agent, Lance Young, called with encouraging news. Though Hudson canceled a workout with the Celts earlier in the week, the agent said he had been tipped off the C's planned to pick the scorer from the University of Tennessee-Martin. "He said he was going to call me back, but I told him I wanted ..."

Nats finally bust it loose

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June 26

Washington Examiner

"Fans of the bullpen-challenged Washington Nationals have learned a hard lesson this season - no lead is safe. So as the Nats built a big advantage against the Boston Red Sox Thursday night, joy was tempered by memories of good games gone bad. But in the seventh inning, when Willie Harris blasted a two-run home run high in the rightfield stands, giving Washington an eight-run bulge, there was no more trepidation. As Harris circled the bases, the Nats piped Chuck Brown's "Bustin Loose" over the loudspeaker. Whether it was hip-hop music or clutch hitting, the Nationals timing was uncharacteristically on-point Thursday night in a 9-3 victory before a sellout crowd of 41,985, which established ..."

Rondo's agent responds

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June 26

Boston Globe

"The agent for Celtics point guard Rajon Rondo criticized team president Danny Ainge last night for being critical of his client yesterday morning on WEEI's "Dennis & Callahan'' radio program. During the interview, Ainge commented that Rondo has "got to grow up,'' and added, "his presence hurt us'' against Orlando in the Eastern Conference semifinals, that Rondo wasn't a "max contract player,'' and acknowledged Rondo was fined for being tardy to postseason games. "I am just surprised that Danny is speaking, even if he considers it constructively, in a public setting [about Rondo],'' agent Bill Duffy said in a phone interview. "I don't think that it's appropriate to say that about one of ..."

The curious case of Rajon Rondo

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June 26

Boston Globe

columnist Bob Ryan

"There's waaaaay too much smoke for there not to have been at least a small campfire. Something has been going on with Rajon Rondo. Of course, Danny Ainge implies that the Celtics haven't been actively trying to move him. That's a standard GM response. "We love Rondo,'' Ainge said on WEEI yesterday morning, "and Rondo is a player we want to have on our team.'' Check the wording. Nowhere in there does he specifically deny trying to market his 23-year-old point guard. An implication is not a direct statement, so we cannot accuse him of lying. There must be a school where they send these guys so they can learn how to phrase this stuff. Danny also declared yesterday that no one on his team was ..."

Ainge's criticism of Rondo angers agent

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June 25

ESPN.com

"General manager Danny Ainge's verbal flogging of point guard Rajon Rondo on Boston's airwaves -- one day after saying the Celtics were extremely fond of him -- has drawn the ire of the player's agent. Rondo, who helped the Celtics win the 2008 NBA championship and averaged 16.9 points in this year's playoffs, has been the subject of much trade speculation. After telling reporters Tuesday that he does not intend to trade any of the Celtics core players this offseason, Ainge told WEEI on Wednesday that Rondo needed "to grow up" and that "his presence hurt" the team in its seven-game loss to the Orlando Magic in the Eastern Conference semifinals. Ainge also said that Rondo, who is entering ..."

Rumor Roundup: Brand, McGrady, Rondo, Darko, Farmar

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June 25

SI.com

"The 76ers have shopped Elton Brand. ... Other teams "very aggressive" in pursuit of Tracy McGrady, according to Rockets GM Daryl Morey. ... The agent for Rajon Rondo, the subject of trade rumors, is unhappy with Celtics boss Danny Ainge. ... The Knicks are close to acquiring Darko Milicic. ... The Lakers have contacted Houston about acquiring Jordan Farmar or buying their first-round pick."

UConn forward should be worth a second look

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June 25

Boston Globe

"Jeff Adrien's home on High Street in Brookline was a few Green Line stops from Fenway Park and Boston Garden, and he grew up following the Red Sox and Celtics. Adrien's connections have provided him with an inside look at the Red Sox: He has crammed into Fenway seats alongside Brookline High School social worker Paul Epstein, twin brother of Red Sox general manager Theo Epstein. But it was purely basketball ability that earned Adrien a workout with the Celtics Tuesday, likely his last performance as an amateur. Though Adrien's sentiments are with the Celtics, odds are against the University of Connecticut forward being chosen by Boston during tomorrow's NBA draft, since the Celtics pick ..."

The curious case of Rajon Rondo

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June 25

Boston Globe

columnist Bob Ryan

"There's waaaaay too much smoke for there not to have been at least a small campfire. Something has been going on with Rajon Rondo. Of course, Danny Ainge implies that the Celtics haven't been actively trying to move him. That's a standard GM response. "We love Rondo,'' Ainge said on WEEI yesterday morning, "and Rondo is a player we want to have on our team.'' Check the wording. Nowhere in there does he specifically deny trying to market his 23-year-old point guard. An implication is not a direct statement, so we cannot accuse him of lying. There must be a school where they send these guys so they can learn how to phrase this stuff. Danny also declared yesterday that no one on his team was ..."

Relax, heat's off this time around

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June 25

Boston Herald

"There were occasions in the last few years when Danny Ainge's draft night chair was fitted with electrodes and jumper cables. Tonight, however, he gets a chaise lounge. Maybe a cool drink - decorative paper umbrella optional. While it remains possible the Celtics [team stats] could pull off a major trade, the club and its director of basketball operations are clearly in a far different position from those not too distant times when they were selecting a rookie who simply had to play for them in the coming season. With just the 58th overall pick and a team that finished with the third-best record in the game last season, tonight for Ainge is about due diligence and hoping an opponent makes ..."

Celtics low on draft

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June 25

Boston Herald

"There's a passable chance the Celtics [team stats] will finish tonight without any new players, including the 58th pick in the NBA draft. That is the C's only pick in the draft, and it could be dealt away in order to open up an important roster spot for a veteran free agent. "Sure, there's a chance of that," said Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge, who is underwhelmed by the prospects in this draft field, especially the second-rounders. Ainge has more pressing concerns, including a laundry list of conversations with other teams about point guard Rajon Rondo [stats]. To hear Ainge tell it, though there is plenty of smoke circling around Rondo's name, there is no fire. ..."

Ainge dealing in reality

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June 24

Boston Globe

"Danny Ainge is planning for the Celtics to open next season with the same starters they had in 2007 and last year. But he will entertain offers for anyone and everyone and said no Celtic is untradeable - though he considers a trade a long shot. "That's my job,'' said the Celtics president of basketball operations. "We have to listen to what any team has to offer. It's also my job not to stand pat. I encourage my players to get better in their game and my coaches to get better in what they're doing. "We're trying to do the same thing. We're trying to improve our team. We're not trying to change our team, but we're trying to improve it. We have a legit shot at winning it this season and we ..."

Kevin Garnett on mend

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June 24

Boston Herald

"Danny Ainge jokingly put the odds of finding a usable player with the 58th pick in the draft at "3" percent yesterday. A more important issue for the Celtics - indeed, the only one that matters - continues to unfold in Malibu. That's where Kevin Garnett, after a month of rehabilitation in Waltham, continues his comeback from knee surgery. The good news, according to Ainge, is that the Celtics forward "should be 100 percent by the time we start training camp." The date for Garnett's return to the practice floor is a tad hazier. "I don't have that date," said Ainge, the Celtics general manager. "I'm actually meeting with my medical staff (today) to get some updates. But the last (update) I ..."

Danny Ainge blasts Rajon Rondo rumors

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June 24

Boston Herald

"Some call it the silly season. Others, like Danny Ainge, call it a pain in the neck. But from now until next season, and especially as the team moves on from tomorrow night's draft to free agency, rumors are going to buzz the Celtics boss like flies at a picnic. The rumor du jour yesterday was a Yahoo! Sports report that the Celts offered Rajon Rondo and Ray Allen to Detroit for Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey and were turned down. The discussion was said to occur between "low-level" executives. Ainge didn't deny that someone in his organization contacted Detroit. But he also shot down speculation that the Celtics are trying to trade Rondo based on his behavior - such ..."

Danny Ainge sizes up Rajon Rondo rumors

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June 23

Boston Herald

"The NBA Draft may be on Thursday, but the buzz is starting early for Danny Ainge. Today the Celtics [team stats] executive director of basketball operations had to deal with an interesting Yahoo.com report involving point guard Rajon Rondo [stats]. The rumor had the Celts being turned down after offering Rondo and Ray Allen to Detroit for Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey. The discussion was said to occur between "low level" executives. Ainge didn't deny that talks occurred within the two organizations but he did splash water on the theory that the C's were dangling Rondo based on his behavior - like showing up later for a playoff game against Orlando - or contract ..."

UConn star will show C's his stuff

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June 23

Boston Herald

"Jeff Adrien has saved the most familiar setting for one of his last pre-draft workouts. For a kid who competed at Brookline High and then UConn, there's nothing like coming home to play for the Celtics [team stats], the team he idolized. And there'd be nothing like getting drafted by the C's, either. However, Adrien is sensible. "I'll cross that bridge when I come to it," he said. The Celtics will mark Adrien's 14th individual workout since the NBA pre-draft camp May 27-29. On Sunday, he was in Salt Lake City for a workout with the Utah Jazz. On Saturday, he was in Cleveland for the Cavaliers. Leo Papile, the Celtics assistant executive director of basketball operations and Adrien's former ..."

Report: Celtics offer Pistons Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo

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June 23

Detroit Free Press

"Yahoo! Sports' Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that the Boston Celtics offered the Detroit Pistons two of their best players - but it wasn't at a very cheap price. According to the report, the Celtics offered Ray Allen and Rajon Rondo to the Pistons for a package that included Richard Hamilton, Tayshaun Prince and Rodney Stuckey. Despite the intriguing option of adding another expiring contract (Allen) and a young star (Rondo), the Pistons immediately shot down the offer, according to the report. Here is an excerpt from the article: Boston is unlikely to re-sign Allen to a long-term extension next summer, and there is belief around the league that the Celtics have hesitancy about ..."

Sam Jones adds to legend

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June 22

Boston Herald

"Celtics legend Sam Jones will always be remebered for an extraordinary ability to bank the basketball into the net off the backboard from almost any angle. It's a trait Jones acquired at a young age. "I guess it came from the coaches in middle school and high school. Everytime we made a (layup) from the right side or the left side you shot the ball off the backboard. They insisted," Jones said recently. "When I had 10 or 12 feet I used the backboard like a layup. I concentrated on a spot. I found it was successful so I did it through high school and college." Jones said legendary UCLA coach John Wooden was another proponent of using the backboard, so much so his teams practiced bank shots ..."

Give this year's draft a one-star rating

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June 21

Boston Globe

"Twelve years ago, the Spurs drafted heralded power forward Tim Duncan of Wake Forest with the No. 1 overall pick. University of Utah forward Keith Van Horn was selected second by the 76ers, followed by Chauncey Billups (Celtics), Antonio Daniels (Grizzlies), and Tony Battie (Nuggets) at Nos. 3-5. Duncan has won four NBA championships, is a two-time Most Valuable Player, and his name comes up in any discussion of the game's greatest power forwards. Van Horn? The journeyman is retired in Colorado, was never an All-Star, and averaged 20 points per game only one season in a nine-year career. Besides Duncan, of the top five picks in 1997, only Billups had some individual success. It's hard to ..."

Honoring a big shot

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June 21

Boston Globe

"It's one of those stories that's instantly infamous: Sam Jones, Wilt Chamberlain, and the stool. For what it's worth, Jones says, he and Chamberlain were the best of friends. "Except when we were on the floor,'' Jones said. On the court, Jones would make it a point to torture Chamberlain. They'd be alone in the open court, and if Jones had the ball, he just couldn't help himself. C'mon, big guy, you can get it. Jones would wait for Chamberlain to come out and guard him, then he'd launch one of the smoothest jumpers the NBA has ever seen - over Chamberlain's arms - and shriek, "Too late.'' The lip service was all fun and games. The stool, which came into play during Game 5 of the 1962 ..."

Money where his mouth is

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June 21

Boston Herald

"Chillin' and grilling for the average Joe means a backyard bash and a few brewskis. For Celtics center Kendrick Perkins it involves a smile brimming with diamonds, the bejeweled mouthpiece of the elite rap and sports set. That the Celtics center recently spent thousands on oral bling is no surprise to jeweler Richard Berberian of Reading, who has dozens celebrity clients on his roster. "If they win, I win," Berberian said of Boston's players and "playas." More surprising is the unpretentious locale of Berberian's business, Elyse Jewelers: an unassuming spot on Main Street in Reading, neatly set back from gas stations, an insurance company and a garden center. "Geographically, it's the apex ..."

Red Auerbach still the (original) king

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June 21

Boston Herald

"Red Auerbach never hid his dislike for the man who just passed him in NBA championships: Phil Jackson. And though the Lakers coach was gracious on the subject of the Celtics patriarch after winning his 10th NBA title as a coach, Jackson has never bothered to hide his own dislike of Auerbach and the Celtics. As much as each would probably be loathe to admit, they have numerous similarities. "Maybe it was more a competitive dislike between them," Danny Ainge said. "But I think there was always respect there. "They were both perceived by outsiders as being arrogant, and they were extremely confident -- that's how it probably looked to anyone who was not on their side. They both had a great ..."

Danny Ainge deals with rumors

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June 18

Boston Herald

"Amid trade rumors that he is offering everyone from point guard Rajon Rondo to center Kendrick Perkins to move up in next Thursday's NBA draft, Celtics general manager Danny Ainge didn't sound like a man particularly encouraged by the possibilities yesterday. "I think it's unlikely," Ainge said of trading up. "It's possible, but unlikely." Though Ainge declined to discuss the rumors involving Rondo, a team source sniffed at the speculation involving the young floor leader, saying, "Rondo's not going to be traded." As for the speculation that the Celtics are trying to make moves now that will clear space for a shot at a member of 2010's highly anticipated free agent class, Ainge said, ..."

Full circle with this ring

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June 16

Boston Globe

"Lakers coach Phil Jackson passed Celtics patriarch Red Auerbach Sunday night for the most NBA titles with 10. Celtics legend Bill Russell handed the NBA Finals Most Valuable Player trophy named after him to Lakers star Kobe Bryant. And Joe Buss, son of Lakers owner Dr. Jerry Buss, made a point of saying his franchise's 15 titles are now just two shy of the Celtics. Although it was the Lakers' time to shine, becoming the 2009 champions by dispatching the overmatched Magic in five games, the connection to the Celtics, their bitter rivals, was oddly everywhere. But of all the Celtics references, none stood out more than the motivation the new champs received from the lessons learned from ..."

These Lakers fans are living in la-la land

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June 16

Boston Globe

columnist Dan Shaughnessy

"Be glad you are not here. The atmosphere is thick and I'm not talking about smog. No. It's the rare air around the Los Angeles Lakers. And it would make you choke. This sounds like homerism, I know, but folks out here are delusional. Sure, they deserve happiness in the wake of the Lakers winning the NBA championship in Orlando Sunday, but it's way over the top. There's talk about Kobe as equal to Michael. Some think Phil Jackson is better than Red Auerbach. And they actually believe they are an NBA dynasty. There's more. All restaurants in LA have been ordered to serve Kobe beef. Los Angeles high school geometry classes are teaching Jackson's triangle offense. Pau Gasol is recording a duet ..."

Just too painful to watch

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June 15

Boston Globe

"Doc Rivers doesn't live that far from Amway Arena. The Celtics coach has been offered tickets to NBA Finals games between the Magic and Lakers, too. But without the Celtics being involved, the admitted poor loser didn't plan on watching any Finals games in person, no matter how easy it would be to get in. "No. I have no intent [of] going," said Rivers, while watching his son, Austin, play in AAU competition in Tampa yesterday. "I watched it because I wanted to see both teams play in preparation for next [season]. Other than that, I'll stay away and spend time with my family. "I've been offered a ton of tickets. A lot of my friends have gone. My kids have gone, and the Magic were gracious ..."

A new Daye on horizon

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June 14

Boston Globe

"Darren Daye noticed that his son, Austin, had a passion for basketball when he was just 3 years old, but he didn't count on it lasting. As Austin continued to grow and get better, Daye, the ex-Celtic, went so far as to tell his son that his chances of making the NBA were slim. His father wanted him to concentrate on school. But now, with his son having garnered the interest of the NBA after two years at Gonzaga, Darren Daye has become a true believer that Austin is ready to leave school early for the pros. "The most important thing for him is to get in the league so he can start getting better," said Daye. "If he's in the NBA, he'll have 24 hours to work on his strength as opposed to ..."

Legacy won't lose its luster

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June 14

Boston Globe

"Randy Auerbach has grown tired of all the cars in Los Angeles driving by with Lakers flags hanging out the windows and all the talk on television that her father is about to be passed in NBA titles. But by the looks of things, it seems inevitable that her father's 43-year-old record will be broken - as early as tonight. Celtics patriarch Red Auerbach is tied with Lakers coach Phil Jackson for the most NBA titles as a coach with nine. But if the Lakers defeat the Magic in Game 5 of the NBA Finals tonight at Amway Arena, Jackson will surpass Auerbach. With all due respect to Jackson, Randy Auerbach said she and her sister, Nancy, do not believe it's fair to compare her father's legacy with ..."

Source: Tom Thibodeau will be staying put

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June 14

Boston Herald

"Tom Thibodeau, according to a league source, is about to sign a new contract with the Celtics, bringing the team's associate coach back to Square One after his relatively short search for a head coaching job. Only the length of the new deal is uncertain, though Thibodeau, with an eye on moving up, has worked each of the last two years on one-year contracts. Thibodeau is also developing a reputation for getting cold feet. Though he appeared to see the writing on the wall last week by withdrawing his name for consideration a day before the Kings hired Paul Westphal as their head coach, the NBA source, had another take on the his decision. "He thought it was a bad fit," said the source. "(The ..."

Playin' with Eddie House money

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June 14

Boston Herald

"Just as the real world is cash-strapped, so is that top one percent corner of multimillionaires known as the NBA. Some might think that a valuable role player like Eddie House would do the safe thing and exercise his $2.86 million player option by the June 30 deadline. But the Celtics guard, after one of the more productive seasons of his nine-year career, has the nagging feeling that he can earn more - hopefully with the Celtics. But House's love for his current situation may not preclude him from testing the free agent market next month. "We haven't made a final decision," agent Mark Bartelstein said. "He'd love to stay in Boston. He loves everything about what he has here. The fans have ..."

A promoter of Thibodeau

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June 12

Boston Globe

"Tom Thibodeau's old boss believes the best is yet to come for the Celtics assistant coach. Thibodeau will be back with the Celtics next season, having taken his name out of the running for Sacramento's head coach opening Tuesday. The Kings reached an agreement in principle with ex-Celtic Paul Westphal to be their head coach. Thibodeau was also in the running for the Sixers job before they hired Eddie Jordan. Thibodeau worked under Jeff Van Gundy in Houston and New York before coming to Boston, and while Van Gundy believes Thibodeau will be a fine head coach someday, he also views his job in Boston as one of the top coaching positions in the league. "He's got a great job in Boston with a ..."

Brian Scalabrine delivers at pizza party

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June 11

Boston Herald

"Boston Celtics forward Brian Scalabrine visited 25 eighth-graders from Rogers Middle School in Hyde Park after their second-place finish in the tenth annual ASSISTS community service contest. The students collected more than 3,500 cans of food for the Hyde Park Food Pantry, as well as 75 toys for children at the Home for Little Wanderers. A group of 16 eighth-graders from The Harbor School in Dorchester won the first place spot and earned a trip to Washington, D.C., courtesy of Southwest Airlines."

Tom Heinsohn garners first Daly Award

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June 11

Boston Herald

"When Tom Heinsohn, Lenny Wilkins, Jack Ramsay and Bill Fitch laid the foundation for the National Basketball Coaches Association in 1974, there were 18 charter members. The organization now has 225 members, including current head coaches and assistants and coaching alumni. That group included, until his May 9 death, Hall of Fame coach Chuck Daly. So when the NBCA sought someone to honor with a lifetime achievement award named in Daly's honor, it only made sense to go back to its roots. That's why Heinsohn, who has filled nearly every distinction in the Celtics organization from player to coach and now serves as the team's television commentator, was named the first recipient yesterday."

No Sacramento for Tom Thibodeau

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June 10

Boston Herald

"Celtics coach Doc Rivers said late last night that assistant coach Tom Thibodeau has taken his name out of the running for the head coaching job with Sacramento and will return to the Boston bench. Thibodeau was reportedly among the final three for the position, but Sacramento sources said the club was leaning toward Laker assistant Kurt Rambis, with former Celtic Paul Westphal also close. Thibodeau earlier lost out to Eddie Jordan for the Philadelphia job. Celtics [team stats] director of basketball operations Danny Ainge has said the team will look to re-sign Thibodeau as an assistant if he doesn't get what he is seeking elsewhere. According to Rivers, that deal will evidently be worked ..."

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