The Celtics are on a roll and they are doing it with defense. They have won 5 in a row and 4 in a row on the road. All 5 wins have been team wins with the team playing together, playing team defense and finding the open man. And they have done this in spite of being short handed. Ryan Gomes injured his calf in the Philly game and has missed the last two games. Perk, Kandi and Ratliff are all still out. And tonight, Wally re-sprained his ankle after playing only 14 minutes and scoring only 2 points.

Celtics built a big lead early but let the Nuggets back into it in the second half. But they showed a lot of character and never gave up and won against a quality team.

We played good defense again for most of the game but did let up for awhile in the second half to allow them back in it. The Celtics were even thinner up front with Ryan Gomes out with an injury but in spite of that, Scal played only 13 minute and Powe played only 5 but he had 2 rebounds and 1 point in those 5 minutes.

We have heard rumors of the Grizzlies wanting to dump salary and the possible availabilityof Pau Gasol. Get ready for a lot more. TSN.ca is reporting that Gasol wants to go to a contender. They also report that Boston is one of the teams interested in him.

But Gasol's days in Memphis may be numbered. Speculation has swirled that the Chicago Bulls and Boston Celtics may be interested in acquiring him.
"There is some truth in it, especially with the whole situation of the change of owners (with the Grizzlies)," Gasol told COPE. "The situation has been uncomfortable, but there are not only the Bulls and Boston, there are other teams interested."

Fox Colorado is reporting that a deal that would send Iverson to Denver is close.

A source familiar with negotiations sas it would be a complicated trade involving at least three teams and at least five players. In addition, the Nuggets would likely have to give up both of their first round draft picks in the next draft.

There are conflicting stories today about the Celtics interest in Iverson. Marc Stein came out with a piece that says that the Celtics are still very much in the race for Iverson.

Even if Danny Ainge publicly brands the Celtics' chances as "slim," they will stay in the race – at some level – until the finish.... Then there's the under-pressure Ainge in Boston. Given the obvious odds against finding a third team to take on Ratliff, can anyone say with certainty that the Celts won't relent and give up Jefferson or Green?

The Celtics appeared to be falling out of the running for Allen Iverson yesterday, but new information leaves open to question how deeply they were ever truly in it.
According to sources, the Celts and 76ers did have discussions on a potential trade, but, contrary to published reports, at no time did the Celtics make a specific offer or did the Sixers make a specific request.

We've had some good practices lately and I think it's starting to click for us. Our veterans Paul, Wally and Scal really set the tone, and Doc is giving us some great game plans. When we execute them with consistency like we did on this recent trip, it shows us we can play with anyone. Now if we can just get some of our big guys back from injury we'll really start to come on and make some noise.
So stick by us fans and I know you won't be disappointed. Just know that all of us love what we do, we love playing for the best fans in the NBA and we enjoy winning just as much as you do. My teammates and I have talked a lot about this in the past few days. We all really like Boston a lot, and know this team is moving in the right direction.

It wasn't pretty but it was a win on the road, and the third win on the road in a row. The Celts were a bit flat in the first half, leading by only 2 at the half. But they came out more focused in the second half and built a lead and held onto it for a 101 to 81 win. We had 5 players in double figures and kept our turnovers down to only 12, mostly in the first half.

The Globe and the Herald both have updates on the Iverson trade saga. Shira has this to say:

The buzz around the league was that the Clippers were moving into the lead in the Iverson Derby. The Celtics were on the outside, in part, because the word was the price would be too high.

The Celtics appeared to be on the outside looking in as the Sixers continued to peruse the numerous offers they have received for their shelved star, Allen Iverson.
Two western conference teams - Denver with an offer said to include Nene, Eduardo Najera and J.R. Smith, and the Clippers with a package that may or may not include the much coveted Shaun Livingston - reportedly had jumped to the front of what was characterized as a very frustrated pack.

First of all, some good news. There are a couple of reports that Al is not available for trade. Chris Sheridan voices this in his ESPN Insider column

Tonight's blog entry comes from Madison Square Garden, where I informed Al Jefferson of the Celtics that he might have been the very reason why Allen Iverson is a Sixer rather than a Celtic.
Word spread around the NBA grapevine quickly Monday that the Celtics had told the 76ers they were not willing to part with the 21-year-old big man in an Iverson trade.

Told after the game that Jefferson doesn't want to be traded, Rivers said: "He won't be. I try to stay out of it because I have to coach the players and I don't want to lie to the players. But I'm pretty comfortable in saying that Al will be here."

Boston. Danny Ainge is determined to land himself an established veteran and Iverson is it. Paul Pierce is not available. Plenty of sacrificial Celtics are there for the 76ers' plucking, except Al Jefferson. It'd be stunning to think otherwise.

Other teams may be listening, but honestly, do you really think there is a lot of interest in a 31 year old punk who makes 18 million dollars a year and has constantly put himself ahead of his team and teammates while not being able to deliver anything more than impressive stats on his own resume?
What of the proud Celtic tradition of teamwork and selflessness?

The Celtics got off to a great start, building a 30 point lead and then held on for a 7 point win on the road against the NY Knicks. On a night when Jared Jeffries returned to the Knicks lineup and when the Celtics were without their 3 centers against Eddy Curry, who has been putting up all star like numbers lately, the Celtics came away with an improbable win on the road.

Much of the news around the league still swirls around Iverson and his imminent trade. Sources say that the trade could come as soon as today or tomorrow. The Celtics are still front and center in trade rumors with the latest being that Philly is asking for West, Ratliff, Telfair and Jefferson for Iverson. Maybe Danny will substitute our first round pick for Big Al as we can't afford to give up a big man at this point. Since the Sixers have said they would rather send him out West, Inside Bay Area has a piece that predicts possible trade scenarios with western conference teams. They contend that an already superior Western Conference would be made even more so by an Iverson trade to the West. We will keep you up to date on anything that happens so stay tuned.

The Herald, Globe, Green Room, and Celtics.com, all have articles on Big Al's break out game against New Jersey and the hopes that it is just the first of many more. A couple things stand out here. First, Al's teammates were finding him in the post. Previously, I could count on one hand the times that Al was fed the ball inside. Second, Al picked up his defense and his game fed off his defensive intensity. Every player should be able to pick up their defense and the team will feed off that defensive intensity. Third, the Nets are not known for their strong play inside. They are a perimeter team and so the true test of Al's ability will be when he faces a team with a strong center and good interior defense. Curry has been playing like an all star the past couple of games so that test may come tonight when we face the Knicks.

CelticsStuff Live had another great show last night with some breaking news as always. If you didn't get to listen last night, be sure to check it out. Their website had this to say about the Iverson trade:

An unnamed source told Celticsstuff Live after the show that the 76ers are looking hard at Sebastian Telfair and Al Jefferson tonight and that they are asking for those two players in addition to Delonte West in a possible deal for Allen Iverson. There is no report on what the Celtics front office may have in mind for a counter offer. This echos what was reported by Shira Springer in the Globe this morning. We were also informed that a surprise team, The Sacramento Kings, are the Celtic’s primary competition in a bid for Iverson. It is said that Philadelphia’s request begins with Francisco Garcia and Mike Bibby in return for their disgruntled All-Star.

ESPN is reporting that Philly may trade Iverson as soon as Monday or Tuesday. They are considering several offers and want to make a decision quickly.

The Celtics have the advantage of being able to add Theo Ratliff's $11.7 million contract into the mix, while the Memphis Grizzlies would be one of the few teams able to offer Philadelphia cap relief for next summer through Eddie Jones' expiring $15.7 million contract -- if not for the inconvenient fact that team president Jerry West's hands are tied because of the pending sale of the team, precluding him from making trades.

Dallas also could offer a package starting with two expiring contracts (Jerry Stackhouse and Austin Croshere), as could New Orleans (Desmond Mason and Mark Jackson add up to almost $13 million), while the Charlotte Bobcats are far enough under the salary cap to take back Iverson in a trade in which the salaries would not have to even come close to matching.

Another team that can't be totally dismissed is the New York Knicks, who are in the unique position of being able to take back both Iverson and Chris Webber in a trade. Because the salaries of Iverson and Webber add up to nearly $38 million, the Knicks would have to offer at least $30.4 million worth of contracts back -- a total that could be reached with a package of Steve Francis, Quentin Richardson, Malik Rose and Channing Frye.

And although the Sixers would prefer to trade Iverson to a Western Conference team, they're going to take the best offer that's out there, East or West, even in their own division -- and they're going to do it soon.

The Herald, Globe, and Worcester Telegram all have articles on Pierce's last second game winner and the Celtics win over the Nets. Big Al officially had his coming out party last night. I look for more of the same in the games to come. Although Pierce couldn't hit anything all night, he came up clutch on the last shot. A much needed win for us.

Mark Murphy has a piece that centers on Al Jefferson's performance last night. After being benched for being too meek, Al took it to heard and had his most dominant game yet. Doc is also quoted saying that he likes coaching the guys he has. I agree. I like the players we have.

The Herald Notebook reports on Telfair's growth since coming to Boston and that his talent is beginning to show. I still feel that Rondo is the best PG that we have on the team. He may not want to shoot from outside but he does everything else so well that it doesn't really matter. Also in this article is some nostalgia back to when the Celtics travelled by train.

Scott Souza reports that Big Al is finally living up to his potential. We are seeing him grow in front of our eyes. Could it be that out of necessity he is finally playing more than 15 minutes per game and is growing because of it? I expect to see his maturation continue on the fast track and he will break out this season. Al and Gerald and Perk are the three most untouchable players on the team right now.

In the Globe, Shira quotes Danny saying that Doc is here for the rest of the season. Even if we don't win another game, Doc is going to be our coach. So, the fire Doc chants can stop because for better or worse, Doc isn't going anywhere. Also mentioned in this piece is a possible 4 for 1 trade for Iverson that includes Al, Ratliff, Telfair and West. NOOOOOOO!!!! Any trade that includes Al isn't a good one and actually, any trade for Iverson isn't a good one.


Celtics Pride has an article that presents a case for Green being more valuable than Iverson. I have to agree with this one whole heartedly. Green is going to be an all star many years after Iverson is gone and forgotten.

The Hartford Courant continues the debate over the new ball and has the best quote on Iverson I have read.

Many teams would surely take Iverson, 31, who ranks second in the league in scoring (31.2). Wherever he goes, it better be a winner, or Iverson, who badly wants an NBA title, might become a distraction there, too.

The rumors surrounding Iverson have been rampant. The Celtics, Bulls, Mavs, Nuggets, Knicks, Pacers, Warriors, and Wolves have all been linked to trade rumors for the disgruntled star with more rumors surfacing every day.

I have made my thoughts on Iverson very clear. I don't want him. Yes, he is a very good player and may help us this season, but his attitude is going to be poison to this team in the long run. Who would we have to give up to get him? Reports have surfaced that Green in a package would do it. Others say Al Jefferson in a package would do it. Both of those guys are going to be all stars long after Iverson is out of the league. Today's Globe has this to say:

Although Ainge had nothing new to say with regard to speculation that Allen Iverson will soon be a Celtic, a league source said the Celtics would be very interested in a deal as long as it did not involve Gerald Green. The source said one possible scenario was sending Theo Ratliff, Delonte West, Sebastian Telfair, and Al Jefferson to Philadelphia for Iverson. The salary numbers would work. But whatever happens, Rivers wants it to be sooner rather than later.

Many teams would surely take Iverson, 31, who ranks second in the league in scoring (31.2). Wherever he goes, it better be a winner, or Iverson, who badly wants an NBA title, might become a distraction there, too

Iverson, indeed, gave up. "If you know your leader doesn't care, how are we supposed to play with the guy?" steamed a teammate to his agent.

Iverson may not blame Cheeks for the 76ers' worst record in the Atlantic Division, but there's no question they've got differences that aren't going away. One of them pertains to Iverson's lack of attention to detail, lack of respect for authority and unwillingness to practice hard.

Following a conflict at workout last week, Iverson stormed out of the building. That evening he failed to show for a mandatory team function for corporate sponsors and prime season ticket holders.