The Celtics have a new D-League affiliate this year. Last year's affiliate, the Florida Flame, is no longer in existence. When Gerald was sent to the D-League, it wasn't even to our affiliate, it was to the Fayetteville Patriots, because of the number of wing players on the Flame and Danny felt that he would get more chance to play in Fayetteville. This year, with a plethora of 2st and second year players, I believe that we will use the D-League to give some of them playing time rather than keeping them on the end of the bench while Danny searches for the elusive big deal. So, it would be good to know something about the Austin Toros, our affiliate.

This year, the Celtics will be affiliated with the Austin Toros. This team began in 2001 as the Columbus Riverdragons. In mid 2005, the Columbus Riverdragons franchise was awarded to the City of Austin, Texas, and the new name, the Toros, was unveiled on August 10th, 2005. The Toros began play during the 2005-2006 season. Their official colors are red, blue, and gold. The Toros name is currently the only NBA-associated team and first D-League team to possess a nickname of Spanish origin. They play their home games in the Austin Convention Center. The team is owned by David Kahn and Southwest Basketball, LLC. Their logo design is a Blue bull and red basketball with State of Texas in the background, outlined in gold. The Toros will start the regular season on the road against the defending D-League champion Albuquerque Thunderbirds on Friday, November 24. The teams affiliated with the Toros this year include the San Antonio Spurs, the Dallas Mavericks, and the Boston Celtics. Under the NBA labor agreement, teams are permitted to assign players in their first or second season to a D-League club. Last year, Gerald Green was sent down to the Fayetteville Patriots and it gave him some much needed experience and confidence. With the over abundance of youth on the Celtics this year, it is highly possible that one or more players could be sent to the Toros to get some playing time and experience. The Coach of the Toros is very familiar to the Celtics. Dennis Johnson, aka DJ, played 7 years with the Celtics and was part of 2 championship teams. None other than Larry Bird said that DJ was the best player he had ever played with. Who can forget the play in Game 5 of the 1987 playoff series with Detroit where Bird stole the ball and hit a cutting DJ for the game winning basket? DJ played at Los Angeles Harbor Junior College for two years and then spent one year at Pepperdine before being chosen by the Seattle SuperSonics as a so-called hardship case in the second round of the 1976 NBA draft. Seattle traded him to the Phoenix Suns in 1980. He had a falling-out with coach John MacLeod during the 1982/83 season and was relegated to a backup role. The Suns sent him to the Boston Celtics for journeyman center Rick Robey after that season. It was a great deal for the Celtics. In Boston, Johnson started for two NBA championship teams, in 1984 and 1986. He retired after the 1989/90 season. A fine all-around player, the 6-foot-4, 202-pound Johnson was best known for his defensive skills. He was named to the all-NBA defensive first team from 1979 through 1983 and in 1987, and he made the second team from 1984 through 1986. After more than 7 years as an assistant with the Celtics and the Seattle Supersonics, Johnson became Seattle's interim head coach with 24 games left in the 2002-03 season. He had an 8-16 record. Last year, in his first year as the Toros' Head Coach, he led the team to a 24-24 record. It will be good to have DJ as part of the Celtics' family once again. Related Site: Toros Home Page Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!

There have been a lot of changes for many of the teams this summer. How much have the teams in the Atlantic Division changed this off season?

First, the Knicks have changed coaches. Gone is the Larry Brown show and in its place will be Isaiah Thomas. The Knicks added Renaldo Balkman and Mardy Collins in the Draft and Jared Jeffries from the Wizards via free agency. The only player they lost was Jackie Butler. Basically, the Knicks look to be pretty much what they were last year.

The Raptors will be a completely different team than we faced last year. They added the number 1 pick in the draft in Andrea Bargnani, who should help them. They brought in TJ Ford, Rasho Nesterovic, and Kris Humphries via trade and Jorge Garbajosa, Fred Jones and Anthony Parker. They should be better if they can build some chemistry and can play together.

The Sixers are basically the same as they were last year other than adding Rodney Carney and Bobby Jones in the draft. I don't see much improvement here. With Webber and Iverson a year older, there is always the possibility of injury, but they just didn't seem to have the chemistry last year and probably won't again this year.

On paper, the Nets look to be improved. They added Marcus Williams, Josh Boone, and Hassan Adams in the draft along with Cliff Robinson via free agency and Mikki Moore via trade. They are also considering adding Jay Williams as a free agent. Jason Kidd, another all star that is another year older, may also be a step slower and injury prone and that is why they are adding some PG insurance. If Kidd and Carter stay healthy, the Nets have to be the favorite to win the division.

This brings us to the Celtics. The Celtics also appear to be improved. Last year's team was better than their record but with all the injuries, they didn't stand a chance. If the team is healthy this year, with no other changes, it would be much improved. But there are improvements, most notably, they have 2 pure point guards who should make a huge difference in the offense. Add to that the fact that several of our young players will be improved and it gives cause for optimism. I feel that the Celtics will be challenging the Nets for the division if everyone can stay healthy this year.

I started thinking when I was looking at the Mood Meter on CelticsBlog that asked the mood of Celtics fans from Depressed to Ecstatic. I put that I am optimistic. But why am I optimistic? Is it the koolaid? Or is there a real solid reason to be optimistic?

Going into last season, I was excited about the team and very optimistic. Then the injuries started, even before the season started. Al's ankle injury, Banks' knee, and Tony's knee made a difference right from the beginning. Dickau went down with the Achilles injury. Perk was playing very well, but not seeing much playing time because Doc was showcasing Blount, who averaged more turnovers than rebounds. Then the big trade came and Wally, Kandi and Jones replaced Blount, Reed, Banks and Ricky. The biggest improvement there was in attitude. With Blount and Banks gone, the chemistry improved immediately.

It took a little bit for the team to mesh again after the trade but it seemed that Wally was fitting in very well right from the beginnning, and there as optimism again. Then Wally started to have knee problems. His jumper wasn't near as effective because he couldn't get the lift because of his knees. Then Perk and Al got hurt again and Pierce had elbow problems. But even with this new rash of injuries, there was a silver lining. We saw the emergence of Ryan Gomes which gave us reason for more optimism. I do believe that without the injuries the team would have won a lot more games and would have made the playoffs.

This year, I am once again very optimistic. What is there to be optimistic about? The players who were injured last year are healthy this year. The cancerous attitudes of Blount and Banks and to a certain point, Raef, are gone. I can see Pierce and Wally meshing together very well, as they started to before Wally started to have knee problems. I can see Tony Allen continuing where he left off at the end of last year, which was playing very well as a slashing player and defensive stopper. I can see Ryan Gomes being even better this year. I can see Delonte West being improved this year, whether he plays the point or the 2 guard. I can see Perk even better this year and being a defensive presence in the paint. I can see Al having a break out year. He is determined to silence his critics and to be the player everyone has been waiting for. I can see Leon Powe surprising a lot of people and contributing right away. I can see Pierce being even better than last year and working even harder to fit into the team game. I can see Green being improved and bringing excitement to the games and also winning the slam dunk contest.

Most importantly, I can see this team running and being a very efficient team because of having 2 new pure points. The addition of Telfair and Rondo have got to bring optimism. We haven't had point guards of this quality for a long, long time. They will run and the rest of the team will run with them and we will get easy baskets because of their speed and ability to find the open man. There is no doubt that our PG's will run this year, and the rest of the team will run with them if they don't want to be left on the bench.

Yes, there is much to be optimistic about. I am happy to see that I am not alone in being optimistic because the majority of votes have been in the optimistic range (albeit cautiously optimistic). The weak link as I see it is in our coaching. If Doc can improve his in game coaching and will take defense seriously this year, we should be rewarded for our optimism. I am optimistic... where is your mood meter?

Boston Sports Review has another great article on Leon Powe. What is there not to like about this kid? I mean, really... He has overcome obstacles that would cause most of us to sit back and feel sorry for ourselves. By now, most know about his childhood of living in foster homes, losing his mother, and his knee surgeries. He is a hard worker and is motivated to make those teams that passed on him sorry they didn't choose him. I fully believe that he will. I have no doubt that he will earn playing time... if Doc plays him, I really feel that he will make a lot of people stand up and notice and will produce for us. I am firmly on his bandwagon... it is going to get crowded there once the season starts and people get to see this kid play.

Boston? "They say it gets cold there," says Powe from sunny California. "Danny Ainge didn't tell me about that. I'm going to bring my snowboots." Then Powe realizes he doesn't have any. He's not fooling himself into thinking he's going to show up and be The Show with the Celtics. "It was a honor to be drafted by them. They don't need me to come right in and be a scorer. I know they'll need me to rebound and play defense." His take on coach Doc Rivers is on the money. "He's all about business; it's about getting it done on the court." Powe's come this far, and left a lot behind. "It's just about putting the work in," he says. Just like at Oakland Tech. "We were expected to do good because I was on the team. I took it as a challenge. The only thing that frustrated me was [opponents] put three people on me every night. But I scored by going after loose balls, tip-ins, backdoor cuts." He's aware of the incessant police reports on young athletes breaking the law, getting suspended, messing with their careers. Powe swears he'll hang with the right people, and not be seduced by the night life that takes too many to the wrong places at the wrong time. "I'm not going to go crazy, like some players." His mom's gone but he owes it to his siblings. Must be proud of him, huh? "Oh yeah," says Powe, sounding like a father more than a brother. Truth is, he's the breadwinner now. [More] source:Boston Sports Review Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!

Bob Cousy was one of the league's premiere point guards. Speaking at the unveiling of an exhibit at the Hall of Fame that pays tribute to the Bob Cousy Award, given annually to the best college point guard in the nation, Bob Cousy spoke on point guard skills as well as his thoughts on the Celtics' trio of point guards.

Cousy, who played the bulk of his career and won six NBA titles with the Boston Celtics, gave positive reviews to the team's current trio of point guards. The Celtics acquired two-year veteran Sebastian Telfair and rookie Rajon Rondo in draft day trades this year to compete with incumbent starter Delonte West. "I like West, and I think he can do the job," Cousy said. "Of course, they're not running. They've threatened to do it this year; well, let's wait and see. I hope they will. "I've heard wonderful things about Rondo. He's a non-shooter, but they tell me he's a throwback as far as his point guard skills are concerned. "I have not seen Telfair, so I can't comment. I know he's supposed to be the quickest thing that's ever came around." The Celtics have suggested they may play two of the trio together in the backcourt at times this season, a plan Cousy thinks could benefit the team. "Two point guards will make it easier even to get down court, if you're committed to the running game," Cousy said. [More] source:MassLive.com Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!

Perk will be a free agent after this season. It seems as though Danny should be working on an extension now to try to lock him up. Good centers are hard to come by and after this season, I am sure some team will pay him quite a bit.

Perk is entering his 4th season. He got approximately 35 minutes playing time his entire first season and played in only 10 games. In spite of only playing 3 minutes per game, he averaged 1.4 rpg along with 2.2 ppg. But that season wasn't wasted, he spent his time in the weight room getting into the best shape possible.

In his second year, he played in 60 games and averaged 9 mpg. His rebounds increased to 2.9 rpg and 2.5 ppg and continued to work on his strength and conditioning.

Last year he finally got some more playing time after Blount was traded. He played in 68 games and averaged 19 mpg. His rebounding increased to 5.9 rpg along with 5.2 ppg and 1.5 bpg. He rarely got starters minutes and even after Blount left, Raef got most of the minutes at center. But when he got extended minutes, he produced.

This shows a pattern of steady and continued improvement. His goal this summer was to work on his offense. I imagine that his shot will be more accurate this summer and that he will once again increase his rebounding and blocks as well, especially with time to work with Clifford Ray this summer.

All this is to say that Perk is developing into what should be a very, very good center. He is developing faster than Jermaine O'Neal did, and O'Neal is considered one of the top players at this position. I can see Perk becoming one of the top centers within one or two more years. If Perk is allowed to become a free agent, he will get some very good offers from other teams.

Consider the fact that Nene got an extension worth 60 million over 6 years. Nene has averaged almost 30 mpg over the 3 seasons he played and in 04-05, his 3rd season, he averaged 5.9 rpg, .87 bpg and 9.6 ppg. With double the playing time, he really didn't have numbers much better than Perk. Yet, he got a 10 mil a year extension.

Chris Wilcox just signed a 3 year 24 million dollar contract. Wilcox just completed his 4th year in the league and last year averaged 5.3 rpg, .44 bpg and 8.1 ppg in 20 mpg. Again, not much better than Perk.

My point is that centers are paid well because good centers are hard to come by. In my opinion, Perk's extension should have been just as important as Pierce's extension. He should be worth at least 6-8 million a year as he will get that from most other teams out there. Perk should get starters minutes for the first time in his career this season (unless Doc is a complete moron) and I fully expect him to have a break out season. If he does, the 6-8 million he might ask for now, would be a real bargain. Danny needs to get the extension done quickly before we lose him to a team who is willing to pay him what he is worth, or at least before everyone realizes what he is worth.

I just got a new book this week and it is really fascinating. It is The Unofficial Guide to Basketball's Nastiest and Most Unusual Records (Unofficial Guide)by Kerry Banks. I highly recommend it for a fun offseason read. You will find every kind of unusual record in this book. I am sharing a few of the Celtics records from the book here this morning. A really fun read!!!

First NBA player to break a backboard Chuck Connors, Boston, Nov. 5, 1946 Connors, who would later go on to much greater fame as the star of TV's "The Rifleman," broke the backboard at Boston Arena before the Celtics' maiden home opener against the Chicago Stags. Contrary to popular belief, he did not do it with a dunk. "During the warm-ups, I took a harmless 15- to 20-foot set shot, and, crash, the glass backboard shattered," Connors recalled in a 1986 interview. The backboard crumbled because a worker had not installed a piece of protective rubber between it and the rim. The game was delayed an hour while a truck picked up a spare backboard from Boston Garden, where a rodeo was taking place in front of a packed house. In 53 career games with the Celtics, Connors averaged 4.5 points per game. After leaving basketball, he tried his hand at baseball, playing briefly for the Brooklyn Dodgers and Chicago Cubs, before finding his niche in Hollywood. Most stab wounds suffered by a player 11: Paul Pierce, Boston, Sept. 25, 2000 Pierce was definitely in the wrong place at the wrong time. But he was also more than a little lucky. Minutes after entering a Boston dance club in the early morning hours of Sept. 25, 2000, the 22-year-old Celtics player was ambushed after he stopped to chat with a gang member's sister. Jumped from behind by three men, he was sucker punched, had a bottle broken over his right eye, and had a knife plunged through the back of his leather jacket six inches into his body. Pierce also received 10 other stab wounds in the neck and chest, the worst of which penetrated his abdomen and diaphragm and punctured his lung, coming within an inch of his heart. Friends rushed him to hospital where he underwent emergency surgery to repair the damage. Amazingly, Pierce was back on the court in less than a month and went on to have a stellar season, leading the Celtics in scoring. Highest draft pick to die of a drug overdose Len Bias, No. 2 overall, June 19, 1986 Bias was considered a can't-miss star. Not only was the 22-year-old a terrific talent, he also had a sterling reputation. As his college coach Lefty Driesell stated, "Leonard's only vice is ice cream." Unfortunately, the Maryland Terrapins forward never got a chance to strut his stuff in the pros. Less than 48 hours after being selected second overall by the Boston Celtics, Bias collapsed in his dorm and died of a cardiac arrest. Doctors found cocaine in Bias's system and concluded that he died of a cocaine-induced seizure. A subsequent investigation into his death led to charges being laid against three other people who admitted using the drug with Bias on the day of his death. The fallout eventually resulted in Driesell's resignation. First player suspended for biting another player Wayne "Tree" Rollins, Atlanta, April 24, 1983 Boston was leading the deciding game of its 1983 playoff series with Atlanta when Tree Rollins elbowed Danny Ainge. The feisty Celtics guard responded by tackling the 7-foot-1 Hawks center. As the two struggled on the floor, Rollins sank his teeth into one of Ainge's fingers, opening a gash that required five stitches. The NBA handed Rollins a five-game suspension, one game for each stitch. The next day's headline in Boston read: "Tree Bites Man." Most pregame vomiting episodes, career 1,128: Bill Russell, 1956-57 to 1968-69 The Boston Celtics great would get so psyched -- and nauseated -- before virtually every game that he would have to puke. It didn't hurt his play though. In fact, if Russell didn't vomit before a game, his teammates knew they were in for a long night. Once, before a Game 7 playoff clash against Philadelphia in the 1960s, Celtics coach Red Auerbach actually pulled his team off the court during warm-ups because Russell hadn't performed his usual pregame ritual. Auerbach told the players they weren't going back out until Russell tossed his cookies. Russell came through and Boston went on to victory. Most Grateful Dead concerts attended by a Hall of Famer More than 650: Bill Walton Walton is a die-hard Deadhead. "They've been my life since I first saw them in the late sixties, when I was in high school," he admitted in one interview. "I attended lots of rock concerts when I was in high school and college, but after my first Dead show I realized that I had found a home." Walton numbers the Dead among the great teachers in his life and believes that lessons learned from the band served him well in the pursuit of his goals as a basketball player: "Their inspiration drove me. They taught me the importance of delivering peak performances on demand, and to always play with a sense of joy and creativity." More source:The Unofficial Guide to Basketball's Nastiest and Most Unusual Records Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!

In spite of it being fairly quite in the Celtics Nation, the blogs and Celtics fans are still active. Jon Duke over at Boston Sports Media has been busy welcoming a new Celtics fan into the world. Congratulations to Jon and his wife on the birth of his first son, William. What a handsome little boy!! Better start teaching him to play defense now.

Jeff over atCeltics Blog is taking a look at all Al is doing to get into shape this season and is very happy about it.

Cheap Seats over at Celtics Blog is still running tryouts for writers. The latest one takes a look at how Theo Ratliff might be able to help us this year.

Matt at the Perkolaters has discovered the face recognition software at myheritage.com and had some fun finding look alikes for Perk. I sure wouldn't want to have to tell him he looks like Ella Fitzgerald...

JB over at Celticsstuff Live reminds us that basketball is entertainment and some of us need to lighten up a bit. Koolaid drinker that I am, if I lightened up any more, I would end up in the stratosphere. But, he has a point. There is way too much negativism on the Celtics boards these days.

I Heart Celtics takes a look at what very well might be our starting line up. Good analysis of the players and the lineup.

Red's Army hits the headlines about Harrington going to Indy, the And 1 Tour, and our mutual favorite Leon Powe's basketball camp.

There may not be much in the mainstream media, but as long as there are fans and blogs, we will always have something to read.

The Celtics have Kendrick Perkins going into his 4th year. Tony Allen, Delonte West and Al Jefferson are going into their 3rd year. Ryan Gomes and Gerald Green are heading into their second year. We also have 4 rookies added to the mix this year: Rajon Rondo, Leon Powe, Allan Ray, and Kevin Pittsnogle.

We have seen steady improvement from Perk in spite of no playing time his first year and very little his second year. Just as he was starting to get regular playing time last year after Blount was traded, he went down with the shoulder injury. Perk has been working hard in spite of the shoulder surgery. Danny said that he expects him to be cleared this week for full basketball workouts. This means he will have a month and a half of work outs and working with Clifford Ray before training camp. As hard as he works, I expect him to come back this season improved and ready to man the middle very impressively. He may move from solid to impressive this season.

I expect Al to have a break out year this year. He has shown brilliance in flashes but has been hampered by the ankle injuries. Just as he started to show promise and play like he was expected to, he went down again and never was able to get back. We know now, that it wasn't just a sprain, but a bone bruise and bone chips that were causing the pain to linger. Now that the chips have been removed, Al is healing quicker than expected. He has a lot to prove and is determined to quiet all his detractors who have called him soft and were ready to write him off this past season. I expect him to come into camp ready to play and he will have a stellar season.

Delonte West did a great job last year learning the point position. He did all that was asked of him and went into the off season as the presumed point guard for next season. Then on draft night, Danny added 2 pure points to the mix. Delonte now is third in line to start at the 1. Of course, his natural position is the 2 and if Doc goes with Telfair and Rondo at the point, expect to see Delonte at the shooting guard position playing along side of the points. He could be the 6th man coming. Delonte has a great work ethic also and should come in with something to prove. I expect him to have a great year as long as Doc sets a position for him and he gets the playing time.

Tony Allen came on like gang busters the last part of the season. His knee was finally healed for the most part and we saw the explosiveness that made him a starter in his rookie year. He had minor surgery (according to Danny) on his knee again this off season and is reportedly doing well with rehab. Tony's lawyer and Danny have both said that Tony will come out of the trial without jail time but with a supposed video tape that possibly shows the fight, we can't be certain. If healthy and free of legal problems, Tony should have a great year.

Ryan Gomes finally got a chance when Al and Perk went down with injuries. What he did with that chance was to prove that he can play. He has incredible instincts to be in the right place to get rebounds in spite of being smaller than most 4's he went up against. This off season he has been working tirelessly to improve his game and from the looks of him in Summer League, he is ready to come in and make some noise this season. He seems quicker and has improved his outside shot... He should be equally effective at the 3 or 4.

Gerald Green came into the Summer League camp slightly out of shape but looked good by the time the games were played. There have been reports that Gerald was on the trading block and that he isn't Danny's guy but with the potential that he has, I just can't see him being a part of this team. He matured and improved considerably during his stints in the D League. He still needs work, especially on defense but you can see the potential there and the improvement. I think his breakout is at least a year down the road, but he should be improved this year and see some playing time.

Dwayne Jones is a puzzle. The kid is built like a brick wall. He is quick and athletic. He can rebound and block shots with either hand. When given a chance to play, he has looked good. He is a monster on the glass and has a soft touch under the basket for put backs. He led the D League in rebounding and blocked shots when playing there. He had 20+ minutes in two games at the end of last season and responded with 10 and 13 rebounds. I expected to see more of him in Summer League and was surprised that he didn't get to play more. I think all he needs is a chance and would respond with good numbers.

Of all the young players coming in from this year's draft, I am most excited about Rondo. His defense is going to set him apart. I am amazed at how big his hands are... all the better to steal the ball with! He has been turning heads and impressing people wherever he played this summer. I expect him to eventually be the starting PG. He just has the complete package. In watching the SL games that were televised, the team just played more under control with Rondo at the point. If he isn't the starting PG at the beginning of the year, I expect him to be by the end of the year.

Leon Powe is also exciting. Although he is slightly undersized at the 4, his long arms and athleticism make up for it. He has such a strong work ethic. I believe that if given the playing time he will surprise a lot of people. He is strong and can rebound and block shots and is quick and very athletic. I think he will be seen as the steal of the draft if he is given a chance to play. I really like this kid and think he is going to be a very, very good player as long as his knees stay healthy.

Allan Ray is a scorer. He is quick and an adequate defender. I can see him coming off the bench to jump start the offense or to help the second team with offense. I think though that he would be better served by getting some time in the D League.

Finally there is Sebastian Telfair. He was highly regarded when he came into the league out of high school. But he was buried on the end of the bench as the third option in Portland. The system in Portland didn't play to his strengths. His game is running and penetrating and kicking the ball out. That is the system that Boston wants to institute and I think Telfair will do very well in our system. He will probably be the starting PG in the beginning of the year, but I think eventually Rondo will beat him out on the strength of his defense and the fact that he plays more under control.

The key to the development of each of these players is playing time. In each case, I have said, "if they get playing time." It is going to be difficult with all of these young players to give them enough playing time to prove themselves and to improve. One or two players can go to the D League. But Doc is going to have to juggle the players and be sure that the ones who most deserve the time will get it. I believe that several of these kids are going to be stars and I can see at least one or two breaking out this season. Which ones, will depend largely on who gets playing time and who doesn't.

We hear alot about The Brain doctor when discussing the Celtics. But just who is this guy and what exactly is Brain Typing? Danny has come to depend on it in choosing players in the draft and in signing free agents. We have brain typing to thank for bringing Scal here since he has the same brain type as Michael Jordan and he depends on Dr Niednagel for advice himself. Kevin McHale also believes in Brain Typing and has used Dr Niednagel's services many times. As I understand it, Dr Niednagel is now under contract with the Celtics and no longer consulting with other teams. Here is some background on Dr Niednagel, aka "The Brain Doctor", and the inexact science of brain typing.

In choosing the players he brings to the team, Danny Ainge has leaned on Jonathan Niednagel for his advice on brain typing. As far back as when he was coaching the Suns, Danny leaned on Dr Niednagel for input on his players. Kevin McHale also depends on Dr Niednagel for input on his players. We hear jokes about The Brain Doctor and Danny's dependence on him for advice, but very few of us know who this man is or anything about his brain typing theories. Jonathan P. Niednagel has a bachelor’s degree in Business Finance from California State University, Long Beach. Although born and raised in Missouri, he attended college and lived in Southern California for about 20 years during that area’s real estate boom. He made money in real estate and left that business before the real estate market caved. His also worked as a commodities broker during this time. On a personal side, he loves to fish and is proud of his personal stance as a born-again Christian. Eventually, Mr. Niednagel began developing his entrepreneurial skills through marketing positive thinking material and promoting multilevel marketing. In April 1997, Jonathan Niednagel became the president, CEO and co-founder of a company called Mobile Automation, Inc. (Mobile Automation, 2002). This company developed IT solutions for managing mobile devices such as laptops, palmtops and handheld PCs. He left the company in 1999. Sometime in the late nineties, Mr. Niednagel came up with a new product based on his interest in Carl Jung and the Myers-Briggs Type Indicator (MBTI). He self-published a new book entitled, Brain Typing: Gain an Uncanny, Razor-Sharp Understanding of Yourself and Everyone Around You. Near the end of the 90s, Mr. Niednagel created an organization called the Brain Type Institute in Thornfield, MO. The purpose of this organization is to promote the business of selling his Brain Typing product. Although the name conjures a large building with highly trained staff and possible research facilities, it is an “institute” in name only. A phone call to the headquarters will either result in an answering machine message or a personal contact with Jonathan’s brother, Jeremy. Brain Typing, which is being developed by Jonathan P. Niednagel, is an effort to synthesise psychology, physiology and neuroscience -- to create a typology that categorises individuals based on mental and motor skill patterns. Niednagel believes these patterns are based on inborn genetic traits. Niednagel first concieved of the idea in the 1970s while coaching for little league. When observing the kids' baseball-playing tendencies, he noticed that those with similar personalities also had similar motor movement skills. After conducting extensive research, Niednagel fully developed the Brain Typing system and has since promoting his Brain Typing skills as an asset to professional sports teams. Here's how it works- Niednagel believes each person is born with one of 16 brain types. These types, also called brain wirings, or designs, are based on four basic pairs of psychological attributes. E-extroverted versus I-introverted. S-sensing versus N-intuitive. T-thinking versus F-feelings. And J-judging versus P-perceiving. Thus, if you are extroverted, sensing, thinking, and perceiving, you'd be labeled an ESTP type. There are 16 possible combinations or types. And each brain type, according to Niednagel, has inherent strengths and specific weaknesses. For Niednagel, those qualities are particularly apparent in sports. Applied to sports, a player's brain type is viewed as a helpful predictor of how he will perform as a professional athlete. "I believe in Jon's evaluation," said Ainge. "He's not 100 percent right. There's been times when I've been right and he's been wrong. There's been times when I question his overall conclusion. There's a lot that factors into success. [Brain typing] is just a measurement, one of a lot of things in the process. "Not until I really like a player do I usually have Jon look at him. But he's not afraid of giving his opinion. He's passionate about his decisions and I like that. It's controversial for anybody who doesn't know [brain typing]. But I like Jon because of my history with him. I'm working with a guy I trust." Another of his supporters is Brian Scalabrine. Brian has sought out Niednagel's advice on occasion. According to Niednagel, Scal has an ideal basketball ISTP brain type with underwhelming athleticism. Scal feels he makes the most of his natural abilities and wiring by calling on the Brain Doctor. Scalabrine estimates that eight of his 10 best NBA performances followed pregame conversations with Niednagel, including Game 5 of the 2004 Eastern Conference semifinals against Detroit. In the Nets' triple-overtime victory, Scalabrine set playoff career highs for points (17), 3-pointers made and attempted (4 for 4), and field goals made and attempted (6 for 7). "Jon always can get me to a point where I can just go out there and do what I need to do," said Scalabrine. "I'm a spatial player. I can't just focus in on one thing. I have to take in everything around me. With that [information], I get into a zone. "I'll never play like Michael Jordan, but by learning about my brain type, I can maximize my own potential. That's what it's all about. Every time I'm struggling a little bit, I call Jon and he gets me back on track." Judging by Scal's performance last year, the Brain Doctor may be slipping. There are many who doubt the validity of brain typing and of Dr Niednagel's research. When asked if brain typing helped his franchise, Phoenix president and general manager Bryan Colangelo said, "Actually, it was somewhat counterproductive and proved divisive for us because of the doubt that existed on the staff. There were even a few players that questioned Jon's presence and role with the team." Whether brain typing is science or guesswork, it is here to stay as long as Danny Ainge is the GM. We can say that with the success that Danny has had in the draft, there may just be something to it. Related Site: Testimonials for Brain Typing Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!

I love this kid. I really hope he gets playing time this year because I believe he is going to surprise a lot of people. He is a very physical player who can rebound and after working with Clifford Ray, he will be even better. You just have to pull for a kid who has overcome so much, has such a great attitude, and works so hard.

OAKLAND — Leon Powe didn't attend his first basketball camp until he was 15 or 16 years old. Before that, there was nothing available to the former Oakland Tech High and Cal star. "I couldn't go anyway ... I didn't have any money," Powe said. "That would have been huge for me." Money won't be an issue for youngsters on Saturday, when Powe, about to begin his rookie season with the Boston Celtics, hosts the first Team Powe Basketball Camp. Open to boys and girls ages 7 through 18, the camp will be held from 9:30 a.m. to 3 p.m. at Merritt College. Admission is free. "I'm going to be there all day," Powe said. "I'll tell these kids the same thing I say to all the kids. You've just got to work hard, and when it seems like it's impossible, you've got to keep pushing until you've given everything." The first 75 youngsters who arrive at camp Saturday will receive free T-shirt. Powe also plans to have other speakers on hand for the camp, including teachers, a lawyer and a banker. "Basically we just want to give back," said Bernard Ward, Powe's mentor and friend. "He always said if he made it, he wanted to do whatever he can for kids. He knows a lot of kids can't afford it." Powe will report to Boston on Sept.1 to find a place to live and begin preparing for training camp. "I'm ready to play," he said. The Celtics are encouraged by what they've seen so far. Assistant coach Tony Brown admitted he didn't know what to make of Powe even after the club picked him in the second round of the NBA draft. His opinion began to crystallize after an early August training camp in Las Vegas that featured rookies, but also veterans such as Jermaine O'Neal and Shareef Abdur-Rahim. "I had no idea who Leon was," Brown said. "But he's a physical-type player. He can rebound well. I was just impressed with his energy overall. And he wasn't playing against any slouches — there were about 60 NBA players there." Brown said the Celtics have a need for a physical inside presence. "It's amazing the kind of attitude he has," Brown said, alluding to the challenges Powe overcame while growing up. "He's well-mannered and very polite. I also like he can leave that at the door. When he competes he can take it to another level. If he can keep that going, he should have a nice NBA career." [More] source: Insidebayarea.com Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!

Derrenmatts came up with another good piece over on Celtics Green. It makes a lot of sense from the point of view that this is how Ainge works. He makes the trade you least expect. I am still rather lukewarm on bringing Iverson to Boston. He plays hard, I just don't see his character fitting in with the team. But I have been expecting Danny to make a move before the season... one that would be a 3 for 1 trade. If the trade had to wait until August 28, it will involve either Telfair or Ratliff or both. What Derren says makes a lot of sense... Danny usually makes a deal with another one in mind down the line. It is going to be an interesting next couple of weeks.

Was doing some muzzling over at Celticsblog, and I read this one thread where a poster makes a lot of sense. I didn't read his entire post, but the ideas that ran through my head made me immediately want to post it here before I forget. 1) There was a whole lot of hype about this Iverson trade being nearly a done deal. Most of us were on the edge of our seats every morning, anticipating Iverson packing his bags to come here. Almost every beat writer (even outside of Boston) thought this was a no brainer. But in a blink of an eye, the trade talk dies out and there's nothing but calm waters, blue skies and deafening silence. No more talk on either side. Now, both sides hardly even look at one another, and both claim that the deal is no longer being discussed. Either both guys are telling the truth, or maybe a deal was already agreed upon and now they are just wating for Aug 28th, at which time the players who came over in the Portland deal will be able to be traded away. Logical sense is that Ainge killed the deal when he traded away the coveted 7th pick in the draft that Philly wanted in order to get Telfair from Portland. But even that seems a bit fishy. Ainge was very optimistic, to the point where it seemed like a guarantee that big moves were going to be made this offseason, making it sound like he was going after a big one. Getting Iverson would have been that whopping catch (though many of us disagree). If he wanted Iverson, why would he kill the deal by doing a 180 and trade for Telfair? I mean, if he wants to hit a grand slam, Iverson would be the knockout punch (in terms of superstar power and impact). Telfair is nowhere the player Iverson is and will ever be. 2) Pierce just signed an extension to be with us for the next 5 years. After wanting to be traded away last summer because of not being happy here, he endures a disappointing 33 win season. And after making comments this summer about wanting to play for a winning team and playing for a championship, he signs an extension to be here for the next 5 years. Unless Ainge promised him that he was going to bring in player(s) who will help Pierce realize his championship dreams, I highly doubt Pierce would have inked his name on a contract extension. With our youth and inexperience, Pierce wouldn't naively sign on for another term that will run through his prime if he didn't think Ainge was going to put us in a position to be title contenders. I think Ainge promised and reassured him that star players are on their way to Boston. That's probably why Pierce waited til after signing the extension before getting his surgery on his elbow. He had to make sure where he was going to be next year first before commiting to surgery. Where Ainge was once highly proactive about bringing in big name players this summer, he is now more on the placid side. This either means that Ainge has given up trying because his efforts are futile, or that something is up his sleeve. Right before he traded Walker away, and later when he traded for Walker, he made similar comments about having no desire to trade him or trade for him. We hear of him making calls to Indiana for Harrington, and making inquisitive calls to Cleveland about Gooden and Seattle for Wilcox, but they didn't sound at all like possibilities. We all have dismissed the thought of Iverson wearing Celtics Green next season and our attention has turned elsewhere. But that could be exactly what Danny Ainge and Billy King want. Even the Iverson camp has been relatively quiet. Normally, each summer, we hear of Iverson being rumored to go here, to go there, to go everywhere. But not this summer--all is quiet. Maybe a bit too quiet. I advise all Celtics fans to prepare for a sneak attack. Allen Iverson may indeed be a Celtic before the summer is over. [More] source: Derrenmatts - Celtics Green Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!

I love the fact that the Celtics young players are working so hard over the off season. The fact that they are working on conditioning and building muscle and losing body fat is going to make them all much better players. I for one expect Al to come in and have a very big year this year. He feels he has a lot to prove and I think he will do it. Perk is due for a break out year this year as well. I believe they should start Al and Perk and let them play together. I believe they can be a dominant front court with some playing time together. One interesting fact in the article is how hard Green and Gomes have worked as well. I believe that Gomes will be even better this year than last. Another great article from Scott Souza.

There have been plenty of growing pains involved with the Celtics’ youth movement over the past two years. One guy who is not complaining is Celtics strength & conditioning coach Walter Norton Jr. Except, maybe, when he realizes that it means there are precious few off days left in his offseason. Norton and fellow coach Bryan Doo have been busy this summer with the younger crowd. With the team’s failure to make the playoffs this past season, the duo began instituting the offseason conditioning regimens in May and have had players biding for their attention ever since. Through June, that meant as many as nine guys coming to the team’s Waltham training facility each day to work. The practices became more organized in advance of the Toshiba Vegas Summer League -- where eight players on the current roster participated. Since returning in the middle of July, things have slowed down a bit, but Norton says there is still a steady stream of players checking in at the Sports Authority Training Center each week, while Norton and Doo have traveled throughout the country to meet up with others. [More] source:Daily News Tribune Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!

Delonte has been busy in the community this offseason. He has been hosting clinics and participated in Basketball Without Borders in Puerto Rico. I imagine that he has been working hard on his game as well and will be ready for training camp to give it his all.

On Saturday, August 19, kids from Boys & Girls Club of Boston had the opportunity to join Celtics' guard Delonte West for a free basketball clinic at Blue Hills Boys & Girls Club in Dorchester. This free clinic provided youth the opportunity to work on their basketball skills, sportsmanship, and teamwork skills, while building self-esteem both on and off the court. Each participant received a T-shirt, basketball and refreshments as well as had the opportunity to meet Delonte. The Delonte West Foundation, a fund of the Institute for Science and Health, strives to make an impact in the lives of children through education, health and the arts. Delonte's primary objective is to partner with Life Pieces to Masterpieces, a Washington D.C. based organization, and expand their incredible programming and curriculum. Life Pieces To Masterpieces' mission/purpose is to provide African American males, living in low-income and public housing, with opportunities to discover their ability to change challenges into possibilities by using art as an outlet. In addition, Delonte is working with Boys & Girls Clubs of Boston to create an incentive program that rewards children for making positive decisions. Members will have the opportunity to receive incentive items based on their personal successes in school, at home, and at the community center. [More] source: Celtics.com Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!

NBAdraft.net has published a 4 part series on building a championship team. This part addresses Red Auerbach and Jerry West and how they built the championship teams of the past decades. It also addresses the 3 key rules that are important in building a team today and how Danny Ainge's approach stacks up to the key rules. It is a very good read and gives a realistic view of where the Celtics stand in the building process. Here are a couple of key quotes from the article to whet your appetite to read the entire piece.

Once again Derrenmatts over on Celtics Green came up with a great piece. After yesterday's article in the Globe concerning the possiblility of keeping Brian Grant for his contract, many of us are thinking of the possibilities. Derren presents some very good scenarios and analysis.

We have 17 players on our roster right now. Most of us figured that Grant would be waived, leaving just one player to be cut from the team. Today's Globe indicates that Danny may keep Grant on the roster for trade fodder if two other players don't distinguish themselves in camp. Of course, there may be a trade and all our speculation will be for naught. Here is a look at the players who may be on the cusp.

First, Kevin Pittsnogle. He was the last player signed and most fans couldn't understand why Danny brought him in. He played very poorly in the Summer Leagues. He is 6'10" or 6'11" depending on the website you are looking at and is a 3 point specialist with very little low post game. Now, Doc may want to try to replace Raef with another big who can shoot the 3, but from all accounts, Pitts can't do much else. He isn't a rebounder, lacks quickness and his slow foot speed make him an average to below average defender. It would seem that one of the roster spots should go to a big who can rebound and block shots. We have several wing players who can hit the 3 and extend the defenses. We need our bigs to be rebounders and shot blockers and be able to play under the basket. Pitts doesn't fit that role. His lack of speed may be his biggest weakness on a team that wants to run. I believe he will be one of the cuts.

My second choice for a cut would be Scalabrine. Last year, he was obviously out of shape the entire year. He never fit into the system and while he did some good things on the floor, he did an equal number of things that hurt the team. Scal has one thing going for him though that the others don't, and that is that he is a veteran and a good locker room guy and is great on the bench encouraging guys who are in the game. We do need veteran players to fill that role and as long as he doesn't get too much playing time, I can deal with him on the team. In the article on the Seeds of Peace camp it mentioned that Scal was swimming a mile across the lake and so maybe he will come into camp in shape this year and that would make a big difference. If we keep Scal for his veteran presence, who else could be cut?

There is Allan Ray who was undrafted and plays a position where we are stacked. But Danny really likes him and has been gushing about how good he is. He is a great scorer and would be good as a microwave type player off the bench to jumpstart the offense if it was stagnant. He is a decent defender and is a quick player who fits the mold that Danny is trying to bring in for the Celtics' running game. He did very well in Summer League and I can see Danny wanting to keep him on the team.

Leon Powe is another of the rookies who has a partially guaranteed contract. I really like this kid and see his work ethic and character as huge selling points for keeping him. He may be slightly undersized for the 4 but he is very athletic and has added 3 inches to his vertical leap since last season. He also has long arms that help to make up the difference in height. He has a knack for rebounding and has good foot speed to fit right into the running game that Danny is trying to institute. I just don't see any way that this kid doesn't make the team. The only question about him has been his reconstructed knees. But since he has played on them a full year in college and didn't seem the least bit tentative in Summer League, I don't think that will be a problem.

Another possible cut could be Dwayne Jones. This is a real puzzle. Word was that Danny insisted on having Jones included in the deal with Minny. He lead the D League in rebounds and blocked shots last year. He is a little raw, but still does a lot of good things when he is on the floor. He is built like a rock and has great size with long arms. He is extremely athletic and runs the floor very well. He is a terrific shot blocker and can block shots with either hand. He has great timing and has a knack for rebounding. It seems that he is everything we could want in a center, but yet he didn't even get much playing time in the Summer League. I think it would be a mistake to cut a kid who can rebound, block shots, and who is quick and athletic and 6'11". I would definitely keep Jones over Pittsnogle and over the expiring contract of Brian Grant.

Right now, Tony Allen is on this list. Tony's biggest problem right now is legal. He is awaiting trial for battery charges from the scuffle almost a year ago in Chicago. He is also recovering from knee surgery for the second off season in a row. Last off season, he had surgery and it took him until after the All Star game to get back to normal and begin to once again show the promise he had as a rookie. After the season, Danny said that he had arthroscopic surgery on it once again to clean it out and in every report about him, it says that he is recovering from off season knee surgery. Danny is waiting until Tony's legal problems are settled to decide on picking up the option on his contract for next year. If Tony is convicted and will have to spend time in jail, he may be cut by default. It would be a shame because he is a player who could really help us if healthy. He is quick, an excellent defender, and can score the ball. He would fit perfectly into the running game. That is IF he is healthy, and IF he isn't in jail.

I don't see Theo Ratliff being cut because he is our only veteran in the middle right now. We are very thin in the center and Ratliff could really help us if he can stay healthy. In spite of being fairly invisible since the trade, I believe he will come to training camp and be part of the team.

Rondo has distinguished himself and there isn't any way that he will be cut. I can even see Rondo giving Telfair and West a run for the starting PG spot and possibly even winning it. I also can't see any of our 2nd or 3rd year players being cut.

So that leaves us with Pittsnogle and Grant being the two most likely to be cut before the season starts. Scal, Ray, Powe, Jones and Allen being the outside shots to go if somehow Pittsnogle out plays them and none of them play well enough to make Danny want them more than an expiring contract.

When you watch Dwight Howard play in the Worlds Games, think Clifford Ray. Dwight and his dad credit Clifford Ray with his development and his play. When you watch classic Celtics games from the 80's and see Parish dominate in the middle, think Clifford Ray. Parish credited Clifford Ray with helping him to develop his game. This offseason, Danny may have scored one of the biggest free agents in the league by signing Clifford Ray as an assistant coach. He has succeeded everywhere he has been and one thing is agreed - Clifford Ray is the best big man coach in the NBA. If his past success is any indication, we should expect big strides in our bigs this season.

A 6-9 center, Ray played three of his ten seasons in the NBA with the Chicago Bulls (1971-74) and the other seven with the Golden State Warriors (1974-81). Ray played his college basketball at the University of Oklahoma. In 1971 the Chicago Bulls selected him in the third round of the NBA draft. He spent three seasons with the Bulls, his best being 1973-74 during which he averaged 9.3 points and 12.2 rebounds per game. After the 1973-74 season Ray was traded to Golden State for fellow center Nate Thurmond. At 6'9", Clifford Ray was one of the shorter starting NBA centers to ever win a title. Without even a lot of athleticism or anything else to make up the difference, he manned the center as Golden State won a championship in 1975. Ray is one of a handful of players to have played at least ten seasons in the pros and record more rebounds (6953 over 784 games for an 8.9 average) than points (5821, for a 7.4 average) for his career. After his playing career, Ray worked as an assistant coach with the Dallas Mavericks. He also coached in the Continental Basketball Association, where he landed his lone head coaching job with the Fort Wayne Fury, replacing Barry as head coach at the end of the season. Later, he worked as a New Jersey Nets assistant before returning to Golden State as an asistant coach. He had also worked as an assistant coach with the Orlando Magic where he was responsible for the development of Dwight Howard. As an assistant coach who specializes in teaching big men, he has had wonderful results wherever he has worked. If you follow his career, teams where he has been an assistant have been among the league's best in rebounding, in spite of being among the worst before he arrived. That's a huge fact since rebounding is very important in determining who wins in the NBA. He has molded a long list of players: P.J. Brown, Adonal Foyle, Roy Tarpley, Erick Dampier, Nazr Mohammed. In his first year as a part-time coach in Dallas, in 1987-88, the Mavericks led the league in rebounding. When Ray was an assistant in New Jersey in 1995-96, the Nets led the league in rebounding. In Ray's two years at Golden State (2000-01 and '01-02), the Warriors ranked first and second in rebounding. In Cleveland two years ago, Ray had the Cavs up to second in the league. The Magic, which ranked 23rd in rebounding the season before Ray arrived, ranked second the following year. Celtic legend Robert Parish has credited Clifford Ray for lifting his game to another level as well. For years Parish and Ray held big men camps in Florida. Clifford Ray was also responsible for saving the life of a dolphin. In 1978, Mr. Spock the dolphin at Marine World had his tank repaired. The diver dropped a large stainless steel screw. They assumed that Mr. Spock had swallowed this screw. So, they took him to the local hospital for an x-ray. They couldn’t do surgery and could not get the screw. The doctor exclaimed, if only my arms were 9” longer, I could reach down his throat and pull it out. Mike Demetrius then remembered Clifford Ray. Clifford Ray volunteered to try. He cut his fingernails, greased his arm (which is three feet, nine inches long), reached down through the dolphin’s mouth, grabbed the bolt, and pulled it out." He was diagnosed with prostate cancer while coaching in the CBA and underwent chemotherapy while coaching with the Cavaliers. He still has his blood checked every 60 days and works hard to keep his energy level up. "One thing about cancer, though," Ray says. "It makes you realize you don't have time to sit around and feel sorry for yourself." We know for certain that Clifford Ray isn't sitting around and feeling sorry for himself. Over the summer Ray has been a regular at the Celtics' practice facility working with the Celtics young bigs. He has a sense of urgency about him that is catchy to the players fortunate enough to be taught by him. In Summer League he could be heard yelling instructions to the players and was very active on the side lines. If the Celtics can improve in rebounding as much as the other teams he has worked with, Clifford Ray may just be the most important move Danny has made as GM. Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!

Be sure to join Justin and JB tonight on Celticsstuff Live, internet's only live Celtics' podcast. They always have a lot of great info and Celtics' talk and tonight's special guest is Miracle Johan, who has produced some really fun songs about the Celtics including No Layups (Big Al and Perk), Starting by Default (Gomes), and Ima Block Your Center (Delonte). They have a newly unveiled website complete with a 24/7 chat room. Jon Duke of Boston Sports Media Watch has joined the team full time and will bring some great insights to us, I am sure. You never know what they are going to come up with and they fill up 2 hours with great Celtic chat!! Call the toll free number to add your insights as well as ask questions you may want to discuss. Visit the site and be sure to tune in tonight from 9-11 eastern time for what should be a fun show.

Sebastian Telfair has always worn number 31 as a tribute to his community. But when he came to Boston, the number 31 had been retired for Celtic Great Cedric Maxwell. Bassy was going to ask Max for permission to wear the number out of retirement. Today's Globe tells us that Max is willing to let him wear it but it is the "Celtics' decision" and that they wouldn't let it happen because it would cheapen the number. He is getting a new start with the Celtics. Why not make it with a new number?

Numbers Game, Part 1. Sebastian Telfair received a typical introduction when it came time to select a uniform number with his new team. In high school and with the Portland Trail Blazers, Telfair wore No. 31, a nod to the address of the Coney Island housing project where he grew up (off 31st Street). But the Celtics have retired No. 31 to honor Cedric Maxwell. So Telfair settled on No. 30. But Telfair mentioned that he wanted to talk to Maxwell, hoping to negotiate with him to take the number out of retirement. Maxwell joked that his kids would hold the ladder while he personally pulled down the number. ``If somebody was offering me some money to wear it, I would," said Maxwell. ``And I'd give some of the money to charity. I'd negotiate in a heartbeat." Turning serious, Maxwell added, ``But this is the Celtics' decision, and I know the Celtics would not let that happen. It would cheapen the process of all the retired jerseys. I would never want to cheapen the process that has allowed me to be among the other great players." [More] source:Boston Globe Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!

As of right now, including Brian Grant, the Celtics roster is at 17. Most of us have assumed that Grant would be waived and then we would only have one extra player to be cut or a 2 for 1 trade made. But this little bit from the Globe makes the point that Grant may be kept simply for his contract to be used in a trade if 2 other players don't impress enough in training camp to be kept. As I see it, the last 2 spots are going to be between Pittsnogle, Allan Ray, Tony Allan, Leon Powe, Brian Grant and Brian Scalabrine. If Tony Allen is given any jail time, then I believe he will be released, even though he would be a key piece to the team. Otherwise, I don't see Danny waiting to pick up his option. Grant would be cut if two of the others impress enough to keep. Allan Ray and Pittsnogle will need to prove themselves. I just don't see Pittsnogle as an all around player. We need a center who can play under the basket and not just out on the arc. I can see him being one of the players cut. Allan Ray has impressed with his speed, ball handling, shooting and defense in Summer League and I think Danny may keep him. I don't see us not keeping Powe. He is a hard worker and has a knack for rebounding. I really like this kid and can see Danny keeping him. He certainly will be better than Scal, who if he doesn't come into camp in better shape and prove he can play better than last season, may be one to be cut. We probably won't know until the season starts just who will stay and who will go. It is sure to be an interesting training camp.

At last count, the Celtics listed 17 players on their roster with either fully or partially guaranteed contracts. The maximum allowed when the season starts Oct. 31 is 15. So who will be the odd men out? The answers given by executive director of basketball operations Danny Ainge may be somewhat surprising. While Brian Grant will not play for the Celtics, he might not be waived, either. Ainge said they are ``undecided with what we're going to do with Brian Grant and his contract" and they ``will wait until the end of training camp to make any final decisions." Why would the Celtics want to keep a player who, worn down by 12 NBA seasons, is in no condition to compete for a roster spot? Simple. Possible trades. The $1.8 million Grant will make this season might help the numbers work in a deal down the line. If Ainge and coach Doc Rivers can come up with 15 players they must have on the roster, then Grant will be waived. But if Ainge and Rivers find themselves comfortable with just 14 players, then Grant could end up on the roster when the season starts. ``The biggest issue is not who our 13th, 14th, or 15th players are, but who's going to win the jobs of positions 5 through 10," said Ainge. ``There's going to be serious competition for those spots in training camp and early in the season." Don't even get Ainge started on numbers beyond 15. Diplomatically dismissing any thought of the return of free agent Michael Olowokandi, Ainge noted, ``We're not going to sign an 18th guaranteed right now." [More] source: Boston Globe Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!

Danny has been busy this off season. But his unwillingness to over pay for players and his stand that he will not make a deal just to make a deal has kept him from making any moves so far. I am sure he has contacted every team with a player on it that may be able to help the Celtics. I think that it would be wise to stick with what we have and see what they can do this year as a team without the plethora of injuries we had last season and with 2 speedy pure points to run the team. We haven't made any major moves but the moves we did make, I believe will make a world of difference in this team. With Telfair and Rondo, we will have a pure point who can drive and dish and find the open man on the floor at all times. Both are known for their speed and if the rest of the team can run and keep up with them, we should see some exciting basketball this season. Danny has done his job, checking on every player available and he has come to the conclusion that many of the fans have... What we have just may be better in the future than what we can bring in with a trade.

Bare market in NBA: Ainge finds little to buy By Mark Murphy/ NBA Notes Sunday, August 20, 2006 There weren’t many free agents on the NBA lot whose tires didn’t get kicked by Danny Ainge this summer. He last talked with Atlanta general manager Billy Knight a month ago about what it would take to bring Al Harrington to Boston, and the negative answer was predictable. The Hawks, still expected to follow through by sending the talented forward to Indiana for a $7.5 million trade exception and a first-round pick, aren’t interested in taking on matching salary - especially if it means paying Theo Ratliff $23 million for two more years. Not surprisingly, before Drew Gooden and Chris Wilcox gave up on the market and signed deals with their own teams last week (Cleveland and Seattle, respectively), Ainge had pored over the Blue Book value on those two power forwards as well. Though characters including Bonzi Wells, Keith Van Horn and Reggie Evans are still available, Ainge may be taking a cue from the summer’s quiet tone. The Celtics you see now, with four players (Paul Pierce, Wally Szczerbiak, Al Jefferson, Kendrick Perkins) recovering from various minor surgeries, are the Celtics you are likely going to see in October. Though Ainge - buoyed by the wishes of Pierce - went into the summer looking to secure additional veteran help for his freshly extended star, a familiar problem hasn’t changed. Though Ratliff would fit in as a sound defensive presence and influence behind Perkins and Jefferson, this team is still far too young to match the hopes of its antsy public. Young talent, the substance of Ainge’s pitch for a veteran, is now also the source of a puzzling numbers game. Youngsters Ryan Gomes, Leon Powe and Dwayne Jones are all power forwards with some ability - save Jones - to play the 3-guard. Now that Sebastian Telfair and rookie Rajon Rondo have been brought in at point guard, Delonte West has to find a way to live with Pierce, Gerald Green and Tony Allen at 2-guard. Unless Allen and Green figure into the mix at small forward with Szczerbiak and, oh yeah, Gomes. Don’t even start asking about Allan Ray and Kevin Pittsnogle, the tallest perimeter player in college basketball last year. And you thought coach Doc Rivers took too long to whittle last year’s mix down to a workable rotation. “Yes, we’re too young right now, and there are going to be winners and losers when it’s time for minutes,” said the Celtics director of basketball operations. “But I don’t want to do a deal just to do a deal. “To find appealing veteran players is hard,” said Ainge. “There’s not much out there right now that is getting done by anyone. Now you see a lot of free agents like Gooden and Wilcox who are deciding to stay with their teams. “But I don’t want veterans just because they’re veterans,” he said. “Right now, I like my players.” [More] source: Boston Herald Discuss this topic on the Celtics Green Forums!