CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: JJ Cancels C's Workout, Reschedules

by Loyalist 6:00 PM

June 14, 2006

“I guess it wasn’t a very good day for him,” Celtics director of basketball operations Danny Ainge said of the 6-foot-4 shooting guard’s week, which started with a call to the C’s to cancel his pre-draft workout scheduled for Saturday in Waltham.

Quite the understatment from Danny. Redick made a big mistake, IHMO. His mistake was getting nailed on this DWI charge during some of the most crucial times for a player declaring for the draft. We think we analyze these mocks intensly. Well, we can only imagine being the player. Redick is a guy looking at a possible rookie salary of at least $1.5 should he be selected 10th pick. If the Wolves take him at 6, for some reason, he'd get about $2.2 mil. The point is, there is money and character at stake. Will GM's in the lottery want to risk a team for a player unproven in the Association?

“It sounds like it was an aggravation of his back from all of the workouts he’s gone through so far,” said Ainge, who rescheduled the session with Redick for June 26, two days before the draft, though he admitted that could change for a variety of reasons.

Though he would like to work out the guard again, Ainge saw Redick and Brandon Roy - the Washington guard who isn’t expected to be available when the Celtics pick at No. 7 - during a group workout two weeks ago in Los Angeles.

Considered a top 5 pick, Roy somewhat predictably canceled a trip to Waltham for a June 22 workout for Ainge and his staff.

One good thing about JJ is that he appears to be handling the situation. Of course he's got publicity people to do damage control and his back issue, which I believe is true, comes conveniently following this DWI fiasco. It may take some sting off of a really bad situation.

Ainge declined comment on Redick’s new dilemma, other than to repeat what he had said two weeks ago regarding UConn guard Marcus Williams’ theft arrest: “You hate to see someone penalized for making a mistake at a young age like this.”

Most interesting is that some previous rumors and some Mocks have us selecting Marcus Williams. It's seems a logical fit, but again, we all know the Joe Forte story. Do we risk a team for a flawed individual? Redick just doesn't seem to be worth this attention. Especially when we hold the 7th pick.

[full story]
source: boston herald

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Comments:

I am not nearly as worried about the DWI as I am about the back. If the DWI is an isolated incident we can chalk it up to a youthful mistake. But the back is another thing. Once a player starts having back problems it seems they are dogged by them throughout their career. His agent is saying he didn't fail a physical as Draft Express reported, but even so, if his back is hindering his workouts now, it may continue to be a problem. Bird had to retire early once his back started bothering him. I wouldn't doubt that McGrady may have to do the same now that he is having back problems.

It would give me pause if I was considering drafting him.

# posted by

FLCeltsFan : 2:17 PM

Good points! The back is the worst thing to lose, except maybe knees, for a player. Especially, if the player depends on his athleticism to be a good player. I just feel this whole DWI thing could be career suicide because GM's are really on the look out for early signs of problem players. I think it especially true if the player is not already established. You can easily overlook some of the issues with Artest etc. because he's already proven.

# posted by

Loyalist : 3:47 PM

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