CelticsLife

Perkins is not scared of the Heat

jr@celticslife.com (JR) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 20:22:00 +0000

Our main man Kendrick Perkins checked in from Houston today (Yes I'm saying that using my Ahmad Rashad voice) and you can add him to the list of Celtics not ready to concede the Eastern Conference title to the Three AmEGOs down in Miami.

On how tough it will be to play against the Heat this year with their improvements:

“It’s not hard. I think we proved that this year. It’s not important where you finish in the regular season in my opinion. If you got a team that has just one goal, the goal is getting into the playoffs. Last year we finished the year at 17 and 17. That wasn’t even above .500. That was right at .500 record. A lot of people were counting us out but we knew what we were waiting on. We were just waiting to get to the playoffs. When you get to the playoffs, it’s a totally different game. It’s not more fast paced, it’s all slowed up, it’s more of a half court set, and it’s more physical. It looks good on paper with Miami and stuff like that, but at the same time each team is going to come at you. You gotta be prepared. It would be nothing more than amazing for us to meet up with Miami and beat them. I think any team would love to upset them. They’ve got a lot of pressure on their end. Forget the other teams have to play against them, they’ve got a lot of pressure on their end to win, to actually produce. It won’t just be as if you’re gonna get three All Star players and then you win a championship. You gotta have the right coach, everybody has to sacrifice, you gotta be willing to move the ball, it’s gotta be about team, and you gotta be able to play defense. We’ll see when it’s time to match-up so we can just go from there.”

Listen to the full KILT in Houston with Marc and John interview here. You can also check out more Kendrick quotes here.

Today's Video: Ray Allen "The Game"

jr@celticslife.com (JR) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 17:58:00 +0000

This video was shot while Allen was still with the Sonics, but for Ray fans it's a great look into his life and preparation to the game.

To check out the full index of Celtics videos and mixes click here.

Summer Reading: Personal Foul

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Fri, 30 Jul 2010 16:30:00 +0000

Today's book review is Personal Foul by Tim Donaghy, 2009, Clerisy Press. This isn't a book on the Celtics but it is one that I recommend for every NBA fan to read. Tim Donaghy is a very polarizing figure. Most NBA fans either love him or hate him. But whether you love him or hate him, what he has to say in this book needs to be said.

Personal Foul takes an in-depth look at former NBA referee Tim Donaghy and the betting scandal that rocked professional basketball. This is the decisive book that reveals exactly what was done and how it all happened. Which games were affected and how? Did referees target particular players or teams? Just how much did the NBA know and when? How did the mafia get involved? The book answers all of these questions and more. Thrilling and poignant, Personal Foul takes readers on the journey of one man wrestling his own demons and shines a light on a culture of gambling and "directive" officiating in the NBA that promises to change the way sports fans view the game forever.

The book also includes a foreword by Phil Scala, the FBI Special Agent who worked the Gambino case. The fact that Scala wrote the foreword gives veracity to everything that Tim says in his book as he agreed to write the foreword only after reading the book and being assured that everything written there was true. Also giving credence to Tim's statements is the fact that he passed lie detector tests while working with the FBI to bring the case to a close.

The style of the book is personal as are the confessions included in it. Tim Donaghy made mistakes. He allowed his gambling obsession to take over his life and he has paid for it with a prison sentence. He has since dedicated his life to helping others with gambling addictions as well as helping people to see the problems that exist in the NBA. Those problems threaten the integrity of the game more than one referee with a gambling problem ever did.

Here are some excerpts from the book to whet your appetite:
First is a story about how the refs make wagers among themselves that influence how a game is called.

To have a little fun at the expense of the worst troublemakers, the referees working the game would sometimes make a modest friendly wager amongst themselves: first ref to give one of the bad boys a technical foul wouldn't have to tip the ball boy that night. In the NBA, ball boys set up the referees' locker room and keep it stocked with food and beer for the postgame meal. We usually ran the kid ragged with a variety of personal requests and then slipped him a $20 bill. Technically, the winner of the bet won twice — he didn't have to pay the kid and he got to call a T on Mr. Foul-Mouthed Big-Shot Du Jour.
After the opening tip, it was hilarious as the three of us immediately focused our full attention on the intended victim, waiting for something, anything, to justify a technical foul. If the guy so much as looked at one of us and mumbled, we rang him up. Later in the referees' locker room, we would down a couple of brews, eat some chicken wings, and laugh like hell.
We had another variation of this gag simply referred to as the "first foul of the game" bet. While still in the locker room before tip-off, we would make a wager on which of us would call the game's first foul. That referee would either have to pay the ball boy or pick up the dinner tab for the other two referees. Sometimes, the ante would be $50 a guy. Like the technical foul bet, it was hilarious — only this time we were testing each other's nerves to see who had the guts to hold out the longest before calling a personal foul. There were occasions when we would hold back for two or three minutes — an eternity in an NBA game — before blowing the whistle. It didn't matter if bodies were flying all over the place; no fouls were called because no one wanted to lose the bet.
We played this little game during the regular season and summer league. After a game, all three refs would gather around the VCR and watch a replay of the game. Early in the contest, the announcers would say, "Holy cow! They're really letting them play tonight!" If they only knew...
During one particular summer game, Duke Callahan, Mark Wunderlich, and I made it to the three-minute mark in the first quarter without calling a foul. We were running up and down the court, laughing our asses off as the players got hammered with no whistles. The players were exhausted from the nonstop running when Callahan finally called the first foul because Mikki Moore of the New Jersey Nets literally tackled an opposing player right in front of him. Too bad for Callahan — he lost the bet.
I became so good at this game that if an obvious foul was committed right in front of me, I would call a travel or a three-second violation instead. Those violations are not personal fouls, so I was still in the running to win the bet. The players would look at me with disbelief on their faces as if to say, "What the hell was that?"

Next are a couple of quotes about star treatment. The fact that LeBron averages less than 2 fouls a game while barreling through the lane at will proves this without any other examples.

Relationships between NBA players and referees were generally all over the board — love, hate, and everything in-between. Some players, even very good ones, were targeted by referees and the league because they were too talented for their own good. Raja Bell, formerly of the Phoenix Suns and now a member of the Charlotte Bobcats, was one of those players. A defensive specialist throughout his career, Bell had a reputation for being a "star stopper." His defensive skills were so razor sharp that he could shut down a superstar, or at least make him work for his points. Kobe Bryant was often frustrated by Bell's tenacity on defense. Let's face it, no one completely shuts down a player of Kobe's caliber, but Bell could frustrate Kobe, take him out of his game, and interrupt his rhythm.
You would think that the NBA would love a guy who plays such great defense. Think again! Star stoppers hurt the promotion of marquee players. Fans don't pay high prices to see players like Raja Bell — they pay to see superstars like Kobe Bryant score 40 points. Basketball purists like to see good defense, but the NBA wants the big names to score big points.
If a player of Kobe's stature collides with the likes of Raja Bell, the call will almost always go for Kobe and against Bell. As part of our ongoing training and game preparation, NBA referees regularly receive game-action video tape from the league office. Over the years, I have reviewed many recorded hours of video involving Raja Bell. The footage I analyzed usually illustrated fouls being called against Bell, rarely for him. The message was subtle but clear — call fouls against the star stopper because he's hurting the game.

If Kobe Bryant had two fouls in the first or second quarter and went to the bench, one referee would tell the other two, "Kobe's got two fouls. Let's make sure that if we call a foul on him, it's an obvious foul, because otherwise he's gonna go back to the bench. If he is involved in a play where a foul is called, give the foul to another player."
Similarly, when games got physically rough, we would huddle up and agree to tighten the game up. So we started calling fouls on guys who didn't really matter — "ticky-tack" or "touch" fouls where one player just touched another but didn't really impede his progress. Under regular circumstances these wouldn't be fouls, but after a skirmish we wanted to regain control. We would never call these types of fouls on superstars, just on the average players who didn't have star status. It was important to keep the stars on the floor.

Tim Donaghy has freely given of his time to appear on both Celtics Stuff Life and Celtics Late Night Show. He has a Facebook page where he interacts with anyone who has questions for him. He has been very honest and open about the gambling that caused his downfall and his efforts to make amends. After reading the book, I was left with the impression that he truly wants what is best for the league and is trying his best to bring that about.

After watching the playoffs this past season, in particular game 7 of the Finals, only the most jaded of fans don't see a problem with the officiating in the NBA; If you've ever been watching a game and wondered how a ref could possibly make that call, this book will explain it. If you read just one book on the NBA this year, I recommend that this be the book.

Don't Forget to Check out the Celtics Green Forums.

Just Who is Von Wafer?

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:31:00 +0000

Just as I was musing over all the guys that got away, Danny makes a move and signs Von Wafer. Since Wafer isn't exactly a household name, here is a little info about him.

Wafer is 6'5" tall and 209 lbs. He has played 4 years in the NBA for the Lakers, Clippers, Portland, Denver and Houston (07-08 was split between Portland and Denver). Over those 4 seasons he averaged 6.2 ppg, 1.3 rpg, and 0.8 apg in 13 minutes per game. His best season was the 08-09 season in Houston where he averaged 9.7 points, 1.8 rebounds, 1.1 assists in 19 minutes per game. He shot 41% from the field and 34% from beyond the arc.

He signed a contract with the Greek Olympiacos Piraeus team in August of 2009. In Euroleague play he averaged 7.7 points (on 50% shooting), 1.3 rebounds and 1.0 assists. Midway through the season he received a buyout from the Greek team amid reports that they were happy to be rid of his attitude. He signed a contract with the Grizzlies but failed his physical with the team and so that deal was off. He then signed a contract with his former club, the Houston Rockets. However, he also failed the physical with Houston and that contract was voided as well. I think I'll wait until after the physical to get excited about this signing.

Don't forget to check out the Celtics Green Forums.

Surprise, Surprise: Celts Sign Von Wafer

noreply@blogger.com (ACF) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 23:06:00 +0000

http://twitter.com/AlexKennedyNBA/status/19857482405

And Then There Were None....

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:31:00 +0000

The Celtics are in the hunt for another wing off the bench and I'm beginning to feel like I'm in the midst of an Agatha Christie story with free agents disappearing one by one until none are left....

First word came that with Ray Allen and Paul Pierce wrapped up, the Celtics were turning their attentions to re-signing Tony Allen. Tony had said that he wanted to be a Celtic for life. Greg Dickerson said that Tony was as good as signed. Then, the bombshell. Tony was gone to the Grizzlies.

Next up there was Mike Miller.   This one was a reach because he was likely way over the Celtics budget. But stranger things have happened. Marquis Daniels was way over the Celtics budget last season but he took less to join up with a contender and liked the Celtics organization. Mike Miller got the best of both worlds when the Heat offered him big bucks to join them.

Then, there was word that Boston was interested in Matt Barnes. After a brief courtship, where the Celtics were said to be one of the top contenders for his services, he went with another of the Celtics' top rivals, the hated Fakers.

Leandro Barbosa was another player on the Celtics wish list and almost as soon as the trade rumors for him surfaced, it was announced that he was on his way to Toronto for Hedo Turkoglu.

The Celtics were targeting Josh Howard and thought they could get something done to get him in green. But he re-signed with the Wizards. And Rasual Butler who was briefly a target for the Celtics re-signed with the Clippers.

Just a couple of days ago, we read that the Celtics were in discussions with Eddie House for a possible return to the club. Debates sprang up on forums discussing the merits of Eddie vs other guards available. And before the threads could reach the second page for the most part, word came out today that Eddie House is signing a 2 year deal with the Heat. Such a shame. I liked Eddie too. Now he will be ruined by being around the three AmEgos on the heat.

It seems as though all a free agent needs to do in order to get signed is to put it out there that he is in talks with the Celtics. That seems to be the trigger for teams to come out of the woodwork to sign them.   The Celtics are still discussing Shaq, Delonte and Rudy as primary targets with rumors about Larry Hughes and Jarvis Hayes swirling as well. I think Rudy would be a great fit and hope that Danny can get something done soon before he, too, is gone.

Don't forget to visit the Celtics Green Forums.

Cool Hand Luke Coming to Town

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:20:00 +0000

According to WNDU and ESPN Boston, Luke Harangody is flying into Boston today. There have been reports that we could expect him to be signed within the next couple of weeks. With news that he will be in Boston today, it seems as though a contract will be signed sooner rather than later.

The Notre Dame website has a good interview with the Celtics rookie where he talks about his Summer League experiences, including the elbow he took below his left eye, his message to the campers at his Notre Dame summer camp, and about having to prove himself.

Harangody was impressive in Summer League. His shot looked closer to a shot put than to Ray's silky smooth form, but it was surprisingly effective, especially from long range. More importantly, he showed an uncanny knack for grabbing rebounds. Signing him seems like a no brainer. The kid can play.

Don't forget to visit the Celtic Green forums.

Summer Reading: Red Auerbach On & Off the Court

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 14:49:00 +0000

Today's book review is Red Auerbach On and Off the Court by Red Auerbach with Joe Fitzgerald, Macmillan Publishing Company, 1985. This book is pure Auerbach. It's Red on basketball, recalling the times he first saw Bill Russell and Larry Bird; describing the less talented athletes who got the utmost out of their abilities, and came to be known as Celtic-type players; and blasting the coaches who insist on calling every play and dominating every game. But it's also Red on how to deal with drugs in sports; on heroes and celebrities, and why we have so many of the latter and so few of the former; and on the dangers in any kind of business that follow from losing sight of what the customers want. On and Off the Court is more than just a basketball book. It is the philosophy and reflections of an extraordinary man who just happened to be the most successful sports executive who ever lived.

Here's an excerpt from the book where Red talks about what it means to be a Celtic. Red had ubuntu down long before Doc introduced the word to the '07-'08 season. First is Red's speech welcoming a new player and then he goes into a story about Charlie Scott becoming a Celtic.

"Have you ever seen our team play? Then you know we expect certain things from our guys. We've won championships, and we hope to win a lot more, but to be a champion you have got to act like a champion, on and off the court. You've got to have a certain feeling about yourself and about the team, and you've got to be willing to pay the price.
"We're smart enough to know when you're loafing, when you're giving us false hustle, and if we ever see that we'll get rid of you because we won't have the room or time to go into the whys and wherefores.
"But if you have the desire, and if you show the proper attitude, you'll find all kinds of help here, not only from the coaches and me, but from all of your teammates as well. Because they want to win, and if they can help you to improve, they'll also be helping the team to improve. That's the concept we go by here. You'll be aware of it right away.
"You'll never see a player on the Celtics bawling out a teammate. You'll never see a Celtic throwing a towel or jacket in disgust when he is taken out of a game. That crap is selfishness and we don't buy it here. The name of our game is unity.
"If you start with us and do your job, you more than likely will finish with us. We've had more players start and finish with us than the rest of the league combined. We've helped our guys get jobs when their playing days were over. We've helped them not to squander their money. When you leave here, you're prepared to face the future.
"Now if we're willing to take this kind of interest in you, what are you going to do? Go out there and go through the motions? Rely solely on your natural abilities, rather than going out there and working like a dog? Or are you going to make it your business to become a Celtic? That's what we want. We want you to become a Celtic."
Charlie Scott became a Celtic. A lot of people thought he never would, but I wasn't one of them. He'd been a big scorer most of his career, a one on one guy, and some folks wondered if he could fit into the Celtics' style of play when he came to us in 1975. He was almost 28 then. Let me tell you a story about Charlie.
In the fifth game of our championship series with Phoenix that year - Charlie was called out on fouls, some of which were really questionable. We won that night, but as soon as I walked into our locker room, before the press arrived, Tommy Heinsohn pulled me aside. "Will you talk to Charlie?" he said. "He's ready to explode."
And he was. They'd given the kid six fouls and a technical, and he was so upset he was shaking.
I grabbed him by both arms. "Charlie," I said, softly. "You've had a great year. You've done everything we've asked you to do, but now you're ready to blow your stack..."
He started to interrupt me. I squeezed his arms tighter. "Listen. Let me tell you something. I was worse than you are now, on many occasions, but I didn't have someone to grab me and stop me like I'm doing to you. And so I did a lot of crazy things. But I'm stopping you now. I want you to show me what you're made of. I want you to grit your teeth, take a quick shower, then get the hell out of here without saying a word to anyone. Just dress and go. Quickly."
I dropped his arms. He looked at me for a minute, then went straight to the shower room, came out a minute later, jumped into his clothes and left. He never said a word.
In the next game he scored 25 points, played fabulously, and we won the championship. As soon as the final horn sounded he came running to me, tossed his arms around me and gave me a kiss. He knew what it was all about and so did I. The rest of the players knew, too, although nobody else did.
In my eyes and in the eyes of his teammates, Charlie had disciplined himself for the good of the ballclub, and now he'd just helped us win the biggest game of the year. Each one of us had total respect for what he had done. He'd come to Boston with a bad rap, but there was no doubt in anyone's mind now.
Charlie Scott had handled himself like a man. He'd become a Celtic.
Oh, I know some people think that's a lot of bull. That's what Paul Silas though, too, when he came to us in 1972. But the next year, in the spring of
74, we won it all. Wayne Embry, one of our old guys from the end of the Russell era, was GM of the Bucks that season. It was us against Milwaukee in the final round, and now it had all come down to Game 7 on a Sunday afternoon out there.
Here's what Embry told a reporter after it was all over, "I felt then, and I still feel now, that we had the better ballclub. And I know our guys have just as much pride as the Boston guys do. I felt we were going to win - and yet, as I sat in my office that morning, I just couldn't relax. I kept saying to myself: If we were playing anybody else but the Celtics... If it had been any other team I'd have been down there taking ring sizes! But I knew the character of John Havlicek and those guys. I knew if they were down by 20 points with 3 minutes left, they'd never give up. There's a lot if the old Celtics in them. Whatever that intangible is, it must be inherent."
Later, after we'd won, I was standing in our locker room when Silas walked over and put his arm around me.
"Red," he said, "I want to tell you something. When I first got here I thought all that stuff about tradition and so on was a lot of BS. But I know better now. It's real all right, and I'm awfully proud to be a part of it." It was real. And it's still real today.

Although this book was written back in 1985, it is still true today as well. The Celtics have always had ubuntu as a motto, they just didn't know the word for it. And we have players like KG, Ray Allen, and Paul Pierce who are willing to sacrifice their own stats and games for the good of the team. If you want to know what being a Celtic means or what makes this franchise special, you'll find that ane more in this fascinating book.

Don't forget to visit the Celtics Green boards.

Today's Video: Rondo "Hero" Mix

jr@celticslife.com (JR) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 06:31:00 +0000

Another Rondo mix after the jump. Congrats on making it through the 1st USA cuts.

To check out the full index of Celtics videos and mixes click here.

Rondo Makes Team USA Cut

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 01:42:00 +0000

Rajon Rondo has survived the first cuts to Team USA and will be with the team when they reconvene in New York on August 9 for their next training camp. The team cut 4 players today including Tyreke Evans, O.J. Mayo, Gerald Wallace and JaVale McGee.
Coach Mike Krzyzewski had this to say about Rondo:

"The thing that Rondo does is he plays with a will to win, and he just finds ways to have a positive impact on the game. I really like that about him.

"I thought I developed a really good relationship with him during the week, and his pressure on the ball, defense, but his will to win is something that I truly admire, and we need that. Plus he's a little bit older with the -- not in age as much -- but with experience because the Celtics have gone so deep and have won one of the recent NBA championships. So I think we're very fortunate to have him."

These 4 cuts bring the roster down to 15 players. The roster needs to be pared down to 12 players by August 26 when the USA must submit their roster for the World Championships in Turkey which begin on August 28.

Team USA opens its exhibition schedule with a game against France Aug. 15 at Madison Square Garden in New York.

DeShawn Sims Invited to Celtics Training Camp

jr@celticslife.com (JR) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 19:03:00 +0000

ESPN Boston

Add DeShawn Sims to the youngsters that have been extended invites to Celtics' training camp in October. From the Ann Arbor News:
Former Michigan basketball forward DeShawn Sims is heading to camp.

"I got invited to Celtics training camp," Sims said in a text message Tuesday.

It is the latest stop on Sims' attempt to find a professional home after not being selected in June's two-round NBA Draft.

The 6-foot-8 Sims played on two summer league teams last month - with Boston in Orlando and then with Dallas in Las Vegas. He played better with the Celtics, averaging 7.5 points and 1.8 rebounds in 13.3 minutes over four games.

I don't see Sims making the final cut, but stranger things have happened. Could be a nice little battle brewing for those 14th and 15th roster spots in training camp, which is a rarity as teams usually are pretty much set nowadays going into camp.

A Couple of Thoughts About Rudy and Ray

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 15:58:00 +0000

Most of us agree that Rudy Fernandez would be a great addition to the Celtics. But there is a snag here. I found this quote from his coach in Portland:

"Let me put it this way," McMillan said. "Rudy is a team player, and his style of play requires minutes. He's not a guy who is just going to come down and jack up a shot. He needs to get into a flow, into a rhythm, and that's not a backup role. And I think that is his frustration."

So here is another guy who is frustrated by coming off the bench and needs to get into a rhythm to be effective. It makes me see the value of an Eddie House or a Nate Robinson who can come into the game cold and knock down big shots right away. I think that's why Danny re-signed Nate and why House has come back into the conversation as well. That kind of role player is needed on a team's bench because everyone can't start and most of the time when the bench comes in they have to immediately produce or the team will give up a lead or dig a hole.

But, that's another story, back to Rudy. As constituted now, Rudy would be no better off on the Celtics than he is on the Blazers. He wants a trade because he is frustrated with having to come off the bench behind Brandon Roy and sees no way to get around that one. And he is probably right. Roy is a young talent and isn't moving out of the starting lineup any time soon.

But, here's a thought. How about moving Ray to the bench and bring him in as 6th man. The 6th man role was developed by Red and has been a Celtics tradition since he first used the role for Frank Ramsey who played behind Bob Cousy and Bill Sharman during the early part of the Celtics' dynasty years. Though Ramsey was one of the Celtics' best players, he felt comfortable coming off the bench and Auerbach wanted his best players fresh and in the lineup at the end of close games. John Havlicek was probably the most famous 6th man for the Celtics as he revolutionized the role during his 16-year career. Kevin McHale also served as 6th man during part of his time with the Celtics.

Ray is a veteran who doesn't need to get into the flow. Ray had to change his game more than anyone when this team was first put together and he never complained about it and I think he would accept the 6th man role without complaint either. He is a student of the history of the game and knows the history and importance of the 6th man throughout Celtics history and see it not as a demotion as some might see it.

Bringing Ray off the bench would assure his legs would be fresher at the end of the game and also prolong his career. Ray played a lot of minutes last season because along with starting, he also played along with the second unit many times to bring them stability. This would slightly reduce his minutes and give the stability to the second unit that it needs. Ray is already a Hall of Famer but he can add to his legacy by joining the long line of Hall of Famers who have also been 6th men on the Celtics and at the same time, help bring Banner 18 to the team.

Don't forget to visit the Celtics Green Forums.

Summer Reading: High Above Courtside

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 13:36:00 +0000

Next in my Summer Reading series is High Above Courtside: The Lost Memoirs of Johnny Most by Mike Carey with Jamie Most, Sports Publishing LLC; 2003. If you think Tommy Heinsohn is the biggest Celtics homer, you never listened to Johnny Most. Every opposing player was the enemy and every Celtic was a saint. This book is a tribute and a memoir of one of the great figures in Celtics history. A legendary NBA pioneer and one of the game's most intriguing characters, Johnny Most was the Celtics' play by play radio broadcaster for all of their first 16 championships and 37 years overall. His autobiography is the ultimate insider's in depth look at the personalities of the players and coaches who were a part of all of those championship teams.

You'll find some fascinating and little known facts about Johnny including the fact that he was a World War II hero, he spent several frustrating years pounding the pavement in search of work before landing bit parts on soap operas. He served as a quiz sho stand in and accepted one line roles in the United Nations "FM Playhouse" and then served as an assistant program director for tiny Oil City, Pennsylvania's only radio station, where he was the DJ, newscaster, and sports reporter. He was also fired from that job for slugging the station's owner.

Johnny Most was certainly a colorful character and as one referee said, "Johnny could cause a riot at a High Mass" with his emotional, pro-Celtic descriptions. He turned shoving matches into "bloodbaths" and minor fouls into "vicious muggings."

In the words of Celtics GM, Danny Ainge, "The Celtics had thirteen guys on the active roster - twelve wore uniforms and the thirteenth - Johnny Most - was high above courtside."

Here is an excerpt from the book that gives an inside look at the personalities and interactions behind the scenes..

     Red picked on Heinsohn because he knew Tommy could shrug it off. He also knew that no one else on the team wanted to be picked on the way Tommy was scolded. By yelling at one guy, Red succeeded in getting every member of the team to do his job with a minimum of errors. Using Tommy as a scapegoat was perfect motivation - even if Tommy didn't quite grasp the reason that he was always Red's target.
   Tommy usually took his frustration out on Frank Ramsey, who was the team's "little old lady," sort of a tattletale. For example, Tommy nearly always hitched a ride to practice with Cousy, because they both lived in Worcester. Cousy was the type of guy who arrived barely five or 10 minutes before practice. Because Bob didn't tape his ankles, he'd be ready to go when Red blew his whistle. Heinsohn, however, always had his ankle taped, usually causing him to be a few minutes late for the start of practice. Whenever this happened, Ramsey would immediately run to Red and demand that Tommy be fined for his tardiness. "He's three minutes late," Ramsey would whine to Red. "That's 50 cents a minute. He owes $1.50. Make him pay, Red. Rules are rules."
     None of the other players cared about the fines, but Ramsey would whine and pout until Red agreed to enforce the $1.50 penalties. Tommy paid the fine, but he always found a way to get even with Frank. He'd patiently wait for a chance at revenge. Sometimes Tommy would let a week or two go by before getting even.
     Ramsey had a routine where he'd stay15 or 20 minutes after practice to work on his free throw shooting. While Frank was tuning up his game, Heinsohn would walk into the locker room and grab a pair of small scissors. Then he'd go over to Ramsey's locker and snip off all but one or two thread threads from Frank's shirt buttons. He also cut through all but a sixteenth of an inch of Ramsey's shoelaces. When Ramsey would enter the locker room, Tommy would casually head to the showers. Ramsey would shower a minute later and then start to get dressed. Shortly afterward, with Tommy sneaking a peak, Ramsey would be muttering to himself.
     As Frank put on his shirt, one button after another would snap off. Then he would attempt to tie his shoes, only to get angry as the laces ripped apart as he was tying the knots. "Anyone have a shirt I can borrow?" he'd ask. Of course, none of the players were about to lend Frank a decent shirt and spoil the joke. So Frank would walk out of practice with a wide open shirt that was missing three or four buttons and with a pair of brown shoes that were tied with white sneaker laces. What was even more comical was that Frank didn't put two and two together and figure out that Heinsohn had tampered with his wardrobe. Instead of blaming Tommy, Frank blamed his own wife for not spotting the frayed threads and worn out shoelaces.

I highly recommend this entertaining and informative book to every Celtics' fan. You won't be able to put it down as you look behind the scenes at one of the most colorful characters in Celtic lore and the team he loved.

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Letter to Rudy Fernández

noreply@blogger.com (Bohemian) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 06:53:00 +0000

*Scroll down for the English version

Estimado Rudy,

Espero que hayas disfrutado del merecido tiempo de descanso y que te encuentres bien tras la difícil temporada. Te hago llegar esta carta desde el blog de Celticslife, desde donde analizamos los partidos y la realidad de los Boston Celtics y la NBA en general.

El objetivo de esta carta es hacerte llegar el enorme interés que ha suscitado tu posible traspaso a los Boston Celtics. Has citado públicamente una lista de cinco equipos entre los que figuran los Celtics y creo que sinceramente sería la mejor opción de todas.

Los Celtics necesitan exactamente a alguien como tú en el equipo, Rudy. Eres muy joven pero tienes mucha experiencia tanto en la NBA como en la liga ACB y con la selección española. En Portland has demostrado que tu juego se adapta como un guante a esta liga, y sólamente algunas incompatibilidades con el entrenador y el sistema de juego en los Blazers han impedido que hayas podido demostrarlo con más asiduidad. En tu carrera has demostrado tener unas cualidades atléticas espectaculares, un tiro exterior fantástico y una sobresaliente inteligencia en el campo. Todas estas son cualidades que necesita imperativamente este equipo y tú tendrías la posibilidad de desarrollarlas aquí, en la franquicia más histórica de la NBA.

En Boston tendrías un estilo de juego más rápido y formarías un tandem letal con Rajon Rondo, que necesita un compañero de contra ataques y un aliado desde la línea de tres puntos. En cuanto al tiempo de juego, serías muy probablemente el sexto hombre del equipo, contando con una gran cantidad de minutos de juego. En los Celtics, podrías jugar con futuros integrantes del Salón de la Fama, como Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce y Ray Allen. El entrenador es genial con los jugadores y el ambiente de grupo debe de ser parecido al que tenemos en la selección española. El objetivo es el título y tú podrías ayudar de manera vital a conseguir el 18º anillo para los verdes y el primer anillo de la que todos esperamos que sea una larga carrera en la NBA.

Rudy, tienes la posibilidad de fichar por los Boston Celtics...el equipo más laureado de la NBA. Jugarías en el Boston Garden con todas esas banderas y números retirados. Sería increíble, ¿no crees?

Bueno, Rudy. Me despido ya. Espero que muy pronto seas parte de los Celtics y que celebremos los éxitos de la selección española junto con las celebraciones del título de la NBA en junio de 2011 vistiendo de verde ;)

Un saludo cordial de parte de Celticslife,

Un fan español

Now the English Version:

Dear Rudy,

I hope you have rested and that you feel rested after the difficult past season. I send you this letter from Celticslife, a blog in which we analyse the games and life of the Boston Celtics and the NBA in general.

The objective of this letter is to let you the huge interest created by your possible trade to the Boston Celtics. You have recently let known in public a list of five teams you would like to be traded among which are the Celtics, and I honestly believe that Boston would be the best option.

The Celtics need somebody like you. Rudy. You are very young but very experienced at the same time, having had success in the NBA, the ACB and with the Spanish Team. In Portland you have shown that your game adapts perfectly to the NBA, and only some incompatibilities with the coaching staff and style of game there have prevented you from proving it with more frequency. In your career you have displayed spectacular athleticism, a fantastic ability to shoot from the three point line and a very high IQ on the court. All of those are qualities that this team is in dire need of, and you would have the possibility to show them here, in the most historic franchise of the NBA.

In Boston you would play in an up tempo style of game, in which you would build a terrific tandem with Rajon Rondo, who needs a partner in the fast break and on the three point line. Regarding the minutes available, you would probably be the sixth man, logging a high amount of minutes. In the Celtics you would have teammates that are future Hall of Famers, such as Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce and Ray Allen. The coach is fantastic with players and the atmosphere must be similar to the one you enjoy with the Spanish team. The goal is the 18th NBA championship for the green and the first in what we all expect and hope is a long career in the NBA for you.

Rudy, you would play for the Boston Celtics, the franchise with more titles, in the Boston Garden, with all those banners and retired numbers in the rafters. It would be amazing, don't you think?

Well, Rudy I will be leaving now. I truly hope you are a member of the Celtics very soon and that we are able to celebrate your success with the Spanish Team and the ring with the Boston Celtics together in 2011, wearing the green jersey ;)

Greetings from the people at Celticslife,

A Spanish Fan

The Best Thing About Delonte

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Wed, 28 Jul 2010 04:02:00 +0000

With all the talk about the Celtics being interested in Delonte West, I started thinking about what I missed most about him after he left: his sense of humor. When he was with the Celtics, you just never knew what he would come out with next. Hopefully all the problems he has had haven't taken away that wonderful sense of humor that endeared him to Celtics fans in his years with the team. Here are a few examples:

And my favorite - the wiyah hangah

Then, of course, who can forget the infamous Valentine's interview? Here are a couple of quotes, in case you have forgotten:

"I did a few romantic things in my day, but I'm not the world's most romantic guy. But I can tell you what I would consider a special night. First, at my lady's work, I would send her a card giving her instructions for the night. Send it to her about midday, so the rest of the day, she has time to think about exactly what I had planned. I would pick my date up. She wouldn't know where we were going. It's got to be a hot day, so I can drop the top in my SL [Mercedes]. I've got the white SL 500. I would tell her, she would have to wear white. She must have on a white dress, because I'm going to have on white. I'd have told her in the note, she has to wear her hair a certain way, just the way I like it. So, I pick her up in my white convertible. From there, I'd have the music pumping on the radio. The Jim Jones pumping, you know, 'Summer in Miami' song pumping. Got to keep a little gangsta, you can't be too soft. You can't be in there playing some guy that's crying, talking about don't leave me and love me baby, wah wah and all that. So Jim Jones pumping and then from there, wind blowing through the hair, boom, we get straight to the point -- we eat afterwards because I don't want to kiss no onions. I don't want to kiss you tasting like onions and steak and mushrooms and everything."

"One more thing: When we're on the yacht eating, we're going to have some Popeyes chicken. That's for dinner. It's to let her know, put a mental image on her mind, first and foremost, if you ain't from the hood, you don't like Popeyes chicken. Everyone there loves Popeyes chicken and the biscuits -- phew. But that's just getting it on her mind, saying, you know, 'Yeah, I can wine and dine you, but I'm a little rough around the edges and I'm keeping it real with you. I can be romantic, but this is real, we're going to eat some chicken tonight. Chicken and biscuits.'"

Everyone will have an opinion about bringing Delonte back. He is talented but brings a lot of baggage. But one thing we can all agree on is - the guy is funny.
Don't Forget to Check Out Celtics Green Forums

Celtics showing interest in Delonte West

jr@celticslife.com (JR) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 21:19:00 +0000

I am Lebron's kryptonite

Boston Globe

The Celtics have been seeking a tough-minded defender to replace Tony Allen, now that he signed with the Memphis Grizzlies. And according to a source, their interest could spread to former Celtic Delonte West, who is expected to be waived by the Minnesota Timberwolves after the club acquired him in a trade with the Cleveland Cavaliers Monday.

West, whose full contract is not guaranteed if waived by Aug. 5, could be the moderately priced defender the Celtics seek, but of course, he would come with a plethora of issues. West pleaded guilty to weapons charges in a strange case where he was caught carrying three guns while on a motorcycle in his native Maryland last year. He received eight months of home detention but the judge ruled he would be allowed to travel with his NBA team.

I'd be all for the return of Delonte to Boston. He has legitimate 6 or 7 man skills. Yes he has his issues, but when you're talking vet minimum you're not going to get a player of his caliber if he doesn't have some baggage.

I'm guessing Pierce would approve of Delonte's return.

The Vet Min Shaq Is the Only One Worth Having

noreply@blogger.com (bballee) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 16:11:00 +0000

The blogosphere is aflame with the buzz of Shaq. Word is he wants $8M/yr, 2 years, and starters minutes. I would like to make the case that the only Shaq worth having is a Vet Min Shaq. The problem is not the demands per se so much as it is the fact that there are demands at all. At 39 he is a player with limitations almost as enormous as his ego. And that ego is an enormous threat to Ubuntu. His is, was, and will only be more so, slow. Playing him in the 4th quarter of close games will always be a dangerous gamble because every trip to the free throw line is an adventure. For Shaquille the trip to the line is no charity but a nerve wracking flirt with disaster; after all, his epic difficulties have spawned an entire late-game strategy—Hack-a-Shaq.

Shaq has always felt himself larger than life, and the game. At this point he is worth avoiding unless his monstrous ego can be checked so that he comes to the team with hat in hand, eager to do whatever is needed in order to be a part of one more title run in the twilight of his career. Until the “I want’s” become “what can I do’s” this massive personality’s potential for disruption far outweighs any on-court contribution he can muster. So until the tune changes let the Big Diesel chug noisily off into the sunset, or at least off to some venue where His Largeness doesn’t threaten to crowd out the success of the team.

Now don’t get me wrong, Shaquille could be a tremendous asset. He certainly won’t clog the offensive lane for Rondo, Pierce, or Daniels driving any more than Perk. He certainly can finish around the basket as well as
Perk, after all, they have similar vertical leaps (hops, O.K. tippytoes) and Shaq is at least three inches taller. Their free throw percentages are discouragingly close. Even at 39 Shaq has nice moves within 4’ of the basket. As far as slowing down the break, Shaq won’t be filling any lanes; but his job is to start the break by cleaning the boards and making the outlet pass—and he does that just fine.

No, my problems with The Large One have to do with the size of his personality and the fact that he loves looking in the mirror. When he is seeing the world through that mirror, his size makes it hard for him to see anyone but himself. Therein lies the rub. Whether it be initiating the offense, dominating the conversation on the team bus, or holding court in the interview room, Shaquille O’Neal seldom takes a back seat to anyone. It is not that he can’t, it just doesn’t come naturally. Over the years Shaq has proven to be an able passer and he certainly was able to allow Kobe to dominate the ball. But that relationship grew contentious and there is already a cluster of stars in Boston with whom he would have to share the limelight.

Unless The Ample One is ready, no make that anxious, to take a complementary role, this just isn’t going to go well. Shaq is half a dozen years beyond the point where it dawned on the individuals comprising the Big Three that together they could be ever so much more than they could alone. But Shaquille doesn’t have the hunger and longing that brought KPG to the convergence to climb the summit together. I’m just afraid that O’Neal the Greater will long be in his rocker before it occurs to him that less could be more. So until he shows up with work pail in hand, give me the Vet Min Shaq, or give me no Shaq at all.

Remembering Reggie

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:51:00 +0000

He was the quiet Celtic with a smile that was infectious. He was reserved and somewhat shy, but his actions, both on and off the basketball court, spoke much louder than any words could ever do. He was the captain of the Boston Celtics and their leading scorer. He was a devoted husband, father and a friend to all who knew him well. He was the hope of a new Celtics generation. Reggie Lewis was only 27 years old when he died of a heart attack on Tuesday, July 27, 1993. We still tearfully remember him today, 17 years later.
Reggie Lewis was born in 1965. He was raised in a modest urban home in Baltimore, Maryland and lived with his mother, Peggy, and brothers, Irvin and Jon. At an early age, Reggie already loved basketball and was often found on a basketball court. Hist footprints appear in the cement outside of the court that he played on as a child.

Lewis enjoyed success and early fame as a key member of a 50-0 Dunbar High School basketball team that also featured future NBA players Reggie Williams, David Wingate and Tyrone "Mugsy" Bogues. His talent led him to Northeastern University, where he exceeded everyone's expectations as a starter for the Huskies. In his freshman year he averaged 17.8 points per game and by his senior year he was averaging 23.3 points per game. Lewis lead his team to 4 National Atlantic Conference Titles and ultimately NCAA Tournaments. The Huskies captain graduated as the team's all-time leading scorer, ninth-best in NCAA history, and in ceremonies on January 21, 1989 had his familiar number 35 retired to the Matthews Arena rafters.

Reggie was drafted by the Celtics with the next to the last pick in the first round of the 1987 draft. Like most rookies in Celtics history, his first year was a learning one and Reggie mostly watched and learned. He observed and learned and pushed himself in year two and appeared in 81 of the 82 regular season games and finished his sophomore season averaging 18.5 points per game. More importantly, he stepped in and comforted Celtics fans' fears and worries, after Larry Bird missed almost the entire season due to surgery.

Celtics fans witnessed true flashes of brilliance in Reggie's game during 1991-92, as he averaged a career-best 20.8 points per game (he averaged the same figure the following season) while playing in all 82 games. He posted a spectacular career-high 28.0 points per game in the 1992 playoffs and was the lone Celtic to be named the NBA Eastern Conference All-Star Team. Reggie was named the team's captain after Bird's retirement in 1992.

On April 29, 1993, the Celtics began a first-round playoff series with the Charlotte Hornets. The setting was the old Boston Garden. The Boston Garden at the time was the only arena in professional sports that did not have air conditioning. Opposing teams would profess that the Celtics intentionally turned up the temperature as a way to create an edge over the unsuspecting and unconditioned. Several opponents throughout the years had fallen victim to dehydration and related nausea. The Garden created perhaps the greatest home edge in all of sports. This night, the Garden was hot and humid as usual. The Celtics were on their way to a blowout victory and it was still early in the first quarter. Their captain, Reggie Lewis, could not miss a shot and had already scored ten points within the first three minutes.

After going to the basket and grabbing a rebound through several defenders, Lewis began to head back down the court. Suddenly, his body slumped forward towards the court. Although the fall was sudden, it did not initially appear to be concerning because Lewis returned to his feet within a few seconds and checked himself out of the game. Complaining of dizziness and a black out, Lewis sat out the remainder of the first half while team doctor Dr. Arnold Scheller attempted to diagnose the cause of the black out. At halftime, Lewis mentioned that he had some grapefruit juice just before the game that tasted too bitter. With the high degree of humidity in the Garden coupled with the possibility of bad juice, Scheller, an orthopedic specialist, recommended that Lewis be allowed to continue to play in the second half. In that half, teammates noticed that Lewis' legs were very wobbly and he came back out of the game almost immediately.

After the game, Lewis was sent to New England Baptist hospital where he underwent a battery of tests that were supervised by a "dream team" team of 12 of the most respected cardiologists in the Boston area. After thorough testing, the team of doctors diagnosed Lewis to be suffering from ventricular tachycardia, the most dangerous form of arrhythmia. They concluded that Lewis was lucky that his first symptom was not sudden cardiac death and merely a fainting episode.

Reggie was frustrated because the diagnosis meant an end to his basketball career, but he became angry with the doctors because they kept pursuing whether cocaine could have been an explanation. Lewis checked himself out of the care at New England Baptist Hospital in the middle of the night and sought out Brigham & Women's Hospital chief of cardiology, Dr. Gilbert Mudge.

Dr. Gilbert Mudge had been following the story and even prior to Reggie's contacting him, Dr Mudge claimed to have been suspicious of the Dream Team diagnosis due to what he believed to be inconsistencies and discrepancies in Lewis' test results. After performing his own battery of tests, Mudge called a press conference in early May of 1993 and stated that Lewis was not suffering from cardiomyopathy but merely from a curable neurocardiogenic fainting disorder. Mudge prescribed beta blockers as treatment and pronounced Reggie physically fit to return to playing professional basketball the following fall.

On July 27, 1993, Lewis entered the Brandeis arena with a friend to prepare for a fullcourt pickup game that night. After about an hour on the court without even working up a sweat, Lewis crumpled near the 3-point line. It is ironic that the police officer in the news recently for the arrest of the Cambridge professsor is the same person who was first on the scene when Reggie collapsed and who tried to resuscitate Reggie on the site. Nearly two hours after he collapsed at 5:07 p.m. on July 27, 1993, the hospital announced that Reggie Lewis was dead at age 27. In the wake of his death, the heart wrenching news came out that earlier in the day, Reggie's wife Donna had just found out that she was pregnant with their second child. She never got to give Reggie the news.

Then, over subsequent months and years, it became very ugly. There were unconfirmed reports that cocaine had been at least partly responsible for the tragedy, and a debate arose among doctors whether the death could have been prevented. "The real tragedy is that right now we should be saying, 'Reggie has a pacemaker and can't play basketball anymore,' " Kevin McHale said after Lewis' death. "Instead we have to mourn him."

After his death, still reeling from the personal loss of their captain as well as the previous loss of Len Bias, the Celtics tried to pick up the pieces and go on. They petitioned the league for relief from his salary but were denied. It seemed the franchise was given one blow after another and it took them 22 years to recover from this devastating series of events. Since then, the league has given injury exceptions to several teams. The Blazers had gotten relief from Darius Miles' contract because of his knee injury and as is well known to most Celtics fans, they were put back on the hook for it when he returned to play for the Ccltics in the preseason two years ago. The Rockets were given cap relief for Yao Ming's injury last year, even if he returns to play this season. But the Celtics were given no cap relief for the death of their captain.

The Celtics retired #35 in Reggies's honor on March 22, 1995. Reggie's accomplishments on the court are well documented. He is only player in the history of the Celtics to have registered 100 rebounds, 100 assists, 100 steals and 100 blocked shots in a single season which he did in the 1991/92 season with 394 rebounds, 185 assists, 125 steals and 105 blocks. Reggie once blocked four shots from Michael Jordan in one game.

Reggie Lewis left fans around the nation with memories of his basketball accomplishments. But also memorable was what he did off the court. His contributions to the community were just as consistent as his jump shots. Reggie began an annual giveaway where he purchased hundreds of turkeys and gave them to underprivileged families in the area, without any media or fanfare surrounding it. He was always seen with a smile and was a genuine caring person. Reggie's widow, Donna Harris-Lewis, has continued her husbands legacy of kindness through the Reggie Lewis Foundation, which still annually sponsors the turkey giveaway that Reggie began.

After his death, The Reggie Lewis Track and Field Center, was opened in Roxbury, Massachusetts. The center was funded partially by Lewis and routinely hosts major track and field competitions as well as home basketball games for Roxbury Community College. Reggie's greatest influence on people occurred off of the basketball court. Reggie had strong morals, humility and compassion which is why the cocaine rumors that were started were particularly heart wrenching for those who knew him. Today, 17 years after his death, we remember Reggie and can only think of what might have been. There will never be a clear method of telling just how good Reggie Lewis would have been. We caught a brief moment. We have many memories. Rest in peace, Reggie. We love you and miss you.

[Don't Forget to visit the Celtics Green Forums!]

Summer Reading: Heinsohn, Don't You Ever Smile?

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 13:36:00 +0000

Next in my series of reports on books for your summer reading pleasure is Heinsohn, Don't You Ever Smile? by Tommy Heinsohn, Doubleday, 1976. I enjoyed this book tremendously as some of the anecdotes that Tommy includes had me laughing out loud as I read it. Tommy and Bill Russell entered the league in the same season and many don't realize that it was Tommy Heinsohn, and not Bill Russell, that was the Rookie of the Year that season, which was their first championship season. Over the next 8 years, the Celtics went on to win another seven championships with Tommy as a big part of the reason for their success.

In this book, Tommy tells it all - the triumph and the glory of the years under Red Auerbach as coach along with the difficulties and frustration of the rebuilding years that followed. There are memorable games, stories, anecdotes, and personal insights on every page as Tommy writes about how the Celtics were rebuilt into a championship team after the Russell years were past. Sometimes the 70's are overlooked between the dynasty of the 60's and the Big 3 of the 80's but they shouldn't be because of players like Havlicek, Cowens, Silas, White, and others and a coach like Tom Heinsohn.

This book is not only informative but also one of the more entertaining books I have read on the Celtics. Tommy has done a masterful job of telling the story of his playing days and his rebuilding effort as a coach. Here is an excerpt from the book that I think you will enjoy. This is a story about Tommy's initial broadcasting experiences. If you think a broadcasting team of Mike and Tommy is a bit biased toward the Celtics, how about a Tommy and Red Auerbach broadcasting team. Now, that is one I wish I could have heard.

"Hey," said Red Auerbach, during the summer of 1966, "we're going to be televising road games this season on Channel 56. Are you interested in doing the play by play?" I gulped. I had never minded going one on one with Chamberlain or Lovellette or Maurice Stokes, but doing play by play made me apprehensive.
"I've never done anything like that, Red," I said, skeptically. "Play by play is a tough job." He assured me I could do it and shouldn't worry about it. Once more I was being advised to belt Wilt because it wouldn't hurt Red.
He had the strategy all worked out, naturally. "What we'll do is get Marty Glickman and have him break you in," he said. "He'll train you for a few games. He's agreed to do it. Give it a shot." I was shaken but grateful because it was ideal therapy after my unfortunate experience that year with withdrawal pains.
Marty broke me in for three or four games. I acquired the feel of the microphone, the pace of the game, the commercials, and the entire mechanics. I borrowed the Celtics' videotape equipment and practiced at home games. Fred Cusick, the sports director of Channel 56 would sit alongside and review my homework after the Boston Garden games.
I practiced as often as I could until they finally decided I was ready for Marty to leave me on my own. I had no color man, nothing. I did every commercial, every lead in, and the halftime interviews without a problem, which made me feel great - like the night I scored 47 points in Seattle. Only this time, a star was born in Baltimore.
I sweated frequently that first show but I drank enough Cokes to cool me off. That led to the discovery of an occupational hazard of TV announcers. It is called the relief stoop by truck drivers and other patrons of the highways. It is called something more descriptive by ballplayers when they go to the dressing room at half time.
Anyway, I discovered that if you drink lots of liquids, and commercials ran about a minute and you were the sole announcer, there was no time left for other things. I was quite uncomfortable for a while until experience provided the answer, as it generally does. "Folks," I would say, "we're going to pause now for station identification."
Those turned out to be the longest station breaks in history. They had to keep it going until I ran to the men's room and got back to the mike - and I was never know for my speed even when I wasn't racing with a handicap. It think my only fluff the night of my first solo flight involved the lead in to the Friday night movie: Yankee Doodle Dandy.
"Make sure you remain tuned in immediately following the game," I said, for Yenkel Doodle Dendy." Then I said: "Of course, that's a Jewish movie." I was proud of myself. Howard Cosell couldn't have ad libbed like that - and probably wouldn't have.
Whenever I made mistakes, I would have more damn fun doing it. I had learned about mistakes, remember? Still, it was a tedious, difficult one man job for an amateur Johnny Most. I kept telling the people at the station that they must send someone with me for at least half time. Help me. I had to as least go to the men's room. Triple spot the commercials because it was way up on the second floor.
That's how Boston's version of Huntley and Brinkley or the Frick and Frack of the airways developed. Despite great expense and with little concern for me, they gave me Auerbach as color man. He didn't do all the games, which indicated the people at the station had some compassion after all.
The new broadcasting team worked the games in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and New York, primarily. I did others by myself. If Thomas Edison had known his inventive mind might lead to Auerbach and Heinsohn on television, he would have gone into medicine.
Red loved peanuts almost as much as Chinese food and was forever eating them during the telecasts. We were working a playoff game in Philadelphia and he dropped the bag on the floor. As Red reached for the peanuts, Chet Walker drove toward the hoop and was leveled by Larry Siegfried. Everyone in the arena and watching television at home had seen the play except Red. He had been involved with a more important matter. Walker was stretched out when Red finally looked to the court. "What's he doing?" he screamed into his mike. "Is he pulling that same old jazz about twenty seconds?"
Red was referring to the unlimited automatic timeouts NBA players had been known to take and fake for one reason or another. Each team now is entitled to only one twenty second "injury" time out a half with no questions asked, and some players, such as Bill Russell and Walt Frazier, made a career out of the opportunity to rest.
"He's not hurt," Red told the home audience. "He wasn't even in on the play." I'm sure the viewers must have flipped the dials to see what game Red was watching. I knew he had made a mistake because of the peanuts and I had to say something to cover. "Red," I said informatively, "He was driving toward the basket and Siegfried hit him."
A normal person wouldn't have touched that with a ten foot pole, but Red was not one to give up that easily. He could take any side of a debate and argue vigorously, and convincingly. He had chosen to say Walker had not been in on the play, and everyone was stuck with that.
"He wasn't involved in the play," he said, brusquely. Now he had me on the hook. How do I get out of that one? It had become a battle of wills. A one on one confrontation and I had the ball.
Walker was still on the floor, and the great television debate continued. "Siegfried knocked him down," I said, lowering my voice and hoping Red would take the hint. "He was not in the play!" insisted Red, his voice rising.
"Okay, Red," I finally said. "Have it your way. He was not in the play, but would you settle for this - he was in the movie?" I'll say this for Red - he had me thinking all the time as to how to escape his situations. He was totally undisciplined and uninhibited. He told it like it was - as long as it favored the Celtics. But it was fun and some times funny.

This is definitely a must read for any Celtics fan, especially if you love Tommy Heinsohn as much as I do or if the 70's are an enigma for you between the 60's and 80's championship teams.

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Footage from the Blue vs. White Scrimmage

jr@celticslife.com (JR) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 07:19:00 +0000

With the players that brought home the Olympic gold in 2008 not participating this Summer, what do you believe are the USA's chances of coming in 1st in next month's World Championships?

Doc Funk Recaps Free Agency

jr@celticslife.com (JR) — Tue, 27 Jul 2010 04:36:00 +0000

These two cracked me up the most. Check out the rest of Doc Funk's free agency captions on Brain on Funk.

Roster Ruminations

noreply@blogger.com (bballee) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:35:00 +0000

Need Another Piece?

Rondo, Allen, Pierce, Garnett, O’Neal
Robinson, Bradley, Daniels, Davis, Erden
Lafayette, Gaffney, Harangody, Sheed, Perkins

All except Harangody are under contract. I think signing Luke is only delayed because if some trade needed his inclusion, you can trade his rights but you can’t trade a signed draft pick for 30 days after he signs.

Notice that we have 15 players, a roster full. Now I don’t think Lafayette makes it onto the season roster. Many others feel the same way about Gaffney although I like his long-armed defense. Also any trade will almost certainly include Sheed and likely one or more of Oliver and Tony. So it is not like there is no room for additions, just that the roster is at 15 already.

A number of people have suggested that Sheed be carried until the trade deadline when his contract might be more valuable. While this might be true, the fact that Perkins will miss part/much/all the year means that carrying Sheed leaves us with only 13 players physically able to perform. You might also notice that there are two rookies in the rotation of ten—certainly not the status quo for this team which touts the benefits of experience. Taken together these facts convince me that Danny would vastly prefer to cash in the Sheed chip before the season starts. Finding the right deal, now that’s another matter altogether.

If I had to make a depth chart right now (and I am going to do just that so apparently I do have to), it would look something like this (note that I am using a players at multiple positions, something I usually prefer not to do since it tends to conceal weaknesses):

Rondo_____Allen_______Pierce_______Garnett________O’Neal
Robinson___Daniels______Daniels______Davis_________Davis
Bradley____Bradley______Gaffney_____Harangody_____Erden
Lafayette___Gaffney_____Harangody____Gaffney______Garnett

Unavailable Sheed, Perkins

A few observations, some surprising, some mildly comforting, some downright scary:
Subbing Robinson, Daniels at SF, and Davis at Center puts a very short team on the floor.
I don’t see Robinson playing SG, certainly not defending it.
I think Gaffney might be effective covering tall SG’s and slighter, more mobile PF’s.
I’ve already said I don’t think Oliver makes the team so think of Daniels as #4 PG.
Harangody will be in way over his head trying to cover SF’s while the reverse cover might limit his offensive game even more than opposing PF’s--ouch.
O’Neal would be next in line at PF against larger, less mobile opponents but Pierce would be more effective against more mobile ones with an outside game.

My actual “working” depth chart which limits a player to one position actually looks like this:

Rondo______Allen_______Pierce_______Garnett________O’Neal
Robinson___Daniels__________________Davis_______________
Bradley________________Gaffney_____Harangody______Erden

Unavailable Sheed, Perkins
Hopefuls
__________Janning______Battier_______B. Wright______E. Barron

Barron as vet min, he’s looking for more money but I think he could play the 4 or 5, strengthen our rebounding, and be enough of a threat at the high post to open passing lanes. He wouldn’t take the min from NY but I like to think Boston offers some additional lures, like winning and stability.
Janning as camp invite FA, I love his aplomb, versatility, shooting, and deft passing.
Battier seems the logical choice for a Sheed trade to get Houston nearer the Luxury Cap and provide back up for Pierce.
I must admit this next one is a personal preference, high risk, and unlikely. B. Wright with a Sheed trade gets GS back under the Salary Cap and brings a player to the Celtics that provides length at PF and perhaps the agility to provide that long-elusive stretch three. My home run is expanding this into a three team trade that also move Monta to Minn, Koufas (still in 60 day wait before he could be moved with other players) and Sessions to GS, and Corey Brewer to the Celtics.

And how I think we will actually enter the season:

Rondo______Allen_______Pierce_______Garnett________O’Neal
Robinson____Daniels______TBA________Davis_________TBA
__________Bradley______Gaffney_____Harangody______Erden
______________________________________________Perkins

Celtics looking to bring back Eddie House?

jr@celticslife.com (JR) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 21:34:00 +0000

Boston Globe

In the process of surrounding their core with a solid second unit, the Celtics had discussions about bringing Eddie House back to Boston. House, whose shooting streaks helped the Celtics win the title in 2008, was shipped to New York at the trade deadline last February in a deal for Nate Robinson.

“It’s something [Celtics president] Danny [Ainge] and I have discussed,” House's agent Mark Bartelstein said. “But nothing’s imminent.”

Not exactly sure how House would fit on a second unit with Nate Robinson, but if the C's do in fact sign Eddie for the vet minimum I definitely wouldn't be upset. He had an off year, but he's not that old to say he's washed up or anything.

A Recommendation for Your Summer Reading List

noreply@blogger.com (FLCeltsFan) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 18:04:00 +0000

I am an avid reader and always have a book on the Celtics or on Celtics history going at any given time. The Celtics are such a storied franchise that there is no shortage of books out there to read about former and current players and about the franchise itself. I am excited to be joining Celtics Life as a full time author and feel that, given my love of reading and my discussions about Celtics books with JR, it is fitting that my first post would be about one of the books that I have read about the Celtics and that I highly recommend to other fans.

One of the best books out there is LET ME TELL YOU A STORY by Red Auerbach and John Feinstein, Little, Brown and Company; 2004.

In more than 50 years with the Celtics, Red Auerbach collected countless friends, admirers and stories. At 86, when he penned this book with author John Feinstein, he had forgotten nothing and also had an opinion on everything. Every Tuesday morning at 11, Red held court with a dozen or so cronies at the China Doll restaurant on H Street in Washington. For four years, bestselling author John Feinstein joined this select group. In the book, Red voices lots of opinions about the game of basketball, as it's played today and as it was played in his prime. He also has plenty to say about both Bill Russell and Wilt Chamberlain, and he discusses his Depression-era youth and early years as a coach. Many of Red's stories are familiar, but hearing the first-person versions is a treat. This book is a fascinating life story and a terrific basketball book and a look into the historic lunches that only a select few were privy to.

Here is an excerpt of the book describing Feinstein's first lunch at the China Doll to whet your appetite for this incredible look into Red's world.

There were, I was pleased to see, five familiar faces: Red, Morgan Wootten, who sat on Red's left; Jack Kvancz, who sat next to Morgan; and Tom Penders and Joe McKeown, the men's and women's basketball coaches at GW, respectively. I remembered Jack telling me that Red always invited the GW basketball people to come to lunch when they were free.
The chair on the other side of Red was empty. "Here, kid, sit down," Red said indicating the chair. The man sitting to the right of the chair was small, wearing thick glasses and a Celtics baseball cap.
"Zang Auerbach," he said, putting out his hand. "Hard to believe a good looking guy like me is Red's brother, huh?"
I was introduced to the rest of the table, but none of the names registered. There were two guys dressed in dark suits who looked like they had been cast as Secret Service agents in a movie. Their names were Pete Dowling and Bob Campbell. It was only later that I would learn that they were Secret Service agents. Most of the others were older men, in their seventies and eighties. One, whose name I heard to be Hymie began screaming at me soon after I sat down.
"Look at that notebook," he said when I took one out. "He brought a goddamn notebook. As if this sonofabith" - he pointed at Red- "has anything to say worth hearing. Most unbelievable thing I've ever seen. Son, if this is the best you can come up with to write about, your career must really be going badly."
I looked at Red to see his reaction to all this. He was cracking up. "Don't mind Hymie," he said. "He's still recovering from his war wounds."
I looked at the man again. He appeared to be almost as old as Red. "Which war?" I asked.
"World War Two," Red said.
"Which war?" Hymie roared. "The Civil War. Which War? Seriously now, someone pays you to be a reporter?"
On the other side of me, Zang was yelling at Hymie. "I told you to behave yourself today. Why do you insist on ruining lunch every week?"
"Shut up," you old geezer." Hymie responded.
The next ninety minutes were as entertaining as the first five had been. While waiting for the food to arrive, everyone chatted about topics of the day, from Monica Lewinsky to Rick Pitino. Larry Bird's name came up. He was doing very good work as coach of the Indiana Pacers.
Morgan turned to Red. "What was a better move by you - Bird or the McHale-Parish trade?"
Red smiled, "McHale-Parish," he said, referring to the 1980 deal in which he acquired future Hall of Famers Kevin McHale and Robert Parish in return for less than immortal Joe Barry Carroll. "Anyone tells you they knew Bird would be as good as he turned out- including me - is a liar.
I started writing furiously. Hymie glared. Red talked at length about Bird and Mchale and Parish. "But the Russell deal was number one," Morgan said doing my job for me.
"Oh yeah," Red said. "You know how I got Russell, don't you?" he said to me.
Before I could answer, Zang elbowed me. "Whatever you do," he said softly, "don't tell him that you know."
I knew something about it, knew that it involved a trade with the St Louis Hawks for Russell's draft rights in 1956.
"You traded two great players for him, right?" I said, not wanting to appear ignorant despite Zang's warning.
"Yeah, but that was the easy part," he said. "I gave St. Louis Ed Macauley and Cliff Hagan to move up to number two in the draft. But Rochester still had the number one pick."
"So how'd you get them not to take Russell?"
Red smiled. I had set him up perfectly.
"The Ice-Capades," he said.
"The Ice-Capades?"
"Sure. Walter Brown [the owner of the Celtics] was president of the Ice-Capades. I had him call Les Harrison, the owner in Rochester, and tell them he'd send the Ice-Capades up there for a week if they didn't draft Russell."
"So you got Russell for the Ice-Capades?"
"You got it."
Never in my life have I written an easier column than that one, or a more enjoyable one.

I'll share more of the books that I have read in another post but this book is so special that I felt it deserved its own post. If you are like most basketball fans and feeling withdrawals in this long stretch of time between Summer League and training camp, a great way to pass the time would be to get a copy of Let Me Tell You a Story and enjoy a look into one of the greatest basketball minds in the history of the game.

[Don't forget to check out the CG Forums!]

Luke Harangody Summer League Highlights

jr@celticslife.com (JR) — Mon, 26 Jul 2010 17:26:00 +0000