Happy Hump Day, Boston Celtics fans!
Let’s start out Hump Day by reminiscing fondly of ex-Celtics player Kris Humphries. Yep – he’s an ex-Celtic now, as he was involved in a sign-and-trade that sent him packing for Washington yesterday:
Washington, Boston have completed sign-and-trade for Kris Humphries, source says. Boston gets a trade exception and protected 2nd round pick
— Adrian Wojnarowski (@WojYahooNBA) July 15, 2014
I enjoyed wasting Hump bust his, uh, hump last year for the Celtics. His hustle will be missed, in my opinion – but Danny Ainge continues squeeze value out of his assets, so if you’re not happy with the long-term implications of this trade, you might just be a Kardashian.
Let’s face it, though: this offseason has not been filled with the sort of fireworks Celtics co-owner Wyc Grousbeck promised for us Celtics fans. While Boston was getting rid of Humphries, the Charlotte Hornets were further solidifying their claim as a true up-and-coming team to be feared in the Eastern Conference:
Report: Charlotte Hornets to sign Lance Stephenson to three-year contract http://t.co/bJGOjB8ARH — Kurt Helin (@basketballtalk) July 16, 2014
And anyone thinking that Dwyane Wade would flee South Beach after seeing his best chance at winning another championship – LeBron James – head home, well you just don’t understand how important Miami is to Flash:
Home Is Where The Heart Is… My Home,My City,My House..#HeatLiferhttp://t.co/lMmP2JTDQY
— THREE (@DwyaneWade) July 15, 2014
Plot enough points among all those variables and you’ll find Wade, anchored in south Florida regardless of the All-Stars and teammates who choose to join or leave him. He has spent 11 years there and, from all signs, will always consider it home. It doesn’t matter that he grew up in Robbins, Ill., a suburb south of Chicago, or attended Marquette University in Milwaukee for three years. Miami is the place Wade became a man, began and is raising a family, has enjoyed all his professional success (three Heat championships) and will be honored in a few years in bronze outside AmericanAirlines Arena.
So if LeBron cast a vote for roots and homecomings Friday, Wade cast one four days later for adopted hometowns, fresh beginnings and career mobility. That speaks to a lot of NBA fans too.
Of course, no one ever thought Wade was going anywhere! Nice sentiment, though.
I think the NBA is making a wise choice, copying the NHL’s off-location command center for video replay:
The NBA will soon begin testing the off-site video review system that will be used to aid referees in making their in-game instant replay decisions during the 2014-15 season.
At a press conference following a Board of Governors meeting on Tuesday, commissioner Adam Silver announced plans to phase in the so-called “command center” setup that would provide centralized assistance of all in-game instant replay decisions.
“[The replay center] is going to be in operation beginning in September,” Silver said. “We’re going to experiment with the WNBA and then use it in the preseason.”
Nothing worse than watching a game come to a screeching halt while NBA officials huddle around a tiny monitor, especially when they don’t have access to every conceivable camera angle. I hope the NBA makes this official.
Just in case you were wondering, it would appear that the Minnesota Timberwolves have resumed talking to teams about a potential trade involving All-Star forward Kevin Love. I’ll you chew on this for a while before I touch it.
And finally, the Boston Celtics chose not to waive point guard Phil Pressey, meaning the young man will have a guaranteed contract with the Celtics through the 2014-2015 season. If you’re wondering why the team loves Pressey so much, you should check out these thoughts from his former AAU coach, among others.
Enjoy!
