Boston Celtics Blog – Page 115 – NBA Blog

J.R. Giddens has knee surgery

The Boston Celtics announced today that guard J.R. Giddens underwent successful left knee arthroscopic surgery today at the New England Baptist Hospital. The surgery was performed by team physician, Dr. Brian McKeon and assisted by John Rand, PAC. No timetable has been set for his return.

Giddens, a 6’5” guard, has appeared in 21 games for the Celtics this season and registered season-highs of six points and seven rebounds against New Jersey on January 13. In four games on assignment for the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League this season he averaged 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steal in 31.8 minutes per game. During those four games the former New Mexico Lobo shot 64.4% from the field and 60.0% from three-point distance.J

Stephon Marbury makes debut in China

Marc Berman of the New York post reports:

On the other side of the globe from Coney Island, former Knicks star Stephon Marbury made his debut in China yesterday and told The Post he was suffering from major jet lag.

Marbury scored 15 points and had eight assists as his new team, Shanxi lost 102-101 to Dongguan Marco Polo. He had four steals and four rebounds, but shot 0 for 6 from 3-point range, according to China Daily.

“The time difference is a big problem,” Marbury told The Post via Skype yesterday. “I wake up early, in the middle of the night, and stay up most of the day. It stinks. I have not played since the last game against the Magic [in the second round of the playoffs last May]. So I was tired. I played 28 minutes, all of the fourth quarter. Talk about being tired. Wow. It was fun being out there though.”

Marbury reportedly passed up a final shot with five seconds remaining, feeding to former Knicks teammate Maurice Taylor, who missed the potential game-winning jumper. Shanxi is one of the worst teams in the Chinese Basketball Association.

Celtics recall J.R. Giddens from D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that guard J.R. Giddens has been recalled from the Maine Red Claws of the NBA Development League. Giddens appeared in four games for the Red Claws and posted averages of 18.0 points, 4.5 rebounds, 3.0 assists and 1.0 steal in 31.8 minutes per game.

On the Celtics this season, Giddens in 4.7 minutes per game averages 1.1 points in 21 total outings.

With a record of 29-14, the Celtics currently have the second best record in the Eastern conference.

Delonte West trial postponed

The AP reports:

The trial of Cleveland Cavaliers guard Delonte West on weapons charges has been postponed until April 26.

Authorities say West was carrying two loaded handguns, a loaded shotgun and an 8 1/2-inch Bowie knife while riding a three-wheel motorcycle on the Capital Beltway in Maryland in September. Police say he was pulled over after cutting off an officer.

Doc Rivers says Dwight Howard hits opponents more than anybody

Josh Robbins of the Orlando Sentinel reports (via blog):

Boston Celtics coach Doc Rivers chuckles at the notion that Orlando Magic center Dwight Howard is on the receiving end of more physical play than Howard dishes out.

I asked Rivers following his team’s shootaround today whether the Celtics are more physical with Howard than other teams.

“I don’t think so,” Rivers said. “We don’t have ‘Howard Rules,’ I can tell you that. We just go out and play one-on-one defense. We have big guys. We have guys who are very good defenders. I literally get a kick out of all the Howard people [saying Howard is always on the receiving end of physical play]. ”Clearly, people are looking one way. Howard gives out far more punishment than he gets, I can guarantee you that. I actually giggle at that when I hear all the ‘Howard’s getting hit’ talk. It’s a joke to me. That guy hits more than anybody in the league. So, if you’re gonna give it out [you’ve got to be prepared to take it]. That’s the way we look at it.”

Celtics assign J.R. Giddens to D-League

The Boston Celtics announced today that guard J.R. Giddens has been assigned to the Maine Red Claws. Giddens is the team’s third assignment to the NBA Development League this season.

Giddens, a 6’5” guard, has appeared in 21 games for the Celtics this season and registered season-highs of six points and seven rebounds against New Jersey on January 13.

His average for the season is 1.1 points in 4.7 minutes per game.

The 27-13 Celtics are currently the no.2 seed in the Eastern conference.

Glen Davis fined for cursing at heckling fan

NBA fines Glen Davis for cursing at heckling fan

Boston Celtics forward Glen Davis has been fined $25,000 for directing inappropriate language toward a fan, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

The incident occurred with 8:44 remaining in the second quarter of Boston’s 92-86 loss to the Detroit Pistons on Wednesday, Jan. 20 at The Palace of Auburn Hills.

According to the Boston Globe reports, “During an injury timeout for Detroit’s Chucky Atkins, the fan, Scott Zack, yelled “fat boy’’ at Davis, who was leaning against the scorer’s table. Davis stared back at Zack, who was sitting in the first row of the lower bowl, and yelled an obscene statement that could be heard in the entire section behind the Celtics bench. Because of the infamous Brawl at the Place in November 2004, security at the site is especially sensitive to interaction between players and fans. Zack was approached by NBA security and filed a complaint at halftime. He continued with his heckling, calling Davis “chubs,’’ but Davis did not respond further and also did not talk with reporters after the game.”

Rasheed Wallace enjoys return to Detroit

Wednesday night, the Detroit Pistons hosted the Boston Celtics. Now wearing Celtic green, former Piston Rasheed Wallace enjoyed his return.

Vince Ellis of the Detroit Free Press reports:

As expected, he received the familiar chants of “Sheeeeeed!!!!!” as well as a smattering of boos, perhaps by some who remembered his penchant for controversy and technical fouls.

“It was cool and definitely wonderful,” Wallace said after the Pistons’ 92-86 victory. “It let me know that the fans here still love me as a player.

“It was pretty cool.”

Wallace was playful with former teammates and the Pistons’ coaching staff during the game.

“Just messing with guys,” Wallace said. “My ex-teammates and coaches … just letting them know that we still cool.”

Rasheed is having a decent season in a support role on the Celtics. He fits in and plays well with the team, but misses too many shots. Playing 23.5 minutes per game, the forward/center averages 10.2 points and 4.5 rebounds, but is shooting just 40.8% from the field and 29.7% from three-point range.

NBA fines Rasheed Wallace $35,000 for criticizing refs

Boston Celtics forward Rasheed Wallace has been fined $35,000 for publicly criticizing game officials, it was announced today by Stu Jackson, NBA Executive Vice President, Basketball Operations.

Wallace was fined for his comments made following the Celtics’ 99-90 loss to the Dallas Mavericks on Monday, Jan. 18.

Stephon Marbury may play basketball in China

Stephon Marbury to play basketball in China

Remember former NBA guard Stephon Marbury? Before he started doing wacky stuff on the internet and arguing with “haters” for seemingly 17 hours a day while reminding web users that “love is love” nearly every minute, he was a very good NBA player.

Not quite as good as his stats suggest. There were issues of bad chemistry, bad attitudes and not making teammates better. Still, Marbury was talented, exciting to watch, and occasionally spectacular and unguardable.

Before falling out of the NBA after years on the New York Knicks and a quick stint on the Boston Celtics, Marbury had made several mentions of wanting to play overseas; specifically Italy.

I’ve learned over the years that tons of overseas reports tend to jump the gun. And there are often language barriers and translation issues. So right now there are two reports. One seems to suggest Marbury will sign. The other says he may do it, but nothing is done.

Until it’s confirmed (hopefully by Marbury himself) that he’s really signing in China, these should just be considered reports on what may happen.

Reuters reports:

Twice NBA All Star point guard Stephon Marbury will become the highest profile American to play in the Chinese Basketball Association (CBA) after he agreed to join China’s Shanxi Club.

The 32-year-old, a free agent since leaving the Boston Celtics last season, had agreed a deal with the northern club and would arrive in Shanxi next week, the team announced on their official website (www.sxcba.com).

“The aim of signing Marbury is to pay back our fans and try to win more games in the rest of the season,” said Shanxi boss Wang Xingjiang.

AFP reports:

After bringing in NBA bad boy Bonzi Wells last season, Shanxi Zhongyu of the China Basketball Association are seeking to land former disgruntled New York Knick Stephon Marbury, the team said Monday.

“Marbury will come next week. We want to sign him and we want him to play for us,” club general manager Zhang Beihai told AFP by phone.

“When he arrives we will sit down and talk. Right now it is not clear if he wants to sign. After we talk we will make a decision.”

Assuming he’s kept in shape, Marbury should be able to destroy the competition. Which would be fun to keep track of.

InsideHoops.com will keep you updated.