A new video on Celtics.com gives a behind-the-scenes look into Jared Sullinger’s back injury and ongoing recovery. The concerns  that caused Sullinger to fall out of the lottery came to a head on January 30th when Sullinger’s back forced him from the game against Sacramento:

“Couldn’t sit up, couldn’t stand, could barely walk,” Sullinger said. “I was just like a frozen bear.”

That analogy is oozing with KG’s influence, as is Sullinger’s message to his doubters:

“They made a mistake, I think,” he said. “My ability to rebound, shoot the basketball and just give my body to the team by taking charges or diving on loose balls–I’m a glue guy, in my eye,m and they missed out. But at the same time it’s a blessing to be here, so I hope they enjoy their journey because I’m enjoying mine.”

Sullinger even keeps a recording of Stephen A. Smith saying he wouldn’t touch Sullinger in the draft as motivation:

“My dad has a recorded ESPN First Take. You’ve got Stephen A. Smith telling me, or telling people, that he wouldn’t take me first round, second round … I wasn’t good enough to play in the NBA,” said Sullinger. “And to be starting sometimes next to Kevin Garnett, and then playing major minutes, I thought that was a sign that I can play in this league.”

Be sure to check out the full video for more insight into Sullinger and his ongoing recovery, it’s definitely worth eight minutes of your time.

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Will Danny Ainge keep Shavlik Randolph around for next season?

While it’s the fates of Paul Pierce, Kevin Garnett and Doc Rivers that have most Celtics fans concerned, Steve Bulpett of The Boston Herald had a chance to speak with Boston Celtics general manager Danny Ainge about some of the less heralded players Friday.

Terrence Williams, D.J. White, and Shavlik Randolph all signed with the Celtics mid-season with non-guaranteed deals for next season. According to ShamSports.com, White and Randolph’s contracts (worth $1.1 million) become fully guaranteed on Aug. 1. Williams’ contract, meanwhile, is not fully guaranteed until Oct. 31, but he receives $200,000 if he’s still on the roster past June 30, and $300,000 if he’s still on the roster by Sept. 1. Via Bulpett: Read more »

Mason Plumlee dunks in an early-season victory over Kentucky and potential No.1 overall pick Nerlens Noel.

The Boston Celtics worked out former Duke center Mason Plumlee, former Miami (Fla.) center Reggie Johnson, former Belmont guard Ian Clark, and former Northeastern guard Jonathan Lee at their practice facility in Waltham Tuesday, according to Baxter Holmes of the Boston Globe.

Plumlee, a Second Team All-American in 2013, is the only player in the group projected to be drafted in the first round. The 7-footer averaged 17.1 points and 10 rebounds per game in his senior season at Duke.

Plumlee made major strides in his junior and senior seasons at Duke and he has the size and athleticism that intrigues scouts and NBA decision-makers. His immature post-game, lack of shooting ability and poor defense, however, will likely push Plumlee to the back-end of the first round.

Lee, Johnson, and Clark are more likely to be drafted in the second round or go undrafted all together. The Celtics are probably scouting some of these players in the event that Ainge trades for, or purchases, a second-round draft pick, or to potentially fill out their summer league roster.

Boston currently holds a single pick, 16th overall, in the 2013 NBA Draft. Judging by the players they have worked out, it would appear Ainge and the front office are most interested in drafting a center or a back-up point guard.

There were reports that Ainge had offered a promise to German point guard Dennis Schroeder, who had plans to work out with the Celtics before returning to Germany, but Schroeder and his agent denied the reports.

Road to recovery #rehab http://t.co/JAqZo4uYJk

June 4, 2013 4:37 pm via Camera on iOSReplyRetweetFavorite

@jasonterry31

Jason Terry

At the end of the regular season Doc Rivers indicated that Jason Terry was battling through an unspecified leg injury, but I had forgotten about it until this post on Reddit popped up on Sunday showing Terry using a crutch (underneath his left arm). Then Tuesday afternoon, Terry tweeted the above along with a picture of him on what I’ve been informed is anti-gravity treadmill:

According to the Boston Herald, Terry had Plicia Syndrome and recently underwent an arthroscopic procedure to remove the troublesome plica from his left knee. Plicia Syndrome can cause pain and swelling in the knee, and was likely the cause of Terry’s offensive struggles entering the post season (I don’t have an excuse for his struggles the rest of the season).

In other injury news, the Herald also mentioned that Terrence Williams “recently had an injection to relieve a painful case of tendinitis in his knee.”

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As the Pacers push the Heat to Game 7, a Celtics fan can’t help but reminisce.

“Gatsby believed in the green light, the orgastic future that year by year recedes before us. It eluded us then, but that’s no matter—tomorrow we will run faster, stretch out our arms farther. . . . And one fine morning——

So we beat on, boats against the current, borne back ceaselessly into the past.” F. Scott Fitzgerald, “The Great Gatsby”

A team built on swarming, strong-side defense that shares the offensive burden once again lies between LeBron James and the NBA Finals. Game 7 of the Eastern Conference Finals between the Miami Heat and the Indiana Pacers is set to tip off at 8:30 pm Monday night in the sun-burned city of Miami–a year and a week since the Boston Celtics memorably went the distance with the inevitable heavyweight champs.

Watching the Indiana Pacers and their brash young coach, Frank Vogel (a familiar face in Boston), shrink the court and surround James with bodies, Celtics fans can’t help but be reminded of the feelings of that fateful Game 7. The Pride, The Fear, The Excitement.

The old, banged up boys from Boston had once again inexplicably taken a 3-2 series lead, before James forced a Game 7 with a 45-point, 15-rebound effort for the ages. Heading into that all-important game, we knew Boston was going against the current–on the road, against the best basketball player in the word.

But that was no matter, because we hoped (wished and prayed) that the Celtics would shoot better, rebound more…and reach the NBA Finals for the third time in the Big Three Era.

It eluded us then but, lest we forget, it eluded the Indiana Pacers as well.

Last year, in the Eastern Conference semifinals, the Pacers had the Heat on high alert, squaring the series at 2 games apiece before eventually fading in 6 games. But Indiana believes in the green light, the orgastic future. They have pushed the defending champions to the distance and now, both fighters sit on their stool in the corner, worn and wearied, waiting for the bell to sound.

Sure, the Pacers and their fans know they are paddling upstream, playing against the best team with the best player on their home floor. But that’s no matter. Because, just maybe, tonight the Pacers will run faster, stretch out their arms farther…And one fine morning – -

Avery Bradley’s trainer talked to Celtics Town about Bradley’s offseason work.

Perhaps more than any other Celtic player, the work Avery Bradley puts in this offseason could define his career for years to come. Bradley’s intense defense and incredible athleticism make him a formidable, intriguing player, but his offensive limitations are significant.

During this offseason, Bradley is working with Chris Hyppa, a Washington-based basketball trainer, to improve his offensive game. Hyppa trains male and female athletes of every level, from youth to professional, putting them through rigorous ball-handling and shooting workouts to prepare them for in-game situations. Hyppa stresses the importance “situational training” in his workouts; putting players in a position that they might find themselves in an actual game, and teaching them to understand why the workouts they are doing are relevant and how to properly apply them.

I talked to Hyppa about his work with Bradley so far and what he believes Bradley can become. Read more »