The Celtics haven’t seen much of each other this summer. Paul Pierce has been in Southern California when he wasn’t in China. Kevin Garnett has been in California, too, but not with Paul Pierce. Ray Allen has spent most of his time in Connecticut, Rajon Rondo in Kentucky, JaJuan Johnson God-knows-where, E’Twaun Moore is in Italy with Brian Scalabrine (aka the White Mamba), and Avery Bradley and Jermaine O’Neal are now in Las Vegas to participate in the Impact Basketball Training Series.

But Garnett plans to organize a team gathering soon. (Boston Globe)

“I see that Paul was in China. I’ll probably bump into Ray and Rondo while I’m on the East Coast just to see what’s going on. I’ll probably talk to [Jermaine O’Neal].

I imagine Garnett would like to organize a team-wide workout (not just the starters), but, as we discussed earlier, the Celtics are all around the globe. So he’ll settle for four or five players, and who knows? Maybe the Celtics will even hold a real training camp at some point in the near future.

Derek Fisher reportedly sent a text message to advise players to remain in good shape, the latest in a number of optimistic signs that could (knock on wood) point to progress in the labor discussions. (Sports Illustrated)

On the heels of Roger Mason’s now-infamous tweet in which the NBPA vice president wrote, “Looking like a season. How u,” but later claimed his account was hacked, one league source claims that union president Derek Fisher text-messaged numerous players last week indicating that some progress had been made and imploring them to be physically prepared just in case the season started on time. There was another curious happening on Thursday, when — according to ESPN’s Chris Broussard — NBA deputy commissioner Adam Silver attended the U.S. Open with Wasserman Media Group CEO, Casey Wasserman.

In case you were wondering, Wasserman Media Group is a global sport and entertainment agency that represents a number of NBA players, including Pau Gasol, Derrick Rose, and Kendrick Perkins. The Wasserman Media Group once famously pantsed, kidnapped and then bribed the entire Atlanta Hawks organization. I know that sounds crazy, but how else can you explain “Joe Johnson, $119 million”?

Finally, the Celtics are planning to meet. Finally, the NBA is (hopefully) making progress. If only Shaq didn’t mention Kendrick Perkins yesterday, my mood would be quite swell.