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Defending Darko: Why The Celtics' Signing Of Darko Milicic Isn't Terrible

2012-09-20T17:55:46Z

Please, hear me out. Yes, we are talking about Darko Milicic, probably one of the worst high end draft picks in history. Milicic was drafted No. 2 overall by the Detroit Pistons in the 2003 NBA Draft (the one where LeBron James went No. 1 and where Carmelo Anthony went No. 3, Chris Bosh went No. 4, Dwyane Wade went No. 5 and, well, you get the point).

Milicic has been a total bust, I agree. In nine NBA seasons, his numbers are more in line with a Von Wafer than they are with LeBron. Nine years, 467 games, 6.0 points per game. Oh, and 4.2 total rebounds per game. Not quite what one would hope for from a seven-footer, let alone the No. 2 pick part.

Trust me, I'm not here to tell you that Darko is really good. He's not No. 2 pick caliber. So for Boston Celtics fans who are groaning about the signing of the Serbian, let's take a deeper look into this move.

We've already established that Milicic isn't a top pick. While he never has or will live up to the hype, that does not mean he cannot be an effective NBA player in the role the Celtics will have him play. What exactly is that role? He's a backup big, note --not a starter. He'll give the Celtics' more important bigs a breather, that is, if he even gets any playing time. Translation, the Celtics aren't expecting big things.

With bigs Jason Collins, Jared Sullinger and Fab Melo and Chris Wilcox on the roster, he isn't even a primary backup, and there's a chance he barely plays at all this season. So what's the point, then?

Obviously, Danny Ainge likes Darko for whatever reason. Maybe he sees something in him and has a role for him that no other GM in the league has had before. Danny has surprised us before, you know.

Take one Greg Stiemsma as an example.

Stiemsma was signed as a training camp body who worked his way into the last spot on the roster. Most of us were surprised that Stiemsma made the team last year, and we certainly didn't expect him to factor into games at all. Well, we were wrong. Stiemsma carved a niche as a solid defender (an even stronger shot blocker who developed into a strong all-around defender), and he helped the Celtics be successful.

Stiemsma was too expensive for the Celtics to bring back, and at this point in the offseason (basically the preseason, really), it's not like there were a lot of options out there for the Celtics to get deeper. Kenyon Martin, who Boston was reportedly interested in, did not want to take the veteran minimum, ruling him out. As far as bigs were concerned, Darko was probably at the top of the list in the available pool.

Here's the best part: the Celtics don't have to pay him stupid amounts of money. Milicic has made nearly $50 million in his NBA career. Sickening, isn't it? Last year, Darko brought home just under $5 million. Courtesy of the Minnesota Timberwolves decision to amnesty Milicic, he'll still get the money that was owed to him, and all the Celtics had to do was pay the bare minimum. Not a bad deal in my eyes.

Maybe (and that's a very strong maybe) he doesn't have anything he can offer the Celtics, but this is a low risk, high reward move for Ainge and company. Again, Danny might see something we don't, and maybe Milicic has some bursts of talent left. Maybe, and again, that's a big maybe. We'll have to wait and see.

Gethin Coolbaugh is the Editor of SB Nation Boston. Follow him @GethinCoolbaugh on Twitter.

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Shaquille O'Neal Thinking Comeback?

2012-09-06T22:28:22Z

Shaquille O'Neal may be thinking about a comeback ... in Mexico. O'Neal has reportedly received an offer to play a few games for Fuerza Regia, a pro basketball team in Monterrey, Mexico. O'Neal did some social work in Monterrey in August and was invited to join the team.

O'Neal, who is now an NBA analysts for TNT, most recently played with the Boston Celtics in 2010-11. O'Neal only played in 37 games (starting 36) and averaged 9.2 points and 4.8 rebounds. O'Neal is a 15-time NBA All-Star and a four-time champion who played 19 seasons, eight of which came with the Los Angeles Lakers. In 1,207 career games, O'Neal score 28,596 points and collected 13,099 rebounds in his legendary career.

O'Neal would not be the first NBA player to suit up for Fuerza Regia, as former Chicago Bulls big Dennis Rodman played for the team.

For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit our team page and blog, CelticsBlog.

Brian Scalabrine Retires, Will Broadcast Boston Celtics Games For CSNNE

2012-09-06T18:38:37Z

It's a sad day in the basketball world. Brian Scalabrine, otherwise known as "The White Mamba" and the greatest bench player in Boston Celtics history, is calling it quits. Scalabrine has reportedly turned down an opportunity to serve as an assistant to Chicago Bulls coach Tom Thibodeau, who he played for last season, and will broadcast Celtics games for Comcast SportsNet New England, according to Yahoo! Sports.

"Saying no to Thibs was the hardest decision I've ever had to make," Scalabrine said, according to Yahoo. (via ESPN)

Scalabrine, a huge fan favorite in Boston, spent time with CSNNE covering Celtics games during the 2011-2012 postseason. In addition, Scalabrine roamed the sidelines at TD Garden for five seasons. Scal never started more than 17 games during his Celtics tenure, and he averaged 3.1 points and 2.0 rebounds during his 11-year NBA career.

And so it ends. Sure, we'll still have Scal at TD Garden and on television, but it's sad to see a champion (yes, a champion) retire. Thanks, Scal.

For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit our team page and blog, CelticsBlog.

Want To Play Xbox With Paul Pierce?

2012-08-22T15:58:28Z

Want to play video games (or buy a computer with) Celtics captain Paul Pierce? Here's your chance.

I'll be at the brand new @microsoftstore at The Shops at Prudential Center Boston on 8/23. Stop by for your chance to play #Kinect with me
— Paul Pierce (@paulpierce34) August 22, 2012

Jeff Green's Contract Situation With Celtics Is Confusing

2012-08-20T17:00:06Z

The contract negotiations surrounding Boston Celtics unrestricted free agent forward Jeff Green has turned into a sordid affair with several twists and turns.

After the need for season-ending heart surgery in December, the organization pulled a qualifying offer, which eliminated the possibility of a sign-and-trade. In July, the two sides came to terms on a four-year deal worth $36 million that has yet to be signed.

However, a report was recently published by the Boston Globe that stated that the deal would be officially announced in the coming week. With this in mind, the delay in the announcement could be the result of the two sides trying to figure out how to handle any potential health issues Green may suffer in the future.

While the soon-to-be 26-year-old Georgetown product has stated that he feels better than he ever has, the organization will likely want to protect themselves from any unfortunate developments that could occur over the course of the deal.

This creates a trickle down effect that could include the contract's structure, which impacts how much annually the Celtics have to pay Green as well as how close to the $74 million salary cap apron the contract will place the team.

For more on the Celtics, please be sure to visit our site CelticsBlog and SB Nation Bostonfor all the latest news and updates.

Jason Terry Predicts NBA Championship For Boston Celtics In 2012

2012-08-20T13:54:52Z

Jason Terry's belief that he can help Boston bring home another NBA Championship this season is more than skin-deep - or however deep tattoo ink goes, anyway - he reiterated his belief that the Celtics are bound to win a Larry O'Brien Trophy in 2013 in an interview with Boston's CBS affiliate:

"If I looked at our team and what they accomplished last year - they're one game away. They're one game away from going back to the NBA finals, and I think they win it," Terry told WBZ-TV's Steve Burton Thursday at the Reebok Headquarters in Canton.

"This year, put a little ‘Jet Fuel' into the mix, and I think we have the team," laughed a confident Terry.

Terry's always found a way to be extra-cocky and confident, but he's backed up his talk and his pretending-to-be-a-plane with his on-court play: Terry has averaged over 15 points all but two times in his 15 year NBA career and has shot over 34.7 percent from three every year since his rookie year, nailing 37.8 percent of his triples in 2011-2012. And of course, the last time he guaranteed a ring with a tattoo, his prognostication turned out to be right, as his bench play was pivotal in helping the Mavericks to the 2011 NBA Championship. Terry won't fully replace Ray Allen, but he's proven he can contribute on winning teams. If he does win a ring in Boston, it had better come soon, as Terry is 34, and the rest of the squad aren't exactly spring chickens either.

For more on the Celtics, there's Celtics Blog and stick to SB Nation Boston.

Jeff Green Contract: Celtics Will Reportedly Make Deal Official Next Week

2012-08-18T19:50:23Z

The Boston Celtics are reportedly close to finalizing their deal with Jeff Green, and the Boston Globe's Gary Washburn reports that agent David Falk thinks it will be official next week. Washburn reported on Saturday that Falk was working to finalize the outstanding minor issues:

For those who missed it earlier, David Falk, the agent for Jeff Green, told Boston Globe that his client's deal with #celtics is close and should be official next week.

The framework of the deal was agreed upon at the beginning of the NBA free agency season in July. It's reportedly a four-year deal worth $36 million.

Green became an unrestricted free agent after the Celtics pulled back a qualifying offer last winter. But the two sides came to an agreement as free agency opened this summer, with the Celtics even holding a press conference with Green.

At the end of July, Falk said the deal was imminent and that just some minor issues involving CBA changes were being worked out. But no deal was ever officially announced. It's still unclear how much of the deal will be guaranteed, but everything should be finalized in the coming week.

For more on the Celtics, please be sure to visit our site CelticsBlog and SB Nation Bostonfor all the latest news and updates.

Jason Terry Tattoos Boston Celtics' Mascot Onto Arm, Wins The Offseason

2012-08-12T00:01:13Z

Yeah, I know that LeBron James and the Miami Heat are the NBA Champions. I also know that the Lakers landed Dwight Howard in the biggest trade of the offseason (oh, and Steve Nash, too). Yes, I know all of that, but I don't care. Those facts are nice and all, but it was in fact Jason Terry who has won the NBA offseason. Why? This tattoo.

Yes, you're seeing that correctly. Terry, who signed as a free agent with the Celtics this offseason, has tattooed Lucky the Leprechaun onto his arm. From the looks of it, it must have been painful.

Remember, this is the same guy who had the Larry O'Brien Trophy tattooed on his arm ... before the Dallas Mavericks (his former team) won the NBA title. And guess what? They went onto win the title.

Jason... you are my new hero. I don't have anything else to say. Welcome to Boston.

For more Boston Celtics coverage, visit our team page and blog, CelticsBlog.