Posts from the Celtics Category at FanHouse - AOL Sports Blog

Darius Miles hasn't appeared in an NBA game since 2006, and in April it was determined by a doctor appointed by both the NBA and the Players Association that his injured knees were so messed up that he'd likely never play again.

Though the Blazers (or more likely, their insurance company) still have to pay the man, that doom and gloom prognosis allowed the team to shave the remaining $18 million he's due over the next two years off the salary cap. But there's a catch: in order for the Blazers to stay in the clear, Miles can't return to the NBA -- or more specifically, he can't appear in at least 10 games over the next two years.

Trouble is, that's exactly what he's trying to do. The Boston Globe says he had "an impressive workout" with the Celtics, and the East Valley Tribune reports (via Shoals) the Suns have also inquired about his services. If he can convince some team out there to take a chance on him and he sees even spot duty this year, he could end up sabotaging Portland's master plan.

What are the chances he actually has any game left? If you remember, Miles proclaimed himself "90% healthy" last December when he was cleared to resume conditioning drills with his teammates, and it wasn't until problems with his Achilles tendon surfaced that he was officially ruled out last year.

So many Corey Maggette rumors, so little time. Well actually, we have nothing but time right now considering we're in full blown off-season lull mode until signings can officially take place later this week. But with Maggette being the most productive player on the free agent market that might be willing to sign for the mid-level exception, plenty of teams are lining up for his services. Let's do a little roundup, shall we?

The Celtics are interested; Doc Rivers called and told Maggette so himself. The Spurs are interested, and, if the offer is for enough years, may be the best opportunity for Maggette to combine minutes with a chance to contend for a title. The Magic have some interest, although that rumor's a little light on substance.The Cavaliers and Pistons are likely to be interested as well, especially at the low, low price of a multi-year deal for the MLE.

That's really the reason for all of these teams getting in on the Maggette sweepstakes: a salary for someone of Corey's talents that starts at around $5.8M per year and only increases by eight percent each season is an absolute steal where NBA dollars are concerned. If Corey does decide he's all about the money, the only teams that can offer him more than the mid-level are the Warriors, the Grizzlies, or the Sixers. But Corey has already been quoted as saying "If you want to win, you have to make sacrifices," so I expect him to end up choosing a team that has a chance to get to the Finals sooner rather than later.

As Situation Maggette remains unresolved, lesser wing free agents seem to be biding their time before the first domino falls. In one case -- James Posey -- a player are just now finding out they are considered lesser wing free agents than Corey Maggette, and that really sort of makes him upset. From the Boston Herald:

Free agent James Posey, via agent Mark Bartelstein, continued to talk to other NBA suitors in the wake of what he considers an unacceptable offer from his former team - one that falls short of the $5.8 million mid-level exception as well as his desire for a 4- to 5-year deal.

Boston has reportedly made that contract available to Maggette, which might contribute to Posey's air of insult. But is anyone willing to offer Posey -- a great defender, but a 31-year-old with limited offensive skills -- more than $25 million for four years of work? Bill Ingram of Hoopsworld reports Houston might throw that cash at Posey, to which I say ...

... what?! Posey is a poor man's Shane Battier. And the Rockets -- specifically general manager Daryl Morey -- love Shane Battier. They traded Rudy Gay for him. And Battier makes only $20 million over the next three years, is two years younger, and shoots substantially better from three on his career. Why on Earth would Houston bring in Posey when they have Battier, and why on Earth would Houston replace Battier with Posey? Makes no sense.

Odd headline to come across: "Celtics extend offer to Maggette." The Boston Globe's excellent Marc J. Spears offered the news. Yeah, the Celtics, who just won a title and have guys named Ray Allen, Paul Pierce and Kevin Garnett manning the 2-4 positions on the court, the team who will be tapping the Grousbeck kids' college funds to pay the luxury tax for the next few years. Those Celtics, going after one of the top free agents on the market, one of the few guys assured to switch teams and certainly worth more than the mid-level.

If the Clippers renew their commitment to Elton Brand, as expected, Corey Maggette's gone. He'd have to be renounced by the Clippers in order to squeeze in Baron Davis' $13 million. That means L.A. can't sign-and-trade Maggette, which would have been the easiest way for the guy to get a contract in the $7-10 million per year range. Assuming all that happens (Maggs is renounced, Brand resigns for $13 million or so), Maggette's options above the mid-level shrink profusely. There's Philadelphia (if they strike out on Josh Smith), Memphis (unlikely), and maybe Golden State.

So if it becomes a mid-level fiesta, Boston's brilliant for getting into the sweepstakes early. They can offer Maggs the same contract almost every other team can ... and they can also offer the best shot at a ring (though the Lakers might quibble). Can they offer a starting role? I don't see Allen slipping into back-up mode just yet, not after that glorious Finals performance.

Luckily, Maggs has been ... taught how to deal with a bench role. In 2006-07, when the Clippers just missed on a playoff berth, Maggette came off the bench 44 times. His scoring output -- already illustrious -- increased in that role, though his famous efficiency dipped substantially. Would Maggette go back to a sub-30 minutes/game prison, all in the name of team success and perhaps a promise of the two-guard spot when Allen's contract expires in two years? Keep in mind that Maggs is 28 and hasn't had one of those massive contracts yet in his career.

It seems that the Celtics aren't ready to stop celebrating their NBA title just yet, as a group of them headed to Vegas to watch Manny Pacquiao win the WBC lightweight title by knocking out David Diaz. Check out Kevin Garnett, Paul Pierce, and bandwagon-jumping Sam Cassell whop it up with Pacquiao in the dressing room moments after his victory.



The Celtics just won the NBA title, and were given more than their fair share of attention, right? How about letting Pacquiao have some of the spotlight for himself for a bit, huh guys? He hadn't even put a shirt on yet, and these guys come barging in and steal the show. Seriously, I didn't see celebrities like Steven Tyler, Bill Belichik, Donnie Wahlberg, or Bill Simmons (really -- that's the best you can do, Boston?) in the locker room with Paul Pierce or the delusional Glen Davis sharing the champagne on the night the Celtics won it all.

Note to the Celtics: you won the basketball championship. That doesn't mean you have the right to show off at baseball games, boxing matches, or anywhere else. It's been less than two weeks since Boston won the title, and it's no wonder that everyone who isn't a Celtics' die hard is already sick of this team.

The potent BrewHoop asked last week if the champion Celtics stood a chance in a best-of-seven series against Team USA (which features no Celtics). Via BallHype, WhatIfSports ran the simulation ... well, 1,000 simulations, to be more exact.

Using 1,000 separate simulations of a seven-game "NBA Championship"-esque series, we determined the most common result to be a Team USA victory in five games. This outcome occurred 85% of the time, with an average 14 point margin of victory.

The odds have LeBron James or Kobe Bryant winning the MVP. (Revenge!) It seems WhatIf uses the standard NBA home court advantage (home teams win 60% of the time, given equality in quality), though Team USA really has no home court. (They played well in Vegas, though.)

Perhaps more interesting would be to see how Boston would theoretically fare against other top national teams, like Spain or less star-driven Lithuania. Though, if the internationals won, Dan Shaughnessy's head might explode (which might not be the worst outcome).

NBA Essentials ranks our six favorite stories of the day.

1. The Sporting Blog: Shoals' excellent response to Shaq and his, um, question of taste.

2. Part Mule: And photos of the posterior that Kobe is more likely to actually be, uh, linked to.

3. Dave D'Alessandro, The Star Ledger: Is drafting European players a thing of the past?

4. The Pyramid of Excess: Sure you've seen mock drafts. But of the third round?

5. Boston.com's Celtics Blog: Kendrick Perkins is hocking memorabilia on QVC. Already?

6. Chicago Sun-Times: Rose or Beasley? Vinny Del Negro's not talking.

Crystal Ballin' takes a team-by-team look at what should, could, and probably will happen in the June 26th NBA Draft.

I'm sure the Celtics staff spent the entirety of this weekend watching tape of Jason Thompson and Sonny Weems. I'm absolutely sure of it.

Picks: #30, #60.

Needs: What's a champ need? Well, if P.J. Brown and Scot Pollard are shrugging back toward retirement, a suitable big taller than 6'9 (sorry Leon Powe, Glen Davis) might be in order. Assuming James Posey and/or Eddie House get rich, another guard could be useful.

Best case scenario: Chris Douglas-Roberts would be Heaven-sent at #30. Ryan Anderson would be a potential Omega to the bench bruiserism of Powe and Baby.

Here's video of the Celtics being honored at Fenway Park on Friday night. Highlights include: the entire team running from the centerfield wall to the pitcher's mound; Paul Pierce throwing out the first pitch; the first pitch going high; Jason Veritek not being able to catch the first pitch; and Brian Scalabrine pounding his chest to celebrate said first wild pitch.

And at some point, apparently Pierce slid into second base ... Without the aid of a wheelchair if you're keeping score at home.