LOY's PLACE a celtics green blog: Fiddlin' and Diddlin' on 6/1

The big news today concerns Indiana hiring Jim O'Brien and Orlando hiring Billy Donovan. I am very jealous and the only thing that could help would be if the Celtics announced the hiring of David Blatt as their lead assistant. JB on CelticsStuff Live is bleating for Blatt as well. The Herald reports that the Celtics are in no hurry to replace Brown and may not even hire another coach. No mention is made of Blatt. The Bennington Banner bemoans the fact that Indiana has hired Jim O'Brien and by extension, the Celtics are stuck with Doc.

For all the complaining that Boston Celtics fans do about how unlucky their team is, moves like the one made by Indianapolis this week just prove that logic and reason will take you farther in the NBA than four-leaf clovers and ping pong balls.

Basketball is a simple game, and Jim O'Brien has made a career out of keeping it simple. So while today's Celtics wallow in a quagmire of skewed visions, poor decisions and flat-out misfortune, one of their former greats made the easiest choice in the world for his new team on Thursday.
I guess an O'Brien-for-Doc Rivers trade is probably out of the question, right Larry?

Red Auerbach's philosophy was always to keep it simple as well. One of my biggest complaints about Doc's system is that he makes it too complicated. He has multiple offensive schemes and during last training camp, with 8 defensive schemes already in place, Doc was set to add another 5. No wonder rookies have trouble keeping up.

There are more reports out of Orlando on the Pre-Draft camp. The Globe has an article discussing the coaching changes, Doc's comments on Pierce, and Kobe talking to Buss. But at the top there is a video interview with Noah. The more I see and hear of this kid, the more I like him. The Herald discusses the player interviews from the predraft camp along with reports on scheduled workouts in Waltham June 6 and 7. Hoopsworld questions which prospects in Orlando are NBA worthy. As always, Draft Express has the best and most comprehensive reports out of camp.

The Philly Inquirer and ESPN both report that Jeff Green is undecided whether to stay in the draft or return to Georgetown at this point. As the one player Danny has singled out for praise, I wonder if it will change Danny's draft board. Celtics 24/7 makes a case against taking Yi. I have to agree with them. We need defense and Yi just doesn't bring it.

It seems as though some avenues of trades are drying up for the Celtics. Reports are that Jermaine O'Neal is headed for LA. In that case, Kobe will be staying put. Gasol is happy with his new coach in Memphis and that being the case, Gasol may be off the market as well. There are still other players out there, though with the Suns, Sonics, and Blazers among others looking to make trades. But Danny's options are slowly narrowing.

Today is the first day of Hurricane Season. I know it isn't a red letter day for most of you, but living on the Gulf Coast, it is a day we take note of. A few draft thoughts: 27 days until the draft and Danny has a lot of work to work out players and make decisions as to whether to keep the pick or trade it. I am leaning more and more toward Noah. He brings defense, intensity and an incredible work ethic. He knows how to win and is a team player. I am not sold on Yi because of his lack of defense. I wouldn't mind Brewer or B Wright. I am wondering if Danny can resist taking another point guard in the draft if Conley is available.

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