CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans

No Deal Yet But Talks to Resume Thursday

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 04:22:00 +0000

You can't make this up. Talks between the Clippers and Celtics to allow the Clippers to sign Doc Rivers to coach their team are taking a break so that the Clippers' owner can take another coaching candidate, Brian Shaw, out to dinner. I'm wondering if Brian Shaw feels used. Actually maybe Danny should join in on that dinner because I'd love to see Brian Shaw hired in Boston if Doc goes to LA.

With Chris Paul driving the discussions this time, word from ESPNLA is that the Clippers have relented on their previous unwillingness to surrender only one first-round pick to the Celtics for the privilege to sign Doc Rivers.

Both teams are hoping that an agreement can be reached on Thursday. The deals must be submitted as two separate deals to secure league approval. One deal would be a center swap of Kevin Garnett for DeAndre Jordan. The second deal would be the 2 first round draft picks for allowing Doc out of the non-compete clause in his contract. It's not clear if other players will be involved or if Danny can indeed get them to take on either Jason Terry's or Courtney Lee's contract. But, any player trade must be completely separate from any deal involving Doc Rivers. From the ESPNLA article:

Sources say the Clippers and Celtics, to push the trade through, will have to convince the league office that the deals were not contingent upon each other. According to NBA rules, side agreements or contingencies are prohibited in any trade or free-agent signing. Rules also prohibit coaches from being traded; teams can convey cash or draft picks as compensation to get a coach under contract released from those obligations.

When the talks between the teams broke off on Tuesday, Danny and Doc were to meet today, with Danny still insisting that he wants Doc back in Boston to coach the Celtics. But, according to the ESPNLA article, Doc doesn't want any part of rebuilding in Boston and wants a chance at another ring.

Ainge eepeatedly has insisted the team's preference is for him to remain as coach, even after negotiations to allow him to leave for the Clippers broke down Tuesday morning. But sources with knowledge of Rivers' thinking maintain he no longer wants to coach the Celtics if the team wants to go young.

"He wants another championship or at least another chance at it," one source close to Rivers said. "He doesn't want to go through a rebuilding process."

Rivers' preference, sources said, is to coach next season. He also would have the option of returning to broadcasting if he did not want to continue with the Celtics and an exit to the Clippers could not be facilitated.

They also reiterate that the Clippers are willing to pay Doc $7 million per year for 5 years. To me, it's kind of like when someone has an affair with somebody who is married and then expects them to be faithful. If that's the way Doc feels, I'm ready for him to be gone. But I sure will miss KG. There is also the issue of what to do with Paul Pierce if Doc and KG are definitely gone. The ideal would be to trade Pierce in order to get back even more assets for the rebuild. Danny has until June 30 to make the decision on Pierce's 5 million dollar buyout.

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Haunting Draft Time Memories -27 Years Ago

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Thu, 20 Jun 2013 02:44:00 +0000

Thursday, June 27 is draft day. There is always a lot of excitement surrounding the draft with promises of future stars and a new infusion of talent to the league. This year, even though the Celtics have their highest pick in years, draft talk has been overshadowed by trade talks. But, there is still excitement about what the Celtics will do with that 16th pick. Will Danny trade up, trade down, trade for a second pick? Amid all the trade and draft speculation, my thoughts drift back to another draft 27 years ago. It was one of the most exciting drafts in my memories as a Celtics fan. It was also one of the saddest.

On June 8, 1986, the Celtics beat the Houston Rockets in Game 6 of the NBA Finals. This 1986 team is considered by many to be one of the greatest teams ever assembled. The Big Three of Larry Bird, Kevin McHale and Robert Parish were at their peak and the future was looking bright for the green team. Not only did they own one of the most dominant front lines in NBA history, but they also owned the 2nd pick in the draft, thanks to the trade of Gerald Henderson to Seattle. I was so excited about that draft. I believed that there was a gem in that draft who would rival any of the stars in the league to that time and couldn't wait for him to be a Celtic. A little more than a week after the Celtics won their 16th championship, they selected Maryland star Len Bias with the No. 2 overall pick in the draft.

Bias was one of the most explosive offensive machines in Atlantic Coast Conference history. He was expected to be the link between the Bird era and the future championships that were sure to come. There was a lot of celebrating among the Celtics faithful when the pick was announced. I couldn't wait for training camp to see Bias play with the Celtics' recently crowned Championship team. But then 2 days later, it all came crashing down. I was in the car and the news of Bias's death came on the radio. I felt like someone punched me in the stomach and I had to pull over to let the news sink in. I still feel that pain today thinking back on that horrible turn of events.

It is hard to say what kind of NBA player Bias would have been but those who played against him in college and those who would have played with him as a Celtic say he might have evolved into one of the most dynamic NBA stars of his era, maybe in league history. Some even say that Bias could have been the rival that Michael Jordan never really found during his legendary career. Scouting reports compared Bias to Jordan and said that Bias was a better outside shooter and might not handle the ball as well, but he was bigger and tougher.

He was just 22 years old when he died. At first reports said that he died of a heart attack. But later as the investigation into his death proceeded, reports of cocaine use surfaced and that made his death even more tragic. All reports on Bias said that was a good kid, that he was religious, and a very hard worker. Red Auerbach knew Len since he was teenager, playing on the playgrounds in DC. Bias had been a counselor at Red's summer basketball camp . Red believed beyond a shadow of a doubt that Bias' character was above reproach when he made him the Celtics' pick. Everyone in the sports world was shocked when reports came out about the real cause of his death.

In spite of all of the glowing reports about his character, reality was that he celebrated his selection by the Celtics by using cocaine with some friends in his dorm, and it killed him. The basketball world would never get to see what he could do at the pro level. He would be remembered only by what he had accomplished at Maryland, and sadly, for his tragic death.

When Bias died, Jan Volk, the Celtics GM, made the statement that his death would impact the franchise for a long time, 10 years or longer. He was right about that because the team was still feeling the results of his death up to 22 years later when they would finally win their 17th championship. Of course, it wasn't just the death of Bias as there was the death of Reggie Lewis as well and poor management that set the franchise back. But it was the death of Bias that set this terrible string of tragedy and bad luck in motion.

After the death of Bias, Red Auerbach started to distance himself from the team. He couldn't fathom that this young player, a kid from such a good family, a kid he knew personally, could give up his live for a momentary high with cocaine. Red had adjusted to new owners, the use of agents, the salary cap, huge long term contracts, the players' union, the 3 point shot, and even cheerleaders, but this was different. He just couldn't adjust to seeing a good kid die senselessly because of drug use. When Len Bias died, his death took a little bit of Red Auerbach with it. It may have taken a little bit of every loyal Celtics fan with it as well.

The Celtics finally made it back to the top in 2008 with the trades for Kevin Garnett and Ray Allen. The new Big 3 era had begun. It has been 5 years since that championship and with that era about to end, we can only hope that the Celtics can rebuild and get back to contention soon. But no matter how long it takes, it will never be as difficult as the years after the 1986 championship, when Celtics fans were left to wonder what might have been, and to grieve for what never would be.

Every year at draft time, this tragedy still haunts me. I remember the elation I felt when I saw the Celtics make that pick. And I remember all too well the heartbreak of hearing the news that Bias had died. I still remember where I was when I heard the news on the radio. I just sat there and cried. It's been 27 years since Len Bias died and we don't hear much about him these days. The new Generation of Celtics fans only know the name and didn't experience the heartbreak of his death first hand. For them, and for fans who remember it as well, I recommend the book "Never Too Young to Die" by Lewis Cole. This book tells the story of Len Bias' death and details the events surrounding the tragedy. If you aren't a reader, you can also check out the ESPN documentary Without Bias.

In the midst of all the hoopla over the Clippers-Celtics trade talks, and the upcoming draft, I think back to 27 years ago today when the heart of Celtics nation broke. And, to this day, I can't think about it without a pain in my heart and tears in my eyes.

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They're Baaaaaaak! Celtics-Clippers Talks are Back On

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 23:48:00 +0000

I don't know about anyone else, but I'm getting a bit burned out on these on again, off again, on again talks between the Celtics and the Clippers. First they were deep in discussions. The Clippers call off the talks because they won't include Bledsoe. Danny gives in and is willing to deal without Bledsoe. The Clippers call off talks because they don't want to include 2 draft picks. Doc and Danny were going to talk today and Doc was reportedly going to make his first statement since this all started. Brian Shaw was back in LA for a second interview with the Clippers. It was all over and we were moving on, finally. Not so fast!!

It seems that Chris Paul really wants to play for Doc. And with a nudge by Chris Paul, the Clippers have come back to the table. From Adrian Wojnarowski:

With a full understanding that free agent Chris Paul wants this deal completed, the Los Angeles Clippers re-engaged the Boston Celtics on the Kevin Garnett-Doc Rivers negotiations on Wednesday afternoon, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Clippers have negotiated a five-year, $35 million deal with Rivers that could be worth as much as $8 million annually with incentives, sources said. Garnett will waive his no-trade clause to be a part of the deal. The Clippers would have to pay a $3.5 million trade kicker on Jordan's contract.

But, once again, it's not about the money. It's about Danny wanting 2 draft picks and the Clippers wanting to part with no more than one. Once again, according to Marc Stein, The Celtics are proposing DeAndre Jordan for KG & two first-rounders for Doc Rivers' coaching rights. Also, according to Stein, the deal could be done as soon as tonight.

The fact that Chris Paul has expressed his desire for this deal to get done hopefully will give the Celtics some leverage. Danny proved by walking away and expressing his desire to continue with Doc as coach of the Celtics that the Celtics have nothing to lose if the deal doesn't go through. And if CP3 wants the deal done, that puts the Clippers in a slight bind. Do they give up what they consider to be too much or do they risk losing their prize point guard?

Gary Washburn adds that if the Celtics look for a new coach, they are likely to look for a young coach like Brian Shaw or even Miami assistant, David Fizdale. Shaw has been my pick all along. He's a former Celtic. He's paid his dues as an assistant in good organizations. And, the Pacers' young players have credited him with helping their development. If the Celtics are rebuilding, they will need a coach who can develop young players.

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DevonTe's Discussions: Should Doc Rivers Coach the Celtics?

noreply@blogger.com (devonte brooks) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 20:53:00 +0000

Since the Celtics-Clippers trade talks are done, the question is whether you, as a fan, would like to see Doc Rivers coaching the Celtics this season. I think Doc should come back and coach because he has won a championship with this team. Danny Ainge wants Doc to come back to coach the team. How do you think Rajon Rondo would feel about Doc wanting to coach another point guard named Chris Paul?

As fans, we should accept Doc back as coach because he was trying to help the Celtics get some assets to begin the rebuilding process. . As for now, we wait to see if Doc and Danny can work it out. Lets Go Celtics, as I still say.

(DevonTe is a guest writer for Celtics Green. Check out his Celtics site at CelticsBleeGreen)

Fiddlin' and Diddlin' Celtics Daily Links 6/19

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 18:17:00 +0000

Herald Rivers will meet with Celtics tomorrow
Deal in doubt, Doc Rivers meets Danny Ainge
Column: Spurs' collapse starts at top with Pop
Globe   Final: Heat 103, Spurs 100 (in OT)
Ray Allen reacts to tying 3-pointer, leaving Celtics
Tired complaints about the NBA hold no merit after Game 6
Paul Pierce the forgotten man in Celtics trade talks
Sun Life Financial and Celtics forward Jared Sullinger score big at the Paint for ReVision Family Home
Celtics Green Chad Ford Mock Draft 5.0 + a Couple More Thoughts
Doc to Meet With Celtics Wednesday and Speak on the Situation
Miami Fans Are Who We Thought They Were

CelticsBlog   Where do the Celtics go from here? Post failed deal fallout
Doc Rivers will make first public comments on future since end of season
Ridiculous Upside NBA Mock Draft: Boston Celtics Select Gorgui Dieng From Louisville
ESPN Rapid Reaction: Clippers walk away
KG's goodbye would hurt most
C's ball is in Doc's court
It's Kevin Garnett whom the Boston Celtics would miss most
Lex Nihil Novi Wicks' 26 Leads C's Past Braves
Russell v. Chamberlain: Game 24
Red's Army Your Morning Dump..Where C’s Ball Is In Rivers’ Court
My apology to Stephen A. Smith
CSNNE   Felger: 'If I'm Danny, I'm calling everyone's bluff'
Report: Rivers, Ainge to meet Wednesday
Shaughnessy: Don't rule out Doc deal yet
Tanguay: Boston teams have to win quick to stay relevant
Rivers, Ainge finally come face to face
Allen shoots the Heat into Game 7
Celtics Hub   Decision Day for Doc Rivers?
Green Street   NBA Draft’s Potential Celtics: Providence G Ricky Ledo
NBA Draft’s Potential Celtics: UCLA SF Shabazz Muhammad
Celtics Insider Pierce in Limbo?
Mass Live The Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett trade that almost was: Boston Celtics' discussions with Los Angeles Clippers powered by a love story
NBA Finals 2013: Miami Heat force Game 7, but not before hundreds of fans leave the arena early
The Sports Bank   Tim Donaghy describes how the NBA allegedly fixes games (exclusive)
Examiner   Will Doc Rivers pull a 'walk of shame' back to Boston?
Bleacher Report   How Doc Rivers' Exit from Celtics Would Define Boston's Future
Will Kevin Garnett Spurn Rebuilding Boston Celtics, Retire Before Next Season?
Should Boston Celtics Trade into 2013 NBA Draft Lottery Using Paul Pierce?
Will Clippers' Failure To Go All In On Rivers, Kevin Garnett Cost LA Chris Paul?
Why LA Clippers Must Stay Away From Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett
WSJ   Rivers, Garnett Seek a Final Run
SB Nation   Chris Paul content after Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett trade falls through
ProJo Bill Reynolds: Rivers’ behavior is sleazy at best
St Augustine The Rant: Doc Rivers, Celtics fans, and the deal that left Doc hanging
Opposing Views   Doc Rivers to Clippers Saga Ranks Amongst NBA’s Strangest Trade Rumors
Detroit News   Crawford brothers unite kids, NBA players
Rant Sports   Atlanta Hawks: Free Agency Plans Crumbling Before Their Eyes?
Clipper Blog   How the Clippers could walk away
Press Telegram Can Clippers pick up the pieces and keep Chris Paul happy?
Metro West Daily    With Clippers deal dead, Celtics deal with questions
USA Today   Ray Allen hits one of biggest shots of career for Heat
Patriot Ledger   Celtics’ Doc Rivers’ legacy in Boston tarnished
Deadspin    Doc Rivers Isn't Going To The Clippers. Now What?
Norwich Bulletin   No move is right move for the Celtics
Telegram NBA: Boston Celtics not yet up the Rivers
Concord Monitor Tim O’Sullivan: No healing relationship between Doc, Celtics
Modbee   Is Celtics coach Doc Rivers, like Urban Meyer, bailing on sinking ship?
MNN Scientists study the physics of NBA flopping
Yahoo   Why Jeff Green Should Be a Starter Next Year
Peachtree Hoops   Clippers-Celtics trade breaks down, is good news for the Atlanta Hawks
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Miami Fans Are Who We Thought They Were

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 17:43:00 +0000

After Heat losses, I've been posting the meltdowns from their fans where they turn on every player on the team. In every one, at the beginning of the threads, they love their team, every player is awesome, the Heat are going to blow out the Spurs. By the end of the game, when the Heat lose, every player, including LeBron, is trash. They want them all off the team. The Heat are the worst team ever and they don't want to follow them any more. If you don't believe me, just check out the Comments posts here, here, and here.

Today, the Heat threads were pretty funny. They went from this team is awesome to this team is trash to this team is awesome again. But instead of all those comments, today's meltdown is a little video from Vine.

The game was going on and Heat fans all started heading for the exits. No matter that it was a game 6. No matter that it was the Finals. No matter that it might be the last time they saw their team for the season. They all left. But the Heat came back (with some help from the refs) and tied the game to send it into overtime. When those Heat fans outside saw that the game was still going on, they started to beat on the doors trying to get back in. But alas, they ended the game outside as the Heat finished the comeback win to force game 7. This says all you need to know about Heat fans. They are who we thought they were.

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Doc to Meet With Celtics Wednesday and Speak on the Situation

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 03:55:00 +0000

Doc Rivers will be in Boston on Wednesday and plans to sit down with Danny Ainge, league source says.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 18, 2013

Adrian Wojnarowski reported earlier that Doc will be in Boston on Wednesday and will sit down with Danny to discuss his future and, I imagine, the future of the Celtics. And Steve Bulpett is reporting in the Herald that Doc plans to make comments after he meets with Danny.

According to a league source, Rivers hopes after that discussion to make his first public comments regarding his future since saying on May 3rd that he was uncertain if he would be on the Celtic bench for the 2013-14 season.

Danny has insisted from the start that he wants Doc as the Celtics' coach this season. Now, it's up to Doc to decide whether he can come back and coach the Celtics after flirting with the Clippers' job. It should be an interesting press conference from Doc. Danny isn't sure if anything will be decided in this meeting, but at least they are headed in the right direction. Hopefully he will make his decision and the Celtics can get on with their off season without the dog and pony show that has been surrounding them.

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Chad Ford Mock Draft 5.0 + a Couple More Thoughts

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Wed, 19 Jun 2013 00:57:00 +0000

Chad Ford came out with his Mock Draft 5.0 this afternoon. Let's first take a look at his Mock Drafts 1.0-4.0 to see how his thinking has evolved on the Celtics' pick. In Ford's first mock, the Celtics were projected to go big with 7 footer Kelly Olynyk out of Gonzaga. In this newest mock, Olynyk has dropped to the Pacers who are picking 23rd.

His 2.0 Mock projected that the Celtics would pick Syracuse point guard Michael Carter-Williams. This prompted Carter Williams to say that he didn't want to play in his hometown. Then after he thought about it for awhile, he changed his opinion and said that it would be a blessing to play for the Celtics. Carter-Williams stock has risen considerably since then and he is now projected to go 7th to the Sacramento Kings.

The 3rd iteration of his mock draft had the Celtics picking point guard Dennis Schroeder. Of course, this was right after NBADraft.net came out with the rumor that the Celtics had made a promise to Schroeder. But, since that rumor, Schroeder has worked out with the Bucks and the Jazz, both of whom pick before the Celtics, and both of whom are looking to draft a point guard. Schroeder's workouts have gotten mixed reports with some not going as well as he had hoped. In Ford's 5.0 mock, he has slipped to the Jazz, who are picking 21st.

Mock Draft 4.0 projected that the Celtics would take 6'6" small forward, Shabazz Muhammad out of UCLA. Here is what he said about the pick in his 4th mock.

Analysis: Muhammad might be the most difficult player in the draft to place right now. After coming in with enormous hype, scouts are obsessed right now with the weaknesses in his game. Can he shoot off the bounce? Can he go right? Does he have the athleticism to defend? Is he a selfish player?

Muhammad is working hard to answer his critics and these workouts will go a long way to determining where he ultimately lands. But with Paul Pierce's run with the Celtics nearing an end, Muhammad might be worth the risk here if the Celtics' preferred target, Schroeder, already is off the board.

In Ford's Mock draft 5.0, he once again has the Celtics drafting Shabazz Muhammad. Here is his analysis this time.

Analysis: Muhammad's stock is all over the place. But then again, so are the Celtics. He could go as high as No. 7 to the Kings or No. 9 to the Wolves or even No. 12 to the Thunder or No. 14 to the Jazz. But if he does slide this far, it's hard to see Danny Ainge passing on him. There's just too much talent there, and what the Celtics are going to need -- if they really are going into full rebuilding mode -- is more talent.

Muhammad is ranked 13th on Ford's Top 100 and is ranked 2nd among small forwards. Even though the Celtics immediate needs are for a point guard and a center, Danny said he would draft the best available player regardless of need, so, drafting Muhammad would fit with that. Muhammad is a strong, physical player who is a very good natural scorer with NBA 3 point range. He is an excellent slasher who can finish strong at the rim. He is a good rebounder and and a hard worker. He's not particularly athletic and needs to work on his jumper off the dribble. The talent is there, but if there is an equally talented point guard or center there when the Celtics pick, I'd say that Danny would go in that direction instead.

Sheridan Hoops also put out a new mock draft today, 5.0.1 for them. Sheridan is back to where Chris Ford started, taking Kelly Olynyk the 7'0" center out of Gonzaga. Here is Sheridan's reasoning for the pick.

Never afraid of taking chances on players, the Celtics are high on Giannis Adetokunbo and also would be very intrigued if Dennis Schroeder fell to them.

With Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo and many veterans from last season still on the roster, the Celtics could also choose to give it one more run. Regardless of what happens, the Celtics still need help inside, as evidenced by their pursuit of DeAndre Jordan.

Olynyk would be able to help right away, providing valuable minutes to an aging frontcourt. He is not a freakish athlete but is a solid defender who has a nice touch around the basket.

SI's Mock Draft 3.0 has the Celtics also going big with 6'11" Gorgui Dieng out of Louisville. Here is their blurb explaining the pick.

With or without the core of Kevin Garnett and Paul Pierce -- two players who may not be in Boston when training camp opens -- the Celtics need size. Dieng, 23, has a defensive reputation (he was the Big East Defensive Player of the Year last season after averaging 2.5 blocks and 9.4 rebounds), but his offensive game is better than most think. Dieng is a strong passer with a decent mid-range jump shot. Scouts also say he is one of the best screen men in the draft, a skill that Rajon Rondo will appreciate.

Draft Express, another must read mock draft, has the Celtics going for 6'9" PG/SF Giannis Adetokunbo out of Greece. Sheridan mentioned that the Celtics are high on this kid and Danny personally made the trip to Greece to scout him. The kid has talent and so it wouldn't be a stretch to see the Celtics draft him if available.

The draft is just 9 days away and it's very clear that no one has any idea what is going to happen. Even the top pick isn't certain. As for the Celtics pick at #16, I looked at 45 different mock drafts and found 18 different players slated for that spot. Most have the Celtics going big while a few go with PG's, while others go with unconventional thinking. Here are the results of those 45 mocks:
Dieng 4
Karasev 1
Goodwin 2
Saric 2
Olynyk 5
Schroeder 5
Adams 5
Larkin 2
Gobert 5
Plumlee 4
Pope 1
Nogueira 2
Adetokumbo 1
Muhammad 2
Franklin 1
Mitchell 1
Burke 1
Poythress 1
As I said, they were all over the place. I doubt that anyone really had a handle on what's going to happen. It's going to be made even more interesting by the number of teams who were trying to trade their picks and others trying to pick up extra picks. The Celtics may end up with more than one pick or moving up or down or even out of the draft. It's going to be very interesting watching it play out, that's for certain.

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Fiddlin' and Diddlin' Celtics Daily Links 6/18

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 18:26:00 +0000

Herald   Discussions rare as Kevin Garnett, Doc Rivers await fates
5 things to watch for in Game 6 of NBA Finals
Pete D'Alessandro begins 'dream job' as Kings GM
Globe   Danny Ainge says Clippers-Celtics deal is 'dead', the team wants Doc Rivers back as head coach
Can Doc Rivers return to Celtics now?
Celtics' Sullinger embraces role as a leader in the community
Celtics Green   Some Very Random Random Thoughts on This Trade Business
Rondo and Cousin Sal Pull Prank on a Fan
Deal Called Off or More Posturing?
Doc Still Unsure About Future
Ainge Confirms that Deal with Clippers is Dead

CelticsBlog   In honor of Gino Time!
What is Value?
Clippers call off talks for Doc Rivers - real or posturing?
ESPN   Sources: 'Substantive' talks; no deal
Sources: Clips walk away from deal
Doc Rivers may have burned bridges with Boston Celtics
Lex Nihil Novi Bulls hand Streaking C's an L
Ainge: Mum's the Word on Garnett
Russell v. Chamberlain: Game 23
What was that Winston Churchill Once Said?
Grampa Celtic Talks Bruins v. Celtics
Deandre Who?
CLNS Radio   Boston Celtics Draft Prospect: Sergey Karasev
Red's Army Your Morning Dump… Where the Clippers are trying to rob the Celtics
Report: Clippers call off trade talks for Doc, KG
Report: Doc “unsure” about return to Boston
CSNNE   Maxwell: What will Doc's legacy be if he leaves?
Clippers too cheap to make deal with Celtics
Update: Celtics - Clippers deal dead
NESN   Doc Rivers-Kevin Garnett Proposed Trade Could Bring Danny Ainge Pieces for Future Celtics Championship
Doc Rivers’ Saga Growing Tiresome, But Celtics Fans Must Be Careful as Coach’s Departure Would Cast Wide Net
Report: Doc Rivers-Kevin Garnett Trade All But Dead As Clippers Walk Away From Deal With Celtics
Celtics Hub   Shelburne: Clippers Might Be Done Talking with Celtics
Green Street   NBA Draft’s Potential Celtics: Miami PG Shane Larkin
Jeff Van Gundy on D&C: Doc Rivers has personality to pull off return to Boston if trade falls through
Reports: Celtics-Clippers deal dead, Danny Ainge wants Doc Rivers back
NBA Draft’s Potential Celtics: Syracuse PG Michael Carter-Williams
Mass Live Los Angeles Clippers call off talks of Doc Rivers-Kevin Garnett blockbuster deal
SB Nation Chris Paul Trade To Clippers Dead Due To High Asking Price, According To Report
SB Sun Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett would be huge coup for Clippers
Bleacher Report Kevin Garnett to Los Angeles Would Make Clippers Western Conference Favorites
Do Celtics Owe it to Paul Pierce to Let The Truth Finish His Career in Boston?
Why Danny Ainge Deserves All of the Blame for Boston Celtics Halfhearted Rebuild
Metro Could Boston Celtics be targeting Nerlens Noel?
Wide World of Sports   How the Celtics-Clippers trade could help Rajon Rondo
Enterprise   Paul Pierce’s Boston Celtics’ career is likely over
Chron Rivers-Clippers intrigue and its impact on Rockets and Dwight Howard
Eagle Tribune Muldoon: Doc and the Hypocritical Oath
Pro Basketball Talk Report: Doc Rivers having doubts about going to Clippers
Yahoo Sources: Kevin Garnett, Doc Rivers trade may come down to Clips surrendering 2 draft picks
Metro West Daily Departure of Doc, KG would end an era for Celtics
Purple and Blues The Jazz Could Help Clippers/Celtics Trade
Dimemag   Red Bull King of the Rock: Join the Ultimate 1-on-1 Tournament, Win $20,000!
Doc Rivers Would Apparently Rather Be Anywhere Than Coaching the Boston Celtics next season
SI.com Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett still in the mix for Clippers
Report: Chris Paul would re-sign with Clippers if team added KG, Doc
Clips Nation 2012-2013 Clippers Exit Interviews: DeAndre Jordan
Sheridan Hoops Doc Rivers may be leaving Boston but Paul Pierce already is gone.
Boston Magazine It's Time for Celtics Coach Doc Rivers To Go
Sun Times Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau to Celtics? Not a chance
Deadspin Tim Donaghy On Game 5: LeBron Gets The Road Treatment
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Doc Still Unsure About Future

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 17:33:00 +0000

Y! Sources: After a deal to the Clippers falls apart, Doc Rivers is unsure about his return to the Celtics as coach. http://t.co/dxk7fwtso5
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 18, 2013

Wojo is reporting that Doc is still unsure about returning to Boston, which is to be expected after the drama of the past few days. Danny has informed Doc that he still wants him to return to coach the Celtics. Many feel that it will be impossible for Doc to come back as if nothing has happened. In spite of all that has gone on, if anyone could smooth things over and return, it would be Doc.

Doc still has the option of going back to broadcasting, but he had indicated that he still wants to coach. Wojo is reporting that the Celtics and Rivers hope to reach a final resolution to this whole mess in the next few days. It will also be interesting to see if Danny chooses to give the KG era one more year. They could be contenders if they could avoid injures for one final push together. Then again, until the Clippers hire a coach this whole sordid affair may not be over, in spite of all the assurances that it is.

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Ainge Confirms that Deal with Clippers is Dead

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:46:00 +0000

Danny Ainge confirms to the @BostonGlobe that the proposed Clippers-Celtics deal is, in fact, dead.
— Baxter Holmes (@BaxterHolmes) June 18, 2013

Baxter Holmes, the Globe Celtics beat writer posted this tweet to indicate that Danny has confirmed the reports from the Left Coast that the negotiations have broken off. Danny doesn't want to budge from his request for 2 first round picks and Sterling feels that 2 picks and Jordan is too much to ask for Doc and KG... Danny was giving them a gift even asking for 2 picks. And that my friends is why the Clippers are now and have always been the Clippers.

The ever reliable Adrian Wojnarowski is also weighing in that the deal is done. He adds that Danny has called Doc to tell him that talks are done. Ainge also told him he still wants him as coach, which, given my random thoughts of last night, it doesn't surprise me. In the end, cheapskate Donald Sterling reverted to form and cold feet on the financial payouts needed to close deal.

So now the big question is, will Doc return or will he decide to take a year off to go back to broadcasting. Will Danny change course and try to bring the gang back for one more season or will he continue to go in a rebuilding direction? And, on the other side, what will CP3's reaction be? All interesting questions that hopefully will be answered shortly. This has already dragged on way too long.

[Discuss on CG Forums!]

Update - Deal Called Off or More Posturing?

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:14:00 +0000

The Clippers have called off the deal with the Celtics. Clippers executive said Celtics asking for too much, the Times told today.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) June 18, 2013

Brad Turner, the LA beat writer, sent the above tweet a few minutes ago. But, recall that he sent a very similar tweet at the end of the first day of negotiations. The Clippers are like a little kid who keeps threatening to take his football (or basketball) and go home. Or, maybe like Lucy, who keeps pulling the ball away just as Charlie Brown gets ready to kick it. However you look at it, they are a very moody bunch out there. Steve Bulpett adds this:

Clippers won't give up 2 1st-rounders and Jordan for Doc, KG. Talks done. Celts wondering what Doc wants to do now.
— Steve Bulpett (@SteveBHoop) June 18, 2013

Wojo started the day by saying that draft pick compensation was at the core of completing any deal between the two teams, with Bledsoe already off the table. Danny wants 2 draft picks. The Clippers say that's too much. So, the Clippers say they are moving on with the interviews of Shaw and Scott. Will Danny cave and give in to the LA Bullies? Or, will the Clippers give in and go with 2 picks? Or, will Doc stay and coach the Celtics next year? Stay tuned... I'm sure there's more to come on this drama shortly.

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Rondo and Cousin Sal Pull Prank on a Fan

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 16:02:00 +0000

Jimmy Kimmel had Rondo on the show again before Game 5 of the Finals. To set the stage. A fan comes in for an autograph session with Rondo and Cousin Sal tells him that Rondo has a cold and is a germaphobe. Hilarity ensues. I have to say I love this new lighter Rondo. He and Jimmy Kimmel teamed up earlier with the mean tweets.

[Discuss on CG Forums!]

Some Very Random Random Thoughts on This Trade Business

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 04:01:00 +0000

This whole situation is beyond strange. Just 2 years ago, Doc vowed his allegiance to Boston. He spoke about being loyal and putting that loyalty into action with the 5 year contract. He said that he wanted to be like Greg Popovich or Jerry Sloane and be in one place for a long time. He wanted his legacy to be in Boston. He also said that he was ready and willing to be part of the rebuild in Boston. So, what happened in 2 short years that changed all that?

Today, listening to ESPN Radio, I got a very way out there thought. What if nothing really changed. What if Doc still loves Boston and would still be willing to stay there, but something stronger has superseded that. We know that Doc and Paul Pierce and KG have a very close relationship. Paul and KG have expressed their desire to retire together. Both have said that they don't want to play for any other coach. Doc has also expressed his love for these two veteran players and wants to be with them to win one more ring. The chances of that happening in Boston seem to be slipping away. What if the bond between these 3 men is the impetus for these trade talks.

Danny said that he and Doc have been discussing the direction of the team. They have been working together toward the draft. Doc is reportedly torn about leaving Boston. What if, together, Danny and Doc came to the conclusion that the for the good of the team and for the future, the Celtics had to try to trade both players to get something for them or else, the Celtics would have to rebuild without any assets they could get for them. Knowing that KG won't play for any other coach and won't waive his no trade clause for just any trade, Doc and Danny come up with a plan. They would try to find a team that would take all 3 of them, Doc, KG and Paul, so that they can stay together. Doc could continue to coach Paul and KG and the 3 of them together can compete for one more ring.

that wasn't going to happen in Boston and so, enter the Clippers. The Clippers showed interest in both KG and Paul at the trade deadline. They are also looking for a new coach. They have vowed to be very active this off season to bring in players to surround CP3 so that he will want to stay and so that they will be contenders. When approached, the Clippers were very receptive to bringing in all 3 players. It works for both teams. The Celtics get some assets and a start at the rebuild. The Clippers get veterans and a coach with a championship pedigree.

This is the only way I can reconcile the statements Doc made two years ago and the recent turn of events. There's a lot of "what ifs" in there, but it does make a certain degree of sense. At least in my muddled mind it does. It's a theory and not much else I can come up with would account for such a drastic change in Doc's attitude.

I've also come to the conclusion that I want to go back to the good old days. It was a lot nicer in the old days. The league wasn't nearly as politically correct and the refs weren't perfect, but they were better than they are today. Players played because they loved the game, not because they were getting millions of dollars. There was just a different feel to the game back then.

I also miss the days when players stayed with the same team until they retired and I didn't have to see my heart break as players I grew to love, players who won a championship, were sent packing to another team. I'm still not over losing Perk, as most of you who know me know by now. I do realize why Danny is trying to trade KG and Paul, but it doesn't make it any easier to watch them go.

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Another Day, Another Stall in the Trade Talks

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Tue, 18 Jun 2013 02:25:00 +0000

All day Saturday, we were on the edge of our seats as tweet after tweet announced that the Celtics and Clippers were deep in talks and that a trade that would send Doc and KG to the Clippers was close. Then, at the end of the day, the Clippers did their version of taking the ball and going home. The Celtics wanted Bledsoe. The Clippers wouldn't budge on their desire to keep him. They told the Celtics the trade was off and they were moving on.

Sunday, nothing happened. Both sides just stared at each other across the great divide. Then, just as suddenly as the talks were called off, they were back on again this morning. In fact, the first news we got this morning was that the trade could go down today. So, we waited all day, refreshing our Twitter time lines every few minutes and grabbing every tidbit thrown our way. At the end of the day, the teams are back to staring at each other.

The Celtics were the first to move toward a compromise. After assuring the Clippers that they weren't interested in a deal without Bledsoe, they backed off those demands and today proposed that they work out a deal that involved the Clippers taking either Jet or CLee (or both) to give the Celtics a little more cap flexibility going forward. According to ESPN, the proposed deal would send DeAndre Jordan and Caron Butler's $8 million expiring contract to Boston in exchange for KG and either Lee or Terry. In a separate transaction, L.A. would also send at least one first-round pick to the Celtics to convince them to let Rivers out of the three years and $21 million left on his contract, along with waiving the no compete clause.

At the end of the day, the Clippers still felt the Celtics were asking too much and so once again the talks are stalled, but they are prepared to go back at it first thing Tuesday morning. There are plenty of incentives for both teams to get this done. Bringing in Doc and KG pretty much assures that Chris Paul will re-sign with the Clippers. Also they get a player that just might put them over the top and a coach with a championship pedigree. For the Celtics, it would see as though they have gone past the point of no return for Doc. The prevailing opinion is that there just may be too many bruised feelings on the Celtics for Doc to return.

So, talks resume tomorrow. The Clippers don't want to be taken advantage of, but at the same time, they need to be aggressive in making changes to their club to keep CP3 next season, as well as to take that next step to get out of the first round of the playoffs. Danny may have backed off on the Bledsoe demands, but he's also not going to be taken advantage of. He knows the value of KG and Doc to a team that is close to contending for a title. I'm looking forward to hanging on every tweet again tomorrow, said no one ever. But we all will.

In the meantime, Ramona Shelburne of ESPNLA is reporting that the Clippers have scheduled second interviews with Brian Shaw and Byron Scott this week. It could be they are just trying to gain some leverage on the Celtics by continuing their coaching search.

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Fiddlin and Diddlin Celtics Daily Links - 6/17

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:55:00 +0000

Herald   Celtics: Many questions, few answers
Globe Source: Celtics focus has moved to completing blockbuster Clippers deal
Celtics draft prospect profile: Cody Zeller
Doc Rivers survey
Celtics Green On Again, Off Again, On Again - Deal Could be Done Today
Comments from the Other Side - Miami Meltdown Game 5
Ray Allen Doesn't Like Having His Records Broken
Red Wrote the Book on Coaching - And It's a Good One
Doc Update - Nothing Happening but Everyone Has an Opinion

CelticsBlog Why Bledsoe?
How about a three way trade? Sorting out the Celtics, Clippers stalemate
Rumor: Celtics and Clippers back to negotiating Doc Rivers, Kevin Garnett deal
ESPN   Irreconcilable differences?
Podcast: B.S. Report on Rivers, Clippers
Video: Rondo and Fun With Fans
Lex Nihil Novi Russell v. Chamberlain: Game 22
Celtics (24-3) Down Defending Champs Lakers (25-5) in LA
KG Goes for 27, 22, and 7, but Wolves Still Lose
CLNS Radio Garnett, Rivers and Pierce: All For One, One For All
Red's Army Your Morning Dump… Where we wonder if Doc can even come back
Taking a look at DeAndre Jordan’s game
Doc might be the Clippers coach by the end of the day
CSNNE   Five years later: Looking back at Banner 17
Point of no return: Time to say goodbye to Doc
NESN Report: Doc Rivers’ Likelihood of Remaining With Celtics at ’10 Percent’ and Falling
Report: Danny Ainge, Celtics No Longer Insisting Clippers Include Eric Bledsoe in Deal for Doc Rivers
Celtics Hub Breaking Down The Celtics/Clippers Trade Talks
Why Danny Ainge Deserves Blame for Doc Rivers Trade Saga |
Celtics Town Boston Celtics blog | Celtics news » Boston Celtics trade rumors: Talks have gone too far for ‘no deal’ with Clippers
Green Street   Stephen A. Smith on D&C: ‘A 50-50 shot’ Doc Rivers ends up with Clippers
Report: Celtics, Clippers talking again, considering alternatives to Eric Bledsoe
Mass Live   Reggie Miller discusses the time he almost came out of retirement to join Boston Celtics
Celtics, Los Angeles Clippers back negotiating, hope to complete Doc Rivers-Kevin Garnett deal by end of day
Orlando Sentinel Proposed Celtics-Clippers deal could impact Magic's progress
Gant Daily   Trade Doctoring: Clips keep Eric Bledsoe out of deal talks with Celts
Yahoo Blake Griffin-for-Dwight Howard Trade Talk a Battle of 'sources'
Celtics, Clippers resume push to get Kevin Garnett-Doc Rivers deal done
Bleacher Report Doc Rivers Not Worth Boston Celtics' Ridiculous Asking Price

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On Again, Off Again, On Again - Deal Could be Done Today

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:29:00 +0000

The usually reliable Adrian Wojnarowski is reporting that talks between the Clippers and Celtics are back on and that a deal could be done as soon as today. I'm not holding my breath, but still....

The Boston Celtics and Los Angeles Clippers are discussing possible compromises to including guard Eric Bledsoe into the Kevin Garnett-Doc Rivers deal with hopes of completing an agreement on Monday, league sources told Yahoo! Sports.

The Celtics, it seems, is willing to try to look at other assets to replace the contentious Bledsoe in the deal. Even though we have been assured that the Celtics still want Doc back, it's pretty obvious that there are problems with that scenario.

The prospects of bringing Rivers back to the Celtics have become less appealing for Boston, who understand, as one league executive said, "There's no putting the genie back in the bottle. You can't pretend this didn't happen and just go back to work."

There are rumblings of both Pierce and KG involved this time around. More details coming as soon as they become available.

[Discuss on CG Forums!]

Comments from the Other Side - Miami Meltdown Game 5

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 17:19:00 +0000

Heat fans are priceless. After last game, LeBron was the greatest of all time. Spo was a genius for starting Miller. Miller was awesome. Wade was a top 5 player. Bosh was a beast. Now, LeBron is back to being LeChoke and doesn't deserve his MVP. Spo is a moron. Miller is useless. Wade is less than useless. It's hilarious. And what's even funnier is reading Heat fans complain about the refs or about players flopping. Their team owns the market on both. Enjoy today's Miami Meltdown.... Hopefully there is one more coming.

Wade said it's hard to generate the hate he has for eastern conf teams against the spurs because they are so nice

Every series where lebron has a clear rival or deep set hatred he's great. He was talkin about revenge against the spurs but he doesn't hate them like that... You can tell

Wade all but guaranteed another great performance in game 5. Dude is going all out. I'm going to have popcorn ready

Spurs made a good move. Why cant we start with battier?

Battier can't score as well! Neither can Haslem and thus we are stuck now!

But he can outflop Ginobili and frustrate the hell out of the guy

That's the Wade I like, his attitude on the court is completely different from what I see during all this playoff run !

Duncan is a beast ........ Old beast

It would be nice if the Heat could get the same amount of offense from their "others" as the Spurs get from their junk!

Miller, Haslem, Cole, Chalmers all suck!

James is a bum!

My god Mike Miller can't stay in front of this clown...

Chalmers should be banned from throwing lobs

Tony brothers already officiated a game, why is he officiating again?????

he's such a crooked piece of trash

Getting schooled by Diaw! Go Home Heat your done in 6!

We don't deserve to win anything. The Spurs will win this and the series. Damn we're so inconsistent it's depressing.

I bet if Shaq un-retired he could do a better job than Haslem!

Thank god splitter sucks

The Portuguese term for worthless hack Is Tiago Splitter

Bosh needs to abandon that shot! He can't make it! Spo sucks!

I'm embarassed by how pathetic we look on offense. Lebron air-balled a bunny.

I'll probably get banned for this But there are times I think the Spurs want this more than the Heat

Is Birdman in the dog house or something?? Wtf and Cole can't guard Parker man. Put Rio back in...

Rio can't guard Parker either.

"BUT PARKERS HAMSTRING IS SUPPOSED TO TEAR AT ANY MOMENT!"

Inb4 people begin the LeBron bashing.

Over Rated Chokers

Unbelievable how many BS calls the Spurs have gotten in this series.

Wow there are 2 players who seem to know that we're in the finals Thanks Bosh and Miller.

I REALLY hope the Heat are embarassed. At least the fans are

I'm going to need something stronger than whiskey

Get Haslems bitchass out.

And it's a double digit lead. Get UD and Cole out. They are awful.

Anderson must be in Riley's doghouse

We lost this game, we never win Tony brothers as refs

I don't get this **** team.

This team may win a title but the lack of hunger is one reason why they don't deserve a title. I mean, Gary Neal & Leward are beating your big 3?

Why is Wade playing stupid all of a sudden???

Lebron has been awful this series

This team lacks a championship mentality. Only when pushed does this team care.

Bosh is the only one showing heart? You know something is wrong...

Tony Brothers hates us. We are getting hosed

LMAO@ Rio...get this idiot off the court

Riley must have something to do with not playing birdman yet. I expect him 3rd quarter.

**** YOU HEAT

What are these retards doing? They know Green is their main guy but they have left him open

Are we gonna blame these 3's on Wade too? Or are we ready to talk about this dumbass defensive system we have.

Spoelstra and lebron need to be singled out for this disastrous finals in particular

You have to be kidding me with this **** defensive effort. These guys haven't learned yet about leaving these scrubs open?

So much for " the Spurs can't keep shooting 3's like this". Maybe they'll cool off in Game 8.

INJURED Wade doing all the work while Bron stinks up another final SMH

Ginoboli needs to retire, can't stand his flopping ***

The BIG 3 are being out shined by Danny Green, Gary Neal!

Seriously, WHY are they leaving their 3 point shooters open? This team just... IDIOTS... it's like they didn't learn their lesson the first time.

The Miami Heat are THE MOST frustrating team I've ever supported. How are they just sh*tting the bed so hard. GAME 5 OF THE NBA FINALS. WHAT ARE YOU GUYS DOING?!?!?!

I hope we lose by 70 and they break up the "big3", I cant take this bullshyt lackluster effort any more

I can't even blame the refs, when you play like soft bitches you deserve whatever comes to you..

We SERIOUSLY need LEBRON to GET US BACK IN THIS GAME!!! DONT DEPEND ON OTHERS!!!

Lebron planning on showing up tonight? LeBron: 2-6 FG, 1 assist, 1 turnover, 0 rebounds, 0 blocks and 0 steals.

Impossible for the Heat to play two solid games in a row; Spurs in 7.

Spo is yet to show me a single new thing...Pop owning SpoBot right now..

Say what u want...only guy is saving this team is dwayne wade. I don't know whats going with lebron

Ray Allen never does a good job guarding anybody

Here we go. LeBron's ready.

Lebron is here to play this quarter

Battier is HORRIBLE.

Oh **** you Jeff van gundy, what are you a spurs fan now?

I think we got this game, our guys look hungry and the Spurs (and their shooting) are playing above their heads.

I hope Tony brothers chokes on his f***ing whistle

How much is he being paid by the mob to throw this the Spurs way?

Don't think he's paid off, just naturally hates the heat

Point guard play is awful this season, cant wait till we get a legitimate starting PG and a TRUE center

You might need to wait until after the Big 3 era.

Chalmers a great player for the salary he’s getting.

Need to step up our play, but that filthy flopper from Argentina is really hurting us. He'd better have some fines coming his way after this game.

Kill yourself Ginoboli.

Bosh is playing like trash. This is the NBA finals. When you are getting nearly $20mil a year on a championship team, you don't play "all right", you play like a superstar.

None of the Big 3 have played like superstars for the entire finals. Using your logic I guess they all need pay cuts???

Yep! Wade is a grandfather, Bosh is a woman and Lebron is a choker. Just give the team to chalmers

Ray Allen not too happy about losing Finals record... Maybe he shoulda been guarding Green a bit better this series.

Lebron going back to his Cleveland days

Mario Chalmers is the reason we will lose. I hate that scrub.

Refs are favoring Spurs so hard right now.

Our D is sad to watch! We look like the bobcats.

This team is so stupid.

Chalmers is a scrub

D-Wade is back to playing like crap! Layups aren't the knee, that's lack of focus.

Safe to say last game was a fluke for Wade?

LEBroN AND DWADE SERIOUS!?!?

James will never get a call. These missed layups will kill us.

WADE LAYING ON THE GROUND AFTER HE DRIBBLED THE BALL AWAY INTO 4 SPURS AND WATCHING AS DANNY GREEN RUNS BACK TO THE THREE PT LINE FOR A RECORD BREAKING THREE WAS A REAL DEAL BREAKER FOR HIS TEAMMATES, YOU COULD TELL THAT WAS EXTREMELY DEFLATING AND THEY PROBABLY WANTED TO KILL HIM/GIVE UP AFTER THAT SWING.

**** you battier, green woulda made that

Wade's jumper is back!

WADE FOR GREEN? SEEMS LIKE A FAIR TRADE FOR BOTH SIDES LOL.

Danny Green is a f a g g o t..

It's over, and I don't mean just this game.

I'm starting a raiding party break Danny green's knees and kill the Tony Brothers. Who's with me? Join me on this holy crusade.

C'mon MIAMI, stay poised. Gotta overcome the refs in this one.

CB1 showing y'all what's up!!!

Bosh showing heart!

Spurs are starting to play 'don't lose' ball, not to win

The surs have everything luck and the refs on their side

9 point game. I like that they’re feeding Ray.

Bosh and LeBron blowing it...wow..

*** you bosh...really *** you

Bosh sucks!

Take bosh out please!!! He can't catch anything...

Attention Heat fans for game 6 please leave early so the Spurs have an empty building to hoist trophy!

All up too Wade and Allen now have zero hope in LeCHOKE showing up

The 2011 flashback is here, the return of LeChoke, SPurs in 6.

This is amusing, playing like total garbage.

Lebron too mentally weak these finals

Cole and Haslem have been trash the entire game. I would literally try anybody but those two guys right now.

Spo is OFFICIALLY a complete idiot

Its one thing to play against the ref but to play against our idiotic coach and his rotations takes the cake

Danny Green - 2013 Finals MVP. How disgusting does that sound?

Team full of retards who keep shooting jumpshots

Has LeBron gotten any rest? He looks gassed.

There is no excuse for LeBron, stop it. It's the finals.

I knew Spo getting schooled by Pop would be the true matchup this series. We beat them in talent but it don't matter when your coach is better

You people blame spo after every loss lol. No one here ever blames the players for sucking.

So leaving a guy who is 70% shooting in the finals open again and again is good coaching?

You think spo asks these guys to leave green open?

Wade fouled, argues call Late to defend 3 pointer

It´s hard to win back to back titles you need:
1. Character: Bring it every game
Or
2. A really good coach.
We have neither.

I hate this team

Holy crap lebron sucks

We getting blown out again man. No heart...LEBRON...looking at you bitch

Gutless cowards..can't wait to see another Texas team celebrating a title on our floor

Time for a fresh start, beginning with Spo if they get embarrassed in south beach, not taking this **** anymore. You don't decide to play when you want.

DUMBEST TEAM IN THE LEAGUE RIGHT NOW

I hate Spo's dumb, clueless, video boy face. Sort it out jackass

Admit it. Spurs are the better team. Well coached and their big 3 > ours.

By their Big 3...you mean Danny Green/Duncan/Parker?

I'm not sure what it really means, but tonight was not our night.

It Pains Me To Say this... It looks like every other game is NOT our night

Lebron is pathetic Plays scared when it matters.

The Heat deserve to have to listen to Spoelstra-eze tonight.

Invest my heart and soul and you play like this in crunch time? GTFO here with that BS.

Lebrons legacy ruined again, maybe it motivates him Looks tired? He had three days rest. And from the beginning of the game he didn't have any hunger

How does that sound tho??? He's tired? Df? He's younger than both Tim Duncan & Manu...

Here's a news flash, Ray is the only true CLUTCH player on this team. Only person I can honestly say when a shot needs to be made and it leaves his hand I'm thinking 'yep that's going in'

Bosh & Ray playing with heart!!!

This team gets on my nerves

Wade/LeBron playing like clowns.

Miller brought absolutely nothing to the floor again

I told you Allen wouldn't shoot another three

Hard to win a game when the Spurs are shooting hot, the refs are against you and your own coach is against you...

This team deserves to LOSE!

I wanted LeBron to win last year for his passion and play. This years finals run is the complete opposite. LeBron doesn't deserve to be called a champion right now. SOFT

SpoBot is also once again being exposed as the fraud that I've said after wins & loses. Rarely does he do anything outside of an adjustment between games, that shows he actually knows anything!Clueless!

Agreed, this team, from the coach to the players, is a lot less likeable than last year's.

No more Miller starting. I want Birdman.

These refs man........... Ssigh

WE HAD A CHANCE, AND THE REFS ONCE AGAIN ROB US..

.you can blame Tony Brothers for this master piece.

Team still full of retards lol

LeBron's night in a nutshell:
Let's Tony Parker blow by him for a layup
Blows his own layup
Stays back to complain about foul
Spurs get open 3 on other end
Seriously, this game tonight for him was almost as bad as game 3. I don't get this guy. I have never in my life seen a "superstar" that gets shut down this easily when it counts.

Sorry but LBJ is no MVP period.

First time I truly felt like we got screwed by the refs

I gave no doubt in my mind they cheating us

So Bosh can't rebound, score or show up. What is he even good for? I just don't understand why we didn't trade him for ANY mediocre center.

They should call us the Miami Can't Buy Calls. And some Heat fans wonder why we shoot so many jumpers.

SPO and BOSH must go next season.we cant win multiple championship w/ them.................

Does anyone have the nerve to defend leCHOKE anymore??? An injured Wade is better then him

Don't blame the refs...Miami is a TO machine

*** the refs Bron has been just as bad

If Lebron James doesn't attack the basket 15 times in game 6 , then he deserves to give back the mvp to the nba. It is a shame he spent all that time with the Dream, for what? No real post presence. At least not CONSISTENTLY. All that talent, and not much upstairs.

Hope Tony brothers started his vacation after game 5

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Ray Allen Doesn't Like Having His Records Broken

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:52:00 +0000

Since joining the Heat, Ray Allen seems to have lost some of the class that has always been attributed to him. Tonight, he did NOT react well to Danny Green breaking his record for three pointers in an NBA Finals series. Thanks to @cjzero who caught the moment and posted it on twitter.

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Red Wrote the Book on Coaching - And It's a Good One

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:41:00 +0000

Much of the talk this off season has been about coaches. Twelve teams fired their coaches and are looking for new ones. Of course, there is the Doc Rivers debacle going on. So, it seems like a good time to take our minds off all the Doc talk and go back to the Master and read about his coaching philosophy. Red Auerbach wrote Basketball for the Player, the Fan and the Coach back in 1952. The book sold for 25 cents originally and eventually sold over a million copies and was published in Polish, Russian, Italian, Japanese and Burmese. Here are some coaching tips (and gamesmanship) from the man who wrote the book on coaching.

When a player notices an official's indecision as to an out of bounds ball, he should run over and pick it up with the full confidence that it is his.
Use the hands to hold and block cutters under the basket.
Faking injuries is used for many reasons such as stalling for time and giving the impression that a player will not be at his best.
Some players may agitate their opponents by incessant chatter., refusing to talk to them at all, or even ridicule.
If the opposing team has a high scorer, keep reminding the other players of their uselessness because the scorer takes all the shots.
Grabbing or pulling the pants or shirt of the opponent can be very aggravating.
During the held or jump balla player can go in and out of the circle with the purpose of getting the opposing jumper's timing off.
When an opponent needs one more foul to be disqualified or has a light injury, keep reminding him about it.
Very often slight movement of the body is used to distract the opposing foul shooter.
Jockeying from the bench can be annoying.
When a player has only one foul left before being disqualified, some member of his team should mention it loud enough for the officials to hear. This may result in an official hesitating to call a slight infraction.
When your opponent makes a good play, don't congratulate him, merely mention that he was lucky.
Place the scorer and timer's table near your bench.
It is not advisable to announce your starting lineup until just before the game. If you are away from home, it might be wise to see your opponent's lineup before you give your own.
Wait until the other team has started warming up and then request their basket. This request must be honored away from home.

It's no wonder that Red was alternately copied and hated by opposing coaches, and loved by Celtics nation. He didn't cheat, but he pushed the limit of gamesmanship to give his team an edge, whatever it took to win. When it was suggested that he played dirty, Red would have none of it. He would say, "What's dirty? What's tricky? Hell, what's winning basketball? If it's legal and it helps you win, you do it."

Pat Riley, former Lakers' coach, always felt that Red would do anything to get an edge. When the Lakers were awakened by a fire alarm in the middle of the night in their Boston hotel, Riley suspected Red. There was no air conditioning in the old Boston Garden and Game 5 of the 1984 Finals was played on a humid, 95-degree night in Boston. Riley said Red had the heat turned up in the visitor's locker room at the Garden. Red was legend. He was the standard by which all other coaches must be measured., tricks or no tricks.

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Doc Update - Nothing Happening but Everyone Has an Opinion

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Mon, 17 Jun 2013 02:02:00 +0000

After it was reported that the Clippers had rejected the Celtics offer for Doc and KG last night, nothing much has happened. It's been reported all day that nothing is happening on either side today. Must be all those sources are taking a day off for Fathers' Day. (Happy Fathers' day to all of the Dads out there, by the way). But, the fact that neither team is budging right now doesn't stop everyone from having their own opinions. Here are some that we have gathered. CSNNE's A. Sherrod Blakely feels that even if a deal with the Clippers falls through, it doesn't mean that Doc will necessarily be back with the Celtics.

The potential trade with the Los Angeles Clippers that would have freed up Doc Rivers to coach them is still considered a no-go.

But that doesn't necessarily mean Rivers will be back on the sidelines as the Celtics head coach this season.

A league source tells CSNNE.com that Rivers has not entirely ruled out taking some time off to resume his broadcasting career and return afterwards to coach.

"You guys (media) have been around Doc long enough to know that's always been something he's talked about," the source said. "So it shouldn't come as a surprise. And frankly, now is probably as good a time as any for him to go that route."

There's that ubiquitous source again. Another source feels that this isn't very Doc-like and that it won't be easy to repair once the dust settles.

"This is not like Doc," one league executive said. "This was kind of sloppy and Doc has always done a good job of staying away from this kind of sloppiness."

If Rivers does return as the C's head coach, the need for damage control will certainly be a work in progress.

But the biggest concern has to be with the locker room, especially if most of the players from last season are back.

ESPN's Marc Stein, who has been on top of these talks from the Clippers side, feels that even though there isn't any movement at present, this isn't over.

Two warnings from well-placed insider on Celtics/Clippers talks: Don't be surprised if there's no movement from either team today. And ..

Until Clippers hire a coach not named Doc Rivers -- or until Celtics make official announcement that Doc is staying -- this isn't over

Grantland's Bill Simmons has been the most vocal on the trade by far. Of course, along with being a journalist on the Left Coast, he's also a Celtics fan so he is following this whole saga closely. Here are some tidbits from Simmons on Twitter.

If you think Wyc Grousbeck is OK with Doc Rivers trying to bail after Wyc gave him $35m 2 years ago, then you don't know anything about Wyc.

If anyone else did what Doc tried to pull off these last 4 weeks, they'd be getting crucified. Media loves him, so he's getting a free pass.

I don't blame Doc for trying to bail, but he can't come back now. He just tried to quit on his players. Now he's going to coach them?

I still think this Clips-Celts trade will happen in some form. Celts don't want to pay a coach $7m a year who doesn't want to be there.

Don't rule out this trade: Jordan, Butler, Green + a 1st rounder for Doc, KG + the Terry/Lee contracts. Clips keep Bledsoe.

That last tweet is very interesting. Simmons seems to think that the Clippers may counter with DeAndre Jordan, Caron Butler, and Willie Green along with a first round pick for KG, Doc and Terry/Lee. The Celtics rid themselves of two players who didn't seem to work out and who have 2 and 3 years left at $5 million per year. Caron Butler's contract is $8 million for one year. Not sure if that makes us better but it will cut some salary and if it would put an end to this never ending story, I'm all for it.

Ryen Russillo isn't a big fan of DeAndre Jordan's $11 million per year contract. But, if the Celtics can get something for Doc, they should do it and get the rebuild started. Russillo and Simmons have a good podcast where they discuss all this stuff. It's a good listen and you can find it here.

Brad Turner, the LA beat writer, doesn't think the Clippers will budge off of their offer of DeAndre Jordan, and one No. 1 pick. Boy are they cheap. Doc and KG would change the whole perspective of that team. Think of what KG will do for Blake Griffin alone. If they want to be serious title contenders, and keep Chris Paul, they are going to have to loosen up the purse strings.

Finally, Wojo doesn't agree with Simmons that Doc is burning his bridges. He feels that Doc stays with the Celtics if the Clippers thing falls through and that there won't be any hard feelings. I'm not sure I agree with him. There's bound to be some residual resentment after this, especially from players who saw him ready to ditch them for another team. He also reiterates what the others have said about the talks being stalled for now.

Bledsoe had been in Celtics-Clippers discussions until Saturday morning, league sources tell Y! Boston won't do deal without him.

Within Celtics, this process has never grown acrimonious between management and Doc Rivers. At $7M per season, he remains the coach.

Celtics and Clippers have had no conversation today on proposed deal, league sources tell Y!

This just seems to be rather awkward. I'm wondering how Rondo will react to his coach wanting to leave him so he can coach CP3. We know that Rondo is moody and this can't be good for any of his moods. Also, I kind of agree with Simmons that after Wyc has gone out of his way to make Doc the highest paid coach in the league, and bent over backwards to accommodate Doc's trips home and to see his wife, I think he'll be a little upset with the way Doc is repaying his efforts.

I'm also not so sure that Doc will go back to broadcasting if the Clipper thing falls through. He knows that his assistants' contracts end at the end of this month. If Doc goes to LA, chances are most of them will follow him. Some may stay but the new coach will want to bring in his own assistants, but still most of them will get a new contract. However, if Doc leaves coaching, that will leave many of those assistants high and dry. I may be wrong, but I don't see him doing that to them. But then again, I never would have seen him wanting to coach another team either.

I may be a conspiracy theorist, but sometimes I get the feeling that Doc and Danny are in on this together. Danny realizes that he doesn't have a lot of assets to rebuild and that he'll have even fewer next year if he keeps KG and Paul and they walk. He and Doc get together and plan out this whole thing, realizing that Doc is one of their biggest assets. Doc just wants to coach and sees a good opportunity out in LA. Danny sees a way to get some young players and picks for the rebuild. And that's why it seems so out of character for Doc. All is not what it seems. I'll go get my tinfoil had now.

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Fiddlin' and Diddlin' Celtics Daily Links 6/16

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 20:51:00 +0000

Herald   Celtics, Clippers at impasse over Doc Rivers
Like Doc Rivers, Jason Kidd’s built to dive in cold
Stackhouse: No rush to replace Hunter as NBPA head
Globe   Globe 10.0 Does Doc want to stay?
Doc Rivers had his right to think about other possibilities but the Celtics may be the best choice
Celtics’ asking price for Doc Rivers is rejected
Celtics focus has moved to completing blockbuster Clippers deal
Older athletes are playing longer, pushing boundaries
Celtics Green Celtics Summer Cooler with Grande and Max
Celtics and Clippers Deal Close? Not So Fast
Update- Things are Getting Serious, Teams Deep in Talks
Celtics, Clippers Ready to Talk Trade

CelticsBlog Rumor: Clippers pulling out of Doc deal? (May be posturing)
Taking stock of the "stalled" trade talks between Boston and the Clippers
What's next in the Doc Rivers & Kevin Garnett trade saga? (and what about Pierce?)
ESPN   C's-Clippers talks stall on Bledsoe
Sources: Clippers eye Celtics trio
Sources -- Los Angeles Clippers resistant to trading Eric Bledsoe in Boston Celtics deal
Lex Nihil Novi   Bill Walton and Trailblazers Slip Past Pretty Good Cavs Team
What's Up, Doc?
Porchlight Still on for KG in Boston
Assessing Larry Circa 1985
CLNS Radio   Celtics Beat 6/16 with Rich Conte and Jon Lemons
Red's Army One-on-one with Jared Sullinger
Your Morning Dump… Where Doc’s Hollywood ending has ended… for now
CSNNE   Blakely: 'Things going nowhere' in Doc to Clippers talk
L.A. reportedly rejects C's offer for Doc
Clippers reject C's demands for Rivers
Celtics Hub Clippers, Celtics Trade Talks in Holding Pattern
Green Street   NBA Draft’s Potential Celtics: Greek SF Giannis Adetokunbo
Mass Live Doc Rivers still wanted in Boston despite Los Angeles Clippers flirtation
CBS Sports   Report: Clippers targeting Pacers' Granger as Celtics talks cool
ESPN Latest on what Lakers will do with Dwight
Sources -- Los Angeles Clippers resistant to trading Eric Bledsoe in Boston Celtics deal
Fully Clips   Doc Rivers tells Clippers to hold OFF on trading Bledsoe
CBS Sports   Clippers-Celtics dealings over Doc reveal a coaching industry in chaos
Four Point Play Are the Clippers right to refuse Doc & Garnett?
Inside Social   Clippers, Celtics and talks over Kevin Garnett, Doc Rivers
IB Times All Of The Sudden, Steven A. Smith Doesn’t Sound So Crazy
Dimemag   Report: Doc Rivers Informed Clippers Won't Deal, He's Prepared to Stay with Celtics
ProJo Celtics, Clippers talking blockbuster deal
Bleacher Report Paul Pierce Rumors: Potential Trade Would Be Good for Celtics and Clippers
Clips Nation    Are the 2014 Cliptics a real possibility?
Yahoo   The Boston Celtics Should Not Consider Vinny Del Negro If Doc Rivers Leaves

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Celtics Summer Cooler with Grande and Max

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Sun, 16 Jun 2013 02:38:00 +0000

In case you missed it today, Sean Grande and Cedric Maxwell had the premier show of their new Summer series, Summer Cooler, a 2 hour Celtics talk show on WEEI. They had special guests Bill Simmons and Steve Bulpett on the show to discuss all things Celtics. Here are both hours of today's show in case you missed it. It will be on WEEI every Saturday from 1-3pm ET through September.

Watch this at WEEI

Part 2 is After the Jump.

Watch this at WEEI

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Celtics and Clippers Deal Close? Not So Fast

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 23:33:00 +0000

We've been fed tweets and stories about how the Celtics and Clippers have been deep in talks all day. They were hammering out the final details. We heard that the deal would be done mid week at the latest. Things were moving quickly. Celtics fans and Clippers fans alike have been up and down and turned inside out all afternoon. Now, I see this from Brad Turner, the Clippers beat writer for the LA Times.

Doc Rivers been informed Clippers won't accept Celtics offer. Rivers prepared to stay in Boston, sources.
— Brad Turner (@BA_Turner) June 15, 2013

Wojo says it's not looking good but isn't shutting the door. Ainge wants Bledsoe. So do the Clippers. Hence the impasse. Clippers feel good about both Lionel Hollins and Brian Shaw and don't want to mortgage the farm for Doc and a year of KG. They feel Bledsoe is much more valuable. If Danny backs off then maybe it gets done. If not, welcome back Doc.

Source involved in Celtics-Clippers discussions tells Yahoo! Sports: "Not looking good, but I wouldn't say (it's over) for sure."
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 16, 2013

Final hurdle remains unchanged: Clips don't want to part with DeAndre Jordan and Eric Bledsoe in deal, sources tells Y! Ainge wants Bledsoe.
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 16, 2013

Does anyone else feel like they have been wrung out and left to dry on a bed of hot coals? So, either the Clippers are truly moving on or they are posturing to try to get a better deal from the Celtics. Both are entirely possible. I guess now we wait and see what happens, or what doesn't happen. Hey, how about that draft?

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Update- Things are Getting Serious, Teams Deep in Talks

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Sat, 15 Jun 2013 21:10:00 +0000

Well, that escalated quickly. From Bulpett's piece that they were entering talks to now, it seems as though they are progressing quickly according to Twitter.

Y! Sources: Celtics, Clippers deep in talks on blockbuster deal to send Doc Rivers and Kevin Garnett to Los Angeles. http://t.co/omCv2zPr5c
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) June 15, 2013

Wojo further elaborates on Yahoo.

The final hurdle of a deal centers on the Clippers' willingness to include guard Eric Bledsoe into a trade package with Boston, sources said.

The FINAL hurdle??? They are already at the FINAL hurdle? That tells me that talks started way before just today. No trade works that quickly.

Boston and Los Angeles are discussing a package that will send DeAndre Jordan and two first-round picks to the Celtics for Garnett and the right to hire Rivers as coach, sources said.

It seems that KG and Doc are BFF and they are going as a package or not going at all. Also, Ty Lue is reported to be following Doc to LA. That leaves him out as my second choice to replace Doc in Boston. My first choice remains Brian Shaw. In a minor miracle, Wojo also reports that Donald Sterling, the original cheapskate owner, is willing to pay Doc the $7 million that he is getting in Boston. I'm expecting to see pigs fly past my window any time now.

Also, according to Wojo, if the deal does go through, Doc's first act will be to contact Chris Paul and gauge his willingness to re-sign with the Clippers. If CP3 doesn't want to stay, even with Doc and KG in tow, especially if Bledsoe becomes part of the package, I have a feeling that the Clippers aren't going to be very happy. Most believe that the attempt to get Doc is LA's way of trying to convince Chris Paul to return.

Ramona Shelbourne of ESPNLA adds a few more details on her Twitter .

Young point guard Eric Bledsoe would be fine with a trade to Boston, despite presence of Rondo, source tells ESPNLA.

Paul Pierce may not be part of Clips-Celtics talks at the moment, sources tells ESPN

KG and Doc seen as package deal, source says. It wouldn't be KG w/out Doc, and it won't be Doc w/out KG

If something comes together with Clippers and Celtics, it will likely happen by the middle of this week at the latest.

Clippers keen on Doc, but determined not to "mortgage the farm" in terms of compensation, bc Lionel Hollins also blew them away Friday.

Pierce can still be bought out or traded later, so he's been in an out of discussions, source said.

Pierce, of course, is still part of the equation. But he may come later because there's more flexibility with his situation.

Clippers have experience "playing hardball" from CP3 trade. They held on to Bledsoe then, and that worked out pretty well

DeAndre Jordan -- not Bledsoe-- seems to be Boston's primary focus right now. "They really want him," source says.

As this news breaks, there is a lot of angst among Celtics fans. And I'm very torn about seeing KG and especially Paul Pierce leave as well. But, I've been a Celtics fan since for over 40 years and I know that sacrifices have to happen in order to avoid years of mediocrity. If the Celtics are going to rebuild and get back to being contenders, this might be their best chance. Stay tuned. The way things go in this league, it could be a done deal by tomorrow, or it could be called off completely. Your guess is as good as mine.

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