Well that’s kind of embarrassing. Want to know what else is embarrassing? That I’m so late posting this video. This happened two days ago. Clearly, I’ve got to step my blogging up a notch or two or three.

Anyway, Iggy is keeping a diary for the Philadelphia Daily news and had this to say about the game against Brazil: “I had a job, which was to make it tough on [Leandro] Barbosa to score and he had to pull out his best moves to score in the second half.” I’m sure that was your job, Iggy. But on the play above, you didn’t exactly fulfill your duties.

The Donkey could be wearing Green again.

Nate Robinoson, the Diminutive Dunker, is close to re-signing with the Boston Celtics. (Boston Herald) Read more »

What in the world is Sheed doing?

Despite reports that he might renege on his retirement talk, Rasheed Wallace is still expected to retire. Doc Rivers said the chances are ”very little or none” Sheed will play next season. (NBA Fanhouse)

Celtics coach Doc Rivers said Monday that Wallace is assisting the team by not filing retirement papers any time soon.

“He’s trying to help us out by waiting, which is good,” Rivers said of Wallace, due to make $6.32 million next season and $6.79 million in 2011-12. “He’s still our property so we can use that in a trade or something. He’s doing a great thing for us.”

While there has been some speculation Wallace might not retire now that Rivers has assured that he will return to the Celtics and star forward Paul Pierce is on the verge of signing a new contract, Rivers said the chances are “very little or none” the forward will play next season.

Boston general manager Danny Ainge, joining Rivers and the Celtics at the AirTran Airways Pro Summer League, said that “as far as I know” Wallace will retire. He also spoke of Wallace holding off to help the Celtics, saying, “We’re hoping that will happen. A piece (for the team to use in a possible deal).”

With that in mind, the Celtics can get back to searching for trades. By the way, today marks the third day in a row the Boston Herald has mentioned the C’s interest in Rudy Fernandez and Leandro Barbosa: We get it by now, guys. The Celtics are very intrigued by the possibility of adding one of those guys to be a sparkplug off the bench.

Speaking of trades, Josh Smith is reportedly on the market. Would Sheed, Big Baby and a first-round pick net him? Because that would be fab.

Any other potential trade targets you guys think would fit?

The Boston Celtics are exploring trades that would bring Leandro Barbosa or Rudy Fernandez to Boston. (Boston Herald)

League sources said yesterday that the Celts have expressed trade interest in guards Leandro Barbosa of Phoenix and Rudy Fernandez of Portland.

The Celtics probably are using Rasheed Wallace’s contract in their attempt to acquire Barbosa, who averaged 9.5 points in 17.9 minutes for the Suns this season.

Barbosa will make $7.1 million in 2010-11 and has a player option for $7.6 million the following season. Wallace is on the books for $6,322,320, which is well within the acceptable range (125 percent plus $100,000) for a trade under NBA rules.

The Suns then could let Wallace retire and be responsible on their cap only for the buyout, which the C’s could help with, too.

Of course, none of this trade talk means anything if Wallace doesn’t actually retire. Fernandez and Barbosa sure can spark a second unit, though. They’re both instant offense, in the mold of Nate Robinson… except they aren’t midgets, so they could actually play alongside Rondo.

Something interesting to note: Fernandez is only going to make $1.2 million next season. If I’m not mistaken, a straight-up trade of Sheed for Fernandez doesn’t work. Fernandez and Marcus Camby for Big Baby and Sheed, anyone?