http://www.yardbarker.com/content/player/4665 Recent articles about Paul Pierce en-us I KNOW I WAS I ALMOST CRIED I WAS SO SAD Sat, 19 Jul 2008 21:25:31 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292676 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/292676 The NFL is reportedly investigating a different style of hand signals possibly being used on the field.  The "Los Angeles Times" reports the league has hired experts to see if players are flashing gang signs during on-field celebrations.  The NFL is enlisting the help of local and national authorities to learn more about gang culture, [...] Thu, 17 Jul 2008 16:24:18 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291839 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291839 And so it ends. The last coveted unrestricted free agent is off the board with the signing of James Posey. The winner? Not the 2007-2008 NBA Champion Boston Celtics (who were reported to be reluctant in offering Posey his desired full mid-level exemption four-year deal) but the up-and-coming New Orleans Hornets. At 31, James Posey had every right to go out and look for some security, which he found in the Hornets $25 million offer. I honestly believe that the Celtics should have not scrimped on this one, as Posey is a true "glue guy." The Cleveland Cavaliers will tell you. So will Miami Heat President Pat Riley. Posey was the Celtics unsung hero in the NBA Finals a few short weeks ago. An intelligent weak side defensive helper who helped NBA Defensive Player of the Year Kevin Garnett on one end and supplied the C's with timely three point bombs on the other. In fact, Celtics Captain Paul Pierce felt that Posey contributions were so "invaluable" that his squad wouldn't lose anything if he were to sit down. Who can argue with success? After all, Posey has only won two NBA Championships in the last three years with the Heat in 06' and the Celtics in 08' Could Hornets in 09' be a possibility? Maybe... Just don't question the value of a Posey. Wed, 16 Jul 2008 16:48:23 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291295 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/291295 Our dear old friend, Sam Cassell, has found himself something to keep busy this offseason while he anxiously searches out a new fan base to torment: Judging the POLESTAR 1st Annual Pole Dancing Competition, of course! .... Mon, 14 Jul 2008 07:44:51 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290103 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/290103 Here's what it will look like, It will be purple and gold with a very SOFT cover. Oh wait sorry, my bad, That's wrong.Here is what it will really look like when Paul Pierce, Rajon Rondo, James Posey, Eddie House, Kendrick Perkins, and Leon Powe will gather at TD Banknorth Garden Monday night for a VIP reception and special screening of Warner Home Video’s “2007-2008 NBA Champions: The Boston Celtics DVD.’’ If you really want to make a difference, then wait to buy it on Tuesday from 2-4 p.m. at Borders on 1024 School Street in Boston, so you can all tell James Posey and Eddie House who are promoting it, how bad we want them back.If you can't make that then maybe tell one of his teammates to pass it along to them, Rondo will be promoting the DVD at 11:59 p.m. Monday at the Best Buy on 550 Arsenal Street in Watertown.Or Pierce will promote it Tuesday from 10 p.m.-midnight at the Stop & Shop on 25 Walkers Brook Drive in Reading.Or Perkins and Powe will promote it Tuesday from 6-8 p.m. at FYE on 411 Washington Street in Boston. sr_adspace_id = 1330307; sr_adspace_width = 300; sr_adspace_height = 250; sr_adspace_type = "graphic"; sr_ad_new_window = true; Sun, 13 Jul 2008 17:32:45 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289864 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289864 Good news from Bulpett: (http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view/2008_07_12_Pierce_s_knee_OK/srvc=celtics position=2) Celtic Nation can breathe a sigh of relief. Paul Pierce [stats]’s right knee is fine. An MRI showed that there is no significant problem that will hinder the captain and NBA Finals MVP into next season. “It’s what we thought all along,” Danny Ainge said. “He had a sprained MCL and a bone bruise, and he’ll be fine.” Sat, 12 Jul 2008 11:16:46 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289492 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289492 The Herald reports that the MRI on Paul Pierce's knee shows no serious damage that would require surgery or hinder him into next season. Danny Ainge described the injury as a sprained MCL and a bone bruise. There were many Laker fans at the time who doubted he was injured at all, but Celtics fans know Pierce's high tolerance for pain and appreciate his play on a knee that may have kept most players on the bench. It is good news that the knee is fine and there will be no lasting effects from playing on it. The Wolves signed first round pick, Kevin Love, to a 2 year contract with a team option for a third and fourth year. He will play on the team's Summer League team in Vegas. Craig Smith won't be playing as he is a restricted free agent and has not signed a new contract. The NY Post reports that the Nets have signed Jarvis Hayes to a two-year deal (the first year guaranteed) for $3.9 million and Eduardo Najera for four years and about $12 million. The addition of the two forwards give the Nets 15 players and pretty much eliminates the possibility of Bostjan Nachbar returning. Nenad Krstic is likely going to be a piece in a sign and trade. The LA Daily News reports that the Lakers have shows interest in the Raptors' free agent Jorge Garbajosa. Garbajosa could serve as a backup to fellow Spaniard Pau Gasol, who will shift from center to power forward next season with the return of center Andrew Bynum. Gasol is very familiar with Garbajosa as they both played on Spain's national team that won the silver medal at the 2007 European championships. Newsday reports that the Cavs are shopping Wally Szczerbiak. The Nets reportedly declined a trade that would have sent Vince Carter and his hefty contract to Cleveland for Wally and his expiring contract. There is a report on SI.com that the Knicks have rejected a proposal from the Clippers to trade power forward Zach Randolph for cap relief according to league sources. The Knicks feel that Randolph is going to play well in their new coach's system and could bring them a lot more than just cap relief next season. Newsday adds that the Knicks want the Clippers to include Eric Gordon, the 7th pick in the draft, in any deal that would send Randolph to the Clippers. MetroNews.ca reported that the Pistons are making a big push for Houston's Tracy McGrady. But, a Detroit News article denies that they are anywhere close to a deal for the Rockets' star saying that the Rockets are just one of several teams they have talked to about a trade. It is quite possible that the Pistons' long time starting unit may not return intact next season as the Pistons actively pursue trade possibilities rather than seek out free agents. Sat, 12 Jul 2008 09:00:57 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289458 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289458 So I'm debuting a little feature here on Boston Sportz: The Weekly Linkz. Basically every Friday (or so) I'll post the ten (or so) links from around the internet that week in no particular order for your viewing pleasure. Got a link? Think the world will love it as much as you do? Like your children, you're probably wrong about that one, but send it my way at tdonegan@gwu.edu and I'll post it.  Let's get to it, then.1. Self-Confessed "Rubbish" Golfer Knocks In Hole-In-One, Wins CarEvery rec golfer's dream come true, man knocks in a hole-in-one while shooting a round of about 120, just so happens the hole-in-one was worth a free car. Too bad gas is $8 a gallon.  2. Joey Chestnut Defends His Eating Title America By Eating A Lot of Suggestively-Shaped Beef Quickly.  In case you missed it, the Nathan's Hot Dog Eating Championship is, for me, the announcing event of the summer. If only all sports events were announced with the same enthusiasm. Honestly, where else can you hear an announcer lament living in "an era of diet pepsi...and camera-ready Mike Golics?" (Credit to Awful Announcing) If Joe Buck is a little bored with his baseball duties, I'm sure Rich Shea is free. 3.  Jon Friedman Thinks ESPN Has a Real ProblemAn excerpt: "It's one thing for a journalist to see a quip fall flat, but it's another when people feel abused. To ESPN's shame, some of its employees have insulted the audience on several occasions with lowbrow or boorish behavior." I agree with a lot of the commenters that Friedman is blowing the recent issues a bit out of proportion, but ESPN has had to reign some of their opinion-oriented talent in for quite a while. That's where the real problem is, in my mind, rather than these three incidents. There's a ton of phenomenal work being done at the Worldwide Leader, especially on ESPN.com, but it too often gets overshadowed by the glitz and glamor (and screaming) that pervades the network these days. 4. Has Brandon Jennings SEEN The Girls In College?Great article by Kevin Armstrong about Brandon Jennings and his proposed trip to Europe to play pro ball over there for a year so he can get paid for a year before entering the NBA. The kid's lottery-level talent but this move is an odd one. I mean, seriously, turning down Arizona? Has he SEEN the girls who go to Arizona? And he's going to go to East Bum, Spain so he can get yelled at in a language he doesn't understand? Yeah, sound plan.  5. Fenway Area Walk Ain't Half BadJeff Pearlman and his blog are quickly becoming must-read stuff. He did a "diary" (somehow I doubt he carried a laptop around in that crowd) about the post-game walk around Fenway for ESPN.com this week. Definitely worth checking out. Here's a taste: "10:27 p.m.: Having told my wife I'd buy her a T-shirt ("Really, you don't have to," she pleaded), I peruse the eclectic, unsanctioned offerings. Among my choices: I HATE PEYTON MANNING, GARNETT-PIERCE '08 and one featuring Manny Ramirez posing like Bob Marley. After a minute of internal debate, I go with JETER DRINKS WINE COOLERS. Hey, who doesn't?"Me and my "Jeter Likes Coldplay" shirt get the joke. 6. Kid-Built Wiffle Ball Field Draws Ire, LawyersA group of Greenwich, CT kids clear out unused lot, build a Fenway-inspired Wiffleball field. Fun ensues. Lawsuits follow. This is what happens when you build a mini-Fenway in Yankee country. They hate fun down there. (Credit to Deadspin.)7. Apparently Baseball Scouts Are Really, Really Gullible.A great piece this week by Josh Pahigian, special to ESPN.com about a thirty-six-year old man who conned baseball scouts into believing he was 21 and from Australia with little else but a phony wig and a phonier accent. I want to try that. 8. J.R. Giddens Has Shady Past, I Hope He Spent His Five Years in College Coming Up With Good ExcusesPiece by Baxter Holmes for The Boston Globe on J.R. Giddens and his troubled past. Did you know Giddens once got stabbed when he was at Kansas? Neither did I. (Admittedly it was in the leg, but that's still got to hurt.) Oh well, it worked for Paul Pierce.9. CLASSIC LINK OF THE WEEK: "Lawdy, Lawdy, He's Great"One of my favorite pieces of all time from the Sports Illustrated Vault, one of the best things the Internet has ever done. It's a piece by Mark Kram about Muhammed Ali and Joe Frazier and the opening paragraph (as well as the rest of the article) is some of the best sportswriting you'll ever see.   I'll try to post at least one awesome, classic piece of sportswriting a week. It's not always easy as I can't exactly hyperlink to an article in a book, but I'll do my damndest.10. LINK OF THE WEEK: The Wrong Side of Great by Bruce Feldman"One was a star. One was a nobody. In a little more than 10 years, one would have a $155 million contract, a 24,000-square-foot house with a nine-car garage and a sneaker with his name on it. The other, after spending time at five colleges and in alcohol rehab, would be dead." Great piece on ESPN The Magazine's site (should be in the mag itself, I'm not sure) about the downfall of James Felton, a highly-touted prep star who was dunked on by Tracy McGrady at a camp. The dunk propelled McGrady to stardom and haunted Felton throughout his all-too-short life.  Well that'll just about do it for this week. I'll keep my eyes peeled for the best things I see out there on my travels but again if you see anything on the blogs, media sites, youtube, whathaveyou that you think deserves recognition or would be worth a chuckle, pass it along to me at tdonegan@gwu.edu    Fri, 11 Jul 2008 20:01:51 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289338 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289338 With the acquisition of Elton Brand by the Philadelphia 76ers, the question on everyone's mind is can the Sixers compete with the Detroit Pistons and Boston Celtics? After looking at the average starting numbers, they indicate that the 76ers with Brand are better than both the Pistons and the Celtics. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:57:33 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289080 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289080 There were conflicting reports about James Posey coming out on Thursday. Ric Bucher said that Posey was not returning to Boston. Then, on Hoopsworld, Bill Ingram said that James Posey is expected to announce that he'll re-sign with the Boston Celtics in the next 24 hours. Finally, in the Globe, Marc Spears reports that there is nothing new in regards to Posey's free agency situation. Who to believe? I like Ingram's take on it personally. There is an an article in the News Herald telling us that the Cavs are balking at offering more than 3 years on a contract. The Cavs regretted giving four-year deals to Donyell Marshall and Damon Jones and don't want to make the same mistake, but would have to go to 4 years to have a chance at landing Posey, a hometown favorite there. It was reported that the Celtics upped their offer to 4 years, but that was not confirmed by Danny Ainge. There were a few signings that just made things official. The Cavs signed their first round draft pick, JJ Hickson who was the 19th pick in the draft. Baron Davis officially signed the contract with the Clippers. Newsday reported that the Knicks were Baron's first choice after he opted out of his contract. He checked with them to see there was interest before signing with the Clippers. There may have been interest, but with almost 94 million in payroll, even before adding Duhon, they definitely didn't have the cap space to give him. The Clippers renounced their rights to free agents Dan Dickau, Shaun Livingston, Boniface Ndong, Smush Parker and James Singleton. I wouldn't mind taking a chance on Shaun Livingston. We have taken a chance on several other players with bad knees. He would be worth a look anyway to see what he has after the injury. The Wizards signed Dee Brown to an offer sheet and the Jazz have 7 days to match it although several sources say that they won't match it. The NBA will start next season without a few players. Darius Miles will be suspended for the first 10 games of the season, and he isn't even on a team right now. That takes talent. The NBA announced today that JamesOn Curry of the Chicago Bulls has been suspended for one game for pleading guilty to resisting or obstructing an officer and public urination. He will miss the first game of the '08-'09 season. The NBA also announced today that Brad Miller of the Sacramento Kings has been suspended for the first five games of the '08-09 season for violating the terms of the NBA Anti-Drug Program. The Wolves completed their trade with the Sixers and in a report in the Herald (via the Star Tribune), McHale compares Rodney Carney's talents to free agent Kirk Snyder. the article then says that there are reports that Snyder will wind up signing with Boston. This may be a contingency plan if Posey goes elsewhere or it may be just idle rumor. Brent Barry was traded by the Spurs last season only to be cut right away and go back to the Spurs while teams like the Celtics and Suns waited on his decision. He has now moved on from the Spurs and has signed a 2 year deal with the Rockets. He is the third member of his family to play for the Rockets. Brent's father, Rick, spent two seasons with the Rockets (1978-80) and his older brother, Jon, who is now an NBA broadcaster, played for the team from 2004-06. The NY Daily News reports that Paul Pierce is playing GM by advising the Knicks to dump Stephon Marbury in their rebuilding plans. "He makes the biggest contract and he's one of the oldest players on the team," Pierce said yesterday while signing collectibles at Steiner Sports offices in New Rochelle. "That doesn't really fit into a rebuilding plan, just to be honest. "I'd try to trade him or buy him out at this point," added Pierce, who still believes Marbury can be a starting point guard in the NBA. "I just think he needs a fresh start somewhere else. Marbury needs to be on a veteran team where he fits into what they're trying to do a little bit more." Uh, I just hope that the veteran team where where he fits into what they are trying to do is not the Celtics. I have never seen Marbury as the ubuntu kind of guy. His entire career he has been a Starbury first kind of player. I do like his efforts to make affordable sneakers for kids, but on the court, he has struck me as a selfish player. Speaking of Starbury's sneakers, the NY Post reports that in spite of Marbury's tenuous situation with the Knicks and his marketing partner, Steve & Barry's, filing for bankruptcy, his sneaker line will still go on. He just made a deal with Amazon.com to market the sneakers starting with the Christmas marketing season this year. The price is expected to to up from the current 14.98 price, but it doesn't say how much. You can find them now on sale at Steve and Barry's slashed to 8.98 on clearance. With Ronny Turiaf signing an offer sheet with the Warriors, the Lakers have 7 days to either match the offer or decide to go after another free agent. They have been one of the teams interested in Posey, but as of yet, haven't offered the full MLE 5 year deal that Posey is looking for. Turiaf and Posey share the same agent who seems to be a thorn in the side of the Celtics this off season as he also represents their first round pick JR Giddens who has opted out of the minicamp because they couldn't agree on a contract. The San Francisco Chronicle believes that the Lakers will let Turiaf walk and double their efforts elsewhere (Posey perhaps?) The Washington Times reports that Etan Thomas will scrimmage with the Wizards summer league team. Thomas missed missed all of last season after undergoing surgery to repair a leaky aortic valve. Thomas received clearance to resume noncontact training in January, but his sternum didn't fully heal in time for him to resume contact drills and return to live action. Now fully cleared, he will scrimmage with the summer league squad. I wish Thomas the best of luck. Ronny Turiaf, discussed above also underwent open heart surgery and has come back to play very well afterwards. The Toronto Sun reports that Carlos Delfino is on his way out in Toronto. The Raptors are expected to sign newcomers Roko Ukic and Nathan Jawai in the next few days, but veteran guard Carlos Delfino appears to be the odd man out. He is a restricted free agent, but the Raptors are not expected to match any offer he may receive from other clubs. The Spurs and Pistons are reportedly interested. Philly.com is reporting that Elton Brand had made a verbal commitment to the Clippers to sign a 5 year contract before signing the contract with the Sixers. You can't fault a player for going to a better situation or more money, but, if they break a commitment in the process, it isn't right. Carlos Boozer still carries the stigma of doing the same thing to Cleveland. If it is true, Brand just became a branded man with many fans. The Star Ledger reports that the Nets are looking at available veterans such as Denver's Marcus Camby and Chicago's Andres Nocioni via trade. They also met with free agent Eduardo Najera and are trying to sell him on a 2 year contract rather than the 3 year deal he is looking for so that they can still have the cap room to go after LeBron or another available star in 2010. Reports are that the Nets are also close to reaching an agreement with Jarvis Hayes. There have been reports of the Celtics possibly considering Alonzo Mourning as a back up center. Word from the Sun Sentinel is that although Alonzo Mourning still hopes to return from last season's serious knee injury, the Heat center required an additional procedure recently amid his comeback bid. Three sources familiar with Mourning's rehabilitation confirmed the procedure but said the center still could be able to make it back to the court by midseason. After spending a month in a hard cast and another month in a brace, Mourning was told the injury would require at least six additional months of rehabilitation. Fri, 11 Jul 2008 09:22:19 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289061 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/289061 Well, it's Summer…and you know what that means. Road trip!! 0signal and I set off on our never ending quest to provide the best NBA coverage on the web, with a lot of T&A mixed in between. Check out many of the vanity license plates we saw from our NBA City Tour… You'll need to follow the link to check out the plates as they don't paste well... But it's well worth your time... http://www.ebsports.net/blog/?page_id=724 Thu, 10 Jul 2008 13:00:02 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/288618 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/288618 The time has come to yet again look at the state of our cap and to answer everything you ever wanted to know about the collective bargaining agreement. Without further adieu, here's our current salary table from now until 2011-2012. Yes, I know it's not terribly helpful right now, but it will be filled in as we fill out our roster. Player 2008-2009 2009-2010 2010-2011 2011-2012 2011-2012 Kevin Garnett $24,750,000 $16,400,000 $18,800,000 $21,200,000 n/a Paul Pierce $18,077,903 $19,795,712 $21,515,521 n/a n/a Ray Allen $17,388,430 $18,776,860 n/a n/a n/a Kendrick Perkins $4,078,880 $4,250,000 $4,390,208 n/a n/a Brian Scalabrine $3,206,897 $3,413,793 n/a n/a n/a Rajon Rondo $1,646,784 $2,623,326 $3,780,214 n/a n/a Leon Powe $797,581 n/a n/a n/a n/a Glen Davis $711,517 n/a n/a n/a n/a Gabe Pruitt $711,517 $729,005 n/a n/a n/a J.R. Giddens* $797,600 $857,400 $917,200 $1,655,546 $2,483,319 Bill Walker* $442,114 $736,420 n/a n/a n/a James Posey Free Agent n/a n/a n/a n/a Tony Allen Free Agent n/a n/a n/a n/a Eddie House Free Agent n/a n/a n/a n/a Scot Pollard Free Agent n/a n/a n/a n/a Totals: $72,609,223 $67,583,516 $49,403,143 $22,855,546 $2,483,319 Team options are in red and qualifying offers are in green. Salaries shown in orange represent non-guaranteed / partially guaranteed deals, while trade kickers and other owed salary obligations are in purple. Player options are listed in blue. Total salary assumes that all options are picked up. * Salaries for Giddens and Walker are estimated. Giddens' salary amount is based upon 100% of the rookie scale, and Walker's deal is a standard two-year minimum. Of course, the meaty part of this post is the Frequently Asked Questions , where you can learn everything about J.R. Giddens' contract holdup, why we really won't have cap space in 2010-11 even... Wed, 09 Jul 2008 11:04:33 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/288029 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/288029 The Boston Celtics are currently in a debate on whether or not to retain the services of James Posey. The two sides have been talking and exchanging offers, the problem is as always money and length. Rumor has it the Celtics are offering considerably less then the $5.8 million, 4-year exception that Posey would surely command on the open market. Without coming close to those numbers Posey would surely walk as there are other teams who would pay that. Management may not realize how critical a player like Posey was to their championship run but at least one player does, Paul Pierce. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 19:35:16 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287658 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287658 Herald Paul Pierce pushes for James Posey (http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1105603 format=text) FBI to look at Celtics fan death (http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/celtics/view.bg?articleid=1105632 format=text) Round 1 to Michael Beasley: His Heat top Derrick Rose’s Bulls (http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/other_nba/view.bg?articleid=1105637 format=text) Bucks’ Richard Jefferson says he’ll work well with Michael Redd (http://www.bostonherald.com/sports/basketball/other_nba/view.bg?articleid=1105655 format=text) Globe Raw material (http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/07/08/raw_material?mode=PF) Truth is, Pierce still celebrating (http://www.boston.com/sports/basketball/celtics/articles/2008/07/08/truth_is_pierce_still_celebrating?mode=PF) Letter to Ray Allen: Living, growing, and learning to deal with diabetes (http://www.boston.com/bostonglobe/editorial_opinion/oped/articles/2008/07/07/living_growing_and_learning_to_deal_with_diabetes/) Celtics.com Post ups notebook (http://nba.com/celtics/playoffs2008/playoffs-postups.html) More Links After the Jump Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:10:20 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287483 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287483 Celtics.com reports: (http://www.nba.com/celtics/playoffs2008/playoffs-postups.html) BOSTON - Paul Pierce talked to a few reporters on Monday at his annual summer basketball camp at Basketball City just around the corner from the TD Banknorth Garden on Monday, and said that he'll be getting an MRI on his knee but doesn't expect to have to undergo surgery. Pierce said the knee is still sore, but is getting better, and noted that he's been treating his injury like a sprain that normally takes three-four weeks. I've still got some soreness in it, so hopefully it's nothing major requiring surgery, Pierce said. I plan on getting in there this week, getting the treatment and the MRI and making sure I take care of my body. I doubt if I need any surgery. It's getting better and better. I'm gonna get the MRI just to take the extra precaution but I don't see any surgery in my future and I just plan on getting treatment until it's all the way healed. Tue, 08 Jul 2008 17:10:20 -0500 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287486 http://www.yardbarker.com/author/article/287486