CELTICS GREEN BLOG by and for boston celtics fans: Boston Celtics Weekly Recap

Welcome to the first edition of the Celtics Green Weekly Recap. In this first installment, we will examine the highs and lows of the previous week and summarize the overall state of Celtics Nation. We will also take a quick look at news around our favorite league, and maybe throw in a bit of fun stuff as well.

Let’s get started:

Preseason blues: The start of the new season is only more than a week away. The start of the basketball year means optimism (validated or unvalidated) and a fresh start for all 30 NBA clubs who all have their own offseason stories. The lineups have been tinkered, roster trimmings are still being made, and the plays are being field-tested against NBA competition. Ah, the smell of a brand new season could not be sweeter.
No. 20 still firing back: For Boston, one major storyline was the departure of sharpshooter Ray Allen, who even told reporters to blame the Celtics front office, not him, in forcing his move to Miami. I have read many an article covering Mr. Allen’s situation, and it is not my desire to subject any reader to another one, but I will say this: Mr. Allen made the best decision for himself, and perhaps, for the Celtics, in moving to Miami. I don’t hate Mr. Allen but I think this saga is over and done, and it’s time to move along. Thank you for five years, Ray. Now we move on. Stop firing back, please.
Welcome to Boston, Brazilian Blur: The Leandro Barbosa signing was foreshadowed by Doc Rivers’ comments after the roster cuts of Jamar Smith and Dionte Christmas, signaling that the front office isn’t ready to hand in the backup point guard reigns to inexperienced but hardworking hands. Barbosa as mentioned won Sixth Man of the Year in 2006, and though his best days are probably behind him and he is more of a combo guard than an actual backup point guard, the signing has been met with some optimism in Celtics Nation.
Games that matter, or don’t matter: The Celtics are currently 3-4 in the preseason, which started in Turkey against European team Fenerbache and will end at the TD Garden against Atlantic Division rivals Philadephia 76ers. Doc Rivers has been able to mix and match his lineups, tinkering with his new pieces and acquiring some familiarity with his roster. So far, the Celtics have survived without any major injuries, although Chris Wilcox (back), Darko Milicic (hand), Brandon Bass (knee) and Paul Pierce (ankle) did suffer some setbacks.
Green signal from James Worthy: It all started with the lovable Scal. Newly-minted NESN broadcaster and former Celtic Brian Scalabrine took notice of Jeff Green’s length, athleticism and one-handed slams, and after excusing himself for comparing Green to a Laker (a very classy Laker, but a Laker nonetheless), proceeded to gush on how Green reminded Scal so much of Big Game James. Green, ever the humble man, did not consider himself to even be comparable to Mr. Worthy, and sought his approval. Ever the class act, Worthy replied respectfully to the Celtics swingman. Happy endings between green and gold do exist, sometimes. And I mean happy endings in which both parties are happy, even if it is between a retired champion and an upcoming piece of a potential champion.

All in all it’s shaping up to be an interesting season. The Celtics play their final preseason game against Philly, then it’s one more week of practice before the big opener on the road against LBJ and the Heat. Be sure to mark your calendars, wherever you are.

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