The Celtics, we know, like Gilbert Brown. Brown, we know, likes the Celtics. So it makes sense that Brown, who signed in Germany but has an opt-out clause for when the lockout ends, expects to be a Boston Celtic once the lockout ends. (Hoopsworld)

“I think there’s a good chance I’ll be back in Boston,” Brown said. “They liked me a lot. I had good conversations with Doc Rivers and Danny Ainge. They showed a high level of interest in me and believe that I can be a contributor for them this year as well as in the future. It looks like there’s a strong possibility that I’ll be back with the Celtics as soon as the lockout is over.”

Brown said he envisions making a Tony Allen-like impact. Normally, I would make an Allen joke right now, something like, “… which means he will threaten to commit charging fouls and induce heart attacks every time he touches the ball.” I love making Allen jokes—a good one satisfies me more than the taste of ice cream Snickers bars. But after this year, when Allen helped change Memphis’s entire philosophy (and meanwhile, the Celtics lacked any bench consistency and had exactly zero defensive-minded wings), I can’t even make Allen jokes anymore. The Celtics needed him, and he wasn’t there. I didn’t know how much I would miss him until he was gone.

(*Sheds surprising tear, pours out water into the ground.*)

What I’m trying to say is: If an undrafted free agent can become the next Tony Allen, sign me up.