Nice to see former Celtic Lester Hudson making the best out of his opportunity in Washington. Even though Hudson had two turnovers in the game (to go along with 5 points and 1 rebound, in 8 minutes), a game-winning three-pointer’s not a bad way to start the season. Hudson was one of 11 Wizards to see action in the game, which could mean he has an inside track at making the regular season roster. One player who didn’t see action? Adam Morrison. As a wise man once said, some things don’t never change.

In other news out of Wizards camp, Gilbert Arenas wants out of Washington and seems kind of depressed by John Wall’s arrival in town. According to ESPN’s Marc Stein, Arenas said he had no emotions because “”I lost all feeling a long time ago.” Arenas also “spoke of a new role that, in his view, demands him to ‘hit open shots, teach John [Wall] the ins and outs of the game and then eventually go on and move on and I’m on my way.”

“Right now the city is John’s,” Arenas said. “I’m not here to fight anybody. I’m here to just play alongside him. He’s Batman and I’m Robin. When I came in, Larry [Hughes] moved aside for me to become a star and I’m moving aside so [Wall] can become a star. Let him fly and I’ll just fill in the gaps. When I came to Washington, that’s what Larry did for me and that’s what I’m doing for him.”

Sorry, I’d finish the rest of this story but I can’t stop laughing. Larry Hughes moving aside so somebody can become a star. Ha!

Lester Hudson, the former Celtic, has received a training camp invite from the Washington Wizards. (Washington Post)

The Wizards have 12 players under contract heading into training camp, and that likely will not change much over the next few weeks. They have extended training camp invites to Lester Hudson and Cartier Martin, but the team has not decided whether it will enter the year with 13, 14 or 15 players.

Hudson never made a profound impact on the court when he was in Boston, but he’s somebody to root for. He was born and raised in Memphis, Tennessee, and has overcome setbacks at almost every level.

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Maine Red Claws (20-13) vs. Fort Wayne Mad Ants (12-19)
7:30PM Wednesday, February 24, Portland Expo
7:30PM Thursday, February 25, Portland Expo

The Maine Red Claws return to the Expo after, between the All-Star break and a road trip, two weeks away. They face off against the Fort Wayne Mad Ants (Detroit Pistons, Milwaukee Bucks, Indianapolis Pacers) in back-to-back games Wednesday and Thursday.
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A few days ago, Lester Hudson flew to Miami with the Boston Celtics.  He participated in the morning shootaround, readying himself for Boston’s game against the Heat later that night.

But Hudson would never suit up for that game.  In a move that shocked most of Celtics nation, if not Hudson himself, the Celtics cut Hudson even before the game was played.  The Celtics front office had him travel with the team to Miami, only to give him the news that his professional basketball career was being put on hold.

“I was down for a couple days when Danny Ainge told me the news,” Hudson told the Jackson Sun.

And, really, who wouldn’t be?  The Celtics were Hudson’s first professional franchise, the team that drafted him, the only NBA team he knew.  Then, suddenly, the day before the remainder of his one-year contract would become guaranteed, Lester found himself teamless and jobless.

You would think Hudson would hold a grudge against the Celtics for the way his time there ended, right?  That he would be hostile with the situation, vindictive with the way Boston terminated his days as a Celtic?

Wrong.  Hudson is only thankful for the opportunity the Celtics provided him and excited for his time on the Memphis Grizzlies, where he was picked off waivers and will begin the second stop of his NBA career.

In Memphis, Hudson should be afforded a better opportunity to play than he was given on the veteran-laden Celtics.

“[Hudson] was never going to play significant minutes in Boston,” said Hudson’s agent, Lance Young. “But now he will be a big part of the Grizzlies’ second unit.

“This is a blessing in disguise because he has a chance to play, and the Grizzlies happen to be a playoff contender.”

Hudson, a Memphis product himself, is pleased about returning to his hometown to play for the Grizzlies, but hasn’t forgotten the lessons he learned in Boston. 

“I really learned a lot from that group of veterans,” he said. ”Especially on how to act like a professional.”

For Hudson to take being waived so graciously, the C’s must have taught him well.

Via Adrian Wojnarowski’s Twitter account:

Memphis has been awarded Lester Hudson off waivers, a league source tells Y! Sports. The Celtics let the rookie point guard go this week.

Memphis had scouted Hudson a great deal at nearby Tennessee-Martin, before Boston had picked him with the 58th pick of June Draft.

For Hudson, signing with the Grizzlies will be a nice trip home.  He grew up in Memphis and went to school nearby, so returning to Memphis should be a positive. 

Plus, he’ll be fighting for minutes with Jamaal Tinsleyand Mike Conley instead of Rajon Rondo.

The Celtics have gotten rid of their morning walkthrough, but that doesn’t mean we have to. Here are a few Celtics links, and maybe even an NBA link or two, to help wake you up and get you focused for the day.

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