Boston Celtics Blog – Page 89 – NBA Blog

Glancing at guard Carlos Arroyo

Mark Medina of the Los Angeles Times (blog) reports:

Carlos Arroyo, 32, a nine-year veteran who last season played 49 games with the Miami Heat and 15 with the Boston Celtics, wouldn’t cost much, and he would feel comfortable and experienced enough to run an offense. This would by no means be a splash signing, and wouldn’t fully address the Lakers’ point guard needs. But with the Lakers strapped financially and looking at a market that doesn’t have many promising point guards, this might be one of the “tweaks” the Lakers could get in the lineup. For the past three seasons, Arroyo has eclipsed his career shooting mark. He can handle the ball. He’s solid in promoting good ball movement and finding the open man. Mix all of those ingredients together, and you at least have a steady option to lower to some degree the minutes logged by Derek Fisher and Steve Blake.

Nate Robinson attends Seattle Seahawks practice, as a spectator

Danny O’Neil of the Seattle Times reports:

Nate Robinson was at Seahawks practice Saturday morning.

Considering Robinson’s athletic pedigree, that statement requires a further clarification: Robinson was not in the Seahawks’ practice.

The Rainier Beach alum was in sweatpants and a gray top, watching the workouts. There are no plans for Robinson to have a tryout with the Seahawks, but this is the latest in a continuing flirtation with the sport.

Robinson, 27, initially went to Washington on a football scholarship and was a freshman cornerback under Rick Neuheisel in 2002.

Video: Magic Johnson likes Larry Bird. Not then, but now

Los Angeles Lakers legend Magic Johnson and Boston Celtics legend Larry Bird weren’t friends in their playing days. Sure, they respected each other — the same way you might respect a tornado flying towards your home and loved ones — but there was a friendly competitive hatred there.

These days, though, with their playing days long behind them, the memories remain, but feelings of dislike have been left in the past.

Here’s a video clip of Magic Johnson, at a Los Angeles Times-related event, talking about liking Larry Bird:

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Boston Celtics promote Mike Longabardi to a bench assistant coach

The Boston Celtics announced today that Mike Longabardi has been promoted to a bench assistant coach.

“I’m looking forward to adding Mike to our bench. He has been in the fold the last four years and he’s more than ready for the next step,” said Doc Rivers, Celtics Head Coach.

Longabardi joined the Celtics prior to the start of the 2007-08 season from Houston where he had worked for the previous five seasons as an assistant coach/video coordinator, video coordinator and assistant video coordinator. The native of Brooklyn, New York has also previous coaching experience in the college ranks with Pfeiffer University, Adelphi University, Lafayette College and Towson University. He was on the coaching staff that led the Lafayette Leopards to the Patriot League title.

Detroit Pistons to introduce new head coach Lawrence Frank on Wednesday

Early Wednesday afternoon, the Detroit Pistons will introduce Lawrence Frank as their new head coach.

As Vincent Goodwell of the Detroit News reports, “Detroit native Steve Smith said Pistons coach Lawrence Frank’s first order of business is to wipe away the bad taste from the past two seasons. “The best course of action is he has to come in with a clean slate,” said Smith, an analyst for NBA TV who played 14 seasons in the NBA. “He has to give those guys a clean slate, too.” Whenever the NBA lockout ends, Smith said Frank will have to address the team, collectively and individually, to let them know what happened in the past won’t be held against them, but a repeat won’t be tolerated. “Some of the problems you’ve heard about you do address,” Smith said. “You listen and you don’t interject.”

It’ll be a difficult job for Frank, as the team is in transition and in need of a serious rebuild. They were led last season by guard Rodney Stuckey (15.5 points, 5.2 assists per game), forward Tayshaun Prince (14.1 ppg, 4.2 rpg), and guard Richard Hamilton (14.1 ppg, 3.1 apg). Ben Gordon and Charlie Villanueva also contributed in the scoring department.

One of the lone bright spots for the Pistons last season was the play of center Greg Monroe, who has been steadily improving. He’s still not a real building block, however. He may develop into one in the near future, but for now he’s merely a supporting player.

But the journey for Frank begins Wednesday at noon in Michigan. And when the NBA lockout ends, his real test begins.

Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau had knee replacement surgery

K.C. Johnson of the Chicago Tribune reports:

Being of single-minded focus, Tom Thibodeau is preparing for next season as if there isn’t a lockout. Whenever that ends, expect the reigning Coach of the Year to be healthier and prowling the sidelines with even more gusto.

That’s because Thibodeau underwent partial right knee replacement surgery on July 13 to fix a painful arthritic condition dating to an injury from his playing days at Salem (Mass.) State.

Thibodeau tore cartilage in college and had his meniscus completely removed during the ensuing surgery, leaving bone to basically rub on bone for the last 30 years. Colleagues said the condition began affecting what little sleep Thibodeau bagged last season. Befitting the tough-minded team he led to a league-high 62 victories and Eastern Conference finals berth last season, Thibodeau never discussed the situation, even making light of it on Thursday.

NBA Rookie Transition Program postponed

The NBA Rookie Transition Program, scheduled for August 9-11, has been postponed. The program, which provides first-year players with the skills and information necessary for a successful transition to the NBA, is run jointly by the NBA and the Players Association.

“Without a new collective bargaining agreement between the league and the players’ union, we will be unable to hold RTP as originally scheduled,” NBA Deputy Commissioner Adam Silver said. “This is an important educational program for our incoming players, and it will be rescheduled once the parties agree on a CBA.”

Marquis Daniels open to Celtics return

It’s always nice to return to a place that’s comfortable. And generally, people find Boston comfortable as a city, and the Celtics winning ways a nice thing to be a part of.

And, players just like jobs. Those are nice, too.

Gary Washburn of the Boston Globe reports:

Marquis Daniels last played for the Celtics on Feb. 6, when he collapsed on the TD Garden floor after a what appeared to be normal collision with Orlando’s Gilbert Arenas. Daniels was taken off the court in a stretcher and declared out for the season with a spinal condition that required surgery.

After an injury-plagued 2009-10 season, Daniels was bouncing back with a solid year before the injury. He was traded to the Sacramento Kings for cash to clear a roster spot. But Bartelstein said he has always been open in returning to the Celtics.

The Celtics likely have one last championship run in them before it’s time to consider breaking up the team and sending a few guys into an old-age home.

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Timberwolves to interview Larry Brown

The Minneapolis Star Tribune reports:

After interviewing Rick Adelman and Don Nelson over the weekend, the Timberwolves intend to interview Larry Brown and possibly one or two others in this first phase to replace fired coach Kurt Rambis.

When the Wolves will interview Brown, who has coached teams to both NBA and NCAA titles, is uncertain because of a recent death in his family, according to a league source with knowledge of the team’s search.

If they do, they will have interviewed two coaches among the top six all time in NBA career victories. Nelson is No. 1 with 1,335. Brown is No. 6 with 1,098.

The Wolves so far have interviewed Bernie Bickerstaff, Terry Porter, Mike Woodson, Adelman and Nelson.

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Celtics rookie E`Twaun Moore headed to Italy

The Boston Herald reports:

Count E’Twaun Moore among those NBA rookies who won’t be waiting for a lockout resolution.

As of today the Celtics rookie was close to signing a deal with one of a number of teams in Italy’s Serie A, according to agent Mark Bartlestein.

“We’re going through successful talks,” said the Chicago-based agent. “Nothing has been agreed to yet, but we’re talking to a couple of teams. Can we get a deal done? We think so.”

Bartlestein estimated that a deal should be completed by Tuesday for Moore, the Celtics’ second round draft choice, and the Purdue teammate of Celtics first round pick JaJuan Johnson.

Update: Sportando reports:

Cimberio Varese, via its president Cecco Vescovi, confirmed the agreement with E’Twuan Moore for the season 2011-12. The product of Purdue University was selected by Boston Celtics in the 2011 NBA Draft averaged more than 18ppg as senior in NCAA. Moore will have short NBA out in the contract to exercise when the lockout ends if he gets an offer from Celtics.

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