Every once in a while, I link to a few articles from other writers around the internet. You know, I throw some dimes.

1. Antoine, oh Antoine. No NBA teams are interested in Antoine yet, reports David Aldridge. But Antoine’s keeping a good frame of mind through his bankruptcy battle. “The obvious, one, I’m living, so I’m not broke,” he said. “That’s not the case of being broke. Do I have $100 million? No, of course not. I’m going to lose a lot throughout this bankruptcy, so that’s not the case. But I think anybody that knows me personally knows I love the game, knows I love to play. If that’s not enough, me loving the game, and my dedication to the game is not enough, then I’m sorry for people who believe that. You can’t make everybody happy. All I can go is go out there and do that. It’s just like if I go work a 9-to-5 job. I still gotta provide for my family, myself. I’m going to have to do something. So why not do the thing I love to do, and that’s play basketball — which I feel like I’m very skilled at and I still have the ability to do at a high level.” After all the bad shots, immaturity and everything else, I still have a soft spot in my heart for Antoine Walker. He played the game with a passion that touched my heart.
2. Slam Online’s Adam Sweeney describes Kevin Garnett’s game without once discussing a single basketball skill: “To be on the side of Kevin Garnett means you ride into battle with a fearless partner. He fears no opponent and your doubts only fuel his fire. That intensity flows through his defensive mentality, which changed the entire attitude of the Boston Celtics when he came to the organization. His trash talk is the stuff of legends, allowing him to get into his opponent’s head. Ask Dwight Howard about that. When KG steps onto the court, as soon as he ceremoniously presses his head against the goalpost, he is a man possessed. We dare you to get in his path.” But my favorite part of Sweeney’s story was this line, a line I agree with completely. “He was a winner long before he got his ring in Beantown.”
3. Avery Bradley’s coach thinks he’s going to be a good one, and that working with Rajon Rondo will help. “I think it’s going to be great, and here’s why,” Peck explained. “One, he’s going to work. He’s going to do whatever he’s asked and told to get to where he wants to be. Two, he’s going to be willing and not reluctant to set aside his ego. … He’s very tuned in, learning, wanting to know, wanting to be taught, and get better. He’s a humble guy and he’s going to listen and he’s going to do what he’s told and expected. He’s going to work hard and his time will come.”
4. Jermaine O’Neal discusses why the C’s ginormous frontcourt will work: “I think we’re all going to make each other better,’’ he said. “We all do something different than the other. We all respect what we bring to the court as players.’’
5. In the same Aldridge article from above, he makes his power rankings. The Celtics finish 4th, behind the Lakers, Magic (?) and Heat.
6. Shaq has never been surrounded by so many stars as he is in Boston. ”For once in my career, I won’t have to hold anybody’s hand and they won’t have to hold mine,” he said. “I’m surrounded by veterans. We had a great battle [last Thursday] at HealthPoint. It was something I never had before — three, four, really great players all in one pickup game. It was me, Kevin [Garnett], Marquis [Daniels] and the Turkish guy [Semih Erden] against Ray [Allen], Paul [Pierce], Jermaine [O'Neal] and Big Baby. Amazing. Really high intensity.” I wish we had tapes of the pickup games.
7. Jeff Van Gundy thinks Delonte West could be an x-factor: “And I think the Celtics have made some really good moves — Jermaine O’Neal, Shaquille O’Neal, and Delonte West to me is a wildcard depending on his mindset, because he’s a very good player.”
8. If the new rules had been used in the NBA Finals, there would have been ten times as many technical fouls.

Got a tip? An article you think should be included? Send an email to jayking@celticstown.com or hit me up on Twitter @CelticsTown.

Every once in a while, I link to a few articles from other writers around the internet. You know, I throw some dimes.

1. Avery Bradley, who sprained his ankle in a pre-draft workout for the Oklahoma City Thunder and underwent surgery on July 2, won’t be ready for the start of training camp. “”I don’t think Avery will be ready for training camp,” Ainge told ESPN Boston. “He’s a couple weeks away, at least.” That’s one hell of a sprained ankle, huh?
2. Paul Flannery chimed in from the C’s charity golf tournament with a bunch of interesting tidbits. Danny Ainge said that… 1) Kevin Garnett is “in much better shape than he was last year starting training camp.” 2) “I think this is the most talented team we’ve had in quite a while. Now it’s just a matter of it all coming together.” 3) “We feel like in our defensive schemes we’ve really improved our defense.” 4) Perk is “ahead of schedule according to him and the doctors.” And 5) “Marquis outplayed all of our bench players throughout October, November and December until he had the [thumb] injury. We know what Marquis is capable of doing.”
3. Flannery also sang Doc Rivers’ praises. “Talent wins in pro sports, but within the coaching profession there are a handful of certified experts at getting their players to band together for the cause: Phil Jackson, Gregg Poppovich, Larry Brown (on his best days). And after last spring, Doc Rivers has joined their company. Ask yourself this question: How many coaches could have shepherded a team like the Celtics through the season they had, and then get them to play at such a high level in the playoffs? … There are a lot of people in the NBA that would like the opportunity to coach this team, but there are few, if any, who can do it as well as Rivers.”
4. Shaq “strongly considered doing his swan song on Broadway before signing with Boston,” according to the New York Daily news. He reportedly wanted another chance to play with Amare Stoudemire. I’m sure Shaq will be okay playing alongside Garnett, Pierce, Allen and Rondo instead.
5. Chinese people love the Celtics more than they love Yao.
6. Nate Robinson needs to work on his putting stroke… and his golf wardrobe.
7. Kelly Dwyer calls the Lakers “basketball at its best.” Hold on, do you hear that? Yup, that’s the sound of me puking.
8. Dwight Howard says Kevin Durant is better than Lebron James. Slow down, Dwight. Relax. Take a few deep breaths.

Got a tip? An article you think should be included? Send an email to jayking@celticstown.com or hit me up on Twitter @CelticsTown.

Every once in a while, I link to a few articles from other writers around the internet. You know, I throw some dimes.

1. A Seattle PI blogger, Scott Cushing, actually had the audacity to compare Len Bias’s death to Kevin Durant and the Thunder leaving Seattle. Umm, no. Len Bias died. Durant just relocated. Let’s relax here, Cushing. You need to take a few plays off. (Note: Cushing’s blog is a reader’s blog. I don’t know whether any Joe Schmo can have a reader’s blog, but his work is un-edited.) While we’re on the subject of Bias, read Bill Simmons’s Bias piece. One of my favorite basketball columns of all time.
2. Paul Flannery discusses Shaq’s potential impact next season: “Shaquille O’Neal was not the most important offseason signing for the Celtics. He wasn’t even the most important acquisition at his position. That would be Jermaine O’Neal who will be asked to assume the starter’s role when training camp begins. But Shaq rates higher on our list for reasons that go beyond the court. That’s the way it is with Shaq these days. His offcourt persona dominates to such a degree that it has become bigger than his game.”
3. Flannery also attempted to answer a question we all asked yesterday: why work out Adam Morrison, Rashad McCants et al? Flannery concludes, “It’s not clear what Ainge’s intentions are yet, but with the start of training camp looming at the end of the month, it does appear that he’s continuing to look for the right pieces.” Which begs another question: if Ainge is looking for the right pieces, shouldn’t he be looking somewhere else?
4. A panel of Lakers experts consider the Celtics a bigger threat to LA than the Heat. Key word, “bigger.”
5. A little baby mama drama. Dwight Howard is suing his child’s mother for more than $500 million, according to TMZ. Dwight now has two things to work on this summer – 1) wearing a condom, and 2) his first post move.
6. I never thought the day would come when I’d be afraid of Eric Dampier joining a rival team, but if Dampier signs with the Heat he’d help. CBSSports says the Heat are the frontrunners, while Sports Illustrated lists the Heat, Rockets, Suns and Raptors as suitors.

Got a tip? An article you think should be included? Send an email to jayking@celticstown.com or hit me up on Twitter @CelticsTown.

Every once in a while, I link to a few articles from other writers around the internet. You know, I throw some dimes.

Ainge: "Michael, you drafted Adam Morrison? What are you, nuts?" Michael: "You're the one who's still working him out."

1. Danny Ainge spoke about today’s workout with Cuttino Mobley, Adam Morrison, Trenton Hassell and Rashad McCants. Even though Ainge praised them, I’d eat a toilet full of feces if any of those four make the Celtics this season. “Those guys are all good NBA players,” Ainge said, apparently lying through his teeth. “McCants looked really good,” Ainge continued. “He shot the ball well, he competed at a high level. I’m really surprised that he’s not in the NBA right now. Same with Adam Morrision, making shots, making passes. The guys looked hungry, they looked fit.”
2. Kelly Dwyer simply gets Antoine Walker. I second everything he writes about Employee Number Eight. “Think about it. He entered this league with the ability to turn into the pro game’s most versatile player. Handle for days, in spite of his size. A passable touch from long range, in spite of his size. A knack for the carom, in spite his perimeter-heavy ways. A good sense of when, and how, to dish; in spite of his look-at-me tendencies. The guy could have been great, so great, in every way a man can contribute at this level. Instead, he coasted.”
3. With the C’s starting center position open, Paul Flannery wonders whether Jermaine O’Neal’s the man for the job: “On offense, O’Neal is a scoring threat from inside and out and as an added bonus, he also doesn’t turn the ball over very much. On defense, he is a solid rebounder who offers a shot-blocking presence. He’s not at Perkins level as an individual defender, but he’s a clear upgrade offensively. O’Neal also brings an understated element to a locker room that will be bursting with huge personalities. It’s impossible to tell how those dynamics will develop over the course of the season, but O’Neal is a well-respected pro who should fit seamlessly into the mix.” If I were Doc, I’d start Jermaine. Let Shaq get buckets with the second unit while Jermaine keeps the first unit defensive.
4. Kurt Helin previews the Celtics season. He acknowledges that the Celtics are contenders, but writes that the regular season could be another long one. “There will come a time this season when the Celtics play .500 ball or below for 20 games or so. And we will all put our short memories on display. We will say they don’t look like contenders and this is different than last season, different than 2008. And Rivers will ignore everyone and work on getting guys rested and healthy for the playoffs. He knows if they are, they will be right there, knocking on the door of another banner for the crowded rafters.”
5. NBA Fanhouse re-writes the Minnesota Timberwolves’ full-page advertisement. Pure comic gold.
6. The best headline of the day: “Suddenly ‘Hack-a-Shaq’ takes on a new meaning.”

Every once in a while, I link to a few articles from other writers around the internet. You know, I throw some dimes.

1. Paul Pierce’s high school jersey will be retired. Congrats, Truth. I was actually watching Pierce lose to Vince Carter in the 1995 McDonald’s dunk contest. Coincidentally, that contest was also the last time Vince will ever beat Truth in anything meaningful.
2. Paul Flannery discusses Rondo leaving/getting cut from Team USA. Bill Simmons opines, “The single smartest thing Coach K did: dumping Rajon Rondo before the tournament started. This team could only succeed because of the “young/energetic/undersized athletes rallying around Durant and having good chemistry” dynamic and it wouldn’t have worked with Rose and Rondo (natural rivals) competing for minutes. Rondo was expendable for two reasons: can’t shoot from outside (neither can Rose), can’t shoot free throws (Rose can). And you didn’t need both. The good news: Every Rose/Rondo game is going to be A-W-E-S-O-M-E this season.”
3. For what it’s worth, Bill Simmons’ father likes Semih Erden. It’s probably worth nothing.
4. Brandon Jennings believes the Bucks will win the Central Division. After getting home from Turkey, I’m sure Derrick Rose will have a nice chuckle at that.
5. Why Team USA, despite winning gold, really was the “B team.” I agree with everything written about Team USA here.
6. Breaking news: People hate Lebron James. Almost as much as they hate Kobe.

Got a tip? An article you think should be included? Send an email to jayking@celticstown.com or hit me up on Twitter @CelticsTown.

Once in a while, someone else’s article catches my eye. Sometimes, it’s because the article is so spot-on I wish I’d written it myself. Other times, it’s because the article enlightens me with something I never knew. Still other times, it’s because I disagree with whatever’s written. No matter what the reason, I dish it off to another writer to make his/her point. You know, throwing some dimes.

Time keeps on slipping, slipping, slipping into the future.

1. Red’s Army unearthed a sobering piece by J.A. Adande about how the Celtics should blow up the current roster. To which I say, “Yup, it’s gonna have to be done.” BUT they still might have one last shot.

As disappointing as this season has been, it hasn’t been so bad they’re going to take down the 2008 banner. The strategy was worth it. I wish more teams would go all-in for a shot at a championship. But they need to get this over with as quickly as possible because there won’t be any gallant last stand. They don’t have the same ferocious defense or unmistakable camaraderie. Now there are reports that coach Doc Rivers is ready to leave. Rivers called it “old news.” He called it “a non-issue, for me, right now.” He didn’t call it “untrue.” He should move on. Everyone who can should. Call in the crew that handled the old Boston Garden demolition and let them take this roster apart. The painful part is that Kevin Garnett and Rasheed Wallace still have two years remaining on their contracts, worth almost half the salary cap between them. This won’t be enjoyable to watch. Hopefully, there’s as little programming as possible.

2. SB Nation picked Rasheed Wallace, of all players in the NBA, to be the most valuable.

Nothing about what we are seeing now should be considered a surprise. Just looking at his body of work, and in particular the last year or so in Detroit, we should all have known what to expect from Rasheed Wallace (too many 3′s, talented but doesn’t make best use of those talents). So most Celtics fans went into this with eyes wide open.

With that said, his talent and past success was also seen as an opportunity. We hoped that he would be re-energized by the chance to play alongside other veteran stars with a chance at a title. We hoped that he would see the opportunity to finish off his career on an high note and make one final push for the title. Even if we got nothing from him in the last 2 years of his contract, if he worked out well this year, it would all be worth it.

None of that has happened thus far. In fact, there’s a perception (be it fair or not) that the opposite happened. Instead of the team infecting him with a winning attitude, he may have infected the team with a lackadaisical attitude. That’s not really fair to pin on any one person but it explains the angst directed at ‘Sheed.

Of course all will be forgiven if he really can “flip the switch” in the playoffs and justify the Celtics “CTC (cutting the check)” for him. But if he doesn’t, all he’ll be hearing is “ball don’t lie” from the Garden faithful.

3. Jeff Clark writes why people should root for the Celtics in the playoffs.

Root for Paul Pierce to take his place among the greats of Celtic past. Root for Ray Allen to convince the Celtics to let him retire in Boston and break Reggie Miller’s three-point record there. Root for Kevin Garnett to win the title again so he can try to top his “anything’s possiblllllllllllllllllllle” howl with something even more over the top. Root for the Celtics so the new stars can see that defense still does win championships.

A new dawn is ready to break for the NBA. This offseason could usher in some seismic shifts to the balance of power. But before that happens, lets put a cap on this era by watching the old guard go out on top.

4. Celtics Hub reminds us all that if there’s one thing Rasheed Wallace is good for, it’s bricking jumpers.

5. Ball Don’t Lie points out that some people, toddlers even, really love Dwyane Wade. Mayeb those damn toddlers should read Jeff Clark’s piece. For the next couple weeks or so, I say “Eff Dwyane Wade.”

Wanna throw your own dime, and get someone’s article recognized? Email me at jayking@celticstown.com or follow me on Twitter.