Pierce Knee Update

BOSTON - Paul Pierce talked to a few reporters on Monday at his annual summer basketball camp at Basketball City just around the corner from the TD Banknorth Garden on Monday, and said that he'll be getting an MRI on his knee but doesn't expect to have to undergo surgery.

Pierce said the knee is still sore, but is getting better, and noted that he's been treating his injury "like a sprain that normally takes three-four weeks."

"I've still got some soreness in it, so hopefully it's nothing major requiring surgery," Pierce said. "I plan on getting in there this week, getting the treatment and the MRI and making sure I take care of my body. I doubt if I need any surgery. It's getting better and better. I'm gonna get the MRI just to take the extra precaution but I don't see any surgery in my future and I just plan on getting treatment until it's all the way healed."

Celtics.com

The Big Debate: Posey vs. Maggette

A big issue among Celtics fans has become the debate over who the Celtics should sign; James Posey or Corey Maggette? This wasn't really an issue until reports claimed that the Celtics made contract offers to Posey and Maggette. Posey is looking for a 4-5 year deal at the full MLE and is looking to return to the team he just won his second NBA championship with, while trying to cash in for likely the last time in his career while his stock is at an all-time high. Maggette is looking for a chance to win a championship for the first time and is willing to take a paycut to do so.

Posey is currently 31 years old while Maggette is is 28 years old. Maggette is peaking right now while it seems Posey is at the back end of his prime. One (Posey) is a defensive stoppers that is known for his basketball IQ, intangibles and ability to hit timely threes while he other is an elite slasher that has the ability to go for 25 night in and night out.

While Maggette is overall the better player, it's tough to find players like James Posey that are just naturally born winners. He did it with Miami and then he did it with Boston. Maggette hasn't won anything because to be honest the Clippers are one of the most poorly run teams in sports. They're known for players walking in the door and right back out it once their rookie deal is over. Maggette stayed loyal but apparently the Clippers have decided to let him walk in favor of Baron Davis.

It seems like bringing Posey back would be the smart thing to do, considering he helped this team win a championship. And Corey Maggette would just be another player that is going to have to learn our system. But it isn't as simple as that. It really wouldn't be wise for the Celtics to give James Posey a 4 or 5 year deal financially. They have their 'big three' locked up on big contracts for the next four years and while Posey is a valuable piece to the puzzle, his 31 years of age doesn't make a 5 year deal where he would be 36 years old before it's even over look attractive. He is only going to be able to shut players like Kobe Bryant and Lebron James down on defense for so long. His lateral quickness isn't even close to where it was a few years ago and his offense game is three-point shooting for the most part at 31. At 36, he would be getting destroyed by players like Lebron James and we would still be using our full MLE on him. It isn't worth it at all, it just isn't an intelligent business or basketball decision. Three years is fine but it seems like they aren't willing to take anything less than five years according to this article:

The Boston Celtics may have tipped their hand too early with James Posey, when news of contact with Corey Maggette surfaced, Posey's camp got on the offensive opening talks with a number of interested teams including the Lakers. Sources close to the situation say if Boston does not come with a full boat (5-year) deal at the Mid Level, James has that from other teams.

Now, I do think signing Corey Maggette to a four year deal is perfectly fine. Because by the time the deal is ready to expire Maggette will be somewhere close to the age that Posey is at right now, as he is just 28 and in his prime. Maggette is a player that can score 25 on any given night and adding a player like that to your bench just makes your team so much better. It isn't like he doesn't play defense either, he's an above average defender and I believe is willing to buy into the team concept as his quotes from the Boston Globe today show. According to the same Hoopsworld article, Maggette has narrowed his lsit down to Boston and San Antonio.

As the holiday weekend opens, there are some decisions to be made. Corey Maggette has told people that he has narrowed his list down to two main suitors – The San Antonio Spurs and the Boston Celtics. Maggette has not made a final decision and will not likely announce a decision until after July 9th, when teams can officially start spending cap money.

If Maggette would be willing to accept the same role Posey did last year at around 25 minutes per game as the sixth man I think that we would be much better as a team. This would be especially true if Maggette was able to fit in immediately, and make the transition as sweet and short as possible.

I'm personally in favor of taking a talent upgrade in Maggette if we can do it. Posey's camp is just asking for too much. My only fear is that Posey will end up with the Los Angeles Lakers. He would put them over the top along with the additions of a healthy Andrew Bynum and Trevor Ariza full-time. But if we sign Maggette to the full MLE for the next four seasons we have four players in Maggette, Allen, Pierce and Garnett that can score 20+ when called upon and still have the lower-level exception to sign a backup point guard and we can probably use the veterans minimum, which essentially has no impact on the salary cap to sign a backup center that we've been working out recently.

Celtics Active In Free Agency

An NBA source said the Celtics offered Magette the full midlevel exception, expected to be worth $5.8 million.

The Celtics have made offers to their own forward, James Posey, and Maggette, but it's doubtful they can accommodate both. While there is no news regarding Posey, Maggette said he could be coming to Boston in the near future to visit with the Celtics. Free agents can't sign until Wednesday.

"I don't want to hold the Celtics up or [general manager] Danny Ainge," said Maggette in a telephone interview. "I talked to Doc . . . I'm not going to hold them up. I know they are still looking at James Posey. But I'm still weighing my options."

I wouldn't mind Maggette as an alternative to Posey. He's a great scorer and an above average defender. No doubt he's a better player than Posey, but it just seems like adding another player to the team that will need to buy into the "ubuntu" idea and learn the system would be a hassle. Keeping Posey is just the logical idea.

"I don't mind," he said. "If you want to win, you have to make sacrifices. With their caliber of players, that's what you have to do.

This is encouraging to read if Maggette does sign with Boston.

An NBA source said the Celtics offered Posey a three-year, $12 million contract, but a team official denied it.

"There is a lot of interest," Bartelstein said. "We'll work through it and get to a conclusion."

I really think we're lowballing Posey there and we should be offering him the full MLE. But I completely am on board with a three year deal. He's 31 now and if we were to sign him four years he would be 35 before his final season started and 36 during the playoffs. You could definitely see his lateral quickness at times wasn't where it used to be against players with superior speed. Basketball IQ and intangibles can only take you so far to a certain age.

An NBA source said the Celtics surprisingly worked out Blazers free agent small forward Darius Miles yesterday and he had an impressive workout. Miles missed last season while recovering from knee surgery.

Most of the time I could understand the Celtics taking in a player with "character issues" because they have such a good group of guys and a players coach in Doc Rivers but this guy is just a borderline moron. He recently failed a drug test and is facing a 10-game suspension in 08/09. This isn't the first time he's done something stupid either. No need for a player like this.

Bartelstein added there was no news regarding another Celtics client, guard Eddie House.

This is what I expected to be honest. I think we would like him back, but there are better options out there. Eddie's been a journeyman his entire career and there's a reason that teams let him go. They like the energy he brings and that definitely makes up for the point guard skills he lacks. But once free agency hits most teams realize they can find a true PG and let Eddie go. He's been a good player for the Celts though and I wouldn't mind bringing him back another year for the lower-level exception.

Meanwhile, the Celtics have been taking a strong look at backup centers.

They met with Hornets free agent Chris Andersen the past two days before he returned to his offseason home in Denver.

The Celtics worked out Pacers free agent center David Harrison and Timberwolves free agent swingman Kirk Snyder yesterday. The 7-foot, 280-pound Harrison averaged 4.2 points, 2.1 rebounds, and 1.1 blocks in 12.8 minutes per game last season. Snyder averaged 7.3 points, 3.5 rebounds, and 1.8 assists with Houston and Minnesota.

Today, Boston is scheduled to work out Golden State free agent center Patrick O'Bryant, who recently met with the Heat. The 7-foot, 260-pounder was the ninth pick in the 2006 NBA draft and averaged 1.5 points, 1.2 rebounds, and 0.4 blocks in 4.1 minutes per game last season.

I'm not really big on any of these guys as our backup center, but I would not mind Chris Andersen at all if he is our best option. He hustles, brings energy, rebounds and blocks shots. I think Harrison and O'Bryant have too much downsides to them, especially Patrick O'Bryant. I mean, he was the 9th pick of the draft and is already looking for a new team, that's pretty sad.

Source: Boston Globe

Here's a little note from the Herald on James Posey that's worth reading..

“James has been through free agency before, and he knows that it’s never easy,” said his agent, Mark Bartelstein. “The one thing about James is that he has great faith in himself. James just believes that wherever he goes, he’s going to have an impact.”

And right now the price for those services is a 4- to 5-year contract that starts at a midlevel salary of approximately $5.8 million.

Thus far, the Celtics are reluctant to give their entire midlevel exception to one player. Bartelstein, however, doesn’t believe negotiations have broken down or reached an impasse.

“I wouldn’t say they have broken down, but of course you always hope that something gets done quickly,” he said. “I don’t know what is going into their thinking right now. James just wants to know where he is in all of this. But everything still has to progress.”

Like I said before I definitely wouldn't sign James Posey to a deal that exceeds 4 years. I think he's going to slowly regress and by the time the playoffs start in the fourth year of his deal he would be 36 years old. And 37 if they were to sign him to five years. There's really no need to give him the full MLE for 4-5 years. I think it would financially cripple us, especially with the big threes BIG contracts to go along with it. We need all the financial flexibility possible in the future. Plus I think we could fill his position with a solid player like James Jones that is a long, dynamic shooter that plays above average defense, while still having some of the MLE left. Our team would be missing Big Game James but we would have financial flexibility in the future and our team could potentially be deeper.

Birdman Cometh?

Could a man that is referred to as "The Birdman" be the answer that the Boston Celtics are looking for to backup Kendrick Perkins at the Center position?

Chris Andersen is 6'11'' and 228 pounds. Andersen plays power forward and center but is generally seen as a power forward. In 253 career games (including 8 starts), Andersen averaged 5.1 points, 4.8 rebounds and 1.36 blocks in 16.6 minutes per game. Andersen is known for his athleticism and drug problems of the past. In 2006, he was temporarily (2 years) dismissed from the NBA for testing positive for a banned substance. This is what most casual fans know him for. But don't let this fool you, he is no criminal and he is actually an extremely likable person. In 2004/2005 he had a career year averaging 7.7 points and 6.6 rebounds in 21 minutes per game. That is pretty effective and he wouldn't even be asked to do that with Boston.

After being re-instated he played his first game since the dismissal with New Orleans in March of 2008. Andersen played five games in this short lived return but he is apparently better than ever and still 29 or 30 years old.

According to Marc Spears, who appeared on Comcast Sports Net's "Sports Tonight." Chris Andersen is currently in Boston and could very well sign a small deal with the Boston Celtics. There appears to be strong interest from both sides, especially Andersen. This could be a solid signing and a nice safety blanket for Perkins and his potential injury/foul problems. If he could just come in for 10-15 minutes a game and bang that would be great. I am sure he would accept that role as well, like he did with New Orleans.

He's long, he's athletic and he just wants to play basketball again full time. I say give this guy a chance and if it doesn't work out, look at bringing P.J. Brown back again for around 30-35 games after the all-star break similar to what we did in 2007/2008. His agent has said that he doesn't think he's ready for the long haul of 82 games. But does that rule out a possible mid-season return that has been done once before? He's going to be 39, but he seemed to get better as the season went on last year. I say give it a try, what could it hurt?

That's also the way I feel about Anderson. Just give him a chance. Birdman Cometh?

Giddens Not At Minicamp

But another draft pick who was expected to be in attendance - first-round pick J.R. Giddens - was also nowhere to be found when Boston brought in 15 players to Waltham yesterday for a double-session of scrimmages.

According to Celtics executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge, Giddens elected not to attend the camp - on the advice of his agents - because he had not yet signed a contract. While this makes some sense on the surface, it should be noted that there are rookies all across the league participating in workouts this week in advance of next week’s Las Vegas Summer League who have yet to sign deals.

Source: Metrowest Daily News

I'm not sure why it's a big deal that he hasn't signed a contract with the team. Plenty of other rookies around the league are at their respective camps and practices. It shouldn't be an issue moving forward because he'll sign his contract soon. Just figured I'd give you guys a heads up.

Perkins, Walker Have Successful Surgeries

The Boston Celtics announced Wednesday that center Kendrick Perkins and second round draft pick Bill Walker both had successful surgical procedures today at New England Baptist Hospital. Perkins underwent arthroscopic left shoulder surgery while Walker underwent arthroscopic right knee surgery. Both surgeries were preformed by Team Physician Dr. Brian McKeon and was assisted by Dr. Alan Curtis and Dr. John Richmond. No timetable has been set for their return.

Source: RealGM

I have a feeling this is the right thing to do in both cases. Bill Walker said he would be back in 3-4 weeks but I wonder what the timetable for Perk is. And I wonder if this surgery means that both will be healthy long-term for sure. This is good to hear, even though surgeries like this usually don't have any problems.

The thing is, we definitely need to be looking at signing a backup center. Perkins is a lock to be the starter unless we're able to pull off a trade for Greg Oden or Dwight Howard, but as a safety blanket we need somebody to have his back. If he gets hurt we currently have Leon Powe, Brian Scalabrine and Glen Davis at backup center. PJ Brown could be back, but as of now he's said to be "leaning towards retirement" I say look at grabbing a player like Alonzo Mourning, Dikembe Mutombo or Adonole Foyle. It doesn't neccessarily have to be a veteran but that would be nice.

With Bill Walker, I don't really think he's going to play much if he even makes the team after training camp. The surgery isn't really signifcant, but he could use all the practice time and training with this team of veterans as he can possibly get. He's a rookie and he's going to make mistakes, this injury isn't really going to change that. I expect him to be ready for training camp and spend most of the season in the D-League. He'll come up at the end of the year to play when the veterans need some rest and play spot minutes here and there with the NBA roster but as a Celtics die hard don't put too much on Bill Walker's plate. He might drop it.

Free Agent/Rookie Minicamp Begins

Today the Celtics held a minicamp for rookies and free agents that will run through Saturday, July 5th. Celtics rookie J.R. Giddens was in attendance as well as returning players Glen "Big Baby" Davis and Gabe Pruitt. Around 16-20 players in all should be there. It is going to be used as a tool for young players on the Celtics to work on their game and impress the staff, for the front office to evaluate rookies that could possibly be used to fill out the roster and for free agents looking for a job with the Celtics.

There's no word on what big name free agents will be there today, but Chris "Birdman" Andersen is expected to make an appearance. Ex-NBA players expected are center Jackie Butler, forward Lawrence Roberts, and guards David Noel, Omar Cook, and Mustapha Shakur per Marc J. Spears of the Boston Globe.

More to come..

Extra: You can check out photos from the camp in this gallery provided by the Boston Globe.

Celtics Contacted Chris Duhon?

After meeting with the Knicks today, Bulls free-agent point guard Chris Duhon is on to Orlando to meet with the Magic tomorrow. He was contacted by five teams on the first day of free agency: Cleveland, Sacramento, New York, Orlando and, in a bit of a surprise, Boston. The re-signing of Udrih should eliminate the Kings.

Source: Sporting News

I think that Duhon could be a brilliant pickup if he were to sign for the lower-level exception, which is around $2 million a year. But the Knicks threw nearly half of the mid-level exception at him for the next two years. So unless he's going to take a paycut, which he shouldn't because he hasn't had a big payday yet and likely never will, he's going to end up with the New York Knicks. But don't be shocked if you see Chris in green next year. And don't write him off. He had a really solid, productive, consistent year last season for the Chicago Bulls and he has a very respectable 3.17-to-1 assist to turnover ratio. While this deal may be a bit out of reach and unrealistic, at age 26, Duhon has enough experience to become the backup PG. He'll accept that role too, he has his whole career. But another problem is the minutes. I don't think Boston would be able to play him the minutes he deserves, too deep of a roster. Wherever he ends up, Boston, New York or some other team, he should be a good player.

Rookies Introduced In Waltham

The Celtics introduced first-round draft pick J.R. Giddens (30th overall) and second-round draft selections Bill Walker (47th overall) and Semih Erden (60th overall) today at their training facility here. Walker was acquired from the Washington Wizards on draft night in exchange for cash considerations.

The three sat at a table on the practice court with general manager Danny Ainge and were given crisp Celtics jerseys and caps for the photo op. Giddens was handed a No. 4 jersey, Erden a No. 86, and Walker a No. 12.

Source: Boston Globe

You can read J.R. Giddens' quotes here at Celtics.com
You can read Bill Walker's quotes here
And you can check out video interviews with all of the players here

I'm pretty excited about these rookies. None of them are really required to contribute in their rookie year but I'm expecting J.R. Giddens, our first round selection, to get the most minutes in the rotation. Bill Walker is going to take a little while to recover from his minor knee surgery and will probably spend most of the season in the NBDL, if he makes the team at all. The defense that J.R. plays is good enough to play in the rotation of a good team at the NBA level. The Celtics also didn't pick up Tony Allen's qualifying offer, so it tells you a little bit about they feel Giddens can contribute right away. From what I saw on Comcast Sports Net and heard on WEEI from J.R., he is a very humble kid and is willing to accept any role given to him. My expectations are around 10-15 minutes per game, playing tough defense. People have said he has "character issues" but if anything comes up, this is the right group of guys. Doc Rivers is a great players coach/locker room guy and having most of your roster full of veterans coming off of a high in the NBA championship helps.

Source: Celtics make offers to Posey & Maggette

The Celtics have made contract offers to two forwards: Their own free agent, James Posey, and Clippers free agent Corey Maggette, sources told the Boston Globe. The most the Celtics could offer is the mid-level exception (about $5.8 million), and it's doubtful that they could sign both players. The terms of the offers were not disclosed.

Source: Boston Globe

This is very interesting. This rumor came out this afternoon but it makes a lot more sense now that Baron Davis has signed with the Los Angeles Clippers and they have essentially. The Celtics are trying to see if Corey Maggette will bite on a deal for the mid-level exception, and at the same time they are sending a message to James Posey that "Hey, we're not just going to let you waltz around city to city looking at different contracts at the expense of this organization." They have made it clear that they're not going to back down and that they believe he is replacable -- Maggette.

Personally, I would love what Maggette could bring offensively if he were willing to accept a role off the bench, playing around 25 minutes per game. I would love Maggette, a 20+ point per game scorer, signing for the mid-level exception. But that's just not going to happen. I think the Celtics used him as a safety blanket just in case Posey does leave, so that they aren't playing catchup when the bidders get serious. I'm not so sure that Maggette would be able to fill the role that Posey did. Would the talent that Corey Maggette has outweigh the intangibles and big game performances from James Posey? I'm not so sure. I'd rather just take the safe road and sign Posey to a 3-4 year deal worth 17-20 million.