Not a lot of Celtics news out there. Team USA is rolling along and clinched a berth in the semi-finals with a win over Puerto Rico. ESPN tells us why this USA team didn't pick captains. Hoopshype tells us that Kidd is the catalyst for the team. But, more often than not, it is the PG who is the catalyst on a team. He is the floor general and responsible for getting teammates their shots and making sure things smoothly on the floor. This is why Rondo is so important to the Celtics this season.
Around the NBA, Yi finally signs with the Bucks. I am sure he is wishing he was a Celtic right about now, but will settle for playing with the Bucks. Raefer Alston has been charged with felony assault. This is his second arrest in a month. Nice to have the Celtics making the headlines for good things and not bad this off season. Payton wants to play another season and Miami doesn't want him back. Could we see Payton: the Return in Boston? The same article tells us that the Heat are also not interested in Troy Hudson.
Full Court Press gives a chill pill to the Kingmakers and Naysayers alike. I can't help but be very, very excited and a chill pill isn't going to do much good in my case. I have waited for 21 years for the Celtics to be called contenders again and no matter what anyone says, I cam very, very optimistic. Of course, my ears perk up when anyone talks about Perk:
Over the course of last year Perkins battled his way through a nagging plantar fascia injury to become one of the team's more consistent defenders. While at times the team's protection of Al Jefferson left Perkins with the tougher big man cover on the defensive end, he battled even when he was (mis)matched with quicker power forwards like Dirk Nowitzki and yes, Garnett himself. In fact, after the Celtics played the Timberwolves in Minnesota last February, the following quote appeared in Steve Bulpett's Celtics notebook:
"Kendrick Perkins may still be slowed by his sore left foot, but he hasn't lost any of his fight. He had 11 points and five boards in 26 minutes of the 109-107 loss to the Timberwolves, and spent some time on Kevin Garnett, who was forced into some tough shots on his way to 26 points, 11 rebounds and 10 assists.
Asked about covering Garnett, Perk said, "It's a challenge, but that isn't really what it is. It's a challenge, but he's still kind of overrated in my opinion. He's a great player, but at the same time we all strap up our shoes the same way. Not taking nothing from him, but I play basketball like he plays basketball."
Speaking of videos, Celtics Blog posted this one this morning.
I had seen it before on You Tube and it seems to me that this is how KG must have felt in his 12 years in Minnesota with having to carry the team every season. Pierce and Ray Allen can also share in this feeling. But now, they can share the load among them. Must be a good feeling. No wonder they couldn't stop smiling at the press conference.
I got the most awesome tee shirt from the NBA Store yesterday. It has Lucky's outline in grey behind a circle with Celtics Pride is Back around it and in the center of it is a clover with the numbers 5, 20 and 34.... I love it!!! It replaces the one with Red in the clover on the front and "Celtics are not a basketball team, they are a way of life" on the back as my favorite Celtics shirt. 34 days till training camp and the excitement builds.
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